Random observations for this, the second day of the year twenty-ten:
In North America, the common convention for displaying dates is mm/dd/yyyy. Today’s date turns out to be a palindrome (meaning it writes the same forwards and backwards): 01/02/2010. The last palindrome date was October 2nd, 2001.
It is the coldest day of the year (so far!) in Toronto, Canada. It is currently -17°C (1.4°F). It is also 256.15 kelvin. The Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, the point where all kinetic, molecular movement stops. For those of us born in Winnipeg, this is also known as the intersection of Portage and Main.
Thanks to a Japanese satellite orbiting the Moon, researchers announced the discovery of a giant, tubular hole over 200 feet wide and 260 feet deep. The scientific community is suggesting it may be the perfect location to build a moon colony, which has driven up property values in and around the Marius Hills region.
Today I successfully fixed a faucet in the bathroom that has been dripping since 2002. I calculate the wasted water to be roughly 60,000 liters, which is enough to FILL UP OUR ENTIRE HOUSE THREE TIMES OVER. And this is coming from the dad who yells at his kids when they don’t turn off their bedroom lights.
Traditionally, the second day of the year is the first test of a New Year’s resolution. A study in the UK found that over one third fail by Day 2. For years I tried to beat those odds with an elaborate matrix of goals printed on business cards and stored in my wallet. I tracked my progress daily using my complicated LifeFocus™ System. The longest I ever lasted was 50 days.
This year my plan is easier. I call it GYST. It simply means Get Your Sh*t Together. If there’s a leak, fix it. If you find a hole in the Moon, fill it with astronauts. If it’s absolute zero, put on a hat. If it’s the last palindrome day for another few years, spend it with someone you love.
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About the author: Jason Theodor is a creative director, author, speaker, & teacher specializing in ideation techniques. Read more at http://JasonTheodor.com.
