Rhody Rocks Resolutions

Is there a more hackneyed post I could possibly make than to post my 'resolutions' as a cheap convention to preview the coming 12 months? Of course not, and that's why I love it. Although, this might be a little different, in that these aren't my resolutions, they're yours. If you've seen the state of our political system, you know choice is not a luxury Rhode Island has earned, so I'm telling you right here and now what's good for you. Fortunately, these should be about the most enjoyable resolutions you could possibly keep.

Resolution 1: See more live music

A few years ago, you had a perfectly legitimate reason for not going to see local live shows: there was no way to know if the band sucked (and around here, if you weren't into Noise and other heavy metal variants, you had know way to know if you were going to be deafened.) Now, though, every band that's been together ten minutes has a MySpace page or a site with some tracks posted, so you can try before you buy, even if buying means heading out to the local bar. Check out The Phoenix or lotsofnoise for the best listings.

Resolution 2: Buy some art

You've heard that Rhode Island is becoming a magnet for artists, but you haven't taken the plunge and walked into a gallery. Just do it, you'll feel good, pump some money back into the local scene, and get an artifact you will always remember and cherish. If you want to make a night of it, there's always Gallery Night, or you could go a bit further to the edge and check out the Pawtucket scene.

Resolution 3: Join something

Did you know you can try to be a skater with the Providence Roller Derby? (Well, as long as you have two X chromosomes, anyway.) Not every activity in the Ocean State might be that cool, but you could certainly find a sports league (Basketball in Charlestown? A volleyball league? Flag football?) or maybe volunteer for something. There's a lot out there.

Resolution 4: Get out of the city

I know Rhody Rocks, based on its current posts, could be renamed 'The Providence/Pawtucket Booster Blog'. First, though, that's a sucky name, and second, we guarantee there will be many posts coming in the coming year that will feature state-wide attractions. We'll tell you about fishing and dining in Chepachet, shopping in Bristol, theatergoing in Warren, tourist-dodging in Newport, and how to go to a beach in Narragansett without a steroid-fueled guido ruining your day. In the meantime, it can't hurt too much to go exploring on your own, at least as long as you avoid Coventry.

Resolution 5: Post some comments

Can I be honest with you? I have a dream for this blog, a dream that a community of like-minded folks will share their favorite night spots and activities, so the world and the bored masses will know all the great things about this state. So please, if you do something worth talking about, either post it up here or send me an email at reedmore1 (at) cox.net, and let us all know. Don't let my dream die in 2008.