Buddy Blog: No New Year’s Resolutions, But Maybe Some Goals

I thought about picking the Gators to go undefeated and win a natty as DJ Lagway wins UF’s fourth Heisman. Too optimistic?

I promise to be more grateful for the little things and lower my expectations, so there will be no New Year’s Resolutions in 2025 that can’t be broken — or at least revised in mid-stream.

I thought about picking the Gators to go undefeated and win a natty as DJ Lagway wins UF’s fourth Heisman. Too optimistic? Ok, I’ll settle for the SEC title, playoffs and a Heisman finalist. See what I did there?

To put a moratorium on complaining about the new CFB Playoffs with two-year ceasefire until they have a 24-month window to tweak it. Note: I did not say I would be forced to accept or endorse it by 2027.

I promise to stop screaming at the TV, complaining about Ill-informed announcers and stop bitching at ESPN for making me go on Easter Egg Hunts to find a game. Well, at least the complaining part about the announcers.

I also promise to appreciate the high degree of professionalism-with a touch of of-homerism style of Sean Kelly, treasure the football knowledge of Steve Spurrier and celebrate the chance to work with Ben Troupe, Ali Peek Wilbur and Shane Matthews. Ok, well at least not argue so much with Shane when it comes to football, because he’s a Phi Beta Kappa in that.

I promise to laugh more, cry less, love with more conviction (especially my 4 grandchildren) and reach out for the joy that has previously always been there but may have eluded me. Ok, I might need a mulligan sometimes on that crying thing.

I want to thank God for my legion of good friends, especially my old bestie Ed M, new bestie Carswell — and while I am at it, my new wife of one year (Jan. 20). Yeah, the new wife thing, Dawne. Do I get points?

I look forward with great anticipation to these new challenges and opportunities in 2025:

—Finishing at least two of the three books I have started, one of them a newspaper novel of 40 years ago, one of them a schmaltzy romantic Rom/Com and made-for-Hallmark TV book. I may also, with the help of my daughter Rebecca and pal Carlton, begin work on a long-promised memoir. OK, a least the Rom/Com.

—With the help of the new school president, launching a unique sports writing/broadcasting curriculum at a state school by this fall. And no caveats here.

I am dead serious.

—To launch a podcast in the Panhandle and help my stepson Tyler launch his in Marianna.

—To be kinder, more grateful, more concerned for others and more appreciative for those with whom I serve. Including Brenden, Franz, Ben, Loren, Carlton, Chris, Mike, Dan, Rob and Eddie.

—And if he’ll deputize me, help my stepson Sheriff Tommy Ford catch more crooks in Bay County. Ok, at least call him if I see something suspicious because he doesn’t necessarily see the need for a firearm in our house.