Gina Davidson: I'm resolved to not bothering

Published on Tuesday 30 December 2008 09:09

GIVING up smoking? How about that spare tyre – going to lose it this year? Or perhaps you're going to take up some charity work. In the words of a one-eyed sergeant major: "Aye right."

The only resolve I ever show at New Year is to never claim to have a resolution for the 12 months ahead. After all, what's the point? I never know what's likely to happen one day to the next, so why make wild pledges that will be broken within hours?

For years I told my mother I'd stop biting my nails. She was right about it being a disgusting habit, but it never happened, and I was lucky enough to meet a bloke who didn't care about French manicures.

I've toyed with the idea of becoming an organised super-mum (and heaven knows I've got enough "family diaries" to push me into it) but there's something rather life-affirming about the morning scramble for clothes that can be worn un-ironed, pot-luck packed lunches and a "let's see what's in the freezer" approach to dinner. There's nothing like a little stress to let you know you're alive.

Admittedly, financially I would like to be more on top of things, so perhaps I will finally turn my mind to that pile of envelopes at the side of the bed. Or maybe not, there is always a book to be read after all, or, more importantly, sleep to be had.

My lack of any is probably why resolve is something I admire in other people. You know, the type of people who can say "this year I will run the Edinburgh Marathon" and then actually put in the training and complete the challenge. Even people who've previously struggled to run for a bus. Fantastic, I think. Wouldn't be me.

Similarly, I have a sneaking admiration for people who enter into local politics, especially in Edinburgh. To want to put yourself forward for such constant criticism because you believe you can change things and make a difference? To have enough resolve to ignore all the brickbats? Truly admirable. If a bit mad.

This year, there have been plenty of people to admire for their resolution here in Edinburgh.

Take the most celebrated of all – Chris Hoy. Who could fail to be moved by his achievements in China, winning three gold medals for his cycling prowess? And, in the midst of it all, still managing to make his point about the need for a velodrome in the Capital.

Then there's Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald, who has launched a fight to have assisted suicide made legal. Despite battling with Parkinson's disease herself, she's determined to see a new law introduced which will allow people with degenerative conditions, terminal illnesses and dependent trauma victims to take their own lives. No matter where you stand on the issue, her resolve is quite astounding.

Rebecca Clark is another worthy of admiration. The 17-year-old from Musselburgh this year underwent months of gruelling treatment for Hodgkin's disease. But rather than let it get her down, she produced and modelled for a calendar to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust and CLIC Sargent.

I even admire the National Galleries boss John Leighton. Such is his resolve to save a Titian painting for the nation that he has had the sheer brass neck to ask the public to raise 50 million – and this at a time when people are struggling to pay their gas bills.

One thing is for sure about next year – there will be plenty more people in Edinburgh showing their resolve, determination, and sometimes a touch of lunacy, to make sure the things that are important to them are achieved.

And without a doubt, 2009 is going to be a hard year for most of us.

But let's not dwell on how gloomy it all might be. Instead, when the bells finally chime tomorrow, let's just raise our glasses and count the blessings that we do have.

So to those with their lists of resolutions and to those who, like me, think resolve is a hangover cure, I can only say, Happy New Year.

Get Dook in the book

LAST January 1, for the first time ever, I went down to South Queensferry to watch the Loony Dook. It's one of those events that you hear about, that you even see photos of in the papers, but yet you still can't quite believe actually takes place. After all, who in their right mind would willingly go swimming in the freezing Forth on the first day of the year?

Well thousands have – and hundreds more go to watch. It's as much a part of the New Year celebrations as the Princes Street Party – if not more so given it's long tradition.

So for the Dook to be ignored by the powers-that-be, and not be given its rightful place as part of the activities around Hogmanay in the official brochures published by the council, is . . . loony. Perhaps if it cost people 35 a head to enter it would have been a different matter.