New Year's Resolutions

I have a confession to make: I was a jerk for a long time. Then every New Year's, I would resolve to be a better person. I've been successful enough at that task to think that the following list is reasonable and optimistic.

A goal is something you want to do, but you're not sure if you can. Thus the nobility is in the attempt. Here's my list.

-Play more EDH

This seems simple enough, I know. I've been writing this for six months, and yet I can say with certainty that I've written more posts the last couple months than I have played games. Moving to a more sparsely populated area hasn't helped, and this leads to other goals:

- Encourage local playgroup

I'm guilty of this sin: I avoid metagames dominated by combo decks. Last year, we moved up here where combo runs rampant, and I haven't done enough to encourage people to try something new.

I know nothing will change if I stay away. If I get involved, with decks that do appropriately degenerate things, there's a chance others will come around. Since I'm not planning on moving, I should at least try...right?

- Finish the wedding plans and do the deed!

We are excited and yet intimidated by the logistics of the ceremony and reception. Our first two plans have fallen through, and we have been in sort of a scramble. Nonetheless, it's exciting and I couldn't be happier.

- Be a good father and husband

We are expecting a baby girl this year, and while I'm aware that a newborn is going to impact game-playing time, I know that I'm going to want to spend a lot of time with my daughter.

- Avoid selling again

Even though it was for the best of reasons, getting 50% value on cards via buylists chafed me in ways I can't describe. I didn't mind taking apart the decks I rarely played, but letting cards go to stores for the cash infusion wasn't too fun. I'd like to avoid doing that again if I can.

- Kill with Delirium again

It was magical. A friend of mine tried to kill me with Blightsteel Colossus. GG sir!


- Keep readers entertained

I think I'm doing this nicely.  I haven't yet done a 'improve my deck' post or a mailbag, but those are in the works.  I'm certainly more popular than I ever thought I'd be, and hopefully people will want to stay because they find my work not only helpful when building or playing, they are entertained enough to come back for more.

- Continue to be ad free

There's a little money to be made via AdSense and such, but I don't find it does a lot.  Plus, if I start making money off this, it might well cease to be fun and turn into something I feel compelled to do, rather than something I want to do.

- Cut Adun back to five noncreature spells

It was up to 7 at one point.  I'm working on it.
 
- Sit down with strangers without fear of turn-four combo kills

I have become paranoid about this. I'd like to get over that feeling, but it seems that everyone starts off with their Teferi or Memnarch deck. I have an Azami deck, but it doesn't get played in my first game with a new group. If it turns out that people can handle it, then away we go!

- Make it to two GPs and play Commander games

I don't mean the $5 games, I mean just random strangers playing games.  We tend to go to GP events with a goal of signing cards and drafting--noble goals, but I should make time for this format I love so much.

- Continue interacting via Twitter (@WordOfCommander) and email (WordOfCommander@gmail.com)

I don't have a lot of followers, but I'm surprised at the way in which this grows.  I think that people who follow 1,000 others on Twitter are mad--there's just too much to read and too much to keep up with!

- Make a Zeerbe-style cutout custom foil

Zeerbe gave me a lot of help and advice on the forums when I was learning how to make my generals and such (here's the full gallery) and his eBay page is filled with a new variation that looks pretty darn amazing.  I can't wait to try it...when I have the time.


Coming soon: Let's talk Gatecrash!