Feeling unmotivated? Perhaps hearing about what some notable Torontonians are doing to better themselves in 2013 will prove inspirational.
It’s usually the most successful people who work the hardest, even after they do something big. (Look it up!) So it follows that some of Toronto’s most interesting and accomplished people would have their sights set on what they’ll be doing next, doing more, doing better. Here, some local luminaries—in literature, politics, sports, music, comedy and… other stuff—tell us about their New Year’s resolutions.
Amir Johnson
Basketball player, Toronto Raptors (pictured at top)
“I hope 2013 will be a year of growth for me. On the court, I hope this means more wins for the Raptors—I’m going to do everything in my power to make that happen for Toronto. I also want to spend more time raising money for The Remix Project because I believe in anything that gets kids off the streets. I’d love to develop a children’s charity of my own, too. Off the court, I want to travel more and cross some destinations off my bucket list, like Dubai, Egypt, or Spain. Last but not least, I want to learn how to play the piano. Stay tuned for my first recital date.”
Gary Taxali (photo: Nana Arbova/The Grid)
Artist; special-edition coin designer for The Royal Canadian Mint
“This year, in addition to working on my next solo exhibition at the Jonathan Levine Gallery in NYC, I’ll be utilizing my art in more unique settings, such as site-specific installations, public-art spaces, and intersecting it with digital technology as well as in fashion and furniture. I recently had a pop-up exhibition at Soho House Toronto where I revealed 12 new works displayed in the midst of projection bombings. The thing I am most excited about is using my art to help beautify the City of Toronto in more public spaces. My New Year’s resolution is to contribute even more to charities and in particular, help end child hunger. I am a World Vision art ambassador and traveled to Sri Lanka and the Philippines in 2012. I will be creating art based on research and inspiration from my trip and use it to raise awareness and money. Everyone should donate and contribute more to the wonderful work of charitable organizations such as World Vision.”
Dani Couture
Author of Algoma; literary editor at THIS Magazine
“I’m a sucker for working on two big projects at the same time. Right now, that means a collection of poetry and a novel. My New Year’s resolution is not writing-related; it never is. I’d like to complete A Midsummer Night’s Run, a 15K race on the Leslie Spit in August, in the same time I did last summer. I’m injury prone—read: clumsy—and currently recovering from a nasty concussion, which means I’m not running a lot. So my resolution is not to run faster or longer, just build back to where I was last summer.”
Debra Goldblatt-Sadowski (Photo: Jessica Blaine Smith)
Founder, rock-it promotions
“2013 is rock-it promotions’, my boutique PR firm, 13th year of business. It’s always been a lucky number for me, so I anticipate a fortuitous year. I also turn 40 this year—can’t believe I just revealed that—so it’s a milestone year any way I look at it. My resolution? Love my husband and kid lots, laugh every day, get some yoga in, enjoy cupcakes and Champagne regularly, and take really good care of my clients and the team around me.”
Jessica Tyler
Actress; Jenna on Degrassi: The Next Generation
“My New Year’s resolution is to start being more thankful for the things I have. I’ve quickly learned that, at any moment, things can change. It’s become really important to me to appreciate my friends and especially my family every day. Express your love for your parents; embarrass your little siblings with a ton of hugs and kisses when you drop them off at school. Cherish the food and water we all have, and always remember just how fortunate we really are. What’s Christmas without a lot of love, right?!”
Ceri Marsh (Photo: Carlyle Routh)
Contributing editor at The Kit; co-creator of sweetpotatochronicles.com
“I love resolutions and make them constantly. But top of my list is the fall launch of the Sweet Potato Chronicles Cook Book, which is all about feeding your family. So I’ll being doing lots of promotional work—plus revealing the secret to getting kids to eat kale and do the dishes—with my online partner Laura Keogh. And I also plan to do enough of the killer Fusion classes at Misfit Studio to finally nail crane pose.”
Donovan Woods
Musician
“I just finished recording a new record that will be coming out next year in early March. It’s called Don’t Get Too Grand and I’ll spend much of 2013 traveling around playing the songs, trying to get people to hear it. I wrote a national anthem for the city of Toronto for The Grid this year, which was not well received by most people. I got a lot of emails telling me to ‘Move to Hamilton, then.’ My New Year’s resolution is to not stare at screens so often. A music publisher I work with, when he sees me staring at my phone, snaps ‘D. Woods, be social,’ and I need that. Less phone, more talking with actual people.”
Matt Basile (Photo: Kyla Zanardi)
Founder and owner of Fidel Gastro’s, a “Toronto-based food experience company.”
“I’m gearing up to launch the Rebel Without A Kitchen TV show in April with Travel + Escape. My New Year’s resolution is to make a sandwich that gets nominated for an Academy Award for Best Fight Scene with Chuck Norris.
Rahul Bhardwaj (Photo: Andrew Wallace/Toronto Star)
President and CEO of the Toronto Community Foundation
“We’re the Foundation for people who love Toronto and want to make it great. I lead a team that connects Torontonians from all corners of the city to the quality-of-life issues identified in our annual ‘Toronto’s Vital Signs Report.’ My New Year’s resolution? Spread the love for Toronto. I plan on being evangelical about building a better city.”
The Balconies (Photo: Courtney Lee Yip)
Three-piece rock-and-roll band; recently played the Sound Academy during 102.1 the Edge’s Jingle Bell Rock Christmas concert series; preparing for a new release later this year.
Jacquie Neville: “Learn Klingon.”
Liam Jaeger: “Read more books!”
Steve Neville: “Learn to make risotto.”
Jen McNeely
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Shedoesthecity.com
“I’ve been using a lantern as my only source of bathroom lighting since August. Friends ask me why I’m living like a pioneer; I don’t really know. I have a lot of baths in the dark and make like it’s romantic, but it’s actually just ludicrous; I need to call an electrician. Tackling home projects as well as building yoga into my routine are my two big 2013 resolutions. Oh, I’d also like to make soup on Sundays. Yawn.”
Pat Thornton
Comedian (Hotbox, Comedy Bar); performs an annual 24-hour stand-up set to raise money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation
“1. Be taller.
2. Teach my dog to ride a bike.
3. Find more exciting things to say I do for a living (i.e., Space Archeologist).
4. The other ones were jokes but this one is real: I want to write the joke that ends all wars.”
Christopher Frey (Photo: Lorne Bridgman)
Editor-in-chief of Hazlitt, the online magazine published by Random House of Canada; Toronto correspondent for Monocle magazine.
“With the threat of my mother disowning me, I must finish my damn book, Broken Atlas, now sorely overdue at the publisher’s, while continuing to nurse this strange baby, Hazlitt. To do this I will drink less, sleep less but dream good, meditate more, basically bend time to my will. Also: Get back to Brazil in next couple months after being away too long. Maybe that’s the inspiration I’ve been missing.”
HULKMAYOR
@HULKMAYOR
HULKMAYOR THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT RESOLUTION. HULKMAYOR ELECT FOR STOP GRAVY TRAIN AND DO THAT. THERE NO GRAVY ANYPLACE! SO BE HARD TOP THAT. BUT HULKMAYOR THINK OF FEW THINGS:
- FIRST THING IS MAKE SCARBORO SUBWAY. PRIVATE SECTOR LINING UP WITH BAG AND BAG OF CASH MONEY. ALL NEED IS PUT SHOVEL IN GROUND. SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY! RESPECT FOR SCARBORO TAXPAYER!
- HULKMAYOR WAS THINK ABOUT BE MORE NICE TO PEOPLE. EXCEPT GIORGIO HE CAN EAT A BAG
- REVERSE LANE ON JARVIS STREET BIG SUCCESS! SO NOW WANT PUT REVERSE LANE ON OTHER STREET LIKE UNIVERSITY. PEOPLE NO WANT GODDAM FOUNTAIN AND MEDIAN CLOG UP ROAD.
- NOW THAT TTC ESSENTIAL SERVICE THINK ABOUT TIME EXTEND TO TEACHER ALSO. HULKMAYOR SMASH TEACHER STRIKE
- HULKMAYOR SAVE FREE PLASTIC BAG! SO NEXT THING PAY ALL TAXPAYER 5 CENT EVERY TIME GET BAG
- TUNNEL TO ISLAND AIRPORT NOT ENOUGH. HULKMAYOR MAKE TUNNEL TO PEARSON AIRPORT ALSO
- HULKMAYOR PROMISE LEAD DON BOSCO TO REPEAT FOOTBALL CHAMPION. THIS TIME CHARTER GO TRANSIT BUS INSTEAD TTC.
- HULKMAYOR PLAN SPEND MORE TIME DRIVE ON GARDINER. THIS WAY CAN CATCH UP ON READING
OF COURSE ALL DEPEND ON WHAT HAPPEN JANUARY 7. IF LOSE APPEAL THEN HULKMAYOR RUN FOR BI ELECTION FOR REPLACE HULKMAYOR. AND IF LOSE ELECTION HULKMAYOR RESOLVE GET OFF TWITTER AND GET BACK REGULAR LIFE. MAYBE RUN COMPANY THAT MAKE STICKER OR SOMETHING.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FRIEND AT TORONTO SUN
