Since MM.com launched a couple years ago, I’m constantly amazed at the e-mail correspondence I receive.  Some of it is helpful – such as the one anal-retentive “fan” who makes sure to point out every grammatical, spelling or punctuation error on my site.  (Yes, sometimes I type too fast … or fail to spell check.  Sue me.)  Some of the correspondence is a blast from the past and nostalgic.  “OMG!  I FINALLY FOUND YOU AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!”, read an e-mail from several months ago.  I had no idea who this person was … and still don’t.  But they received the obligatory, “OMG!  SO AWESOME!” e-mail in response.

A recent check of my stat counter revealed hits from Tanzania, Australia, Spain … and, uh, Poughkeepsie.  I don’t know anyone in these areas … but thanks for checking out my site … even though you didn’t send me any feedback.

Speaking of feedback, I get a lot of commentary from my good friend Judith.  She wins the prize for most e-mails to me about this blog or that blog.  Dare I call her a groupie?  She’s wise beyond her years – so she’s allowed to say anything pro (or con) she wants.

When I started this website, I simply wanted it to be an outlet for my musings.  Whether or not people read it was secondary.  Then a strange thing happened.  People started reading it … and started giving me insight on my blogs.  (My dad chimes in from time to time … but, usually, he’s just giving me an update on life and not about the topic at hand.  Still appreciated, though.)

I just scored my most read blog last week. Maybe you read it? (Uh, everyone ELSE did.)  It was entitled “Top 5 Tips For Dating A Television Personality”.  It went viral and got thousands upon thousands of hits over a two-day span.  Traffic to my site spiked like it’s never spiked before.  And, yet, not one comment.  Not one “Ha!” or “That was a good’urn!” or even “Increase your website SEO capabilities by clicking here.”  The biggest blog of my writing career … and all I heard was crickets.  Oh well.  I guess that’s better than hate mail.

Which reminds me … I’m overdue for a crazy letter from a crazy reader.  My favorite last year was the guy who said my writing made “his teeth hurt”.  Apparently I dangled one too many participles or something.  Happens.

So just know that I read each letter that comes to my inbox (save for the superfluous spam) and respond accordingly.  I adore my adoring public.  And if I respond, “OMG! AWESOME!” – now you know that’s code for “I don’t know who the hell you are.”

Let’s take a quick look back at some of my New Year’s Resolutions from years gone by.  Was I successful?  Was I delusional?

My resolution in 2008 was “Avoid negativity at any cost.”  It remains my personal motto.  And a standard I live by every day.

My resolution for 2009, you ask?  Take more time for myself.  Needless to say, it was a wildly banal, boring year.  I ramped it up in 2010.  Smart choice on my part.  I’ll sleep when I’m dead.

In 2010, I challenged myself to be a kinder/gentler Michael Mackie.  I ended up having a stroke that year.  Clearly that was a sign not to go against the grain.  If you try to upset the balance of the universe, your brain will explode.  Figuratively and literally.

Last year I was in the midst of living my life like a mad-crazy fool.  After my stupid stroke I vowed not to say “no” to anything for 12 months.  So I didn’t have a resolution, per se.  I mean, other than stay alive.

This year is tough.  I’m thinking this is a year I need to be more introspective and spiritual.  I started going to church a few months ago – and it’s changed my perspective on a few things.  (Don’t worry … I’m not going to go all Jesus Freak or Pulpit Preacher on you.)  I’ve got a trip to India planned in 2012 – which is about as spiritual as it gets.  That will likely get me centered and ground me since I’ve been a little discombobulated for the last year or so.

My friends have tons of resolutions for me … far too many to mention here.  But here are a few doozies:  My friend Cliff thinks I should be more culturally aware.  (You know – like opera and shit.)  My friend Deirdre thinks I should write a book with her.  (She’s been saying that for five years now.)  And my trainer thinks I should lose twelve pounds.  (He’s been the bane of my existence for much of the year.)

So here’s to a fab 2012.  I hope I get to spend more time with all my dear friends and, of course, my family.  Without you guys, I wouldn’t be the well-rounded fake blonde I am today.  I hope the planets align for all of us.