It's the new year. So, in the traditional spirit of starting to do the things you've been meaning to do for the last 12 months, I'm starting this.

I, like most people, am not so great at keeping new year resolutions, but you have to keep trying don't you. I thought about all the things I'd like to do more of, or be better at this year and most of them (get fit, keep desk tidy, don't leave the duvet cover off just because I'm too knackered to put a fresh one on before collapsing, get my accounts sorted out, always brush my teeth before going to bed - you know, the usual) all really boil down to one thing: have more discipline...

...otherwise known as Get Arse Into Gear, Regularly - or GAIGR.

My first step in the GAIGR programme is start this thing (journal, blog, whatever). Making myself write every day should not only improve my writing, but will take discipline as I spend most of the the rest of the day writing as well. Like a plumber who doesn't want to mend the loo when she gets home.

January 2nd, 2003 GAIGR has lift-off.