Let's hope 2012 is full of good memories and vacations

A good memory is an important ingredient if you want to whip up big batches of melancholy. I might forget birth-dates and occasionally where I parked my car, but I have abnormal recall when it comes to my life.

Believe it or not — and I doubt you will — I have fragments of memories as a toddler in diapers. I do. You can reject that out-of-hand as pure nonsense but I absolutely wouldn’t say it in this column if it were a lie.

Therefore, as 2011 fades to black, I have no problem waxing reflective. I enjoy inventorying memories created in the past year and planning new ones to harvest over the next 12 months.

Last year was very good to us, not only by what it brought but more importantly what it didn’t. We’re fortunate to have hit the "health" jackpot again.

As an accountant, I love the hustle and bustle of every new tax season so am looking very much forward to 2012. I’m happiest when I have way too much to do.

Also, next November’s election will be pivotal. I’m confident the majority of voters won’t let the country fall any farther than it already has.

Generally, this is the time for resolutions but I’m way too old to promise changes. To borrow an observation from Popeye, "I am what I am."

Rather than resolving to do anything different, this is my time of the year to plan trips. Not only is it fun formulating vacations, it makes practical sense to do so early.

I think most travel agents have "layaway" services. Mine does and it’s a wonderful way to painlessly pay for vacations way ahead of time.

We’re headed to Hawaii after tax season, and throughout the year, I’ve paid off the entire price tag with no interest, no services charges and little pain. I heartily recommend this process for those who want vacations without the accompanying shock to the wallet.

If for any reason your travel agent doesn’t offer this convenient option, ping or ring me and I’ll give you the name of mine. This isn’t a plug for any company but is so practical for most.

Our daughter Sundae, her husband Shingo and their child Bug flew out to Tokyo on Saturday. They didn’t see the ball drop because at the stroke of our midnight they were somewhere over the Bering Sea on their arctic loop to Japan.

Before they left, we made some 2012 plans. Hawaii is on our list after tax season. That’s the cruise I put on layaway that’s now paid for.

It’s Vegas for my World Series of Poker tournament in June. Sundae and Shingo along with my sons, Bret and Bart, will meet us there.

I have to think about their proposal for next Christmas. They want us to spend it with them in Tokyo.

I said I’d "think" about it and will. But right now I need to look for some Hawaiian shirts. First things first.

Happy New Year!

Otis Gardner’s column appears here weekly. He can be reached at ogardner@embarqmail.com.