I've never really been one for making New Years resolutions. A few years ago I vaguely aspired to get into shape for New Years but like 98% of folks that want to shed those extra pounds I stopped going to the gym by March.

But, this year is different. In honor of 2010 I created 20 lists of 10 things that I wish to accomplish. All of this was thanks to my colleague, Maria, who came up with the fantastic idea.

As I finish things on my list I'll be sure to keep you all updated. Here's a glimpse at some of my 20x10 things.

New York
bike to The Cloisters
kayak in the East River

Social
go on a "freegan" tour
organize a picnic in Central Park

Books
The Foutainhead
The Souls of Black Folk

Learn
how to sew t-shirts
how to design websites

Reflect/Re-engage
journal daily for a month
give an appreciation every day

Audio Adventures
Santigold
go to a Blues show

Martyr
no caffeine for a week
no fries for a month

Miscellaneous
get another tattoo
go skydiving

Festivities
Running of the Bulls
march in the Halloween Parade

This has been quite the week for noteworthy news. I'm excited by the recent addition of my birth state - Maine - to the short list of marriage equality states last week. I'll be happy for the day when the thought of full marriage equality in all 50 states isn't newsworthy or exciting.

And while I know that many people that are near and dear to me identify with the Republican Party I have to imagine that even the strongest hold-outs have to be shaking their heads right now. What is up with the Republican Party? They spent the better part of last week criticizing attacking President Barack Obama for ordering spicy dijon mustard on his cheeseburger. I understand that you don't like the guy but can you come up with some solutions? Really you have to be desperate when you waste 3 days of airtime on a guy's condiment choice. Sad... very sad.

One of the great things about my new routine in New York is all the reading I can do while on the train. A favorite new author of mine is David Benioff. If you want a good read check out his latest book City of Thieves about an unlikely pair of guys who are sent on an impossible journey to find a dozen eggs in war torn Russia during the siege of Leningrad.

And an impossibly cute gay "YouTube Personalities" collaborative video to combat all the anti-gay bullying taking place online - well worth the 3 minutes of your time.

This book is a must read this summer. I've just completed the book and can't stop thinking about it. It's the perfect summer fling book. Longing. Love. The chase. Love unrequited - well, sort of, maybe.

I know what you might be thinking... A silly steamy romance novel with nothing to offer me. The serious reader.

Wrong.

Aciman narrates a beautiful story - a coming out story, a coming of age story, an awakening of love, an epitaph. And it's not all the chase. There is plenty of hot skin-to-skin to compensate you for your time.

The story takes place in the beautiful Riviera (Italy to be exact) in the 1980's in the magnificent home of a Jewish family who's summer tradition includes taking in up-and-coming scholars for the summer. Elio, the Hadyn transcribing genius, can't place his finger on what he hates and likes about Oliver, the 24 year old Columbia student spending the summer with his family. Elio's father, the liberal college professor, just might know what is going on before even Elio. What entails is the beautiful blossoming of first love and all the incredibly painful feelings that often accompany.

RATING: MUST READ

Milwaukee to get new rapid public transportation? Mayor Tom Barrett recently pushed forward an idea that would create a “two Bus Rapid Transit lines that would connect Milwaukees downtown with General Mitchell Airport, Miller Park, UWM, Marquette, Columbia-St. Mary Hospital and many others.”

Last week a study committee voted 3-1 to further analyze the Mayor’s plans.

But before you list your car on CraigsList keep an eye on the news. Proposals to update Milwaukee’s lackluster public transportation wouldn’t take effect until 2010 at the earliest. I’ll take a step in the right direction though.

Go England! Getting ‘em early. England is expected to dole out £600,000 of taxpayers’ money for a new project aimed at making homosexuality seem normal to children from an early age.

The plan is backed by teachers unions and would include several books already in print like King & King & And Tango Makes Three.

Christian critics of the plan are outraged. “The intention is to make homosexuality appear normal and these people have no business doing that to other people’s children. It is wicked and amounts to child abuse.”

Child abuse?!?! Come on. I think the idea is great and could help to stop a lot of problems from happening later in life. If you move past the gay/lesbian content in these books the basic message is to accept people for who they are, who they love, and for being “unique.” How can you really argue with that??