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By Briana Ellison, Eliza Berkon, Lynn Norusis, Rachael Keeney and Stefanie Gans
Feelin’ tourist-y
If you read my year in consumption post last week, you’d know that I like to learn something new in my downtime and that one of my ambitions for 2018 is to explore more of Northern Virginia. This weekend, I hope to find the best of both worlds through an Alexandria Historic Breweries Walking Tour. This self-guided tour courtesy of Visit Alexandria includes 15 pubs and restaurants, and despite how much I grew to love beer in 2017—didn’t mention that in my post but hey, now you know—I’m not sure if I’m up for hitting all the stops. I’ll have to play that by ear the day of. At the very least, I’ll pay Port City Brewing a visit and embark on one of their tours. Either way, I am going to Alexandria. I am going to do some sort of tour. I am not breaking a New Year’s resolution during its first week. –RK
Step-shuffle-step, fuh-lap-ball change
I’ve waited seven years and had two children since the last time I performed in a musical. As part of my only New Year’s resolution—which is to do more of the things I love—I’m planning a valiant return to the stage in 2018, hopefully as a tap-dancing chorus member in Reston Community Players’ upcoming Thoroughly Modern Millie. To find out whether I still remember my time step, I’m heading to RCP’s Tapping for Community Theatre class this weekend. And in the meantime, I’m going to watch this video a whole lot. –EB
Making furniture
Decorating my home, even simply rearranging a room, is a type of de-stresser for me. Since I’ve been double-digits it is something I’ve done on average twice a year. It has followed me into my adult years, but has blossomed into making furniture for specific spaces in my home—well, I design the furniture and my husband makes it. But not this year. I’m looking into blacksmith classes, and then eventually learning how to use an industrial sewing machine. I’ve got a leather-weaved chair I have a perfect spot for. –LN
Purging through Buy Nothing
I live in a townhouse in Del Ray with too many cookbooks, T-shirts and toddler toys. In January I’m vowing to declutter the house and post messages to my local chapter of Buy Nothing (it’s a Facebook group) with everything I no longer use. I’ve already started with cookbooks, and have shed almost a dozen. Just like how retail therapy is addicting, getting rid of stuff, especially to neighbors, is kind of addicting, too. I highly suggest it. –SG
Georgetown, Overwatch and films
New Year’s Day will be low-key … I’m hoping that if I don’t pay 2018 too much attention right off the bat, it might treat me better than 2017 did. As The Office’s Michael Scott would say, “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.” I’ll spend the day being a lazy bum and playing my brand new Play Station 4, specifically Overwatch, which is a great way to kill an hour—or five. Then, when the weekend hits, I believe my sister, cousins and I preemptively planned an outing to Georgetown. All of us haven’t been together since my sister’s graduation party in June 2016, so what better way to reunite than by spending money? And, of course, I’ll squeeze in some time to go see Molly’s Game, because Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba in the same movie is what dreams are made of. –BE
