Laurels to those of you who are determined to keep your New Yearís resolutions. Youíre probably in the minority. Psychology researcher John Norcross found only about half of those who make resolutions are still sticking to them a month later. However, even if you do slip up on that vow to lose weight, stop smoking or be kinder to your grumpy in-laws, donít despair. Norcross found that of the roughly one-in-five people who had longterm success in keeping their resolutions ó two years or more ó more than half had fallen off the wagon at least once, and typically more than once. There also may be value simply in the act of telling yourself youíre going to be a better person in the new year. Norton found that only 4 percent of those who donít make New Yearís resolutions make successful behavioral changes. In some ways, simply thinking you can improve is an act of optimism that can reinforce positive thinking. The key, Norcross says, is to set realistic expectations. Inflated goals lead to resignation, early failure ó and the solace of beer, cigarettes and Haagen-Daaz.

Dart to the escalating brashness of thieves targeting copper wire and plumbing items. It was bad enough when they were stealing church gutters and entire AC units. Now, their boldness has risen to new heights ó literally. Police in Charlotte say a would-be thief was electrocuted when he climbed a ladder and tried to snip a live power line. Some might call this fitting justice, but itís more a sign of how rising prices are inducing copper thieves to take bigger risks. Itís time for state legislators to consider following the lead of other states that are clamping down on scrap yards and recyclers who are trafficking in the contraband wire, no questions asked. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, copper theft costs the U.S. economy about $1 billion per year.

Laurels to indications 2011 will be a better year for new college grads seeking employment. According to a Time magazine article about the economic recovery and skills that are most in demand (think mechanical engineers, tax specialists lawyers, auditors and such), UNC-Chapel Hillís career-services office reports that 7 percent more interviews were scheduled by companies on campus this past fall than the year before. While more employers are ready to add to their ranks, theyíre being very selective. ěPeople want the best and the brightest,î career-development director Ray Angle told Time. ěIt used to be they said they wanted qualified candidates. But now they say they want people to hit the ground running.î