On Not Going to New York for the Holidays

Plans to spend a week in New York experiencing, among other things, "Three Pianos" at New York Theatre Workshop, "Fanciulla del West" with Deborah Voigt and Julie Taymor's "Magic Flute" at the Met, and a New York Phil concert featuring Alan Gilbert and soloists from the orchestra, were dashed on Christmas Day when inclement weather (ie blizzards) interfered with travel eastwards.

Rather than wait two days to try to make it to New York (including being rerouted via Miami on a red-eye -- urk) I decided to cancel the trip. Instead of rushing around seeing things in a busy city, which is what I do on a daily basis, I spent the week sequestered in the California countryside and mountains. Turns out that this is just what I needed in order to recharge the batteries for the new year. The break also gave me a chance to reflect on what I need to do as an arts journalist in 2011.

A brief summary of my professional resolutions:

1. I need to develop a thicker skin.

2. I need to be more targeted about what arts events I experience.

3. Even in the difficult economy, I mustn't sell myself short.

4. I need to continue to diversify -- but not too much.

5. I need to find a more effective way of balancing journalism with entrepreneurism.