The last few weeks I find myself ruminating ever more often about the habits I wish to change. The way I spend my time in Zagreb before my beloved comes out of her office is annoying me more and more. In particular, I go from one watering hole to another, drink dark beer, surf the World Wide Web through so many wireless connections that have popped up lately, and bang my opinions about everything under the sun into my laptop. On occasion I write about things I see around me, as well. On a regular morning, I go through three watering holes in a row.

It was fun for a while, but it is fun no longer. It is not only a question of cutting my writing output, which has soared ever since I have started spending an increasing amount of time in the Croatian capital, but also a question of dropping many of my habits and forming entirely new ones. As it seems to me at present, regular yoga practice is the way out. Postures, breathing, and meditation in the morning can be stretched over several hours, but it will take some time to achieve this goal. New yoga habits are not formed overnight, either. At any rate, yoga is my greatest hope.

The only other venture that crosses my mind in terms of new habits is that I will need to spend more time analyzing my writings in search of patterns. Content analysis is the tool of choice. After nearly forty years of relentless writing, these patterns have changed several times, and it may be helpful to understand these changes. One way or another, this sort of knowledge of myself may be of value in charting the course of my future development. My writings cannot but offer many clues of my strengths and weaknesses, as well as the threats and opportunities ahead. Once again, that is the hope, anyway.

Concerning the afternoons and evenings with my beloved, however, everything is as it should be. After our meal in one of our favorite restaurants, we sit, smoke cigars, drink beer and wine, and talk for hours. The only bit that will have to change over time are my regular briefings on world affairs. When she asks me about the news, I will have to shrug my shoulders. News, what news? But this is the only habit of hers that will need adjusting in the future. The rest is squarely on my shoulders. In any case, I am coming ever closer to understanding the overhaul that lies ahead. And overhaul is the word.