Of those who deigned to share with us what was on their mind as they closed the books on 1998, health and fitness were at the top of the list. More than 2,000 New Year's resolutions were submitted to us, and losing weight figured into 517 (26 percent) of them. Roughly 18 percent (368) vowed to give up smoking, and 6 percent (121) pledged to exercise more or "get in shape." Just two said they'd promised themselves to spend less time on the Internet, which would presumably leave them more time for jogging and such.

The next most popular topic was personal finance: "save more money," "get out of debt," pay off credit cards," were among about 80 responses that had to do with money.

Many of the resolutions dealt with interpersonal relations and defied categorization. We hope the separate pledges to "stop beating my husband" and "to get rid of my harassing 17-year-old" were meant more tongue-in-cheek than in despair. There were, as we have come to expect, a small number of responses involving personal relationships that we choose not to discuss on a family-oriented web site. More often, folks said they simply wanted to be more considerate of others, more understanding and slower to anger.

A number of resolutions dealt with life's ambitions -- "to make my first million," to finish my novel (six chapters to go!)," "to practice basketball harder," to "get high honors and have a good attitude." Others lamented ambition, hoping "not to work so hard," and "to spend more time with my family."

Fourteen resolutions mentioned love, ranging from "tell my nine kids I love 'em," to "find that perfect someone to love." Some were just unusual and offbeat.

• "To gain weight because I'm 5'6" and weigh 98 lbs." (I didn't know Ally McBeal was a SNET subscriber.)

• "Buckle up every time I get into a car - whether I am a driver or a passenger - so I can welcome 2000." (Sounds easy -- but every time?)

• "Learn to use chopsticks." (There should be adult education classes for this.)

• "To watch all of the movies Chevy Chase is in." (It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.)

• "To get in shape for the National Senior Olympics and win medals in five events, to make 200 skydives." (Take THAT, if you have a namby-pamby resolution.)

• "My resolution this year is to somehow, someway, meet my idol, Ann-Margret." (And presumably to avoid arrest for stalking.)

• Last but not least, three said they weren't going to fill out any Internet surveys in 1999. By all means, if any of you three read this -- let us know how long you last.