New Year resolutions are hard to keep.

But thanks to this recession, I have finally kept one I made for 2010: To break a long tradition of returning calls to friends and family who call with wishes of “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Kwanzaa” or whatever it is that makes them feel complete.

A few weeks ago, I was driving from Sacramento at night when I saw something interesting at Chevy’s Restaurant in Emeryville. Their sign read “Che.” I don’t know about you, but I get excited about that kind of stuff.