I vow to go to the Rec every day for two hours.” “I vow to stop going to the bar on the nights before my 8 a.m. class.”

“I vow to stop ordering Gumby’s Pokey Stix at 2 a.m.”

Do these promises sound familiar? Each new year brings new resolutions — vows to quit your bad habits that always seem to be broken soon after the first of January. It seems as soon your vows are written on the page, there you are at Buck Burgers instead of aerobics class, or ordering greasy breadsticks after you stumble home from Welch Ave.

So, make 2003 be the year of developing some new entertainment habits. Instead of vowing to lose those 10 pounds, why not promise to attend at least two shows at the M-Shop this semester? Instead of promising to stop smoking cold turkey, vow to check out what ISU Theatre has to offer this spring.

The opportunities for entertainment in Ames abound this semester. Here’s a list of new resolutions you can actually keep.

* “I vow to check out what’s going on at the M-Shop.”

The Shop is gearing up for another diverse lineup. Events this spring at the Shop range from an Alliance-sponsored drag show on Feb. 1 to another appearance by geek-rockers Nada Surf (remember “Popular”?) on Feb. 28. Also, don’t miss Luther Wright and The Wrongs on Feb. 18, a bluegrass outfit known for their cover of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” The Shop is also a great place for lunch or a break between classes — try the trademark “House of Large Salad.”

* “I vow to make my way over to a performance at Stephens.”

The 2003 Season at Stephens looks promising, with more big-name acts making their way to Ames. The season kicks off Feb. 1 with “Fosse,” the Tony Award winning musical that will have you swiveling your hips and making “spirit fingers” at inopportune moments. Your “Fosse” skills will also come in handy for the performance of “Cabaret” on Feb. 20. Also notable are the acrobatic talents of the Shaolin Monks on Feb. 15. Season at Stephens tickets always have a great student discount, so there’s no excuse.

* “I vow to catch a SUB film this semester.”

Attending SUB films is a great way to catch foreign films, movies that never came through Ames and movies you missed in theaters. The ever-eclectic lineup kicks off the semester with “Taxi Driver” on Thursday at 8 p.m. Other highlights of the spring include Werner Herzog’s “Even Dwarfs Started Small”on Jan 23-25, “Gods and Monsters” on Mar. 27-29 and the Student Film Festival on April 4-5. Admission is only $2 and popcorn is provided. Go.

* “I vow to see at least one ISU Theatre presentation.”

ISU Theatre performances are chock-full of talent, and there’s always a good chance the guy in costume on stage is a classmate of yours. The spring schedule features “Romeo & Juliet,” “Fuddy Meers” and “I Never Sang For My Father.” Stars Over Veishea looks promising, too — ISU Music, ISU Dance and the Veishea committee will collaborate to present “Brigadoon” on April 11-12.

* “I vow to check out an ISU Dance performance.”

It seems as if ISU Dance comes up with new and more diverse dance groups and performances every day. The Hip Hop Dance club is gearing up for a new semester of practice and performances, and the Orchesis groups are hard at work preparing for the annual Barjche performance in March. Most performances are held in the Forker Building — pick one and attend.

* “I vow to find the ACTORS Studio and catch a show.”

Another good source for live theater in Ames is the ACTORS Studio. Members of the Ames community work year-round to present quality entertainment, and the upcoming performances are no exception. Upcoming shows include a Valentine’s performance of Neil Simon’s “The Last of The Red Hot Lovers” and “Waiting in the Wings,” a tale of aging actresses, in April. Students receive a nice discount here as well.

Megan Hinds

is a senior in journalism

and mass communication from Leon. She is the arts

and entertainment editor

of the Daily.