Resolutions?
Its just another day tomorrow, but its an opportunity to make some new goals (aka resolutions) while the rest of the world is doing it. Here goes:
1. Less whining - I whine alot. About my job. About my running. About aches and pains and anything that annoys me. Sometimes its funny and makes a funny blog entry, but it gets tiring. And annoying. And stupid. So less whining.
2. More work, less surfing - Especially at work. More work will be better for my career, less surfing will help me do more work.
3. Run a marathon - I ran two halves last year. This year I want to run a full one. I’m hoping that the less whining will help.
4. Lose the belly flab - I don’t think I’m fat, but I’ve got handles where I don’t need to be lifted from, and there’s a heavy protective pad over my abs as well. I’m willing to risk having the abs get damaged if it means removing that pad.
5. More core workouts - Chris does alot of this and I think that will help me build better overall strength, which in turn will help with my running.
6. The Patent Bar - I want to study for and pass the Patent Bar Exam. Ultimately, I want to get into patent law. I don’t think I want to be a lawyer, but maybe a patent agent. So there it is.
7. Stop eating poison - I try to keep myself away from rotten foods like fried chicken, spare ribs, doughnuts, etc. But sometimes french fries, whole fat cheese, and junk candy have slipped in. More than it should. I need to remember the heart disease history in my family everytime I think about putting something like that into my body.
8. Empty my house - My house is so full of junk, I think I want to die. Nobody’s basement should be this full. I still have boxes of stuff with the moving company stickers on them from when I moved here 12 years ago. I need to sell the scuba gear because I’m not diving this year. Or the next. I must be strong and not give in to the maybe-I’ll-need-it-soon mentality of the packrat that has infested my brain.
9. Clean my truck - I think the dirt in the truck is so thick in the carpets that its making me sick. A good vacuuming once a month would probably do wonders. Ok, this isn’t a big one but its important anyway.
10. More time with the family - If I spent less time whining and surfing, I’d be able to spend more time with my family. Not that I’ll stop blogging or visiting blogs, but needlessly surfing odd topics looking for something entertaining is really not very constructive. Not every day. Its probably no better than channel surfing. I don’t have a TV, but is surfing the web much different?
I know having specific goals is a better idea but I like to think of them as guidelines. When I’m making a decision to do something, I can look at my list and ask myself if it falls within the guidelines and whether or not it will help me reach my goals, will I regret doing it when December 2005 rolls around.
11. Chocolate Friday - Remember to do Chocolate Friday before Friday. :)
December 31st, 2004 09:40
I wish I had a digital camera so I could take a picture of the 2 motorcycles, plus frame and engine of one being built, in our basement. I can’t complain though, at our old place that had no basement they lived in the dining room all winter.
You have some excellent and down-to-earth goals, Jon. I bet you’ll have the list checked off by this time next year!
December 31st, 2004 13:04
That’s what MY basement looks like!
Yay for your goal Jon! You’ll reach them I’m sure of it.
December 31st, 2004 13:16
Now don’t you feel good? Setting goals makes me feel so–organized. Which I’m generally not. Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2004 13:40
Hey, my mom’s boyfriend has an airplane in pieces in their garage… and it’s been there that way for the entire 10 years I’ve known him.
HIS reolution is to put the dang thing together this year.
YOURS seem more realistic! Good luck, and thanks for your blogging in 2004!
January 1st, 2005 10:35
I just realized that our basement is starting to look like that, too. But then again, as students we’ll all be moving out in under two years.
Resolutions #4 and 5 are particularly relavent for me, too!
Oh, and I wanted to let you know the sheer amount of chocolate baking I did over Christmas… after the truffles there was: chocolate chip cheesecake, french silk pie, german chocolate cake, and two-tone chocolate chip brownies. :)
January 1st, 2005 10:46
I’m with you on the belly thing. Some parts of my body are not supposed to jiggle when I jump up and down! I’ll call it body clutter, and maybe I’ll work on letting it go.
As for the boxes in your basement, it looks like some “Fling Boogies” http://www.flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Decluttertips.asp are in order. I’m doing the same myself this week.
January 1st, 2005 12:22
I’ve been reading your journal for so long, and I’m finally posting a comment to say, “happy new year!” and “thank you” because I’ve always found humor and inspiration here. - Mia
January 1st, 2005 14:49
Hmmm…maybe we should write a 12step program for pack rats. Pack rats anonymous here we come. You have already made it to the first step by admitting the problem…lol. See you at the next meeting :-)
January 1st, 2005 15:09
Great resolutions! I need to add some organization resolutions to my own… I don’t have a basement, but I definitely have a difficult time managing clutter. Thanks for sharing these– they’ll inspire me as I come up with my own :)
January 1st, 2005 17:40
Happy New Year Jon! I wish you all the best in 2005!