Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Not a care in the world in '09
I was just now brushing my teeth and out of the corner of my eye, noticed that the expiration date of my Stress Tabs(R) was 6/09. Am I to take this to mean that by age 31.5, all stress will be completely gone from my life, I won't have a care in the world and I will finally figure out how to play sudoku? A girl can dream.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
2008 - This year's (slightly newer) model
So I don't think atrocious actually even begins to describe how bad I have been about posting this year. In fact, seeing as how my last entry was almost a year ago, I will simply let that ignominious fact speak for itself and say no more.
But, it's that time of the year, time for reflecting briefly on the old and pushing forward towards the light of a new year, and frankly, I think my 2007 ended quite well. The first half of the year was shit, but the last half turned out decently - and dare I say - tentatively great. Here's the 5-second rundown:
The Good:
-Moved to Austin, got a job from heaven
-Started working out/running again and have thus far lost 12 lbs.
-Got reacquainted with some old friends
-Practiced a much healthier eating regime that includes lots of veggies, fresh and organic produce and less of the sauce
-Became more tech-savvy, which is good, because I am an interactive writer. Ha!
-Got a new car, computer and phone, all of which rawk
The Bad:
-Commute to see the bf on the weekends continues to teh suck
-Last job in hellish work environment surrounded by mentally unstable folk took years off my life. Ugh.
-Let myself gain about 25 lbs and am now atoning for the fried food and booze sins of my former bad self
That just about sums my 2007 up. How was yours? I hope you had good health, good memories and few mishaps or setbacks, although if you did, here's hoping you will have a better new year.
And speaking of, it's now time for my wish list of NY's resolutions for 2008. "Wish" list, you ask? Why, yes. I call it a wish list because I know myself and am a pragmatic, sane person (although my bf might disagree and point in the general direction of my shoe collection). I am a perfectionist by nature and by practice, and realize that in pinning myself to a set number of goals, I will turn into a basket case if I perform them all less than perfectly. Some of them may not be accomplished in the next, oh, 364 days, a few might be unreasonable at the outset and have to be later amended and possibly one might be fool's gold in concept. This way I am putting forth the goals that I *wish* and hope and pray I can accomplish, or at least turn down the right road toward. In no particular order, here they are:
Be kinder
Yes, I am generally a peaceful, nice person. Yes, I have a temperamental streak that can surface in moments of anger or frustration. But this goal is multi-faceted, and doesn't just include the desire to adapt a more composed, zen-like mentality. It also includes being kinder to myself - pampering myself whenever possible, not kicking the shit out of said self when I do not perform according to the unreasonable or unattainable standards my head has for my body. It also includes being kind to and in thoughts about others. In the past couple of years, I have retained a scary amount of bile and anger and righteousness towards certain people and situations that I cannot truly control, even when they don't directly affect me. This is very unhealthy. I would love some behavior modification to take place, and God help me I don't know how it will, but I am going to try and seek it out. I have to let go of some anger. I have to make myself not care about things that are a good deal like the proverbial "elephant outside the tent," aka, things I have no power over.
Quit smoking
This is a no-brainer, but I really feel this is the year I will want to as opposed to feeling like I should. Hypnotism is a tangible avenue that I am doing a lot of research on. I will keep you posted on this one.
Become more tech-savvy
For Christ's sake, I live in one of the most tech-savvy cities in the nation and work as a supposed expert on the internet. I really need to increase my knowledge of interactive trends, up and coming designers/websites and key industry leaders. I really want to try and attend SXSW Interactive this year, but the ticket prices are such a pretty penny. Maybe work will sponsor me. Who knows. If that doesn't happen, I can still accomplish this goal thru regular perusal of online mags and tech sites, participation in advertising forums or contests and self-teaching.
Get creative
I *try* to be creative about 8-11 hours of the day for work, but I have really let my personal writing go to hell. As in, I am not doing any of it, unless you count writing reviews on yelp.com. *sigh* I would love to start writing poetry again, then READING it at local open mike nights, attend/join writer's groups and/or forums/symposiums and read more new lit. Also, I got a camera for xmas and I intend to learn more about photography. Now, I'm not going to turn into those annoying, naval-gazing amateur photog assholes I hate who "experiment" with lomo and holgas and construction paper because they think they are arty - I am talking about taking scenic or interesting personal pics for ME and learning how to use my camera. I would also love to try and publish, too, whether online or in print. I figure baby steps - posting more regularly here is geared towards helping me to get the juices flowing again, so to speak.
Get fitter
This is more of a continuation of the strides (pun intended) I have been making in the last 4 months. My ultimate goal might be to run another half-marathon, but I haven't sussed out the details on that one yet. Stay tuned. Definitely going to lose the rest of the weight I gained last year, though. That is a certainty. I will fit back into my size 4 jeans. Oh yes...
Learn to cook a wider range of things
I am already pretty good about cooking a lot at home, and I can follow a recipe, but I would love to become more of a foodie this year. Not a snob, mind you, just someone who knows what ingredients do, their shape and texture, how they perform, what their essence is. I intend to do this by perhaps taking a cooking class or three, visiting more farmer's markets and researching and - of course - experimenting. Learning more about wine pairings would be bonus, too.
Go to Europe
This is pretty self-explanatory. I am 30 years old and have never been outside the contiguous continent. Sad and pathetic, but honest. I want to change that, and how.
Well, those are the big ones. If I had to have an overarching theme, a grand goal of sweeping caliber, I would say that removing toxicity from my life will be my biggest aim of 2008. Interpret that how you will, given the above list. Your mileage may vary. And that, my friends, is a good thing, I promise.
We'll talk soon.
But, it's that time of the year, time for reflecting briefly on the old and pushing forward towards the light of a new year, and frankly, I think my 2007 ended quite well. The first half of the year was shit, but the last half turned out decently - and dare I say - tentatively great. Here's the 5-second rundown:
The Good:
-Moved to Austin, got a job from heaven
-Started working out/running again and have thus far lost 12 lbs.
-Got reacquainted with some old friends
-Practiced a much healthier eating regime that includes lots of veggies, fresh and organic produce and less of the sauce
-Became more tech-savvy, which is good, because I am an interactive writer. Ha!
-Got a new car, computer and phone, all of which rawk
The Bad:
-Commute to see the bf on the weekends continues to teh suck
-Last job in hellish work environment surrounded by mentally unstable folk took years off my life. Ugh.
-Let myself gain about 25 lbs and am now atoning for the fried food and booze sins of my former bad self
That just about sums my 2007 up. How was yours? I hope you had good health, good memories and few mishaps or setbacks, although if you did, here's hoping you will have a better new year.
And speaking of, it's now time for my wish list of NY's resolutions for 2008. "Wish" list, you ask? Why, yes. I call it a wish list because I know myself and am a pragmatic, sane person (although my bf might disagree and point in the general direction of my shoe collection). I am a perfectionist by nature and by practice, and realize that in pinning myself to a set number of goals, I will turn into a basket case if I perform them all less than perfectly. Some of them may not be accomplished in the next, oh, 364 days, a few might be unreasonable at the outset and have to be later amended and possibly one might be fool's gold in concept. This way I am putting forth the goals that I *wish* and hope and pray I can accomplish, or at least turn down the right road toward. In no particular order, here they are:
Be kinder
Yes, I am generally a peaceful, nice person. Yes, I have a temperamental streak that can surface in moments of anger or frustration. But this goal is multi-faceted, and doesn't just include the desire to adapt a more composed, zen-like mentality. It also includes being kinder to myself - pampering myself whenever possible, not kicking the shit out of said self when I do not perform according to the unreasonable or unattainable standards my head has for my body. It also includes being kind to and in thoughts about others. In the past couple of years, I have retained a scary amount of bile and anger and righteousness towards certain people and situations that I cannot truly control, even when they don't directly affect me. This is very unhealthy. I would love some behavior modification to take place, and God help me I don't know how it will, but I am going to try and seek it out. I have to let go of some anger. I have to make myself not care about things that are a good deal like the proverbial "elephant outside the tent," aka, things I have no power over.
Quit smoking
This is a no-brainer, but I really feel this is the year I will want to as opposed to feeling like I should. Hypnotism is a tangible avenue that I am doing a lot of research on. I will keep you posted on this one.
Become more tech-savvy
For Christ's sake, I live in one of the most tech-savvy cities in the nation and work as a supposed expert on the internet. I really need to increase my knowledge of interactive trends, up and coming designers/websites and key industry leaders. I really want to try and attend SXSW Interactive this year, but the ticket prices are such a pretty penny. Maybe work will sponsor me. Who knows. If that doesn't happen, I can still accomplish this goal thru regular perusal of online mags and tech sites, participation in advertising forums or contests and self-teaching.
Get creative
I *try* to be creative about 8-11 hours of the day for work, but I have really let my personal writing go to hell. As in, I am not doing any of it, unless you count writing reviews on yelp.com. *sigh* I would love to start writing poetry again, then READING it at local open mike nights, attend/join writer's groups and/or forums/symposiums and read more new lit. Also, I got a camera for xmas and I intend to learn more about photography. Now, I'm not going to turn into those annoying, naval-gazing amateur photog assholes I hate who "experiment" with lomo and holgas and construction paper because they think they are arty - I am talking about taking scenic or interesting personal pics for ME and learning how to use my camera. I would also love to try and publish, too, whether online or in print. I figure baby steps - posting more regularly here is geared towards helping me to get the juices flowing again, so to speak.
Get fitter
This is more of a continuation of the strides (pun intended) I have been making in the last 4 months. My ultimate goal might be to run another half-marathon, but I haven't sussed out the details on that one yet. Stay tuned. Definitely going to lose the rest of the weight I gained last year, though. That is a certainty. I will fit back into my size 4 jeans. Oh yes...
Learn to cook a wider range of things
I am already pretty good about cooking a lot at home, and I can follow a recipe, but I would love to become more of a foodie this year. Not a snob, mind you, just someone who knows what ingredients do, their shape and texture, how they perform, what their essence is. I intend to do this by perhaps taking a cooking class or three, visiting more farmer's markets and researching and - of course - experimenting. Learning more about wine pairings would be bonus, too.
Go to Europe
This is pretty self-explanatory. I am 30 years old and have never been outside the contiguous continent. Sad and pathetic, but honest. I want to change that, and how.
Well, those are the big ones. If I had to have an overarching theme, a grand goal of sweeping caliber, I would say that removing toxicity from my life will be my biggest aim of 2008. Interpret that how you will, given the above list. Your mileage may vary. And that, my friends, is a good thing, I promise.
We'll talk soon.
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