Last year’s resolutions:
[ol]
[li]To start learning Arabic (I’ve started, some…)[/li][li]Fix my credit (Done! Got it up into the high 700s with no derogs too)[/li][li]Get my driver’s license (It had lapsed for almost 4 years and I just had an ID. I got rid of my car and never got around to renewing the DL. So, that was done and I’m on the road again).[/li][li]Lose weight (Well, I gained some. Hmm.)[/li][/ol]
This year’s resolutions:
[ol]
[li]Keep learning Arabic[/li][li]Buy a new car (I’ve never had a new car before, it’s more of a treat than something rationale)[/li][li]Get the needed dental work done (Got an appointment today to start, so I’m cheating a little bit by starting a couple days early)[/li][li]Move into a bigger place. I’ve been in my downtown apartment for too long and want a bit of a yard.[/li][/ol]
Stop drinking sugared cola, so as not to pack on more spare tire. (I now drink mostly Coke Zero; this will make it official.)
Become more self-disciplined, both at work and at my hobbies. This will affect the following:
Go to the gym and work out. Goal: to be stronger and more flexible by the end of June. (Yesterday I made sure my gym membership was up to date.)
Within two months, finish and have framed three drawings, to give to my friends.
Within two months, have a detailed plan for my job search, including research on companies in the new field, locations, etc.
Sketch out a complete comic book based on my ideas of the past five years. Draw it and self-publish it.
Design a draft portfolio for the job search.
By the end of June, save $2400 from payroll deductions. Any amounts from tax refunds, bonuses, are to be in addition to this. Only the following may be deducted from this: flight, lodging, and conference menbership costs for the “UK 2006” conference in Florence, Italy, at the end of July.
I think these are a good start. At the end of June perhaps we could revisit these.
I’m just pissed because everyone stole mine! Ya know what? I’m going to start . . . oh! A brothel where you all can come in and pay me to kill (or not kill, your choice) my hookers.
My brother bought a Mercury Sable last month after he wrecked his old Mazda Protege. When he showed me the new car he bragged that he could fit three Baltic hookers in the trunk (four if he stacked them right).
Personally, I don’t like new year’s resolutions. If I identify something wrong with myself, and feel strongly enough about it to do something, I’ll do so immediately, and not wait for some arbitrary date. Although, I suppose most people don’t have my self-discipline.
1- Stop smoking…so much. Who am I kidding? I’m not going to stop, so I resolve to enjoy my cigarettes: you know, how they used to be. Smoking with a tall coffee in the rain, out in the sunshine with a book, after sex, after dinner, with a glass of brandy milk punch. None of this half-smoked while running to work late cigarette-ing for me. Not anymore, at least.
2- Quit my job. Hell, this one’s actually going to happen. I’m taking the “maybe I can pull of professional musicianship” plunge in March. I resolve, instead, to not go back to work behind this desk and straight dope from home with an aforementioned enjoyable cigarette.
3- Learn the fiddle.
4- Write people more letters. Everyone should resolve this. Because I want more letters too.
5- Watch every movie containing Charlton Heston. Except the new Planet of the Apes. That one just looks filthy and sad.
6- Replace missing teeth…to…you know…avoid that Southern hillbilly look I’m driving at. Mothers: don’t let your children grow up on sugar water. I’m the walking example.