2013 coming soon

[€uroMeinke]

So, as 2012 comes to an end, I had to go back to our annual resolution/year in review thread to see how I did and where I hope to go.

Looking back I think I scored big on the hedonism goal, had many fun exploits in the desert, a trip to New York, and all around good times with the people I love. I seem to have avoided a lot of drama that seemed to accompany other years.

I didn't write as much as I would have liked, so that's something I will have to address again in 2013 and maybe try another approach to my time-management problems.

Looking forward to the new year I know I'll be faces challenges at work. The company I work for went into Bankruptcy this month and will likely emerge under new ownership. Depending on what that looks like, it may mean relocation, or finding a new job. I continue to enjoy the challenges but I'll have to prepare for a number of contingencies.

Other than that, the plan is the same - travel a bit, explore some hedonistic pleasures, write - or rather be creative in general. I think I'd like to see what I can do to share, contribute, and inspire the creative spirit among those I know.

That sounds lofty enough for a start.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hmm, I've got no good black-humor to contribute this year.

As usual I make no promises or predictions for the coming year. This past one was pretty incredible. Somewhere around May I set myself a life changing goal. Little did I know just how much my life would eventually have changed by the time I accomplished that goal. The beginning of Q4 saw the confluence of some pretty epic events in my life and will stand as a seminal period in my memory for a long time.

It was hard not to lose a little steam after that high point, but it resulted in a new course to travel, with its own challenges and a whole new level of effort required. Still trying to get my feet under me, but also rather enjoying the seat-of-my-pants flailing I've had to do thus far.

The first half of January is shaping up to be a whirlwind. Hoping to come out of it energized and accomplished, offsetting the sheer exhaustion (physical and emotional) that's sure to be come as well. Then perhaps I'll take a breather and see what the rest of 2013 looks like.

[Alex]

I actually had some things in that last thread. Got three out of four of them.

1. Did not mock my mom for pushing homeopathy. Of course, this is easier now that she declared in early November that anybody who voted for Obama was dead to her and cut off all contact. For me that's not a huge deal; we'll reconnect or we won't. But it is much more significant to my the elder of my sisters who has kids and to my younger sister who has to live with her.

2. While there were a few slips I pretty much went the year without consuming anything inside of movie theaters other than water.

3. Easily covered enough ground to get to Disneyland (though I stopped tracking so can't say how much I did).

4. Did not disconnect from Facebook/Twitter for very long. But it is good for me to drop off for a month or so every once in a while.


Don't know that I have anything to throw out for 2013. Things are, as usual, pretty good at home and at work. My contentment keel remains deep. My satisfaction Weebles wobble but don't fall down. My self satisfaction Timex takes a licking and keeps on ticking. My self-amusement simile farts like a weasel on acid.

[innerSpaceman]

I don't make any New Year's resolutions, so I have no score to keep.

But with that said, 2012 was good and bad. My relationship with Beaumark continues to grow and prosper, with today (Dec. 28) being our two-year anniversary. That's a date that further packs my Holiday Season with eventfulness. We're headed up to San Francisco for the new year, which seems to be our go-to getaway for holidays - as we were there for Labor Day and last Christmas. That labor day getaway would have been my only travel for the year ...


... but for my fantastical vacation on Maui - 2012 thus seeing the fulfilment of a decades-long quest to make it to Hawaii.

That was in July for my birthday (and America's). Since then, my entire world has been consumed by my condo remodel, and health maintenance and friendship maintenance has gone by the wayside.

If you'd like to read about and SEE what my last half of 2012 was like, here's my just-published el jay on the subject.

SO, in response to that - what I'm looking forward to in 2013 is a return to all my good health habits, a return to cherishing and nurturing friendships, and living a bit on the frugal side so I can pay what remains owing on the big remodel within the 2013 calendar year.

Here's hoping for more fun and happiness, for me and certainly for all of YOU!!

[Alex]

Oh, here's something. I'll go through my Facebook friends list and boot anybody where I'm not 100% certain, without looking a friends in common, how I know them. A lot of people I'm no sure if they're LoT, MP, high school, or other spheres.

[Snowflake]

Well, for once in my life I'm going to keep my resolution to lose weight. In 2011 I made a good start. So, for 2012, I hope to lose another 50 pounds as a modest and doable goal. If it goes like 2011, I will actually lose more weight. I'm eating healther, though I always thought I was fairly mindful (except for the insane amounts of bread and pasta I scarfed away). I feel like a new person, it's pretty great.

I did okay with this, lost nearly 100 lbs in 2012. I'm hoping for 50+ more in 2013. Going back to the gym is a priority which should help this along.

I also resolve to write more in 2012. I'm not particularly gifted, but I love it. That's what the blog is for and I plan to be a more regular poster.

Feh, did not nurture my creative side much in 2012. I got caught up in being responsible/caregiver and ended up not taking care of this part of me. I am hoping to spend more time focusing on the creative parts of me, and this will also involve less time sucking spent on Facebook.
p

I also resolve to do some serious rearch for Dorothy. 2011 slipped by with little hunting and gathering by me. Again, a process I enjoy and I hope to make a trip to WI to Madison, there's some good stuff hidden away there I need to access. NY beckons, too. The Gish papers are at the NYPL.

Snort, zilcho done on Dorothy except acquiring a few cool photos. FAIL.

The job thing is going to be a tougher nut to crack. I work for 2 really good people, but the firm itself, post merger, ack. It could not be more soul sucking. Environment can be stronger than will and I am surrounded by mega unhappy people. Being positive is what I always try to be, but it is getting harder to do. I'm waffling between fear of making the jump and landing in a worse situation or simply not finding another option. Gee that's a lousy thing to end on, isn't it?

I did not leap nor did I look. Being the primary income, well I chickened out in making a jump. I'm hoping the option of an LA office does materialize that will give me an easier opportunity to make different kind of leap.

Time will tell.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I did put one costume for sale on Etsy. It didn't sell, but I did sell a special order, and I have high hopes for next year, now that I have the materials ready. I'm also indulging my creative side for other projects.

Etsy did not pan out for me, so far. The crafting thing remains complicated in my head. Am I doing it for creative expression, or to fund my creative expression, or to pass the time, or to prove something, or what? So far I am only able to get myself motivated when I have a very specific personal goal - Halloween costumes, or Theo's birthday party. I've got some fun projects for his party next month and as usual I'm hoping I can do more than that once that's done but motivation is such a bitchy nut to crack.

Honestly, these last 6 months have been very trying for me, and it seems my tools have grown mostly dull. I've been feeling irritated and selfish in the face of Theo's growing demands and stubbornness. To put it simply, this is Hard, and I RESOLVE to be better, for all of our sakes.

UGH. At best, I am exactly the same as I was. I have good days and bad days. I am not a patient person. I never know if I'm just beating myself up or if I'm not doing well enough or what. Maybe I know deep down that I can always do better but there's two sides to that....

I want my house to be cleaner. Theo is actually surprisingly good about cleaning up. I resolve to exploit his good example to inspire me to be more thorough. He teaches me so much...

Been better here. Many thanks to Unfvck Your Habitat for inspiring me to be better in ways that make sense to me.



For 2013....I still need to keep aware that everything I do rubs off on my little guy. That I can feel it when I'm unhappy due to my time-use choices and that I need to listen to myself. That I'm not perfect but that's no reason to not try my best.

More physical activity would be good, too.

[lashbear]

Originally Posted by lashbear

Resolutions for Lashbear 2012 are:

1. Get back to that 100-110kg goal. Since i have been given a second chance to live (like Harry Potter) I need to realise this is not a gift that can be given too often. Time to get with the program and make sure I have the best chance of staying with you all for a long time.
2. Move to Forster. Can't say too much on this one, but hopefully all will be revealed soon.

So, again, a fail on the 110Kg goal, although I am closer to it than I was when I wrote that post. I have new technology / Brain management working on the problem, and think that my next goal might actually happen.

We did indeed move to Forster. Very successfully, and the seachange is treating us well. We could not want better than what we achieved. Maybe except for a caravan... but that's for the coming year or two yet.

2013 Resolutions:

1. Visit The Mediterranean. Pretty sure this will happen as it's booked and paid...
2. Go on our first Cruise. This is booked for August for our anniversary. Just a 4 night cruise to start to see how we like it.
3. Get the weight down to 100kg. I think I can go beyond this, but I will err on the side of caution, looking back at past attempts.

Lets how I go with those.

[BarTopDancer]

For 2012:

Continue to focus on my health, lose some more weight, gain some muscle and strength and fully quit smoking.

I lost quite a bit more weight and "fully" quit smoking as much as I probably ever will. Thanks to our personal Dr. Who I enjoyed a couple real Cloves and 5 or so actual cigarettes since Leap Day.

Continue to expand my career knowledge.

This is ongoing, had some good discussions with my manager about where I want to go, what I want to do and finally get acknowledgement he has no idea what I do most of the time and most of the other stuff I do isn't what he envisioned for my position but I should continue down that path since its been working out and support has improved. But if I don't get a raise this year to reflect all the responsibilities I have taken on I am G.O.N.E.

Continue to expand my social circles. I'm getting much better, coming out of my shell and making some socialize outside of work with friends at work. I need to get the courage to go volunteer somewhere to give something back and also to meet new people. This means I need to keep coming out of my shell.

This has been my biggest challenge and I've failed miserably at it.


For 2013

I need to focus on me, my life. I want to meet someone that could go somewhere. I'm on eHarmony but it's really hit or miss. If anyone knows of anyone feel free to set me up.

Continue to progress in my career and if that means moving on then that's what it will be.

Continue to lose weight and take up running

[RStar]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

Thanks to our personal Dr. Who....

You know Dr. Who personally? Very cool!