not too much to report, but i wanted to update the little bit i've got. #35 was to read 10 books in 2010 (which is not many) and i started my first one this week. it's an uncorrected proof of a book being published next month called "my name is memory". i like the premise, but it might be cheesy. basically a teenage boy remembers all his past lives and keeps falling in love with the same girl, but their love is always thwarted somehow and in this life, he's determined to be together. i dunno. it reminded me of "time traveller's wife", which i loved, so i'll keep you posted.
#93 was to get my computer set up and start downloading music and making cds. it is set up and i've started to download. i've even tried to make cds, but i'm having a problem burning more than the first song on the list. will try to troubleshoot this weekend.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
i'm writing this in my kitchen or day 381
#94-get internet access at home-DONE! i finally cleaned out my spare room and unearthed my computer. richard gave me a usb cord today and when i got home, i set everything up and was delighted to find that someone close by has an open wifi connection. woohoo! free internet in my kitchen. i will probably try to set this up elsewhere, as the my monitor is sitting on a chair and my mouse and keyboard are on a tv tray. for the moment, it's fine.
#47-buy $300 dream shoes-DONE! and i got them on sale for $222! that plus $10 shipping and my trippen vivennes were at my door in 4 days. they are spectacular.
also, i got a manicure in march, so living up to once a month for the year. this week, i will get my new license plate sticker before the end of the month.
ooh! i've also made food at home a little. last week was polenta with fresh mozzarella, roast peppers, mushrooms and eggplant. i also made a pizza with the same basic ingredients. by the time i got around to eating taht, it was kinda gross though. this week was tacos and tomorrow night, spinach and pico enchiladas.
#47-buy $300 dream shoes-DONE! and i got them on sale for $222! that plus $10 shipping and my trippen vivennes were at my door in 4 days. they are spectacular.
also, i got a manicure in march, so living up to once a month for the year. this week, i will get my new license plate sticker before the end of the month.
ooh! i've also made food at home a little. last week was polenta with fresh mozzarella, roast peppers, mushrooms and eggplant. i also made a pizza with the same basic ingredients. by the time i got around to eating taht, it was kinda gross though. this week was tacos and tomorrow night, spinach and pico enchiladas.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
362 days or day 362
in my last two blogs, i went through the entire list and wrote about what i'd accomplished, failed to accomplish, still have to accomplish, had excuses for why i can't accomplish, etc. here are the numbers:
30 items have been completed
16 items are in the process of being completed
8 items have been attempted and failed and it's OK
47 items need to be started
so there you have it.one thing i accomplished this week is opening a savings account, so i have a whole $20 saved so far!
30 items have been completed
16 items are in the process of being completed
8 items have been attempted and failed and it's OK
47 items need to be started
so there you have it.one thing i accomplished this week is opening a savings account, so i have a whole $20 saved so far!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
where was i or day 358
onward...
53. go to green mountain retreat. this one is one of the huger (is that a word?) ones both because of the cost and the amount of dedication and possible life changingness of it. green mountain is a weight loss spa and retreat in vermont. i found them when doing research on getting myself into a biggest loser type situation, but not televised and, perhaps, less mean and aggravating. it sounds so good. you can stay anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks and it's essentially rehab for dealing with food issues. my plan is to stay for 2 weeks. 3 would probably be better, but it's so expensive and i know myself well enough to know that i'll probably start to lose my mind after 2 weeks anyway. my goal is to be able to do it by october-november of this year.
54. do something real with "fan of the banter". this one is kinda sad. it's been downgraded to tried and failed simply because my partner in FOTB is not really around anymore. there was a brief glimmer of hope last summer when he suggested we apply to do a show on CHIRP, but that never happened.
55. drink 8 or more glasses of water a day. this should be basic and i used to be really good with it. i am reaching for my water bottle as i type.
56. straighten and tidy apartment before it becomes a project. this one i think is a success. i always have things that could be put away, but in my new place, hanging my clothes up is easy, so no more bathroom piles. my kitchen table is still a holding area for items, but with the pantry right there, those items get put away much more quickly than they would've before.
57. buy a skirt. i'm thinking a denim pencil skirt, but we'll see. i might do something a little fancier, since i need something for susana's wedding.
58. find an everyday necklace. i go through this yearly and usually about this time. i want a necklace, although i haven't worn one regularly in many years. i see lots, but none are quite right. i used to have this great green stone necklace. it was just small beads but i loved it. i lost it soon after i got it.
59. be open to affection, which used to be kiss more boys. eh, i dunno. i'm not against it, but it's been a very long time since i met someone i'd bother with. i don't know if that's because of me or them. it's not a really strong desire but at the same time, kissing and affection are pretty nice things. i guess i'm at odds about this one.
60. try to find a new band/music to get into every month. i think i will expand that to also buying a new cd every month. again, this used to be like breathing for me.
61. get drunk once. this one has also be demoted to tried and failed, although i didn't even try. when i made this list a year ago, there was a certain camaraderie involved in this item. that seems to have fallen to the wayside and i don't think i ever really intended for it to happen anyway.
62. eat wendy's less often. this one was fairly easy because wendy's got kinda gross. i do have to eat far less fast food in general though.
63. wake up and get out of bed at least an hour before i have to leave. urgh, hate it. but, trying.
64. pay overdue library fines. i swear, next paycheck.
65. take a water aerobics class. well, since i wrote this, i've signed up for a total of 6. val and i have been going for the last year and moved up to twice a week in fall. woo hoo.
66. learn photoshop. this is another tried and failed. i just don't get it and i've decided that it's ok that i don't.
67. put all loose photos into an album. i'm actually in the mood to do this. i just need some time and some albums.
68. get massages seasonally. from spring 09-winter 10, i accomplished this and plan to do it again this year.
69. get allemande left tattoo. i've been thinking about this lately and might try to do it in may.
70. go to las vegas. ok. hopefully with lisa.
71. do one crazy, random spur of the moment thing that comes up. i don't think i've done this yet. i'll keep you posted.
72. visit traci in england. it would be nice, but too expensive for this year for sure. maybe 2011.
73. organize desk and personalize. done baby, with pictures of miles hunt to prove it.
74. see a blur reunion show. this kinda depends on blur. it looked like they might tour after the shows in london last year, but i haven't heard anything about it in some time. i should go look and see if there's anymore info.
75. apply to sell stuff at renegade. this year might be too soon, both for $ and production, but i will certainly keep it in mind for 2011.
76. make a shadowbox. i did and gave it to lorna.
77. become better with direction. i'm not naturally good at knowing where i'm going, but i'm getting a little better. plus, i added google maps to my phone. when i got lost in pittsburgh, i mean desperately lost, i managed to find my way back to my hotel thanks to that.
78. stop incurring overdraft fees. i went for a couple months without and then i was in the hospital and missed work, so i got below again. this pay period, i did not have one and i'm hoping to start a trend.
79. find a pilates or yoga class that is adaptable to me. i haven't done this yet and i think it would be a nice thing to add this summer.
80. get manicures monthly. i got one in january and a pedicure in february. looking forward to one in march.
81. masturbate more. really? yeah.
82. become a better public speaker. last year, ILL did a presentation for ASID, which was scary, but i did it. we had to take a day long workshop, which was really helpful and i think i mostly conquered my fears. i guess i did alright because i was asked to be a reviewer for presentations this year.
83. pay car off. slow and steady, but it will happen. i think i have 2 more years at the current payment. hopefully, i can get to the point of paying more.
84. go on a serious spa weekend. read 2 blogs ago.
85. go to an indorr water park in the dead of winter. i've missed that for this winter, but aiming for next and again, with lisa most likely.
86. renew plates on time. that's coming up at the end of the month. will write myself a note.
87. join a gym. this would be nice and i haven't looked into it in awhile. will do so after this.
88. advance a level in my job. eh. this seemed more appealing when i was excited about the potential for applying for the head of reference job. the more i thought about it, even as nice as the money would be, i'm happy here in ILL for the moment.
89. start keeping track of food in a journal. i did this and realized after 3 months that it doesn't really make me think one way or another ab out what i'm eating. and i also discovered that even on the days when i went "over" what i should've been eating, it wasn't by very much. so, this is another one that is done.
90. take a random weekend trip to a place i've never been. ok, it wasn't random as such, but i did go to pittsburgh, which is a place i had never been.
91. find a recipe for fudge foldovers and add to x-mas repitoire. i found the recipe, but haven't made them yet. i didn't even made rumballs this year. stupid vertigo.
92. figure out how to make hopscotchies. ditto.
93. get computer set up and make mix cds. i keep saying i'm going try doing that. maybe after work today...
94. get at home internet access. i'm hoping to "steal" wifi in my building, but we'll see.
95. get windshield replaced. seriously. i've gotten 5 cracked windshiled tickets. i should really do this.
96. sit on front patio/back yard. well, i no longer have either of these things, so i guess that's a fail.
97. buy chairs for patio. ditto.
98. buy a new matress. i did and i wish it were a little firmer, but yay.
99. visit kim in indiana. i tried really hard to make this happen, but she seems to be very busy.
100. start thrifting/vintage shopping again. indeed. lorna has asked to do this with me so i think as soon as it's a little nicer out, we'll make a day of it.
101. create 5 things for people before the end of 2009. i did 4. jarvis for therese, luka for shelley, shadow box for lorna, and pasties for saro. i never made anything for eva. sorry eva.
ok, that's the list in (almost) a year review. i've done 30 things and have several more in process. not too shabby. looking forward to doing this in an another year and seeing how much more i've done.
53. go to green mountain retreat. this one is one of the huger (is that a word?) ones both because of the cost and the amount of dedication and possible life changingness of it. green mountain is a weight loss spa and retreat in vermont. i found them when doing research on getting myself into a biggest loser type situation, but not televised and, perhaps, less mean and aggravating. it sounds so good. you can stay anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks and it's essentially rehab for dealing with food issues. my plan is to stay for 2 weeks. 3 would probably be better, but it's so expensive and i know myself well enough to know that i'll probably start to lose my mind after 2 weeks anyway. my goal is to be able to do it by october-november of this year.
54. do something real with "fan of the banter". this one is kinda sad. it's been downgraded to tried and failed simply because my partner in FOTB is not really around anymore. there was a brief glimmer of hope last summer when he suggested we apply to do a show on CHIRP, but that never happened.
55. drink 8 or more glasses of water a day. this should be basic and i used to be really good with it. i am reaching for my water bottle as i type.
56. straighten and tidy apartment before it becomes a project. this one i think is a success. i always have things that could be put away, but in my new place, hanging my clothes up is easy, so no more bathroom piles. my kitchen table is still a holding area for items, but with the pantry right there, those items get put away much more quickly than they would've before.
57. buy a skirt. i'm thinking a denim pencil skirt, but we'll see. i might do something a little fancier, since i need something for susana's wedding.
58. find an everyday necklace. i go through this yearly and usually about this time. i want a necklace, although i haven't worn one regularly in many years. i see lots, but none are quite right. i used to have this great green stone necklace. it was just small beads but i loved it. i lost it soon after i got it.
59. be open to affection, which used to be kiss more boys. eh, i dunno. i'm not against it, but it's been a very long time since i met someone i'd bother with. i don't know if that's because of me or them. it's not a really strong desire but at the same time, kissing and affection are pretty nice things. i guess i'm at odds about this one.
60. try to find a new band/music to get into every month. i think i will expand that to also buying a new cd every month. again, this used to be like breathing for me.
61. get drunk once. this one has also be demoted to tried and failed, although i didn't even try. when i made this list a year ago, there was a certain camaraderie involved in this item. that seems to have fallen to the wayside and i don't think i ever really intended for it to happen anyway.
62. eat wendy's less often. this one was fairly easy because wendy's got kinda gross. i do have to eat far less fast food in general though.
63. wake up and get out of bed at least an hour before i have to leave. urgh, hate it. but, trying.
64. pay overdue library fines. i swear, next paycheck.
65. take a water aerobics class. well, since i wrote this, i've signed up for a total of 6. val and i have been going for the last year and moved up to twice a week in fall. woo hoo.
66. learn photoshop. this is another tried and failed. i just don't get it and i've decided that it's ok that i don't.
67. put all loose photos into an album. i'm actually in the mood to do this. i just need some time and some albums.
68. get massages seasonally. from spring 09-winter 10, i accomplished this and plan to do it again this year.
69. get allemande left tattoo. i've been thinking about this lately and might try to do it in may.
70. go to las vegas. ok. hopefully with lisa.
71. do one crazy, random spur of the moment thing that comes up. i don't think i've done this yet. i'll keep you posted.
72. visit traci in england. it would be nice, but too expensive for this year for sure. maybe 2011.
73. organize desk and personalize. done baby, with pictures of miles hunt to prove it.
74. see a blur reunion show. this kinda depends on blur. it looked like they might tour after the shows in london last year, but i haven't heard anything about it in some time. i should go look and see if there's anymore info.
75. apply to sell stuff at renegade. this year might be too soon, both for $ and production, but i will certainly keep it in mind for 2011.
76. make a shadowbox. i did and gave it to lorna.
77. become better with direction. i'm not naturally good at knowing where i'm going, but i'm getting a little better. plus, i added google maps to my phone. when i got lost in pittsburgh, i mean desperately lost, i managed to find my way back to my hotel thanks to that.
78. stop incurring overdraft fees. i went for a couple months without and then i was in the hospital and missed work, so i got below again. this pay period, i did not have one and i'm hoping to start a trend.
79. find a pilates or yoga class that is adaptable to me. i haven't done this yet and i think it would be a nice thing to add this summer.
80. get manicures monthly. i got one in january and a pedicure in february. looking forward to one in march.
81. masturbate more. really? yeah.
82. become a better public speaker. last year, ILL did a presentation for ASID, which was scary, but i did it. we had to take a day long workshop, which was really helpful and i think i mostly conquered my fears. i guess i did alright because i was asked to be a reviewer for presentations this year.
83. pay car off. slow and steady, but it will happen. i think i have 2 more years at the current payment. hopefully, i can get to the point of paying more.
84. go on a serious spa weekend. read 2 blogs ago.
85. go to an indorr water park in the dead of winter. i've missed that for this winter, but aiming for next and again, with lisa most likely.
86. renew plates on time. that's coming up at the end of the month. will write myself a note.
87. join a gym. this would be nice and i haven't looked into it in awhile. will do so after this.
88. advance a level in my job. eh. this seemed more appealing when i was excited about the potential for applying for the head of reference job. the more i thought about it, even as nice as the money would be, i'm happy here in ILL for the moment.
89. start keeping track of food in a journal. i did this and realized after 3 months that it doesn't really make me think one way or another ab out what i'm eating. and i also discovered that even on the days when i went "over" what i should've been eating, it wasn't by very much. so, this is another one that is done.
90. take a random weekend trip to a place i've never been. ok, it wasn't random as such, but i did go to pittsburgh, which is a place i had never been.
91. find a recipe for fudge foldovers and add to x-mas repitoire. i found the recipe, but haven't made them yet. i didn't even made rumballs this year. stupid vertigo.
92. figure out how to make hopscotchies. ditto.
93. get computer set up and make mix cds. i keep saying i'm going try doing that. maybe after work today...
94. get at home internet access. i'm hoping to "steal" wifi in my building, but we'll see.
95. get windshield replaced. seriously. i've gotten 5 cracked windshiled tickets. i should really do this.
96. sit on front patio/back yard. well, i no longer have either of these things, so i guess that's a fail.
97. buy chairs for patio. ditto.
98. buy a new matress. i did and i wish it were a little firmer, but yay.
99. visit kim in indiana. i tried really hard to make this happen, but she seems to be very busy.
100. start thrifting/vintage shopping again. indeed. lorna has asked to do this with me so i think as soon as it's a little nicer out, we'll make a day of it.
101. create 5 things for people before the end of 2009. i did 4. jarvis for therese, luka for shelley, shadow box for lorna, and pasties for saro. i never made anything for eva. sorry eva.
ok, that's the list in (almost) a year review. i've done 30 things and have several more in process. not too shabby. looking forward to doing this in an another year and seeing how much more i've done.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
half the list after (almost) a year or day 348
i'm a couple weeks early on this, but i was in the mood to look at the list after pretty close to a year later. although i've written about what i've accomplished throughout the year, i wanted to go through all of it. also, i made some of the more vague items more specific. so, here goes:
1. write list. obviously that one is finished. i think it took 2 days.
2. exerbycle 2-3x/week. well, yeah. i've been REALLY bad about that over the last year. my only saving grace is that i have been fairly diligent about water aerobics instead. but, i have the bike and i really should get on it more often.
3. swim a couple times/month. i'm at the pool twice a week and try to spend a little extra time swimming around before class. this one was easier when water aerobics started at 6 and we had time to stay in the pool afterward.
4. put together DJ/band?crafty bazaar. emily and i talked about doing this a few years ago and i'd still like to try. maybe late fall/early winter, before the holidays?
5. lose 10 lbs and keep it off. i ALWAYS lose 10 lbs. i NEVER keep it off. i go through phases every year where i'm careful about what i eat and then i go through phases where i don't think twice. i'm currently coming to the end of a "don't think twice" phase, so we'll see. also, there's green mountain, but i'll talk about that when i get to it.
6. the lose 10-40 more lbs. again, green mountain.
7. renew passport. still haven't done it.
8. write in journal at least 4x/week. this is one that i made mopre specific. before it was just "write more". i'm not sure if i want to write fiction or prose or essays. so far, just writing every week has been good.
9. take a food road trip. i definitely want to do this. i may try to do a mini one in july.
10. write about that. perhaps i will, in my journal :)
11. go to montreal. this one had been to visit A.C. in montreal, but since she's back in chicago, i'll just make it a goal to go. and i'll get a drink with mark jones. maybe it can be the end point for the food road trip.
12. go to austin. there is talk of me and richard doing this in summer. there will be wrestling involved. hopefully not with chad, haha.
13. cook at home 3x/week. this was also changed from "cook more things, more often". that was WAY too vague. at the moment, i'm hoping to start cooking things to bring to work for lunches. frozen stuff is getting me way down.
14. finally have people over for moussaka and not default to ordering pizza. yay, i did this one. i had therese, dan, val, hannah, and lorna over. it was a hit. i had also made moussaka for the work holiday party and was pleased that the ladies loved it. also, moussaka goes well with rice-a-roni.
15. get the ball rolling on scott's care that hopefully can start before our parents are unable to care for him. well, i have some names of lawyers and want to start calling for consultations soon. that part will be easy; the rest, i'm not so sure.
16. discuss that with said parents. i've already told my dad that i'm planning to do this. he seemed happy about it. again, that part was easy. when i come to them with all that they (we) have to do, i'm not so sure.
17. get 7-8 hours of sllep at least 5x/week. i've accomplished this too and i really do feel better. i'd still rather not have to get up early, but it's gotten better.
18. walk 15-20 4x/week. although i don't set out to just take a walk, especially in winter, i realized that between walking from wherever i'm parked to work and then walking around work, i almost always accomplish this goal. in spring and summer, i will return to walking a lap around the building on lunch or a break.
19. put of a one off cover band, ala covers for cover. if i had known that there would be a covers for cover in 09 earlier, i would've tried to be a part of it. alas. if it happens again this year, with the help of lorna and shelley and whomever else, i would like to front a cheap trick cover band. oh yes.
20. go to cardiologist. this is something i need to do yearly. i went in april 09 and have an appointment in april 10.
21. go to pulmonologist. ditto.
22. save $10-20/paycheck. yeah, that hasn't happened yet. pretty much every time i get to the point of being able to save, something dumb happens like i end up in the hospital with vertigo and don't get paid for a week. i am trying.
23. set up payment plans for medical bills. i've got one down and now i need to make a few more calls for the others.
24. start paying student loan again. i really wonder how many times one can use forebearance. i've done it at least 5 times already. my next payment is due on 4/15 and i want to start paying it off finally.
25. get new tires. i did, in august.
26. frame more paper to decorate with. i have a sheet at home waiting to be framed. i haven't put a lot up since i moved. the collage wall kinda took over my decorating time. hey, that's also decorating with paper!
27. go to the haskell free library and opera house in vermont-quebec. i'm hoping to do this when i'm at green mountain.
28. pay off law suit. i don't even want to talk about this one.
29. do more painting. although this one was vague, i actually did do quite a bit. i have a few more painting projects in the works after i'm done with the collage wall and getting the rest of my pictures up around the apartment.
30. clean and organize spare room/assess and organize craft stuff. i did this and it was great. i think it took me a whole weekend, but i got it done and threw a lot of stuff away. i had no idea at the time that i'd be moving anytime soon, but i'm glad i got that out of the way before packing started.
31. pay off credit card. it's a stupid $300 credit card too.
32. move to a more accessible apartment. i did! and just in time for winter too. with the exception of having to take my laundry to be done, this move has made my life at least 187% better. no stairs to deal with, i can access my closets so my clothes actually get hung up, a much more acccessible bathroom, including a grab bar next to the toilet, and a bedroom that fits more than just my bed.
33. be more proactive at work. this one was vague too, but i don't have specific goals, really. i like my job, so getting out isn't a thing. i think i'd just like to continue to make contributions when i can, like help solve problems and suggest priojects (damn OCLC book). i think maybe helping there be more follow-through sometimes would be a good goal. we have lots of good ideas and projects that fall to the wayside, so staying on top of those might be good.
34. be on time more often than not. much like wating well, this goes in phases. i am trying to be on time always and hit the mark, oh, 75% of the time.
35. read 10 books/year. last year, i read 4. that's just pathetic. i miss it and i'm not sure why, especially considering where i work, that i haven't made it a priority. i have overdues, but i should take care of those and get some books!
36. start a blog about something. well, this counts. i'm also considering starting one for a year that details the inappropriate questions i get asked by random strangers. i think i would be interesting to have a record of that.
37. get liver enzymes and cholesterol checked yearly. i got this done in 2009 and for the first time in a decade, my enzymes were normal. take that!
38. go to gyno yearly. yep, went in feb 09 and was fine. also had my first mammogram. all good.
39. buy a tricycle and ride as weather allows. part of why i haven't done this already is because in my old apartment, i had no easy way to store one. now, i have a shed outside my back door that involves no stairs! i'm gonna price them as soon as i'm done with this!
40. get handicap signs for street parking. i put this on off too and i'm glad, sicne i moved. the parking at my new place is so much easier, but i think i may still do it. there are a couple spots that have walk ways from the side walk and if i alwasy got to park at one of those, my life would be again, 187% easier.
41. change sheets more often. basic, but i had to remind myself.
42. try to establish a realistic budget each month and stick to it. i've done well and poorly with this. it's a stumbling block and i'm trying to get better.
43. see 3-5 plays/year. thanks to dave awl mostly, i accomplished 3 in 2009. let's see what i can do in 2010. i'd actually like to go see a broadway production at one of the big theaters.
44. attend 2-3 art exhibits. i should've done better last year, but i don't think i even went to one. for shame.
45. go to pla in portland march 2010. other more important uses of money came up for this year, so sadly, pla got downgraded to failed. it's ok pla, it's ok.
46. visit tom j. in seattle. this was going to be done in conjunction with pla. alas. i will do this eventually. i've never gone to seattle with seattle as the main intention and i think it deserves a looksee.
47. buy $300 dream shoes. in the next month, i can feel it.
48. buy new boots. this one's a lot harder than it sounds. i bought a great pair of motorcycle boots, that ultimately didn't work out for me. i wanted to buy the exact same pair of gripfast boots i have now, but my size alludes me. i'm keeping my eye out, but also thinking i'll get these boots i have now re-soled after winter is over.
49. buy new non-boots. i did that. got a new pair of earth solars in plum.
50. look into taking a rowing class. over the summer, i did find a class, but the cost, the time it was offered, and the accessibility were issues. i tried to find an indoor class using machines and found that they don't exist in chicago. i also looked into buying my own machine and that is where i'm headed. but, it's kind of on the back burner.
51. take more advantage of physical therapy. i think i did. i finally stopped going in august and replaced it with an extra day of water aerobics. it was really good, but started to feel routine and not as helpful. i very rarely do the exercises at home.
52. grow hair out just to see. yeah, no. never again.
ok, i'm getting typing cramps, so i will finish this next time. well start with green mountain...
1. write list. obviously that one is finished. i think it took 2 days.
2. exerbycle 2-3x/week. well, yeah. i've been REALLY bad about that over the last year. my only saving grace is that i have been fairly diligent about water aerobics instead. but, i have the bike and i really should get on it more often.
3. swim a couple times/month. i'm at the pool twice a week and try to spend a little extra time swimming around before class. this one was easier when water aerobics started at 6 and we had time to stay in the pool afterward.
4. put together DJ/band?crafty bazaar. emily and i talked about doing this a few years ago and i'd still like to try. maybe late fall/early winter, before the holidays?
5. lose 10 lbs and keep it off. i ALWAYS lose 10 lbs. i NEVER keep it off. i go through phases every year where i'm careful about what i eat and then i go through phases where i don't think twice. i'm currently coming to the end of a "don't think twice" phase, so we'll see. also, there's green mountain, but i'll talk about that when i get to it.
6. the lose 10-40 more lbs. again, green mountain.
7. renew passport. still haven't done it.
8. write in journal at least 4x/week. this is one that i made mopre specific. before it was just "write more". i'm not sure if i want to write fiction or prose or essays. so far, just writing every week has been good.
9. take a food road trip. i definitely want to do this. i may try to do a mini one in july.
10. write about that. perhaps i will, in my journal :)
11. go to montreal. this one had been to visit A.C. in montreal, but since she's back in chicago, i'll just make it a goal to go. and i'll get a drink with mark jones. maybe it can be the end point for the food road trip.
12. go to austin. there is talk of me and richard doing this in summer. there will be wrestling involved. hopefully not with chad, haha.
13. cook at home 3x/week. this was also changed from "cook more things, more often". that was WAY too vague. at the moment, i'm hoping to start cooking things to bring to work for lunches. frozen stuff is getting me way down.
14. finally have people over for moussaka and not default to ordering pizza. yay, i did this one. i had therese, dan, val, hannah, and lorna over. it was a hit. i had also made moussaka for the work holiday party and was pleased that the ladies loved it. also, moussaka goes well with rice-a-roni.
15. get the ball rolling on scott's care that hopefully can start before our parents are unable to care for him. well, i have some names of lawyers and want to start calling for consultations soon. that part will be easy; the rest, i'm not so sure.
16. discuss that with said parents. i've already told my dad that i'm planning to do this. he seemed happy about it. again, that part was easy. when i come to them with all that they (we) have to do, i'm not so sure.
17. get 7-8 hours of sllep at least 5x/week. i've accomplished this too and i really do feel better. i'd still rather not have to get up early, but it's gotten better.
18. walk 15-20 4x/week. although i don't set out to just take a walk, especially in winter, i realized that between walking from wherever i'm parked to work and then walking around work, i almost always accomplish this goal. in spring and summer, i will return to walking a lap around the building on lunch or a break.
19. put of a one off cover band, ala covers for cover. if i had known that there would be a covers for cover in 09 earlier, i would've tried to be a part of it. alas. if it happens again this year, with the help of lorna and shelley and whomever else, i would like to front a cheap trick cover band. oh yes.
20. go to cardiologist. this is something i need to do yearly. i went in april 09 and have an appointment in april 10.
21. go to pulmonologist. ditto.
22. save $10-20/paycheck. yeah, that hasn't happened yet. pretty much every time i get to the point of being able to save, something dumb happens like i end up in the hospital with vertigo and don't get paid for a week. i am trying.
23. set up payment plans for medical bills. i've got one down and now i need to make a few more calls for the others.
24. start paying student loan again. i really wonder how many times one can use forebearance. i've done it at least 5 times already. my next payment is due on 4/15 and i want to start paying it off finally.
25. get new tires. i did, in august.
26. frame more paper to decorate with. i have a sheet at home waiting to be framed. i haven't put a lot up since i moved. the collage wall kinda took over my decorating time. hey, that's also decorating with paper!
27. go to the haskell free library and opera house in vermont-quebec. i'm hoping to do this when i'm at green mountain.
28. pay off law suit. i don't even want to talk about this one.
29. do more painting. although this one was vague, i actually did do quite a bit. i have a few more painting projects in the works after i'm done with the collage wall and getting the rest of my pictures up around the apartment.
30. clean and organize spare room/assess and organize craft stuff. i did this and it was great. i think it took me a whole weekend, but i got it done and threw a lot of stuff away. i had no idea at the time that i'd be moving anytime soon, but i'm glad i got that out of the way before packing started.
31. pay off credit card. it's a stupid $300 credit card too.
32. move to a more accessible apartment. i did! and just in time for winter too. with the exception of having to take my laundry to be done, this move has made my life at least 187% better. no stairs to deal with, i can access my closets so my clothes actually get hung up, a much more acccessible bathroom, including a grab bar next to the toilet, and a bedroom that fits more than just my bed.
33. be more proactive at work. this one was vague too, but i don't have specific goals, really. i like my job, so getting out isn't a thing. i think i'd just like to continue to make contributions when i can, like help solve problems and suggest priojects (damn OCLC book). i think maybe helping there be more follow-through sometimes would be a good goal. we have lots of good ideas and projects that fall to the wayside, so staying on top of those might be good.
34. be on time more often than not. much like wating well, this goes in phases. i am trying to be on time always and hit the mark, oh, 75% of the time.
35. read 10 books/year. last year, i read 4. that's just pathetic. i miss it and i'm not sure why, especially considering where i work, that i haven't made it a priority. i have overdues, but i should take care of those and get some books!
36. start a blog about something. well, this counts. i'm also considering starting one for a year that details the inappropriate questions i get asked by random strangers. i think i would be interesting to have a record of that.
37. get liver enzymes and cholesterol checked yearly. i got this done in 2009 and for the first time in a decade, my enzymes were normal. take that!
38. go to gyno yearly. yep, went in feb 09 and was fine. also had my first mammogram. all good.
39. buy a tricycle and ride as weather allows. part of why i haven't done this already is because in my old apartment, i had no easy way to store one. now, i have a shed outside my back door that involves no stairs! i'm gonna price them as soon as i'm done with this!
40. get handicap signs for street parking. i put this on off too and i'm glad, sicne i moved. the parking at my new place is so much easier, but i think i may still do it. there are a couple spots that have walk ways from the side walk and if i alwasy got to park at one of those, my life would be again, 187% easier.
41. change sheets more often. basic, but i had to remind myself.
42. try to establish a realistic budget each month and stick to it. i've done well and poorly with this. it's a stumbling block and i'm trying to get better.
43. see 3-5 plays/year. thanks to dave awl mostly, i accomplished 3 in 2009. let's see what i can do in 2010. i'd actually like to go see a broadway production at one of the big theaters.
44. attend 2-3 art exhibits. i should've done better last year, but i don't think i even went to one. for shame.
45. go to pla in portland march 2010. other more important uses of money came up for this year, so sadly, pla got downgraded to failed. it's ok pla, it's ok.
46. visit tom j. in seattle. this was going to be done in conjunction with pla. alas. i will do this eventually. i've never gone to seattle with seattle as the main intention and i think it deserves a looksee.
47. buy $300 dream shoes. in the next month, i can feel it.
48. buy new boots. this one's a lot harder than it sounds. i bought a great pair of motorcycle boots, that ultimately didn't work out for me. i wanted to buy the exact same pair of gripfast boots i have now, but my size alludes me. i'm keeping my eye out, but also thinking i'll get these boots i have now re-soled after winter is over.
49. buy new non-boots. i did that. got a new pair of earth solars in plum.
50. look into taking a rowing class. over the summer, i did find a class, but the cost, the time it was offered, and the accessibility were issues. i tried to find an indoor class using machines and found that they don't exist in chicago. i also looked into buying my own machine and that is where i'm headed. but, it's kind of on the back burner.
51. take more advantage of physical therapy. i think i did. i finally stopped going in august and replaced it with an extra day of water aerobics. it was really good, but started to feel routine and not as helpful. i very rarely do the exercises at home.
52. grow hair out just to see. yeah, no. never again.
ok, i'm getting typing cramps, so i will finish this next time. well start with green mountain...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
massaged, waxed, pedicured, whirlpooled, steam roomed, and full of filet mignon or day 341
yay #89! i took a serious spa weekend! emily and her friend rehka invited me to go with on their trip and since it was on the list and my tax return was on the way, i said, "indeed"! we went to heidel house resort and evensong spa in green lake, wi. it's about 180 miles away and about a 3 1/2 hour drive. here's how i'll break it down:
the setting
it really was kinda in the middle of nowhere. once off the highway, we took county roads that were only named by letters to get to the hotel. once there and after some bad, not terribly accessible directions to my room, i settled in to decompress after the drive while emily and rehka went to k-mart. this resulted in a video of a billy bass singing the filet-o-fish song and 3 jars of pantene pomade for $10!
the room
aside from being kind of a pain in the ass to get to, it was pretty damn good. it was almost a suite, with a sitting room and a balcony that overlooked a lake. the lake was, of course, frozen and snow covered, but that was still kinda pretty, and despite being about 20 degrees out, i did stand on the balcony for a few minutes each day. it was oddly comforting. the bed was king size and had something like 6 pillows and a bolster. there was also a duvet that weight roughly as much as me. that had to go (along with 4 of the pillows) right away. i had a tv that was about the size of my car with cable (alas, no porn). i had a whirlpool tub in my bathroom and although i was too afraid to get in for fear of not being able to get out without assistance, i did fill it up and take a shower with the water whirling around my legs. also, the toiletries were fantastic. and there was room service!
the amenities
i never made it to the arcade, which bums me out, but we did go to the pool and whirlpool after fish fry. there was much debate on the way back to our rooms about how we would dress to walk to the pool, which included me considering putting my pj bottoms on under the skirt of my bathing suit. once all was said and done though, i remembered that i'm not that modest, that i used to take my clothes off on stage in front of people, and i walked down in the suit alone.
the spa day
again, not the most accessible in that it is across the street from the hotel (and in this case, across the street is about 1/2 mile), but once i was inside, so lovely. it is definitely the nicest spa i've been to. my massage was perfect. the oil she used was almost sandalwoody, but milder. she massaged my face, which i love and it rarely happens. i should've gotten the head massage add on. next time for sure.
after my massage, i had lunch in the cafe in my pjs. because i was in wisconsin, i made sure everything i ate involved cheese. in this case, it was a dill havarti quesadilla with roasted veggies. there was also a chai smoothie.
then i waited in the relaxation room for my next appointment, which was an eyebrow wax. the room looked out onto the forest. it was a sunny day and the snow made it really quite beautiful. unfortunately, all of the chairs and chaises in there were really low to the ground. so, i opted to sit on the arm of one of the chairs while i waited. i had made the eyebrow appointment that day and wasn't sure what time it was scheduled. after i had sat on the arm for about 20 minutes, my ass started to fall asleep, so i decided to get up to get my carmex (which i had forgotten to bring with me, if you can believe that). in doing so, my bare feet, which were freshly oiled from my massage, slipped on the floor and i ended up falling off the chair instead. and, because i was in a room full of people who were serenely laid back after massages, i didn't fall gracefully and noiselessly as i usually do. oh no, i hit the chair, which then knocked into the table, which made the framed menu of services fly off and into the wall. right on. but, i was next to a low ottoman, so i was able to recover quickly and not 20 seconds after i did, the girl come out to get me for my waxing.
after that, i went straight to my pedicure. there were massage chairs that tilt and lower for you to get into, plus they could be adjusted forward and back. i got the deluxe pedicure, which included a milk bath soak, brown sugar scrub, and a pepperminty clay mask. i had it finished off with "bold & beautiful" polish (blood red). i also read about carnie wilson in people magazine.
my spa day was coming to an end, so i decided to sit in the steam room for a few minutes. dear me, i love a steam room.
the food
on friday night, emily was hellbent on finding a fish fry and on the way back from k-mart, she found one across the street. it was this funny, northwoodsy lodge, in which we were the youngest patrons by at least 20 years. the fish was ok. the chocolate mousse cake was spectacular. as was my sip of emily's pink squirrel, which was totally my grandma olga's drink.
saturday morning before i went to the spa, i ordered room service. nice french toast and eggs. i just love ordering room service, really.
saturday night we went to the fancy-ish restaurant at the hotel, called grey rock. they were a bit overwhelmed since it was valentine's day weekend and usually things are pretty dead at this time of the year. i had french onion soup with gruyere, filet mignon with mashed potatoes, and aspargus, and chocolate lave cake. the bread selection came with 3 spreads, a garlic butter, olive tapanade, and a cucumber dill yogurty thing. all delish. we attempted to have breakfast at the hotel before we left, but there was a buffet and it was really crowded. since we were in 2 cars, emily and rehka ended up at mcdonald's and i ended up at arby's. i love arby's, especially on a road trip.
so, there you have it. #89. this actually also helps my goal of getting massages seasonly, so i can cross winter off the list.
i just checked and saw that my new earth maryjanes should be waiting for me at home, so that's #47, i think.
the $300 dream shoes will have to wait along with the windshield. i opted to pay parking tickets first and that was a decent chunk.
the setting
it really was kinda in the middle of nowhere. once off the highway, we took county roads that were only named by letters to get to the hotel. once there and after some bad, not terribly accessible directions to my room, i settled in to decompress after the drive while emily and rehka went to k-mart. this resulted in a video of a billy bass singing the filet-o-fish song and 3 jars of pantene pomade for $10!
the room
aside from being kind of a pain in the ass to get to, it was pretty damn good. it was almost a suite, with a sitting room and a balcony that overlooked a lake. the lake was, of course, frozen and snow covered, but that was still kinda pretty, and despite being about 20 degrees out, i did stand on the balcony for a few minutes each day. it was oddly comforting. the bed was king size and had something like 6 pillows and a bolster. there was also a duvet that weight roughly as much as me. that had to go (along with 4 of the pillows) right away. i had a tv that was about the size of my car with cable (alas, no porn). i had a whirlpool tub in my bathroom and although i was too afraid to get in for fear of not being able to get out without assistance, i did fill it up and take a shower with the water whirling around my legs. also, the toiletries were fantastic. and there was room service!
the amenities
i never made it to the arcade, which bums me out, but we did go to the pool and whirlpool after fish fry. there was much debate on the way back to our rooms about how we would dress to walk to the pool, which included me considering putting my pj bottoms on under the skirt of my bathing suit. once all was said and done though, i remembered that i'm not that modest, that i used to take my clothes off on stage in front of people, and i walked down in the suit alone.
the spa day
again, not the most accessible in that it is across the street from the hotel (and in this case, across the street is about 1/2 mile), but once i was inside, so lovely. it is definitely the nicest spa i've been to. my massage was perfect. the oil she used was almost sandalwoody, but milder. she massaged my face, which i love and it rarely happens. i should've gotten the head massage add on. next time for sure.
after my massage, i had lunch in the cafe in my pjs. because i was in wisconsin, i made sure everything i ate involved cheese. in this case, it was a dill havarti quesadilla with roasted veggies. there was also a chai smoothie.
then i waited in the relaxation room for my next appointment, which was an eyebrow wax. the room looked out onto the forest. it was a sunny day and the snow made it really quite beautiful. unfortunately, all of the chairs and chaises in there were really low to the ground. so, i opted to sit on the arm of one of the chairs while i waited. i had made the eyebrow appointment that day and wasn't sure what time it was scheduled. after i had sat on the arm for about 20 minutes, my ass started to fall asleep, so i decided to get up to get my carmex (which i had forgotten to bring with me, if you can believe that). in doing so, my bare feet, which were freshly oiled from my massage, slipped on the floor and i ended up falling off the chair instead. and, because i was in a room full of people who were serenely laid back after massages, i didn't fall gracefully and noiselessly as i usually do. oh no, i hit the chair, which then knocked into the table, which made the framed menu of services fly off and into the wall. right on. but, i was next to a low ottoman, so i was able to recover quickly and not 20 seconds after i did, the girl come out to get me for my waxing.
after that, i went straight to my pedicure. there were massage chairs that tilt and lower for you to get into, plus they could be adjusted forward and back. i got the deluxe pedicure, which included a milk bath soak, brown sugar scrub, and a pepperminty clay mask. i had it finished off with "bold & beautiful" polish (blood red). i also read about carnie wilson in people magazine.
my spa day was coming to an end, so i decided to sit in the steam room for a few minutes. dear me, i love a steam room.
the food
on friday night, emily was hellbent on finding a fish fry and on the way back from k-mart, she found one across the street. it was this funny, northwoodsy lodge, in which we were the youngest patrons by at least 20 years. the fish was ok. the chocolate mousse cake was spectacular. as was my sip of emily's pink squirrel, which was totally my grandma olga's drink.
saturday morning before i went to the spa, i ordered room service. nice french toast and eggs. i just love ordering room service, really.
saturday night we went to the fancy-ish restaurant at the hotel, called grey rock. they were a bit overwhelmed since it was valentine's day weekend and usually things are pretty dead at this time of the year. i had french onion soup with gruyere, filet mignon with mashed potatoes, and aspargus, and chocolate lave cake. the bread selection came with 3 spreads, a garlic butter, olive tapanade, and a cucumber dill yogurty thing. all delish. we attempted to have breakfast at the hotel before we left, but there was a buffet and it was really crowded. since we were in 2 cars, emily and rehka ended up at mcdonald's and i ended up at arby's. i love arby's, especially on a road trip.
so, there you have it. #89. this actually also helps my goal of getting massages seasonly, so i can cross winter off the list.
i just checked and saw that my new earth maryjanes should be waiting for me at home, so that's #47, i think.
the $300 dream shoes will have to wait along with the windshield. i opted to pay parking tickets first and that was a decent chunk.
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