Resolution update: January 2013
1. Don’t die.
Still here.
2. Lose ten pounds.
I’ve lost 4 pounds in January, and happily, it’s been through no great effort on my part. Just eating a little less and exercising a little more.
3. Do at least 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups five days a day. Also complete at least two two-minute planks five days per week.
Done. In fact, I didn’t miss a day in January.
4. Launch at least one podcast.
Until my book is finished (my deadline is March 31), this will have to wait (though I am extremely anxious to get started). On a positive note, a friend has offered to guide me through some of the technical aspects that I have not learned yet.
5. Practice the flute for at least an hour a week.
The broken flute remains in the back of my car. My wife has offered to bring it to the repair shop for me.
6. Complete my fifth novel before the Ides of March.
I am moving along at a fairly rapid pace. The pressure of an actual deadline and a disappointed editor weigh heavily on me.
7. Complete my sixth novel.
Work will not begin on this goal until the fifth book is complete.
8. Sell one children’s book to a publisher.
Work will not begin on this goal until the fifth book is complete.
9. Complete a book proposal for my memoir.
Work will not begin on this goal until the fifth book is complete.
10. Complete at least twelve blog posts on my brother and sister blog.
For the first time since this project began, I am the one stalling progress. Kelli posted in late December and I have yet to respond. I will do so shortly.
11. Become certified to teach high school English by completing two required classes.
I need to complete one more class in order to become certified to teach English in grades 6-12. It looks like I will be taking that class in the summer or fall of this year.
12. Publish at least one Op-Ed in a newspaper.
Work will not begin on this goal until the fifth book is complete.
13. Attend at least eight Moth events with the intention of telling a story.
I was scheduled and then rescheduled to attend a Moth event in January, but family illness and then foul weather (and a less-than-adventurous friend) stopped me both times. I plan on attending a StorySLAM on Monday in Brooklyn and then later in the month in Boston with Elysha and friends. There is also a StorySLAM at the end of the month that I may be targeting as well.
14. Locate a playhouse to serve as the next venue for The Clowns.
Talks have begun with people who might be able to help us find a venue. We also plan on applying for a New York theater festival in 2014, though that application process has not yet begun.
15. Give yoga an honest try.
Though I’m ready to try this whenever possible, the summer might be the most feasible time to attempt this goal.
16. Meditate for at least five minutes every day.
Done.
17. De-clutter the garage.
No progress, though my wife has offered to assist me eliminate the excess furniture via Craigslist.
18. De-clutter the basement.
No progress.
19. De-clutter the shed
No progress.
20. Reduce the amount of soda I am drinking by 50%.
My plan is to record of my soda consumption for a month in order to determine the average amount of soda I drink in a day and will then seek to reduce that number by 50 percent.
I did not record my soda consumption in January.
21. Try at least one new dish per month, even if it contains ingredients that I wouldn’t normally consider palatable.
I tried couscous in January and liked it very much. We had it again last night.
22. Conduct the ninth No-Longer-Annual A-Mattzing Race in 2013.
Work will not begin on this goal until the fifth book is complete.
23. Post my progress in terms of these resolutions on this blog on the first day of every month.
I am one day ahead of schedule.