(Anybody else remember that song, btw? Was it from Reading Rainbow? Anyway...)
Dear blog,
I realized recently (read: just now) that I spend more time thinking about reading than I do actually reading. Oh sure, I've got the Goodreads account, and I'm very self-congratulatory whenever I manage to actually finish something, but more often than not, I'm dwelling on what I want to read, or ought to read, and not actually turning the pages of any books. In that spirit, I thought I would share my current "to-read" list with you now. Then, in three months time, we can all look back and laugh about how I never got around to reading a single one of these.
Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O'Malley. This would be a re-read for me. Obbbbbviously, I've already read the Scott Pilgrim series in its entirety. And seen the movie. Twice. Jeez, what kind of a hipster would I be (I'm not a hipster)? Lately, I just feel a hankering to return to Bryan Lee O'Malley's video-game version of Toronto, which just so happens to be my adopted city. For that reason, I feel like I'm due for a second reading, if only to see how it feels to read it within the context of the city that I now know. Plus, let's be real, I can just never get enough of Ramona Flowers. I kind of want to be Ramona Flowers. But that's a whole other blog post...
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Another re-read. This book. Oh God, this book. I'm normally very dissociated from the books that I read, and while I have, on occasion, found a novel that warms the cockles of my cold, black heart, this was the first one that ever provoked me to openly weep. And I don't mean a lone tear trickling down my cheek, I'm talking about a full-fledged, messy, drippy cry. A good one for those special times when you feel like you need to reconnect with humanity.
Jazz Age Stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I can't say much about this one, as I've not read it yet. I just feel like I should.
The Bedside Book Of... series. I recently came across four books from this series on the clearance rack at Chapters. I've no idea if there are more books in the series; one can only hope. The best way I can explain these books (insofar as I can surmise, I mean) is to say that they're kind of like that "For Dummies" series, except, not for dummies. For smart people. They're slim little books packed with facts about traditionally boring stuff, and the writing's all snappy-like, and I just find myself very, very drawn to them. At least with these ones, if I never get around to breaking the spines, they'll look nice gathering dust on my shelf. They're quite cute. And, yes, I do judge a book by its cover.
Sometimes I don't know how to end a blog post. Uh... books, hooray! Three cheers for literacy!
3/15/2013
Must be wearing my extra-charming pants today...
Dear blog,
Today was a totally normal day, remarkable in only two ways, which I will describe to you now.
Way the first: Not to give too much away, but I work in a shop that requires me to prepare and serve hot beverages to people. Okay, it's tea. You're not going to be able to smoke me out if you know that I make people cups of tea for a living, so there you have it. Lots of places serve tea. Anyway, tonight at work, I was just wrapping things up with some customers when one of them whips out her business card, and starts talking to me in a conspiratorial tone of voice about how she's a recruiter for a shoe store, and if I'm ever looking for a second job or a total change of pace, etc., etc., etc. Kind of a lateral move, and I'm not really looking right now, but I have to admit that it's pretty flattering to have somebody walk into your workplace and then try to, like, poach you.
Way the second: Ever just get the feeling, when you're talking to somebody for the first time, that they really dig you? I was getting that feeling from a customer who came in today in search of some "hardcore oolong" (sidebar: AWESOME.). Said feeling was totally confirmed when I was walking through the mall a little while later, and I randomly noticed Mr. Hardcore Oolong, staring at me and smiling. D'awwwww! My inner circa 1995 Courtney Love is a little mad at me for caring, and is spewing some vitriol about "the male gaze" and all that, but let's just be real, it's nice when somebody notices you.
I actually feel like the universe has been throwing me some pretty major bones lately, in the form of small gestures, and, I kid you not, it actually has me feeling so happy that, at times, it physically hurts. I was sitting on the bus today, listening to some tunes, like you do, and my solar plexus just felt like it was on fire, as if my heart was spilling over with too much joy and love and contentedness. I'm sorry (I'm not sorry) if that sounds over the top, but this is not a feeling to which I am overly accustomed. Typically, I walk around in a bit of a self-punishing funk, just waiting for the other shoe to drop, as it inevitably does. So to have a small run of little things that are just good, and nice... it's very heartwarming, is all I'm trying to say.
I guess it just goes to show that the small actions we perform actually can go a long way in helping somebody else. Taking the time to craft a thoughtful response to an email, or share a song, or smile at somebody, can be all it takes to make a difference in someone's life. Like, a really, massively, measurably big difference. Who knew?
Today was a totally normal day, remarkable in only two ways, which I will describe to you now.
Way the first: Not to give too much away, but I work in a shop that requires me to prepare and serve hot beverages to people. Okay, it's tea. You're not going to be able to smoke me out if you know that I make people cups of tea for a living, so there you have it. Lots of places serve tea. Anyway, tonight at work, I was just wrapping things up with some customers when one of them whips out her business card, and starts talking to me in a conspiratorial tone of voice about how she's a recruiter for a shoe store, and if I'm ever looking for a second job or a total change of pace, etc., etc., etc. Kind of a lateral move, and I'm not really looking right now, but I have to admit that it's pretty flattering to have somebody walk into your workplace and then try to, like, poach you.
Way the second: Ever just get the feeling, when you're talking to somebody for the first time, that they really dig you? I was getting that feeling from a customer who came in today in search of some "hardcore oolong" (sidebar: AWESOME.). Said feeling was totally confirmed when I was walking through the mall a little while later, and I randomly noticed Mr. Hardcore Oolong, staring at me and smiling. D'awwwww! My inner circa 1995 Courtney Love is a little mad at me for caring, and is spewing some vitriol about "the male gaze" and all that, but let's just be real, it's nice when somebody notices you.
I actually feel like the universe has been throwing me some pretty major bones lately, in the form of small gestures, and, I kid you not, it actually has me feeling so happy that, at times, it physically hurts. I was sitting on the bus today, listening to some tunes, like you do, and my solar plexus just felt like it was on fire, as if my heart was spilling over with too much joy and love and contentedness. I'm sorry (I'm not sorry) if that sounds over the top, but this is not a feeling to which I am overly accustomed. Typically, I walk around in a bit of a self-punishing funk, just waiting for the other shoe to drop, as it inevitably does. So to have a small run of little things that are just good, and nice... it's very heartwarming, is all I'm trying to say.
I guess it just goes to show that the small actions we perform actually can go a long way in helping somebody else. Taking the time to craft a thoughtful response to an email, or share a song, or smile at somebody, can be all it takes to make a difference in someone's life. Like, a really, massively, measurably big difference. Who knew?
3/11/2013
A bit of a Sunday pick-n-mix...
Dear blog,
There's no unifying thread between any of these thoughts. I just felt like jotting 'em down. Why not here?
+ I am trying to figure out if I believe in karma or not. After a particularly crummy, no-good, terrible, awful work day yesterday, I came to the conclusion that either karma cannot possibly be real, or else I am paying off one hell of a debt from my past life. But then a string of really nice things happened, including my receipt of a beautifully well-timed (and unexpected) email that put a bright little smile on this dour face of mine. So, I don't know. Is that the universe calling itself out on its own low blows and doing me a solid to make up for it, or just a coincidence?
+ I finally -- finally -- got around to watching Life In A Day on Netflix. I am soooo behind on this one. I mean, obviously. It came out in, what, 2011? I wasn't sure at first. It all seemed a bit heavy handed and melodramatic in the early scenes. I mean, ugh, that score for the first 10 or 15 minutes? I wanted to scream, STOP TRYING TO EVOKE MY EMOTIONS, YOUTUBE!! But I didn't want to disturb my husband, with whom I was watching the movie, so I refrained. Of course, the music eventually changed, and soon enough, I found myself fully engaged with these people. All things considered, it served as a lovely reminder that there are nice, well-meaning people out there in the world. And some beautiful places, too. Ohhhh, gosh. I really have to get over this "deathly fear of flying" thing, and find the wherewithal (and the money) to do some travelling.
+ Sometimes my husband and I have rap battles when there's nothing better to do. We recently discovered karaoke tracks on YouTube, and Friday nights will never be the same because of it.
+ Daylight Savings Time always leaves me feeling vaguely jet-lagged. My brain knows that it's midnight and I should be sleeping, but my body is telling me that it's only eleven and what am I, an old lady?
+ I'm feeling an itch to read some books and see some movies and hear some music that I can really throw myself into, but I just don't know where to begin. Is there any feeling more helpless than that? World, you have some good stuff in you. Where to start??
+ Just hurry up and hit the big screen already, Before Midnight.
There's no unifying thread between any of these thoughts. I just felt like jotting 'em down. Why not here?
+ I am trying to figure out if I believe in karma or not. After a particularly crummy, no-good, terrible, awful work day yesterday, I came to the conclusion that either karma cannot possibly be real, or else I am paying off one hell of a debt from my past life. But then a string of really nice things happened, including my receipt of a beautifully well-timed (and unexpected) email that put a bright little smile on this dour face of mine. So, I don't know. Is that the universe calling itself out on its own low blows and doing me a solid to make up for it, or just a coincidence?
+ I finally -- finally -- got around to watching Life In A Day on Netflix. I am soooo behind on this one. I mean, obviously. It came out in, what, 2011? I wasn't sure at first. It all seemed a bit heavy handed and melodramatic in the early scenes. I mean, ugh, that score for the first 10 or 15 minutes? I wanted to scream, STOP TRYING TO EVOKE MY EMOTIONS, YOUTUBE!! But I didn't want to disturb my husband, with whom I was watching the movie, so I refrained. Of course, the music eventually changed, and soon enough, I found myself fully engaged with these people. All things considered, it served as a lovely reminder that there are nice, well-meaning people out there in the world. And some beautiful places, too. Ohhhh, gosh. I really have to get over this "deathly fear of flying" thing, and find the wherewithal (and the money) to do some travelling.
+ Sometimes my husband and I have rap battles when there's nothing better to do. We recently discovered karaoke tracks on YouTube, and Friday nights will never be the same because of it.
+ Daylight Savings Time always leaves me feeling vaguely jet-lagged. My brain knows that it's midnight and I should be sleeping, but my body is telling me that it's only eleven and what am I, an old lady?
+ I'm feeling an itch to read some books and see some movies and hear some music that I can really throw myself into, but I just don't know where to begin. Is there any feeling more helpless than that? World, you have some good stuff in you. Where to start??
+ Just hurry up and hit the big screen already, Before Midnight.
3/01/2013
Theme Months!
Dear blog,
It's no secret that I've been feeling kind of gross lately. Not to put too fine a point on it or anything, but I was recently diagnosed with a cancerous growth on my shoulder. It's not going to kill me (I've been assured), so I've nicknamed it Phil Collins. The words "tumour" and "cancer" sound so serious and scary, but who can be afraid of Phil Collins? Anyway, I'm using Phil Collins as inspiration to kickstart Makeover March, which will hopefully be the first in a series of alliteratively-titled themed months (Adventure April, anyone?).
So, here are the goals I've outlined for myself for March:
+ Start incorporating strength exercises into every day that I work, alternating upper body, lower body, and core.
+ Yoga every day that I don't work.
+ Never ever ever skip a night of washing my face or brushing my teeth before bed... c'mon... we all do it.
+ Clear the clutter from the apartment.
+ Finally fix this terrible haircut.
I guess the subtitle of March could be, "Trimming the Fat".
I'll keep ya posted, no pun intended. (Okay, yeah, totally intended. I can't lie to you, blog.)
It's no secret that I've been feeling kind of gross lately. Not to put too fine a point on it or anything, but I was recently diagnosed with a cancerous growth on my shoulder. It's not going to kill me (I've been assured), so I've nicknamed it Phil Collins. The words "tumour" and "cancer" sound so serious and scary, but who can be afraid of Phil Collins? Anyway, I'm using Phil Collins as inspiration to kickstart Makeover March, which will hopefully be the first in a series of alliteratively-titled themed months (Adventure April, anyone?).
So, here are the goals I've outlined for myself for March:
+ Start incorporating strength exercises into every day that I work, alternating upper body, lower body, and core.
+ Yoga every day that I don't work.
+ Never ever ever skip a night of washing my face or brushing my teeth before bed... c'mon... we all do it.
+ Clear the clutter from the apartment.
+ Finally fix this terrible haircut.
I guess the subtitle of March could be, "Trimming the Fat".
I'll keep ya posted, no pun intended. (Okay, yeah, totally intended. I can't lie to you, blog.)
2/23/2013
Pop Culture Happy Hour
Dear Blog,
Can we just talk for a second about how much I'm loving NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast lately? Because I have been absolutely feasting my ears for the past couple of weeks. Feasting. My. Ears. If you'll indulge me just a little bit further in the bizarre food analogy, I'd even go so far as to say that I've been gorging myself on it.
Podcasts are a dime a dozen, and the format of PCHH (media personalities engaging in a roundtable discussion about pop culture) is familiar enough. It's just that the people involved with this one are consistently so damn charming. The core group that you'll come to know and love consists of Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Glen Weldon, and Trey Graham, and their chemistry is so good that you'll find yourself feeling like you're eavesdropping on a lively conversation between friends. Their unbridled enthusiasm makes for a notable distinction between PCHH and other podcasts of its ilk (and yes, I'm pointedly looking at you here, Slate's Culture Gabfest). I always come away from it feeling excited to go investigate something that they've recommended, and so far I've yet to be let down. Listening to PCHH has pointed me in the direction of some of my all-time favourite things, including Eleanor and Park, a novel by Rainbow Rowell, and the songs As Long As The Grass Shall Grow by Johnny Cash and Find Love by Clem Snide. You know when you read a book or hear a song, and you wonder how you ever managed to make it this far in life without ever knowing that story or hearing that song? Maybe it's just a matter of taste, but that's how great their recommendations are. Every single time. Without fail.
So, if you're wondering what I've been keeping sooooo very busy with lately, and why I haven't had the chance to write a single post in, oh, what's it been now? Six weeks? Eight? This is why. It's because I don't do anything anymore, besides go to work and listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour. Honestly. On the plus side (inasmuch as this blog is concerned, anyway), I always come away from an episode having had a lot of food for thought, so perhaps it will spark a few more consistent ideas re: what the hell to write about when your life is actually pretty boring.
Can we just talk for a second about how much I'm loving NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast lately? Because I have been absolutely feasting my ears for the past couple of weeks. Feasting. My. Ears. If you'll indulge me just a little bit further in the bizarre food analogy, I'd even go so far as to say that I've been gorging myself on it.
Podcasts are a dime a dozen, and the format of PCHH (media personalities engaging in a roundtable discussion about pop culture) is familiar enough. It's just that the people involved with this one are consistently so damn charming. The core group that you'll come to know and love consists of Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Glen Weldon, and Trey Graham, and their chemistry is so good that you'll find yourself feeling like you're eavesdropping on a lively conversation between friends. Their unbridled enthusiasm makes for a notable distinction between PCHH and other podcasts of its ilk (and yes, I'm pointedly looking at you here, Slate's Culture Gabfest). I always come away from it feeling excited to go investigate something that they've recommended, and so far I've yet to be let down. Listening to PCHH has pointed me in the direction of some of my all-time favourite things, including Eleanor and Park, a novel by Rainbow Rowell, and the songs As Long As The Grass Shall Grow by Johnny Cash and Find Love by Clem Snide. You know when you read a book or hear a song, and you wonder how you ever managed to make it this far in life without ever knowing that story or hearing that song? Maybe it's just a matter of taste, but that's how great their recommendations are. Every single time. Without fail.
So, if you're wondering what I've been keeping sooooo very busy with lately, and why I haven't had the chance to write a single post in, oh, what's it been now? Six weeks? Eight? This is why. It's because I don't do anything anymore, besides go to work and listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour. Honestly. On the plus side (inasmuch as this blog is concerned, anyway), I always come away from an episode having had a lot of food for thought, so perhaps it will spark a few more consistent ideas re: what the hell to write about when your life is actually pretty boring.
1/16/2013
R.I.P, New Girl.
Dear blog,
I'm sorry I haven't been writing. It's because I've been in mourning. See, this year, my favourite television show started to suck, and it created a void in the very depths of my soul. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep.
Okay, it wasn't that bad, but I sure as hell couldn't sit through an episode of New Girl anymore. What happened to this show? Did any other ladies out there feel like they were personally punched in the gut by Zooey Deschanel after sitting through a handful of episodes this season? And, I mean, I tried. I really, really tried! I kept watching, week after torturous week, thinking, this is the episode that redeems this show! But no. That episode never came.
The last straw for me was last week's episode, in which Jess, a career-minded woman in her thirties with babies on the brain, is too nervous to spend a romantic weekend alone with her hot doctor boyfriend, so she invites Nick and his stripper girlfriend to tag along. Can't reconcile why an adult woman would do such a thing? Who cares? It doesn't have to make sense! Just laugh along as the gang swings hunting rifles around with wanton abandon, sees the green fairy after basically just inhaling the vapours from a bottle of absinthe, and rehashes a recent plot from How I Met Your Mother! Oh, but let's not forget the incredibly racist, throwaway subplot between Schmidt and Winston, wherein Schmidt decides that Winston is suffering from a lack of other black people in his life, and, naturally, they end up on the streets trying to score some crack. Hi-larious.
In season one, there was a great scene between Jess and Nick's lawyer girlfriend, Julia, where Jess goes on a tirade about how caring about baby animals and wearing a lot of polka dots doesn't mean that she's "not smart, and tough, and strong". I was basically on my feet applauding after that, because I like a lot of twee stuff too, and it bothers me that the world can't wrap its head around a woman who's both girlish and intelligent. Liking polka dot dresses doesn't mean you're stupid. You know what does mean you're stupid, though? Swinging a loaded hunting rifle around for no apparent reason. Also, insinuating that all black people like the same things, including crack cocaine.
So, yeah... as far as I'm concerned, that episode was the series finale. Sad trombone, Nick and Jess never got together.
Thank Maude for Lena Dunham, is the only other thing I have to say.
I'm sorry I haven't been writing. It's because I've been in mourning. See, this year, my favourite television show started to suck, and it created a void in the very depths of my soul. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep.
Okay, it wasn't that bad, but I sure as hell couldn't sit through an episode of New Girl anymore. What happened to this show? Did any other ladies out there feel like they were personally punched in the gut by Zooey Deschanel after sitting through a handful of episodes this season? And, I mean, I tried. I really, really tried! I kept watching, week after torturous week, thinking, this is the episode that redeems this show! But no. That episode never came.
The last straw for me was last week's episode, in which Jess, a career-minded woman in her thirties with babies on the brain, is too nervous to spend a romantic weekend alone with her hot doctor boyfriend, so she invites Nick and his stripper girlfriend to tag along. Can't reconcile why an adult woman would do such a thing? Who cares? It doesn't have to make sense! Just laugh along as the gang swings hunting rifles around with wanton abandon, sees the green fairy after basically just inhaling the vapours from a bottle of absinthe, and rehashes a recent plot from How I Met Your Mother! Oh, but let's not forget the incredibly racist, throwaway subplot between Schmidt and Winston, wherein Schmidt decides that Winston is suffering from a lack of other black people in his life, and, naturally, they end up on the streets trying to score some crack. Hi-larious.
In season one, there was a great scene between Jess and Nick's lawyer girlfriend, Julia, where Jess goes on a tirade about how caring about baby animals and wearing a lot of polka dots doesn't mean that she's "not smart, and tough, and strong". I was basically on my feet applauding after that, because I like a lot of twee stuff too, and it bothers me that the world can't wrap its head around a woman who's both girlish and intelligent. Liking polka dot dresses doesn't mean you're stupid. You know what does mean you're stupid, though? Swinging a loaded hunting rifle around for no apparent reason. Also, insinuating that all black people like the same things, including crack cocaine.
So, yeah... as far as I'm concerned, that episode was the series finale. Sad trombone, Nick and Jess never got together.
Thank Maude for Lena Dunham, is the only other thing I have to say.
1/01/2013
Happy New Year!
Betcha can't guess what one of my resolutions was.
Why, yes, that's right! This year (as with every year for the past 3 or 4 years, but why dwell on the past...), one of my resolutions is to blog more.
Let's take a moment to reflect on the fact that I did not say "blog well" or "blog worthwhile things". No. I simply intend to blog more. It's probably going to really suck for awhile. But, eventually, it'll all get figured out, and things will get deleted, and it will all get streamlined, and bloglife will be wonderful forevermore. Or, as will all previous years gone by, I'll start off with the best of intentions, but soon run out of things to say.
Anyway, what better way to kick off the new year than by sharing my complete list of resolutions? If for no other reason than the fact that it's fun (for you) to watch people (me) fail? So, without further adieu, here is the hasty list of resolutions that I dashed off around 11 o'clock last night:
Make monthly lists of goals to achieve. I tried this last year, too, and it actually stuck for 6 months or so. Not in the sense that I achieved the goals I set out to achieve, but in the sense that I did take the time to sit down and make the lists. One thing I learned from trying and failing with this in the past is that I shouldn't try to bite off more than I can chew. Dreaming up a dozen major goals to achieve in the course of a month is kind of setting yourself up for a fall, yannow?
Commit to going back to school (full or part time). Thirty-one is too old to still be thinking about what I want to be when I grow up.
Get started on writing/drawing the comic I've been daydreaming about for the past four years. What's held me back in the past is the fact that I can't draw, but in reality, nobody is ever going to see this thing but my family and my friends anyway, so who cares?
Weekly songs challenge - learn a new song on guitar or ukulele every week, and record myself performing it and upload to YouTube or other social media. Yeah, I know myself pretty well, and this probably isn't going to happen. But a girl can dream.
Blog - minimum once a week; try to do more posts with each successive month until blogging becomes second nature. Pretty self-explanatory, that.
Get comfortable with leaving the dog on her own in the apartment. Because at this point, my separation anxiety is way worse than hers has ever been.
40 books challenge. I tried to do a 40 books challenge in 2012, but only made it to 28 or so. This is my year, dammit!
Finish at least one iTunes U course all the way through. Guys. You guys. Do you ever stop to just think about the fact that we live in a world where you can access quality post-secondary education for free via the glorious, glorious internet? I have so many courses queued up in iTunes, and yet, I never get around to actually listening to the lectures. Or, if I do, I abandon the course after four or five classes, and it's not for lack of interest. It's more for a lack of a schedule, and a lack of exams, and a lack of consequences for not completing the program the whole way through. This year, I intend to get through at least one class in its entirety.
Host more events at our place (aim for once a month). Because being an anti-social hermit gets old.
Learn to cook 3 things really, really well (baking doesn't count; has to be a legit meal or at least a passable entrée [soup totally counts]). This is another goal that is particularly, uhm... aspirational for me.
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND PURE IN THE WORLD, SPEND LESS TIME ONLINE. Sorry to yell that at you, but I'm trying to preserve the integrity of my list in its original form here... and it probably bears a strong delivery, anyway. I fall down way too many internet rabbit holes for my own good.
Write 2 letters (or cards) every month. Because I am quaint as all get out.
Write in my physical, actual, tangible journal at least three times a week. Because I am a fifteen year old girl at heart.
Grow up a bit. Make sure chores like dishes, garbage, and cleaning the fish bowl are getting done on a regular basis. Because I am the person who has to make a New Year's resolution out of basic life skills.
Try to use up some of your use-uppable stuff (makeup, craft supplies, etc.) before buying more. Because I am perilously close to being a legitimate hoarder, and I swear, the next time we move, if I have to pack up eighteen boxes of makeup and perfume and yarn and scrapbook paper again, I'm liable to just set it on fire.
And the one resolution I'm not making? To lose weight, in any increment, or that generic statement of "getting healthier". Because, boring.
Why, yes, that's right! This year (as with every year for the past 3 or 4 years, but why dwell on the past...), one of my resolutions is to blog more.
Let's take a moment to reflect on the fact that I did not say "blog well" or "blog worthwhile things". No. I simply intend to blog more. It's probably going to really suck for awhile. But, eventually, it'll all get figured out, and things will get deleted, and it will all get streamlined, and bloglife will be wonderful forevermore. Or, as will all previous years gone by, I'll start off with the best of intentions, but soon run out of things to say.
Anyway, what better way to kick off the new year than by sharing my complete list of resolutions? If for no other reason than the fact that it's fun (for you) to watch people (me) fail? So, without further adieu, here is the hasty list of resolutions that I dashed off around 11 o'clock last night:
Make monthly lists of goals to achieve. I tried this last year, too, and it actually stuck for 6 months or so. Not in the sense that I achieved the goals I set out to achieve, but in the sense that I did take the time to sit down and make the lists. One thing I learned from trying and failing with this in the past is that I shouldn't try to bite off more than I can chew. Dreaming up a dozen major goals to achieve in the course of a month is kind of setting yourself up for a fall, yannow?
Commit to going back to school (full or part time). Thirty-one is too old to still be thinking about what I want to be when I grow up.
Get started on writing/drawing the comic I've been daydreaming about for the past four years. What's held me back in the past is the fact that I can't draw, but in reality, nobody is ever going to see this thing but my family and my friends anyway, so who cares?
Weekly songs challenge - learn a new song on guitar or ukulele every week, and record myself performing it and upload to YouTube or other social media. Yeah, I know myself pretty well, and this probably isn't going to happen. But a girl can dream.
Blog - minimum once a week; try to do more posts with each successive month until blogging becomes second nature. Pretty self-explanatory, that.
Get comfortable with leaving the dog on her own in the apartment. Because at this point, my separation anxiety is way worse than hers has ever been.
40 books challenge. I tried to do a 40 books challenge in 2012, but only made it to 28 or so. This is my year, dammit!
Finish at least one iTunes U course all the way through. Guys. You guys. Do you ever stop to just think about the fact that we live in a world where you can access quality post-secondary education for free via the glorious, glorious internet? I have so many courses queued up in iTunes, and yet, I never get around to actually listening to the lectures. Or, if I do, I abandon the course after four or five classes, and it's not for lack of interest. It's more for a lack of a schedule, and a lack of exams, and a lack of consequences for not completing the program the whole way through. This year, I intend to get through at least one class in its entirety.
Host more events at our place (aim for once a month). Because being an anti-social hermit gets old.
Learn to cook 3 things really, really well (baking doesn't count; has to be a legit meal or at least a passable entrée [soup totally counts]). This is another goal that is particularly, uhm... aspirational for me.
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND PURE IN THE WORLD, SPEND LESS TIME ONLINE. Sorry to yell that at you, but I'm trying to preserve the integrity of my list in its original form here... and it probably bears a strong delivery, anyway. I fall down way too many internet rabbit holes for my own good.
Write 2 letters (or cards) every month. Because I am quaint as all get out.
Write in my physical, actual, tangible journal at least three times a week. Because I am a fifteen year old girl at heart.
Grow up a bit. Make sure chores like dishes, garbage, and cleaning the fish bowl are getting done on a regular basis. Because I am the person who has to make a New Year's resolution out of basic life skills.
Try to use up some of your use-uppable stuff (makeup, craft supplies, etc.) before buying more. Because I am perilously close to being a legitimate hoarder, and I swear, the next time we move, if I have to pack up eighteen boxes of makeup and perfume and yarn and scrapbook paper again, I'm liable to just set it on fire.
And the one resolution I'm not making? To lose weight, in any increment, or that generic statement of "getting healthier". Because, boring.
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