Resolutions...

Wow, already 2010. It feels like I have absolutely wasted the last couple of years by spinning my wheels and doing the same things and getting the same results. This year, for the first time in several years, I have made several resolutions for myself. As I was thinking about it I figured if nothing else, I was putting it out to the universe.

Then the thought hit me as to why I have struggled a bit in the past with these (the universe speaking, perhaps?) is that I typically keep them to myself. This year I have decided to try something a bit different in creating this blog and inviting some people to follow it and, perhaps, mercilessly mock me when I fall short...

Also, in this blog it will hopefully help keep these intentions front and center and keep my focus on them.

It is also my intent to update this fairly regularly with stupid and minor updates - probably more than is sane, but that way I can put all of my little triumphs and tragedies. Feel free to not follow this religiously, it won't hurt my feelings. I promise.

So, without further ado, here are the resolutions I have come up with thus far - the list ended up being far more prodigious than I had intended - those scraps of paper do add up - which is something that led to my original and first resolution. I might even add additional ones later but when I do it will likely be as new posts rather than editing this original one. Oh yeah I will also write my intent on these so I can stay true to the spirit

The List:
2010 Resolutions

* Write every single day - Preferably something creative though not necessarily. Any writing is good writing, but work stuff doesn't count. Letters (not email) does, however.

* Show gratitude - This is quite possibly the one failure of which I am most ashamed. I have a pretty good life and yet am often negligent in expressing my gratitude to those who touch my life in such awesome and profound ways. I find myself wondering if there is an expiration date on such gratitude - after what length of time is it no longer appropriate to say "thanks".

* Paint one unit of ogres per month - This is for my Warhammer hobby (for those of you who don't know my geekier side). I have had these models in a box for going on 4 years. I like how they look and though I don't currently play the game, it would be good to get them painted and then either display them or sell them. Besides, painting them is quite relaxing for me.

* Stay on target for Tale of Many Gamers - Another hobby related thing - this is for a futuristic wargame which I do play. I am in a league which builds armies slowly over the course of 8 months with games each month. I signed up for it at the end of last year as a way to paint some of my unpainted models. This also inspired one of the resolutions further below as I really started thinking about all the unpainted, unfinished stuff I have.

* Sell something writing related - this one is a bit more difficult as it requires some action on someone else's part (i.e. writing me a check...) but the only way that will happen is if I submit like crazy. let the insanity begin.

* Drink only one coffee in the morning - no lattes or mochas. These are so tasty because they are chock full of sugar and extra calories. I am a big guy by nature so every little bit I cut out will (hopefully) help.

* Drink tea instead of soda and coffee later in the day - I like regular tea and green tea both, so I am a bit fortunate there. I will do at least one green tea per day and then some black. Perhaps I can pretend to be a classy Brit and have afternoon tea and my pipe on occasion ;-) (which reminds me, I need to bring my pipe to work and take a trip down to the tobacconist).

* Yoga 4 times a week - Morning or evening, whichever (mornings can be rough for me). My flexibility is pretty lame right now and as flexibility is a measure of overall health I think not much more needs to be said.

* Start running plan from Jerry (walk at beginning) - last time I did this I got a bit... excited and ended up jacking my knee a bit (it still pops randomly) so I am gonna force myself to take it slow.

* Eat well - a bit more nebulous than is advised, however, this is an overall lifestyle change that will be for the best so I am okay with it. I will just try to keep my intention as such and be mindful of what I stuff in my gullet.

* Be more open with Ileana - I have a tendency to keep things to myself. I think it would be unrealistic to expect myself to open up to every one. Ileana, however, should certainly be an exception whether the things I have to share be good news or bad.

* Play in a big tournament - I really enjoy going to these things and every time I do go to one I say to myself "I really want to do more of these" but then I fail to make time. This year for sure I will go to at least one.

* Pay off one credit card completely - Stephen King once wrote something along the lines that credit cards are the anchors of mediocrity. I have certainly allowed myself to become anchored (in part because of the huge amount of time I was unemployed last year - but also because sometimes it was just too easy to use) and I wish to be exceptional.

* Find a new place to live in LA - we love the area we are in, but the one bedroom apartment is starting to feel small with Ellie.

* Go on a nice family hike/walk/park every week - More family time can only be a good thing, right?

* Finish everything I start (or don't start something that I don't think I can't finish) - I suppose my own hobgoblin is my crow-like attention span. As soon as I see something new and shiny I get distracted. Also, I am often guilty of underestimating the time/energy requirements of my passion de jour and get all hot and bothered only to run out of steam before we have well and truly left the dock.

* Quit biting fingernails - a nasty filthy habit that I have done for my entire life. For some reason any unevenness in my nails drive me crazy. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have bitten them down to bleeding on an almost weekly basis since I was a child.

* Do finances - Ileana has been in charge of handling our finances and has done a great job with it, but I know it is weighing her down and causing her a great deal of stress. I will take them over and give her a bit of a break.

* Convert all financial things over to credit union from Wells Fargo and close Wells Fargo account - we have been with Wells Fargo for a very long time and pretty much just stay there out of inertia despite belonging to a credit union. It is just silly to not be 100% in the credit union with its not for profit status.

* Don't say anything negative - Hopefully this will eventually translate to not thinking negative either. I used to be a painfully happy-go-lucky person and am not sure what happened to change that. A bit of negativity crept in and like some insidious mold has expanded to suffocate my inner spirit. I need to make whatever changes necessary to get back to the better me.

* Dress better - in general take a bit more pride in my personal appearance. Try and figure out what my look is and then do it well - it will take a bit of an investment but will be well worth it. Impressions matter.

* Read a book every couple of weeks - I love to read and used to keep a book with me at all times. I was told it was rude and so stopped it and have felt myself growing dumber as a result. Not to mention that I just love to read, so I am willing to take the hit on being rude for this one.

* Go to acting/writing networking opportunities - I know it is all about networking and I like mingling, somehow, again, I have become more of a shrinking violet. I am a freaking Leo for crying out loud, my spirit is near broken and I cannot have that. Besides, if nepotism is the standard, why not be a recipient ;-) ?

* Update acting resume' - I was fortunate enough to have a small part in an indy film last year and it was easily one of the most fun experiences of my life. I want to do more of that and the only way is to put myself out there.

* Get head shots taken in march and start submitting for work (no plays!) - No disrespect intended to the the theater, it is just not my calling and it would be easy to get sucked into doing something out of a feeling of it being what I "should" be doing. It seems that no one in the entertainment industry got where they are by doing what they should. The more I submit to, the more likely I am to get some kind of hit.

* Have great posture by the end of the year - Posture is an external reflection of the internal but also reinforcement for the internal. If I improve my posture, my spirit will carry itself different as well.

Okay, well I guess that is enough for this post. In fact, it is probably ridiculously long, but that is good enough for me.