Last year I put down 5 resolutions, and evaluated the resolutions for the previous year, so that looks like how this is going to go from now on. So for last year:
- Climb Lone Peak. This again. It was on my 2010 list and was the only carry-over as it has been since I was about 16. I really meant to do it, but because I failed on #3 below I wasn’t physically up to it, but was scheduled to make the attempt anyway with Steve from work. The day before we were to leave Chuck called and said he had a day to come help me drywall the garage. Getting the garage done trumped the hike, so I bailed, although to Steve’s credit, he got Walter from work and they made it to the peak, putting me to shame. Grade F.
- Take the Kayak out 5 times. I had all sorts of good intentions with this. On my first attempt I drove up to Birch Creek Res. by myself and got the kayak out and realized I’d forgotten the paddle somehow. I was beside myself with frustration, but managed to catch one of the biggest tiger trouts I’ve ever landed from the shore. It was exciting, but not what I had hoped for. At the end of the summer I did manage to get out with Brian, his son Alex, and his brother-in-law, Jason Rino for an epic day of fishing. And this time I remembered my paddle. Grade should be a D, but due to the epic day and a botched attempt– C-
- Running. I had a goal of 300 miles, which seemed reasonable due to the success I had the previous summer, but I managed to get out twice for a total of about 4.5 miles. Grade F
- Replace the floors in the ol’ house. Financially, we never got in a position where this was going to happen as we spent more time and resources on the garage and having fun. Maybe this year, but another F.
- Writing… well, lets just jump to the F
So, not so good. Best laid plans of mice, etc. But overall it wasn’t a bad year. Debbie invested us in some Disney season passes and we went a couple times and again for our anniversary just after the start of the year. I also worked on finishing the garage, a 5 year project that I had on my 2010 resolutions to finish. I’m happy to say that project is almost behind me. I spent quite a bit of money and effort, but last Tuesday it passed its final inspection. I thought I’d be more relieved at that, but there’s still the taping, mudding and painting to do, as well as stain and finish the concrete and arrange the space. But the expensive and stressful part is behind.
I also put a lot of time into my art. I spent the first half of the Fall semester feverishly working to get enough ware together for the CAU Holiday Sale and did that again. Again, I didn’t sell much, but I got a lot of really good feedback from people. I also got a call from the Patrick Moore Gallery asking for me to bring in some stuff to show over the holidays, so I have a few pieces there now, too. But at the CAU sale I was next to Johnny Hughes, one of my friends from when I started at Stoker. He really encouraged me to apply to the St. George Arts Festival and told me I’d do much better there. Despite my disinclination to face the public I did manage to apply, and was accepted. I’ve been spending a crazy amount of time getting ready for that and have less than a month until it happens. So between those two and beefing up a pretty decent garden last year I brought 2010’s resolutions up by 50%. Maybe I’m just lagging a year.
As for this years resolutions, I’ve not put much thought into that, but I’ve had some ideas of what I’d like to accomplish, so lets see if we can’t lay something out.
- Exercise or physical fitness. This is a gimme, but I need to get out of my sedentary ways. I’m not going to lay it down with a total of 300 miles running, or climbing Lone Peak or anything, but I need to make a concerted effort to get out every week somehow and create a routine of activity that I can look back on and say I made a positive lifestyle change. This will be the hard one.
- Art. Ok, so I’ve gotten out there (or will have next month) more than before. I think I’ve honed my skills and eye to where I have some competency with process and some materials, but I think the artist side needs developing. Hopefully having the studio will give me a chance to explore better than I have with the limited time at Stoker. I still plan on spending time out there, but I want to be able to poke around in my studio and focus on developing my style.
- I need to decrease my cynicism. This seems a little odd, but I’ve noticed I’ve become more of a grumpy old dude than I want to be. I’m not sure how I’m going to quantify this one, but I need to lay off reading so much bad news and find a way to increase my positive outlook.
- Fix up the house. I’m going to carry this one over, and I think it’s really doable this year. The money is tight, but we really need to get the floors redone, and I think I’m going to feel a lot better with a more maintainable house. This is going to include de-junking, which I’ve already started. I’m getting rid of things I really don’t need or use and that takes up space. I’d also like to get on the way of redoing the kitchen and looking into expanding the basement (although I think the basement is going to be a year or more down the road).
- Read more books. I’ve spent too much time just killing time online when I could have been cutting down my reading list. I have several half-read books that I was really enjoying and never quite finished, as well as a lot sitting around I haven’t started yet. I think I used to be more mentally active when I was reading more and I think I had more creativity when I was feeding my brain more than just the top 10 things that something something.
So there’s what I’ve been thinking of the last couple months put down in black and white, or at least light and dark. Maybe doing this in the spring will make me think I’ve already spent a good part of the year and give me some drive to come from behind.