As it is Janus's month, I shall post in his honor
I have been looking back at 2006 while looking ahead to 2007. We shall see where this year takes me.
First, looking back: I completed some of my resolutions for last year, and started others. (click here if you'd care to see for yourself http://grinninfoole.livejournal.com/2006/01/04/) I have completed the primary goal of getting a job that pays adequately, working full time at Modern Myths. After the disappointment of not getting the upcoming full-time position, Lefty and I talked about the financial particulars of how I get paid, and we have worked out an arrangement wherein I am off the books as an hourly employee, and now get guaranteed payments as an owner. In practical terms, this means that, for about the same cost to the store, I get paid more than $1.50 more hour, which will cover the mortgage and a bit more, which I think will be adequate. It's not a solution for the rest of my days, but this will be the first time in my life I have earned my own keep, so I claim victory and depart the field.
I have also accomplished the contingent goals of marriage and home-ownership. The other goals are more open-ended: I didn't exercise every day last year, but I did exercise some days. I didn't play much with Feisty, but we did get her a playmate. I didn't write a book, but I did start writing one. So, while I sat down to write this feeling like a failure, on reflection I see that I was actually quite successful last year. Hurray! And damn this self-criticism!
So, for 2007:
1) Finish my book (first draft, at least). I have started writing a novel, probably a fantasy novel, though in heart it feels more like SF. The world needs it like a hole in the head, but I'm doing it anyway.
2) Keep exercising.
3) Stop falling back on damaging behavior when I feel upset, like eating lots of sugar and dairy.
4) Read 50 books this year.
I'd like to learn Spanish, but I don't know when I'd make the time for it, now that I'm working full-time and writing. I list this here not as a goal, but an aspiration. I shan't give up on this.
This goals list seems thin as I look it over. I must give it more thought.
First, looking back: I completed some of my resolutions for last year, and started others. (click here if you'd care to see for yourself http://grinninfoole.livejournal.com/2006/01/04/) I have completed the primary goal of getting a job that pays adequately, working full time at Modern Myths. After the disappointment of not getting the upcoming full-time position, Lefty and I talked about the financial particulars of how I get paid, and we have worked out an arrangement wherein I am off the books as an hourly employee, and now get guaranteed payments as an owner. In practical terms, this means that, for about the same cost to the store, I get paid more than $1.50 more hour, which will cover the mortgage and a bit more, which I think will be adequate. It's not a solution for the rest of my days, but this will be the first time in my life I have earned my own keep, so I claim victory and depart the field.
I have also accomplished the contingent goals of marriage and home-ownership. The other goals are more open-ended: I didn't exercise every day last year, but I did exercise some days. I didn't play much with Feisty, but we did get her a playmate. I didn't write a book, but I did start writing one. So, while I sat down to write this feeling like a failure, on reflection I see that I was actually quite successful last year. Hurray! And damn this self-criticism!
So, for 2007:
1) Finish my book (first draft, at least). I have started writing a novel, probably a fantasy novel, though in heart it feels more like SF. The world needs it like a hole in the head, but I'm doing it anyway.
2) Keep exercising.
3) Stop falling back on damaging behavior when I feel upset, like eating lots of sugar and dairy.
4) Read 50 books this year.
I'd like to learn Spanish, but I don't know when I'd make the time for it, now that I'm working full-time and writing. I list this here not as a goal, but an aspiration. I shan't give up on this.
This goals list seems thin as I look it over. I must give it more thought.