jtnt://life/unedited

Week One

Thought I’d make good on one of my resolutions (the journal once a week one) while also looking back on my first week of resolutions.

Overall, I’ve found that the “do x everyday” ones are going to be tough. Have been tough. I haven’t stuck to the “everyday” part on any of them. The closest I’ve come is “get up at 6am everyday,” but I stayed up until 1:30am or so last night, and the next thing I knew after my alarm sounded was that it was 7am. Bah! So close!

So, let’s go through each one and see how I’m doing, shall we?

• Make music everyday - Nope. This should be an easy one, since I have two guitars and a Hammond organ. I missed two days this week. I can do better.
• Get up at 6am everyday - See above. 6 out of 7 ain’t bad, but it also ain’t “everyday.” 
• Read at least one book a month - I’m killing this one! I read a book - The Hunger Games - this weekend alone. I’m also halfway through two others (Steve Jobs and Awol on the Appalachian Trail) and a quarter through another (Venture Deals). I thought I’d read a single book each month, but I’ve liked being able to switch between two or three. The one this weekend was just happenstance. I picked it up at my parents’ house and couldn’t put it down.
• Give blood as often as possible - This one I feel bad about. I haven’t even made an appointment. I’ll call first thing in the morning to do so, and hopefully be able to get a slot that same day.
• Make something you can point at once a month - TBD. Does setting up my parents’ new computer count? No? I agree.
• Do more things that if they were videotaped people would want to watch - Hmmm…
• Learn to fingerpick - Did a bit of practice on this, but need to be more regular and focused with it.
• Memorize every note on the fretboard - Ditto.
• Keep a journal at least weekly - Check. You’re looking at it.
• Take at least one photograph each day (and publish it online) - This is probably the easiest one, and I didn’t manage to do it. Close, but I did miss a day or two. This is also the one I’m least attached to.
• Visit mom and dad monthly - Check.
• Learn one new song a month - Man, there are a lot of music-related ones on here! Need to get going on this. First step: pick the damn song to learn.
• Visit six places I’ve never been (US or international) - Well, not yet.
• Take a 30-minute walk every day (or a longer run, hike, etc.) - Did this everyday I didn’t have to go into an office that wasn’t in my house. I’m starting to understand the plight of the average office worker and the need for flexible work schedules and creating office environments which actively encourage physical activity.

Photo Credit: Mentis-Rasa