Tiny progress

Okay, so I'm not checking things off the list, but I'm working on them. And that's the whole point, right? The list is a tool to define how one wants to live, not a to-do list.

Having said that, I recognize that I have lifelong weakness, leaving things half done and then moving on to something else. So part of this is about finishing what I start.

This weekend, I'll finish Gerry's plaque and keep reading Dostoyevsky.

We put off our next investment meeting until Jan. 11 because neither of us had read the stuff they sent us. But we are thinking more responsibly about money even now, and I'm starting to earn more too. I hope I can keep that up.

My focus for the next two weeks will be family, entertaining and relaxing. Perhaps I can also achieve a two-week run of exercises.

Making progress

I made a plaque for Gerry, but I still need to spray it with clear lacquer, add the hanger and mail it. It's very pretty; her name appears to be going through the strings of a harp.

I pitched my SACO story to 2 magazines, and I'll try a third if I don't hear anything this week.

And as to a regular second gig: I'm going to be doing some work for a family member, but it's starting slowly. I've also put in more bids on one-off freelance jobs on line, and I've gotten two of them. Plus, I changed my hours at work so I can do a story every week for the Woburn Advocate.

As to getting our savings in order: Spencer and I hired a financial advisor, who will devise a plan for us. We're meeting again next week.

And I'm posting more to the blog, but just not every week. I'll see if I can come up with a system. Problem is that now that I'm really focusing on making more money, I don't want to spend any time on my off days with the blog. A quick 15-minute post can turn into an hour because I keep tinkering with the words.

I'm about two-thirds through The Brothers Karamazov. To call it a great piece of literature is an understatement. After the introduction, the entire book takes place over three days. In those three days, the three main characters, plus many others, are laid bare such that the reader is overwhelmed with compassion for humankind. People are so foolish, so weak, so noble, so tender, so brutish that you absolutely adore them. You find yourself loving strangers on the street after you put the book down.

One thing accomplished!

I sent Tom's plaque off today.

I haven't really gotten back into the habit of exercising every day. It's something that makes me feel a lot better, and I'm going to really put my mind to it. Here's hoping that when I post the week of November 23, I will have done it.

I pitched the SACO story to Military History magazine. If they accept it, I will consider that complete. If they don't I'll send it off to two more magazines.

Halfway there with one thing

I've posted to my blog 5 times this month. If I do so again next month, that will make a post each week for 2 months running, and with any luck, I'll be in the blogging habit.

After Week 2

I did my sciatica exercises 5 times last week. Meditating is proving more difficult because I need quiet time to myself, and that's in short supply when you share a 1-bedroom apartment with two people. I wonder if there's another place I can go. With the arrival of nippy weather, outdoors won't work. There are meditation centers and the like, but I need someplace close, or I'll have endless roadblocks.

I've posted to my blog a couple of times a week since I started this, and it's been fruitful.

After Week 1

I meditated and did more exercise than I had before, but I didn't make it five times this week. But hey, I've got nine hundred-plus days!

Been reading another book and have not returned to The Brothers K.

I burned Tom's plaque. Now I need to varnish it, add a hanger, and mail it.

Didn't do much about finding a second gig this week, but there's a possibility with Bruce. Hope it works out. On Wednesday, I'm going to polish my resume and send it to a few of the places friends have suggested.

We have dates in July for a sister weekend.

Finally, I'm slowly creating my 101 things. I'm not rushing, because I did not undertake this to give myself a list of chores. My aim is to accomplish things I've always wanted to do, or things that would improve things for loved ones, friends, or myself.

About Numbers 1 and 2

My aim when I say I want to do something every day for 2 weeks or every week for 2 months is to develop a habit that will stay with me to enhance my happiness/health/character/relationships/whatever. So when I achieve one of those, it's not really over.

About Number 14

I started reading the Brothers Karamazov in June, intending to read it over the summer. It's October, and I'm on Page 292. There are 729 pages, each as rich as a cannoli from Mike's Pastry Shop.

And we're off

In the next 1001 days, I'm going to accomplish 101 things. I've seen blogs by others who are doing this, so I thought I'd try it myself.

I have until July 2, 2012, to complete my goals.

I'm aiming for a not-too-lofty list, with a mix of long- and short-term goals. I'll work to finish things I've already started, to have some fun, to fulfill responsibilities, and to continue to shape my life.

Ground rules:
This is not a to-do list like oil changes and haircuts.
I can review and revise the list every six months. Next review, April 4, 2010.
The list does not have to be completed in order.