OT: New Year

I accomplished 4/6 of the resolutions I posted in last year’s fanpost. That’s probably a record for me.

This year, a little more specific and a little lower bar:

1. Lose 3 pounds each month until I can start selling jeans
2. Read one book and one article outside of my class readings per month this upcoming semester
3. Present one paper at a conference
4. Eat out once per day at most
5. Attend one Giants game where they win
6. Say and do more nice things than not-nice things

Spring 2012 courses: independent readings course (African Americans in the Bay Area), US Core II (1865-present), Oral History and Peace

This year I am going to try to get healthier — eat better, work out more. I love country line dancing (don’t judge me!), and it’s great exercise, so I need to try to do that more regularly and more often.

In 2012, I’m looking forward to the US Figure Skating Championships in San Jose January 22 through 29, playing rec softball in the spring, and going to even more minor league games than I did last year. I am also planning a trip to New York over the summer to visit my cousin who will be in school there.

NYE is up in the air this year. I’m interested to hear what everyone else is doing.

Enrolled in two vineyard/winemaking classes at Sierra College with the plan of planting some Grenache on our Grass Valley property.

Took one of the classes.

Research/build outbuilding

Had an architect do the plans. Will talk to builders next week.

Adopt new dog

Get Jeep repaired—I think I threw a timing belt yesterday. It’s down for the weekend.

This is so funny; I just dropped the Jeep off at the mechanic an hour ago (thanks for the rec on Phil at Golden Gate Jeep Goofus—I’m putting his kids through college). Last year it threw a valve $eat. This year it’s a power window (and a tuneup).

Hey, I actually did what I wanted to do last year! That’s a rarity. I don’t have any plans for the new one.

Whelp, I didn’t break free of my 175-180 range, and the novel only has a few chapters in second draft form (but it is on track for the thesis, so that’s good), but I feel okay about the year nonetheless.

My only resolution for 2012 is to be both employable and employed. Absolutely anything else is gravy on the cake.

But I achieved two of my big goals last year, quitting smoking and getting a little bit more fit, with the help of this online fitness tracker based off of a videogame concept (get points for activities, level up, complete quests). It’s sad how much getting “points” for things motivates me.

If anyone is interested in joining, follow this link, and use the code “PW287”

This year:

1. Get a new job! Ideally one in a pet-friendly workplace.
2. Sign up for singing class—I’m terrified.
3. Do at least one Olympic-distance triathlon; my goal right now is to rehab my bum foot so I can run again.
4. Get down to my “fighting weight” so I will run/bike faster and avoid some nagging injuries.
4. Most important: Make new friends, ones who are interested in the same things I am: dogs, ballroom dancing, triathlon, Giants, theater/movies.

Plant a garden
Get down to 180
Record my music

I did the first one, got down to 210 (from 235) but am back up to 230 (stress from all the crap I’m doing), and didn’t record a lick of music. I’m just too busy for that last one.

Same goals for this year.

I don’t remember the specifics of the goals I set for myself for 2011. I remember a few major projects I was working on: the internship and study abroad in the DR, getting a place for me and Giant Steps (BFVCE for those who forget), and improving my Spanish. The first two happened and the third…well, I can speak Spanish better than before but I guess I expected a higher level of functional Spanish by now. Some people told me I’d be near fluent by now and others told me I wouldn’t even be close. They’re both right. I’m somewhere between fluency and a novice level.

As for 2012, I have the usual things going on: school and work (sportswriting and swimming). I go back to coaching swimming on Jan 6. I’m working on Bay City Ball’s prospect list with xanthan, oldjacket, and Rory (does he even go here?) and putting on my flame retardant suit for my Demondre Arnold and Kelby Tomlinson picks as well as the eternal question of why I hate Adrianza so much.

I’ll also let the cat out of the bag now: I applied for an associate reporter position with MLB.com in November. They’ll notify the chosen reporters in late January. If I get it, I’ll work with either Chris Haft or Jane Lee (A’s writer) and write for either sfgiants.com or oaklandathletics.com. Like, for real. So there’s that.

Spring semester for me is Media Law and Ethics, Intermediate Spanish, and Science of Hunger, a nutrition course that deals with the physiology of hunger/malnutrition on human development and health; political, social, cultural, and gender factors that contribute to world hunger; scientific/technological foundations of population research and food production and their effect on the environment. All that is per the SJSU website. I also was invited to participate in the Provost’s honors seminar, which is by invite only for the top 25 students in the school. I didn’t think I was that special, because I only made Dean’s list (3.5 GPA) rather than making President’s list (4.0 GPA) but hey, I’ll take it.

Believe it or not, it’s almost over. I have four semesters to go, if I can get all my classes. I also have to pass a proficiency test for Spanish that’s attached to the global studies BA requirements. I’m taking that after my first semester of advanced Spanish.

For the rest of 2012, I don’t know what else is going on. If I don’t get the MLB.com gig, I’m sure milb.com will extend my contract for the year so I’ll have the Cal League again, and BCB. And swimming. And BFVCE. I didn’t see him for three months while I was gone and it reminded me of how much I like to spend time with him. To be honest I’m surprised I’m not sick of him yet. I guess that tells me we’re meant to be.

Our NYE will be very low key, based on the last two NYEs we’ve had together, which were disasters. We’re staying in and I’m making split pea soup with bacon and smoked turkey. Here’s the recipe:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups green split peas, rinsed
6 slices thick-cut bacon
6 cups (56 fl oz/13/4 l) water
1 bay leaf
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
DIRECTIONS
In a large, heavy pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until softened, 3-5 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and sauté until the carrots are tender, 2-3 minutes longer. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute longer.

Add the split peas, bacon, water and bay leaf, raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover partially and cook, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching, until the peas are soft, about 1 hour.

Remove the bacon and the bay leaf. Discard the bay leaf. Cut the bacon into small squares; set aside.

Using a blender or a food processor fitted with the metal blade or a hand blender, purée the soup until smooth and creamy. If a food processor or blender was used, return the purée to the pot.

Reheat the soup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until very hot. Season to taste with the salt and pepper and stir in the reserved bacon. Ladle into warmed soup bowls; sprinkle the parsley over the tops. Serve immediately.

I’m adding in the smoked turkey with the bacon and removing it before pureeing half of the soup mixture. I haven’t done this recipe before so I hope it’ll work out.

Finish the first draft of my novel
Actually, I got all year. Finish the final draft of my novel.

Not even close. Working on my second rewrite of the first 1/3.

Get a significant promotion or a new job.

Got the promotion, didn’t come with any raise and as of yesterday I’ve been re-demoted. But at least I’ll have time for school now.

See a damn Giants game.

That much I managed. Three, in fact! Beat the Rockies twice and lost to the Padres at McC Night at the Yard.

This year, go back to school, don’t suck at it, and actually get that first draft done. Also wrap up World of Warcraft.

Everything depends on when my husband gets a job. We want to go to New Orleans for Halloween next year, but it hinges on money. Also, I hope the world doesn’t end before they finish airing Breaking Bad.

Makes me want to go back to eating brownies, quit my work ( it sucked anyway), and take up painting again and not the crap I have been doing.

1) Lose 20 lbs. Done. Lost 25.
2) Exercise 3x week. Done.
3) Complete triathlon. Done.
4) Eat a salad before every meal. Mostly done.

As you can see, health was #1 in 2011. Mission accomplished.

2012 Goals-

1) Complete 3 triathlons. 1 @ Olympic distance.
2) Lose 10 more lbs.
3) Read one book a month.
4) Continue low carb.

Will try this year. Also want to learn how to really use the cool SLR camera I bought this year.

1. Win lotto
2. Pay off credit card debt
3. Clean out the clutter in my home office, paint it, and finally hang the Giants WS framed photo/plague we bought last year.
4. Lose 5 pounds, but more importantly, eat better, get back into the gym, and take my vitamins consistently.

Going to a party NYE, but I’ll probably be home well before midnight. I’d like to make paella for New Years day if I can find a good recipe.

Render one pound of bacon, pour fat into a dutch oven or large stockpot.

Add 1 pound diced andouille or hot links sausage to dutch oven. Brown on medium heat for 5-7 minutes.

Dice two stalks of celery, one large yellow onion, 4 cloves of garlic and one green bell pepper or two jalapenos. Soften in dutch oven 5-7 minutes.

Add two tablespoons of thyme, one T of paprika (pref smoked) and 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper.

Add one hamhock.

Add one pound black eyed peas (pre-soak covered in water for 8 hours)

Add filtered water, enough to cover beans.

Heat to boil and boil for one hour.

Reduce to simmer, simmer 3-4 hours, adding water to keep beans covered.

Eat and have good luck in 2012.

Also: Resolutions: quit smoking, lose 50 lbs.

Buy a home
Lose weight – Get in better shape
Not get so angry when the Giants lose.
Conceive a child.
Eat better.

Doesn’t look like I posted in last year’s thread. As for this year, I just finished college, so…hopefully starting work soon. I’m sure setting goals like losing weight or meeting someone are kinda pointless for various reasons, so I’ll refrain. I’ll be happy with employment for now.

For NYE, I’m planning on seeing legendary Jamaican vocalist/producer Derrick Harriott perform at the Rockit Room in SF. I don’t think he’s even performed since 2002, and I don’t think he’s ever played in CA. I’m excited to see him.

1) To move on.
2) Take some singing lessons
3) Lose a couple pounds

This time last year I still hadn’t recovered from TGWTWS and was fairly n00bish, so I didn’t know about post-season McC :D I’m still feeling my way around some of the darker corners so here goes:
In 2012 I hope to-

} land an actual teaching job (being an aid is for the birds)
} have friends over to the new place now that I’m all moved in
} get a dog
} go to at least one Giants home game, if not several
} find a happy co-existance between the whole cake/pie thing (mini pocket pies are making it hard for me to cling steadfast to the cake side of things)
} try not to do anything epically stupid next season on McC (I know, but why start now?)

Happy New Year! Miss game day threads with all y’all! Be safe! :)

oh, and one last one before Opening Day, work on my sig…. //meh

Last years intentions were to get into the symphony orchestra with the viola (success!) and improve grades (which did happen, but there’s more room for improvement).

This year I want to gain some weight. My attempts at working out have been halfhearted, to say the least. Persistence!

Not too many resolutions, but I’m hoping for a lot of things.

1. Be more vague in writing
2. Stuff
3. You know
4. The other thing

I’m making plans to go to Chicago for some baseball. In the past couple of years I’ve started taking road trips to other parks. I want to continue this trend, although I may go solo this time around.

Well I made it to Chicago, twice! But I didn’t go solo, I went with a friend the first time and my sister wanted to use the rain out ticket on the second trip. This year I initially thought Anaheim but I received a MLB map of all the ballparks which made me rethink my travel plans. So hopefully I’m off to Miami to see the new ballpark and the wretched uniforms, and to lounge around the resort and not get burned.

Definitely going solo this time around.

1. Stop being such a smartass
2. Stop being such a dumbass

I can’t fight this feeling anymore!
by ResDog on Jan 3, 2011 11:57 AM CST reply actions

On the other hand, my New Years Resolution this year is to be myself more often & not worry what others think. So:

1. Be a smarter smartass
2. Be a dumber dumbass
3. Maintain excercise & eating habits throughout the year
4. Relocate
5. Meet pretty girls

On New Years Eve I saw Craig Shoemaker, the lovemaster.

I would like to try and get a pilot’s license this year, just for fun.
I usually do a couple triathlons each year, however this year I want to push myself and compete in a long distance triathlon.
I would also like to go diving at the Great Blue Hole in Belize with my wife, if we can find the time for it.