Had a quiet evening with friends last night. We went out for a meal at a lovely restaurant and then went back to their place to hang out until the bells. All of us were pretty tired. I think that’s what happens when you’ve had a little too much good food, wine and sensory over indulgences for the past few weeks. I feel like the wafer-thin mint guy in Monty Python and after seeing a photo of myself yesterday, I actually look like him, too. Sigh.
The countdown is on for Japan. It won’t be long now. What does this mean for the big picture? It means I have five or so weeks to get as much work done as possible. I’d like to have at least two things in rough draft form before we leave, so that I can relax while we’re there. I also need to take care of a revision that’s due by the end of this month.
Today, I managed to walk a couple of miles. I plan to do Dance, Dance Revolution a little later. I’m finishing up my goals for the year. I also figured out that I’ve read approximately 75 books in 2006. I know to those speedy readers out there that 75 is a mere drop in the bucket, but to me it’s a MAJOR accomplishment. I never realized I ‘could’ read fast enough to complete 75 books in a year. I’m actually very proud of myself. I worried that the books that I’ve been buying might not get read. Obviously, that worry is unfounded. I do need to make an effort to read more paperbacks and less ebooks. I wish that most books were released in open source ways so that I could buy them and put them on my ebook reader, since that’s how I do most (90%) of my reading. Oh well, maybe someday. 
I’d better scoot. I want to finish my goals and work on my Japanese lesson. Speaking of lessons, what is the one thing that you’re going to do this year that you’ve NEVER done before?
January 1st, 2007
I’d like to say: Get Published. But, I think that links back to your expectations post.
So, for something I know I can accomplish — I would like to atain my goal weight. I’ve never done that before. This is the year I will do it.
Hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday.
Jordan, have a great trip!
Sandy
http://www.sandra.barkevich.com
by Sandra Barkevich January 1st, 2007 at 5:55 pmFinish a book. I’ve done the “finish a rough draft” thing, I mean finish one, editing, revising, etc.
by Bailey Stewart January 1st, 2007 at 6:46 pmSomething I’ve never done before? Huh. That’ll take some thought. Would it count if I sold something in a new genre? That’s on my list for 07.
Wafer thin mint comment cracked me up. I’m sure you have a ways to go before you resemble that guy.
by Charli January 1st, 2007 at 7:08 pmI’m still trying to consider what I’m going to do this year that I haven’t done before. It’s easy to say, “Sell a book,” or “Find an agent,” but it really is a question that takes some thought and consideration.
by Caro January 2nd, 2007 at 8:18 amUm, 1.5 books per week? That’s pretty damn good in my book, esp. for someone as busy as you.
As for what I plan to do this year that’s brand-new…good question. Haven’t yet sat down to write out my ‘07 goals, so that’ll go on there. I do know I’m going to audit my former Spanish teacher’s Spanish II class, to brush up on my language skills, but I don’t know if that counts as I took Spanish for 4 years in elementary & middle school.
Hmmm, something new and different…I’ll get back to ya!
You must be so excited about Japan!!! It’s coming up so fast!
by Catherine Morris January 2nd, 2007 at 11:56 amSomething I’ve never done before? I don’t know, I usually do those things spontaneously - as me in Dec 2007 if I did something I’ve never done before, lol. Not exactly anything new, but I plan to take up some language I’ve never learned well or forgotten, Ancient Greek or Latvian or some other widely-spoken, useful one.
Happy New Year!
by Gabriele January 2nd, 2007 at 4:34 pmSandra, That’s a great thing to strive for. I am planning to lose weight. I think it’ll take a couple of years to reach my goal weight. Yes, food is my friend…NOT!
by Jordan January 3rd, 2007 at 2:27 pmBailey, I think that’s another wonderful achievement. May you reach it easily.
by Jordan January 3rd, 2007 at 2:28 pmCharli, I think that one falls out of your control, since you’re talking about selling and not writing. *ggg* As for the wafer thin mint guy, believe me, I’m not far off.
by Jordan January 3rd, 2007 at 2:30 pmCaro, You’re right. Plus it’s a question that requires you to pick something in your control, not in someone else’s.
by Jordan January 3rd, 2007 at 2:31 pmCatherine, I thought so, too. This year I’m actually going to write them down as I read. I finished a book last night, so it will be the first to go on my list.
I think that’s counts since you were so young when you took the other Spanish classes. Yep, Japan is coming up fast. We can’t wait. Wish my Japanese language lessons were coming along better. :/
by Jordan January 3rd, 2007 at 2:33 pmGabriele, LOL! You go girl.
Happy New Year to you, too.
by Jordan January 3rd, 2007 at 2:34 pmI would like to do something, which has seemed impossible over the last few years: get through a whole year without catching the mutant cold virus strain. After reading what even published writers can expect for a living wage in the Snarks opinion from her website, I think I had better vow to fix more cars and trucks, rather than write more words.
by BernardL January 3rd, 2007 at 3:18 pmBernard, I hear you on the virus front. There are some nasty ones out there. I try not to think about the writing money. It will only depress me. :-/
by Jordan January 3rd, 2007 at 4:59 pm