Vermyndax / New Year’s Resolutions for 2011

Created Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:50:29 +0000 Modified Tue, 31 Dec 2024 18:25:52 +0000

It’s 2011. It’s probably time for some New Year’s Resolutions, so here’s the obligatory post.

First, let me speak a bit about 2010. 2010 was an interesting year. I label it a year of transition because there was quite a bit of that. If 2010 had an overall theme, it was definitely “transition.” I transitioned in many areas:

  • Professionally, in deciding that if I had my way about it, I’ll never work with Windows again.
  • Personally, in discovering that I’ve been doing a terrible job at taking care of myself.
  • Spiritually, but not in the classical sense. By this I mean learning more about myself and others.

This is a personal blog and so therefore I’m only covering areas that are personal. Those of you who know me know that there have been multiple transitions in the family as well, albeit standard. (“My how the kids have grown!” “Wow, will that two year old ever stop talking!?”)

All of this being said I present to you… my 2011 New Year’s Resolutions. I’m going to do my best to make sure that I cover only the goals that I feel are attainable.

Create More

I used to create all the time. Something, and I’m not sure what, got me out of that habit. I want to get back. I miss it. I miss theater too, but I don’t think that goal is attainable until the kids grow a little more and I have a job that isn’t 24/7. Therefore, one of my goals is to create more. This can be writing, photography (oh how I miss photography!), video, programming or whatever. I must create more.

Read More

I’ve been doing a lot more reading of late, so this needs to continue.

Learn More

This plugs into the spiritual thing and 2010’s transitions. I want to continue to learn more about Chinese language and culture and Mac/UNIX/Linux/Web technologies.

Focus Better

You might think that with the first goal of creating more that this might be difficult. Focus has become very difficult for me and I’m not sure why. This needs to change.

Stop Idling

I idle on the computer too much. This is killing me.

Take Better Care of Myself

Eat better. Move around more. I have the tools, I just need to remember to do that. Stop eating so much garbage. I’ve been doing much better on that in 2010. I need to continue to do that.

Be a Better Father

I think I’m a pretty terrible father. I need to change that. Really, I do.

Be a Better Husband

My wife is a good woman. I consistently remind myself that she gave up so much to move here and have a new life. She entrusted me with her life and well being. I need to remember that and honor her. I need to help out more.

I think that about covers it. There will be some changes on this blog over the coming months. It’s gotten quite cobwebby and I think there is a place for this site after all. I let it grow stale after opening so many other blogs (which will be linked here) and using Twitter and Facebook. While I’ve met many awesome people on Twitter, I want to share a little more in an extended format. Twitter is for light, hilarious conversations. Ultimately, if you want to know more about just me, this is the place to come. If you want to learn more about my family or technology that I’m working on, there are other places to go. If you don’t know where they are you will soon.

2011 will be another year for transition and it is already offering new opportunities. On the last week of 2010 we discovered that we lost our massive contract supporting the government agency I work for. I’m not sure where that is going to take me but I’m definitely excited about the possibilities. I’m very optimistic that this will allow me to grow in areas that I need/want to grow.

Notice I didn’t call out “be more optimistic” in my goals for 2011. Optimism is a very personal thing for me. In general, I’ve always been hopeful that things work out for the better and have always looked for the silver lining. A lot of people see my negativity on the outside but they may not realize that in general it’s a facade. Negativity is funny. I like to make people laugh. I deal with stress by laughing. It comes off as negativity. That’s fine if you don’t understand. But deep down I know it will work out in the end, whatever and however that is. It’s quite optimistic.

If that surprises you, then congratulations – you learned something about me. Great way to start the new year, right?