nine months (no...not that!)

It's that time again...time for the quarterly re-visit of my 2011 Birthday Wishes (and I've even hit the date spot on!).  Besides, I know y'all are anxiously awaiting the update (ha ha...yeah right...)

2011 Birthday Wishes (original):

• procure a MacBook - maybe I should just give up on this one and buy a new Dell (even though I really want a MacBook) - the Dell is cheaper and has the same crap. 
• amp up physical activity - well, I've done a couple yoga classes and have procured a bicycle (now just to get it a tune-up and new tires).  I've done two walk/runs for charity, with a third one on 2 June.plus, I think I'm doing "death by tri" this year. and I may have been talked into doing something crazy in Vegas in December.
• try to eat better - this would be easier without the invention of cheese balls.
• attempt to be culinary - I have more than attempted...I have succeeded! from greek pasta to chicken/broccoli/cheese casserole, I have done it.  and it's been pretty darn tasty! (and surprisingly healthy)
• embrace my curls - hmmm, my hair is currently staging a coup and wants to be straight. that's ok, once the humidity kicks up the curls will be back as they are today.  the biggest dilemma is what color to dye it.
• beat my brother in "Words with Friends" - 13 August bitches!  I don't think my bro plays this anymore - something about caring for a four and two year old - but I still won a game, dammit!
• travel somewhere besides DC & Chicago - I went to St. Louis in March! oh yeah, Madison & Chicago...again.  rumor has it I may be in Ohio in May...
• see Wisco Gov. Scott Walker get recalled - recall primary 8 May, recall election 5 June...let's get the douchebag out of office!
• increase social media knowledge - I continue to read up on trends and increase my employers presence on the interwebs.  go me.
• engage in artistic endeavors - I've painted a couple wine bottles...here's one of them. and I think I might put some of my photos on canvas. and maybe stop taking pics of my pup, but he's so dang cute.
• continue to promote rjl creative -  still promoting.  did get a freelance job for an insurance agency. but even cooler, I've designed the logo/collaterals for the HAHS annual fundraiser.
• become involved with APBT & AmStaff dog rescue/advocacy -  Caye is a great ambassdog and speaks for the breed beautifully. still. must.go.to.an.event.
• that my mom wins her battle with pancreatic cancer - she is responding to chemo well and continues to be in good spirits.  if anyone wonders where I get my strength and resiliency from, it's from mom. and I wouldn't trade that for the world. this is also the third charity walk, but the only one for which I'm accepting donations. (shameless plug, I know.  I don't care either...it's a good cause).

2010 wishes...looking back

In a mere three weeks from today, I will not be moving into another age demographic as I embark on another year of life.  However, those who know my birth year know how old I'm turning.  Please don't mention the number, even though I think I've come to terms with it.

About a year ago, I wrote my "birthday wishes 2010" list.  I figure now's as good of time as any to see if any of these wishes did indeed come true.....

• promote/develop my freelance design "business" (using that term loosely) - It may always be a work in progress (as design and the creative process usually is) but my rjl creative site is completed and fully operational.  It even gets updated on occasion. Now I just need to get word out that I am accepting freelance jobs.   So again...if you know anyone that needs a graphics/communications person....(wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
• a MacBook -  I still want one - it will complement my iPhone quite nicely.  Although, I did ask my dad if he knew of anyone selling one.  As much as I want a new one, I doubt I can afford it.
• take more photographs (those of the artsy, landscape variety) - If I stopped playing with my iPhone as of late, I would probably do this more.  Overall, I took less photos than I would have liked.  However, I did take some cool cemetery shots - which I will eventually upload.
• learn to play bass - I have to laugh at this one.  I never touched a bass (instrument or fish variety).  Oh well.
• catch up with friends I haven't seen much in the past year - I think I have either talked to, e-mailed, texted or IMed almost everyone.  Success!
• keep in touch with friends I actually see - Again, thanks go to: Baker's Square, Brady Street, Wrigleyville and Tracks Tavern (oh, and beer) plus Summerfest, Ale House and WH3 for making this possible. I like this social butterfly thing...
• visit friends in faraway places - specifically those in Florida, Arizona and Connecticut - who I keep promising I'll visit - Epic fail.  I made it to Chicago.  That's not too impressive.  Actually, it's kind of pathetic.
• teleportation to see said friends and my nephews more often - Maybe since we no longer have the space shuttle program, we can work on this.  Is teleportation really even possible?
• travel internationally without my mom - Ha ha ha....
• the adapter thingie that allows you to use your iPod in the car - It still works!  The iPod, however, has been tempermental as of late.
• a Wii Fit - I changed this to a LCD-TV...and I got one!  Success!
• lose that last 20 lbs - I still have a strong refusal to step on the scale and look at the number, so perhaps a number goal was a poor choice.  I can tell you my clothes are looser and four people in the past week asked me if I lost weight.  I'll take it as a success...
• manage my finances more effectively - Much better than in recent memory.  My only debt is my car and surgery bill (only $1200 left!!!).  I won't mention the amount owed on the car.
• actually watch some shows I've DVRed -  Not an epic fail, but I'm just not good a this.  I figure I'll live if this isn't successful.  Although I fully intent to watch the DVRed WWC semi after work.
• become more involved with the K-Family again - Dues paid! Now if I could make it to a scheduled event.   However, the CKI segment still continues to think I never existed. It still stings, but it's their loss (pun intended).
• world peace (sorry I had to) - I guess there's always that one wish/goal that would be great if it happens, but likely never, ever will.
• instead of complaining about something, do something to change it - I think I complain less.  This might be because I attempt to do something before it gets that far.
• give up diet Dew - I was good for a while.  I think I just drink more Dew in the summer.  However, it's only one a day and no where near the 12-pack/day habit.  Baby steps, right?

Overall, I feel I was successful.  I stumbled a bit at times, but that's part of life.  

As this year draws to a close, I'm excited to see what next year will bring...and what I'll wish for in 2011 (to be revealed in a couple weeks).

nine months in....

Well, give or take a few days.  In nine months, I could have given birth.  But I guess trying to reach your goals is somewhat like giving birth - a long, painful process but worth it in the end.

So, with that being said here's the long awaited update...yeah right. (if you feel so inclined, you can compare it to the six-month check-up):

• promote/develop my freelance design "business" (using that term loosely) - I am convinced this will always be a work in progress.  The  rjl creative now has writing samples but still needs photos.  And a web graphics section. But I did get a freelance job...AND a part-time Director of Communications gig with Southeastern Wisconsin Arts Guild.  It's a start, but looking for more.  So if you know anyone that needs a graphics/communications person....(yes, my shameless plug).
• a MacBook -  If anyone would like to purchase one for me, it would be much appreciated. However, I think I should pay off my vein surgery bill first.  Donations accepted.
• take more photographs (those of the artsy, landscape variety) - I took photos of my dog.  He's cute.  Yet, Cayenne would not be considered a landscape.  Rumor has it spring is coming soon so this could change. 
• learn to play bass - I'm seriously beginning to question why I put this down as a goal.  I may have forgotten what a bass looks like.
• catch up with friends I haven't seen much in the past year -Yeah!  I'm doing this...thanks to to modern miracles of technology...plus the wonders of  Mexican food, Miller Park and alcohol.
• keep in touch with friends I actually see - I would like to thank Baker's Square, Brady Street, Wrigleyville and Tracks Tavern (oh, and beer) for making this possible.  I'll even see the hashers on 21 May....it might be warm enough to be hashing by then.
• visit friends in faraway places - specifically those in Florida, Arizona and Connecticut - who I keep promising I'll visit - Chicago is not considered a far away place, but I love it anyway.  Arizona bottomed out as the plane tix were too pricey for my liking.  I've heard nothing about Philly, and haven't even thought about Florida or Connecticut.  However, I might be going to North Carolina in September. 
• teleportation to see said friends and my nephews more often - Can anyone help me with this?  Please? 
• travel internationally without my mom - Aaah. 
• the adapter thingie that allows you to use your iPod in the car - It still works!  I particularly like listening to Ramstein's "Du Hast" as I drive through the ghetto.
• a Wii Fit - I changed this to a LCD-TV...and I got one!  Woo-hoo!  
• lose that last 20 lbs - Scale is an evil five-letter word and I will never like what it says.  Period.  However, I started boot camp ten weeks ago and recently realized I now have some semblance of ab muscles.  And I still wear a medium in some clothes.  
• manage my finances more effectively - If if wasn't for that damn $2700 bill that stupid insurance won't cover (because it's not deemed medically necessary... I call bs), I'd be doing better.  But still not bad.
• actually watch some shows I've DVRed -  I'm still really bad at this.  However, I watched two DVRed shows last night.
• become more involved with the K-Family again - I just have to pay my dues...but I got an e-mail welcoming me back!  Hoping to make it to a service project in the near future.  However, the CKI segment still continues to think I never existed.
• world peace (sorry I had to) - The death of Bin Laden won't bring world peace, but it eventually make the world a bit safer.  To manipulate a religion to spread a propaganda of hate is just wrong.
• instead of complaining about something, do something to change it - Ok, I still complain...but then I work on changing it. Yes, this is the same as six months ago.
• give up diet Dew - I seriously have not had any deit Dew.  But, I'm known to drink a diet Coke on occasion (or a rum & coke).  And sometimes coffee.  However as a former twelve-pack a day dewaholic, I'm still impressed. 

 

And happy cinco de mayo!

bad habit...

No, this is not in reference to the song by The Offspring...although it ranks as my favorite song by them.

I've had this habit about as long as I remember, minus the three years I had braces.  The habit?  Biting my nails. 

My nails were gorgeous from eight through tenth grade, as the bits of nail would get stuck between the wires.  Yes, I know that sounds disgusting.  One would have thought that after three years of not doing it, I would have kicked the habit.  Nope.

The only other time I haven't bitten my nails was my phase of acrylic nails, which lasted from my wedding to about six months later.  When the nails hindered me from doing basic home improvement tasks, I stopped.  Sadly, I did try to bite the acrylics.  I never succeeded.  And once I stopped getting my nails done - you guessed  it - I was back to my old ways.

But why?  Nail biting in itself is defined as an impulse control disorder (falling into the OCD category).  If there is a trigger for nail biting, it is usually stress or anxiety.  In my case, I think it's two-fold:  a habit because I feel I constantly have to be doing something with my hands and general anxiety.   It makes sense.  I'm told I  run on two speeds - stop and go. If I'm not doing something somewhat active (physically or mentally), I will fall asleep.   As for anxiety...well, if you read the end of my previous blog, no explanation is really needed. 

This gave me an idea.  I've pretty much kicked the caffeine habit (although I do have the occasional frappucino or diet cherry Dr. Pepper/vodka drink).  I've started to make the effort to lose that final 20 lbs (yay for boot camp!)  So, what's one more thing, really?

Yup, I've decided to attempt to stop biting my nails.  I bought the bitter nail polish deterrent-type stuff and everything.  Plus, it's now been four whole days since I've bitten them.

However, I have discovered that I can now tap my nails on tables, walls, etc. and make noise.  This might just lead to a new habit....

We shall see.