Just the other day, I was holding an ongoing conversation with a friend of mine about New Years Resolutions. While she admitted to thinking about them quite a bit, I had to frankly admit that I hadn't given it an ounce of thought. In fact, it's one of those things that I've never gotten into.

After writing her back and telling her my thoughts, though, I did start thinking about it a bit. When I drove home from work that night, I thought about it even more. As I sat and ate my dinner that night, I sort of came up with a list of things that I would like to work on (or accomplish) in the next year in four major categories. Please bear with me.

1. Personal
I guess the first thing I'd like to do is not make as many stupid little mistakes in the next year. Although most of them didn't hurt in the long run, some of them hurt me at the time and besides, I simply hate feeling dumb. These would be the times when quoting Homer Simpsons "doh!" seem the most appropriate.

Another area I'd like to improve on in this department is in the area is my feelings. In the past, I've always been very logical about my feelings and have been described by "cold" by many a people. I'm a very non-touchy feely person by nature, so I doubt that will change. However, I would like to be able to express my feelings better when I actually do have them, instead of hiding from them as in the past.

One other small thing that really annoys me about myself is how I manage to not give many compliments. I know a lot of interesting and amazing people and instead of being able to complement them on things, I usually shut up. People complement me sometimes, and it's a cool thing, so I need to return the favor more often. Man, I'm an arse sometimes.

2. Social
Another very difficult category due to my introverted personality. On occassion in the past year, I've gotten the nerve to actually go out on a limb and do something unlike myself. For the most part, though, I've just kind of hung around in my little corners of the world and talked with only those I knew. Without being annoying, I want to figure out what I need to do to simply start up a conversation with someone I've never met before.

Oh yeah, I'd also like to go out on a date in the next year.

3. Output / Input
As far as my productivity goes, I think that I need to pick up the pace a little. I seem to be stagnating a bit and getting left behind. What I'm speaking of specifically is upping my material output a little bit. In 1998, I want to write at least 630 pages (1.75 a day) worth of material and get back to doing more photography again. Hopefully, I can continue with my drawing and collage side projects as well. Perhaps I'll even update this stale piece of web site known as 'almost cool.'

On the input side of things, I guess I'd like to just be a more informed person. I'll keep reading the paper every day, but I need to absorb more of what I do read, and force myself to read things that might not seem as interesting. I'd also like to read at least 10000 pages worth of books this year.

4. Health
My big dorky goal for the year is to ride over 2000 miles on my bike between now and 1999. I'm currently shopping for one, so I should have a spiffy new one by the time it thaws out. Besides that, I'd like to stay in decent overall shape and hopefully learn a bit of yoga.

Well, that would be all for now. I'm sure that I'll think of some again soon and add them to the list in my head, hopefully, I'll be able to give a rundown at the end of the year of what all was accomplished. The easiest will no doubt be the ones that don't have to do with psychological blocks that I have to overcome, but I guess we'll see. I'm sure that this page will reflect anything dramatic that goes on.

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