Nine Things in ’09

“Tear up that calendar you bought.
Throw the pieces to the sky.
Confetti fallin’ down like rain,
Like a parade to usher in your life.”

I’m not big on resolutions for the new year. I don’t like making promises about things when I have no clue what is coming. I couldn’t guess that last year would be so crazy and anything I said would happen was likely to have gone unfulfilled.

In place of resolutions, I decided to make a list of the nine things I’d like to do in 2009 – things I’ve thought about and may even be working on already. Some will definitely get done. Others, who knows, but this is a good start.

Sell my house

I’ve been living in the same house since 1996. I love this house. I love my neighbors. I love my neighborhood. But, it has clearly gotten to be too much for me to handle. When I was married, it made sense. If I weren’t single, it might make sense. By myself, it is too expensive and the property is WAY too valuable to stay. I will miss it, but the time is right to make it happen.

Get my finances in order

Pursuant to the first item on this list (how strong is my legalese?), the sale of my house will allow me to become completely debt free and will likely leave me with enough money left over to start a REAL retirement fund and an emergency fund, you know, like a normal adult. Sassy.

Write…a lot

I forget just how much I love to write. I didn’t do it for a while this year when other things intervened, but I plan to expand my writing this year. The new blog and my Broken Record blog are just part of it. One thing I promised myself I would do a while back is stay true to myself and my own writing style. If I’m not getting paid for it, why would I write anything other than what I want anyway?

Take tons of photos just for me

I spent an awful lot of time in 2008 shooting pictures for other people. There was nothing inherently wrong with that and I intend to continue working as a photographer, but I also plan on taking a lot more photos just for myself. This is the year I want to start developing a real style that is my own and advancing my skills both as a photographer and as someone who processes photos after they are taken.

Travel

Between August and October of 2008, I traveled further than I had in the previous 10 years combined. It put a strain on my finances, but it was an absolute blast – every crazy tread-worn mile of it. This year, I want more. I’ve just about decided that I’m going to make an annual trip to New York City because I just love that place. I also want to go back to California to visit friends. The band may go back on the road again this year as well. Whatever the case, I want to get back out there.

Make another record

Speaking of the band, it’s time for us to get back in the studio. We have new material – maybe not quite enough for a full record yet, but it is time to be in the studio and work on new stuff.

Get in shape

Today, I tried to put on a pair of shorts I’ve had for a while and they didn’t fit. SCREW THAT! I immediately started working out…immediately. There is no way I’m going to stay out of shape this year, not a chance.

Have fun with friends

My New Year’s Eve party helped me to realize something – I really enjoy hanging out with my friends. There were times this year I lost sight of that – for good and not so good reasons. Like always, I need time for myself. It helps keep me balanced. But, growing up as an only child causes me to sometimes spend too much time alone and I’m not going to do that this year.

Turn 40

May 7. There will be a party. End of story.