It's time to do this years New Years Resolutions. Not quite as many as last year, as I need to focus more on some important ones.
1) Continue boxing. Improve on weaknesses and become a much better boxer than I am now.
2) Cook something for my 100+ Things To Do Cookbook once a month.
3) Become a better programmer and create a website.
4) Sort out those damn finances.
5) Cycle 50 miles.
6) Meet up with more friends that I don't see as often.
7) Arrange more fun things to do, so I spend less time just sitting in my room.
8) Cross 5 things off the 100+ Things To Do List.
9) Save for a mortgage.
Showing posts with label Resolutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resolutions. Show all posts
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Friday, 31 December 2010
News Years 2010 Resolutions: Review
My very first blog post was my new years resolutions. One year on, how did I do?
1) Continue being patriotic. Start using correct English spellings (realise instead of realize, organise instead of organize)
I think I have stuck to this very well. I never use a 'z' where the correct version is an 's'. Actually, I am even banned from making changes on WikiDictionary. On top of this, I have sent a strongly worded letter to an English crisp making company that calls themselves 'chips'.
On a low note, I have a draft of a blog post that I created a year about about being patriotic, that I haven't finished. This must be done.
2) Start investing in moral British companies.
I very nearly started investing in February. I went as far as to download an app on my phone to monitor stocks. Then I ran out of money. I still intend to, but I think this resolution should perhaps be put on hold for the moment.
3) Have no more than 8.5 hours sleep.
As a general rule, I have stuck to this. Not counting days I haven't felt well, or the odd day that I have been really hung over and stayed in bed, I haven't slept my life away like when I was at University.
4) Start boxing, with the intention of sparing somewhat competitively by next year.
On 22nd Feb I joined a boxing gym. On 8th October I won my first boxing fight. I surpassed what I thought I could do!
5) Learn the drums.
Aside from playing Guitar Hero at the start of the year... I haven't really made much progress here. It is still something I would like to do, but it's so much effort...
6) Cook something exciting twice a month.
I started off well with a strong month and a half, by making 'Goats Cheese and Pea Risotto', 'Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni', and 'French Chicken in White Wine Sauce and Potato Dauphinoise', but all in all it has been pretty fail. Cooking is too expensive.
7) Make a website.
The website I was making was pretty much put on hold in March, though recently I have been learning new web technologies and programming techniques, and I am certain I will make positive steps on the website (which is yet to be announced) early next year.
8) Start to pronunciate correctly. No more lazy talking and mumbling.
I still mumble. I can't pronounce 'R's very well, and would like to get a speech person.
9) Sort out my finances.
I am very poor now. Enough said.
10) Try and read a book a month.
I gave up on this when I realised I hate reading. I got stuck on The Odyssey at the start of the year and gave up. I did read, and love The Lost World, but then I got part way and gave up on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
11) Start riding bike, with the intention of completing a 50 mile bike ride soon.
On the 18th May, me and Dan cycled 26 miles. We both got sidetracked, and then I was boxing training, and then it got too cold and snowy, but we certainly plan to do 50 miles soon. I count this as a success, since with the cycling to work and general fitness I am certain I can do 50 miles next year.
12) Although I don't really do it, exaggerate less.
I haven't noticed myself exaggerate much at all this year. I think this is a success.
13) Have less tolerance for people pissing me off.
I chose this resolution because sometimes I don't say anything back to people when they are nasty. I have made sure I haven't let people get away with rude remarks, as proved in a recent blog post when a police man was mean to me. This resolution has got me in a bit more bother this year at parties and club nights, but I think its worth it.
14) Start creatively writing in some way.
I am counting this blog. It has lasted a year now aside from a quiet period in the summer.
15) Be nicer to friends, cultivate more relationships.
I haven't stayed in touch with as many people as I like towards the end of the year, sadly. I have felt very rushed recently, and like I have lost control of the speed of my life. Deep... I know. Next year I will try harder to maintain friendships.
16) Learn IPA (international phonetic alphabet).
I started off well, I even printed out the IPA and learned a few things on it, though I promptly forgot it. I still want to learn it. It is on my 100+ Things To Do list, so will be done.
17) Keep traveling. Try and go to at least 4 countries.
This year I went to Prague (Czech Republic), Paris (France), Malia (Greece), Kaunas (Lithuania), and Marrakesh (Morocco).
18) Not take things like off the cuff comments to heart as much.
I have learned to be insult much, much better. A lot of people tend to say insulting things, thinking that I may not care, but this year I have been able to not let it bother me as much.
19) Make this year even better than the next!
This year has had progress. It has had some massive highlights that I think make it arguably better than last year.
1) Continue being patriotic. Start using correct English spellings (realise instead of realize, organise instead of organize)
I think I have stuck to this very well. I never use a 'z' where the correct version is an 's'. Actually, I am even banned from making changes on WikiDictionary. On top of this, I have sent a strongly worded letter to an English crisp making company that calls themselves 'chips'.
On a low note, I have a draft of a blog post that I created a year about about being patriotic, that I haven't finished. This must be done.
2) Start investing in moral British companies.
I very nearly started investing in February. I went as far as to download an app on my phone to monitor stocks. Then I ran out of money. I still intend to, but I think this resolution should perhaps be put on hold for the moment.
3) Have no more than 8.5 hours sleep.
As a general rule, I have stuck to this. Not counting days I haven't felt well, or the odd day that I have been really hung over and stayed in bed, I haven't slept my life away like when I was at University.
4) Start boxing, with the intention of sparing somewhat competitively by next year.
On 22nd Feb I joined a boxing gym. On 8th October I won my first boxing fight. I surpassed what I thought I could do!
5) Learn the drums.
Aside from playing Guitar Hero at the start of the year... I haven't really made much progress here. It is still something I would like to do, but it's so much effort...
6) Cook something exciting twice a month.
I started off well with a strong month and a half, by making 'Goats Cheese and Pea Risotto', 'Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni', and 'French Chicken in White Wine Sauce and Potato Dauphinoise', but all in all it has been pretty fail. Cooking is too expensive.
7) Make a website.
The website I was making was pretty much put on hold in March, though recently I have been learning new web technologies and programming techniques, and I am certain I will make positive steps on the website (which is yet to be announced) early next year.
8) Start to pronunciate correctly. No more lazy talking and mumbling.
I still mumble. I can't pronounce 'R's very well, and would like to get a speech person.
9) Sort out my finances.
I am very poor now. Enough said.
10) Try and read a book a month.
I gave up on this when I realised I hate reading. I got stuck on The Odyssey at the start of the year and gave up. I did read, and love The Lost World, but then I got part way and gave up on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
11) Start riding bike, with the intention of completing a 50 mile bike ride soon.
On the 18th May, me and Dan cycled 26 miles. We both got sidetracked, and then I was boxing training, and then it got too cold and snowy, but we certainly plan to do 50 miles soon. I count this as a success, since with the cycling to work and general fitness I am certain I can do 50 miles next year.
12) Although I don't really do it, exaggerate less.
I haven't noticed myself exaggerate much at all this year. I think this is a success.
13) Have less tolerance for people pissing me off.
I chose this resolution because sometimes I don't say anything back to people when they are nasty. I have made sure I haven't let people get away with rude remarks, as proved in a recent blog post when a police man was mean to me. This resolution has got me in a bit more bother this year at parties and club nights, but I think its worth it.
14) Start creatively writing in some way.
I am counting this blog. It has lasted a year now aside from a quiet period in the summer.
15) Be nicer to friends, cultivate more relationships.
I haven't stayed in touch with as many people as I like towards the end of the year, sadly. I have felt very rushed recently, and like I have lost control of the speed of my life. Deep... I know. Next year I will try harder to maintain friendships.
16) Learn IPA (international phonetic alphabet).
I started off well, I even printed out the IPA and learned a few things on it, though I promptly forgot it. I still want to learn it. It is on my 100+ Things To Do list, so will be done.
17) Keep traveling. Try and go to at least 4 countries.
This year I went to Prague (Czech Republic), Paris (France), Malia (Greece), Kaunas (Lithuania), and Marrakesh (Morocco).
18) Not take things like off the cuff comments to heart as much.
I have learned to be insult much, much better. A lot of people tend to say insulting things, thinking that I may not care, but this year I have been able to not let it bother me as much.
19) Make this year even better than the next!
This year has had progress. It has had some massive highlights that I think make it arguably better than last year.
Friday, 10 December 2010
"I'll crush ya car"
My very first ever blog post was my New Years Resolutions, one of which was:
Today, while driving back from work, I got in a bit of a mishap with another driver. The route in which I take home involves you having to almost blindly pull out into a three lane road, blocking the first lane while you frantically try and get into the second lane (as the first is for left only turns). Most drivers know this, and most quickly let you in.
This driver wasn't most drivers... as I went to pull in a two-car space he quickly sped up to stop me. Already being mostly in, and not wanting to cause more of a queue behind me, I carried on in. Then he flashed his blue lights. It was an effing unmarked police car.
He pulled up alongside me, rolled down his window, and started having a shout at me, ending with "I will crush your car". Big mistake. Not wanting to antagonise him where he can pull me over and give me a ticket, I smiled and drove on, but still remembering my New Years Resolution.
When I got home, I promptly called the police, complaining about the threatening behaviour of the officer, and that people who are employed to serve and protect the public shouldn't shout immature threats from their car window. I gave them the time, the road, and most importantly the car registration.
I was phoned back shortly after, by a high up police woman who said she would call the man in question, and in her words "give him a kick up the backside" as "regardless of whether he has had a bad day, he shouldn't act like that". She also said to make more of an issue she will contact his sergeant and get him to tell the nasty man off too.
I'm not against the police, but I can see why some people are when you get ones like that... but the people I spoke to after seemed really nice.
So... Me 2, Police Man 1.
13) Have less tolerance for people pissing me off.
Today, while driving back from work, I got in a bit of a mishap with another driver. The route in which I take home involves you having to almost blindly pull out into a three lane road, blocking the first lane while you frantically try and get into the second lane (as the first is for left only turns). Most drivers know this, and most quickly let you in.
This driver wasn't most drivers... as I went to pull in a two-car space he quickly sped up to stop me. Already being mostly in, and not wanting to cause more of a queue behind me, I carried on in. Then he flashed his blue lights. It was an effing unmarked police car.
He pulled up alongside me, rolled down his window, and started having a shout at me, ending with "I will crush your car". Big mistake. Not wanting to antagonise him where he can pull me over and give me a ticket, I smiled and drove on, but still remembering my New Years Resolution.
When I got home, I promptly called the police, complaining about the threatening behaviour of the officer, and that people who are employed to serve and protect the public shouldn't shout immature threats from their car window. I gave them the time, the road, and most importantly the car registration.I was phoned back shortly after, by a high up police woman who said she would call the man in question, and in her words "give him a kick up the backside" as "regardless of whether he has had a bad day, he shouldn't act like that". She also said to make more of an issue she will contact his sergeant and get him to tell the nasty man off too.
I'm not against the police, but I can see why some people are when you get ones like that... but the people I spoke to after seemed really nice.
So... Me 2, Police Man 1.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
March Review
It is April already. Wow. And yes, I know I said exactly the same last month, but it has gone really fast. Quite a bit has happened this month. The biggest thing, something I think has gone unnoticed by a lot of people, is that me and Melissa split up last week. Facebook official and stuff. I won't go into the reasons, but hopefully my blog shouldn't turn too emo because of it.
Pros:
Got my website to connect to the database. Not difficult but I was being lazy.
Cons:
Haven't cooked once.
Haven't looked at my finances. Is it a bit late to bother now?
Still haven't finished the first months book. Wow, I really should give up.
Haven't got any better at the drums.
Overall:
On paper it looks okay... though most of the pro's happened in the same day. I am going to try and have another adventure this month, or at least plan a load for May.
Aims for April:
Start sparing in boxing.
Cross one thing off the list.
Book another flight.
Monday, 1 March 2010
February Review
It is March already. This year is going very, very quickly. Before I know it I will be 200. Here is an update, referencing last months update:
Pros:
Downloaded a money management program
Able to play a few songs on Guitar Hero drums on expert
Still blogging!
Cons:
Haven't touched website
Haven't touched book
Haven't used money management program
Haven't started to learn IPA
Crossed nothing off the list
Haven't made a list of moral English companies
Only cooked once
Overall:
On paper February looked like a bit of a fail. I think it wasn't at all. February is a short month. If there was a 29th then I would have done loadssss more. Actually starting boxing is a big step to getting fit and crossing off 'have a boxing match'. Although I only cooked once I shall cook three times in March.
Aims for March:
- Get database to connect for the website (the only thing holding me back)
- Open money managing program and have a poke around
- Cook three times
- Keep going to boxing
- Cross one thing off list, dammit!
- Finish this damn book.
Friday, 26 February 2010
First Week Boxing
This week I joined the boxing gym. My first personal training session was on Tuesday. I went in knowing I need to work on my cardio, and came out really knowing I need to work on my cardio. He tested my fitness, and although he said I wasn't bad for my first time doing inteval work, I know I need to be a lot better before I can consider competing.
By the end of the hour, and after many breaks which I couldn't help, I was sweating like a bitch. I was worried about getting a migraine, as whenever I do exercise I manage to get one, but when I got home I didn't have one. For the first hour. Argh. Ruined my night.
My second session was on Thursday, with a guy who is an undefeated unlicensed boxer. He seemed really happy that I said my main aim was to get into sparing and eventually have proper fights. He said it is unusal for someone to want to do that up front, most go there for an alternative way to keep fit. I find that quite surprising, that is the very main appeal to me.
After working with him for a while, he said that if I keep at it, there is a chance I could be in the June event, but if not I should definetly be good enough to by September. This made me muchos happy.
They both taught me a lot about boxing stances that I hadn't learned in my 6 months at MMA (though most of that was spent doing kickboxing and muay thai). And thankfully I didn't have a migraine Thursday night.
Fulfiling my new years resolution is looking positive at the moment. The next time I am going in is Sunday for a mixed class. I am going to work on my cardio before I go too intensive on technique.
Monday, 22 February 2010
Joined the Boxing Gym!
Today I was feeling proactive, and finally got around to joining another boxing gym. It was one of this months aims, and working towards my new years resolution of starting boxing, with aim to do it somewhat competitively by Christmas.
I am quite excited. I have a personal training session tomorrow with an experienced amateur boxer, and then another on Thursday with an undefeated unlicensed boxer.
The place, Fighting Fit City Gym, does all sorts of classes, from fitness, to Thai and MMA classes, to white collar boxing classes. I am aiming to work up to the white collar sparring classes, because I want to twat a financial consultant. No reason.
I'm not usually one to quit things, unless they turn repetitive and the interest is lost. I really enjoyed doing MMA, but then each class became samey, and there was no hope of doing sparing or any competitive element. Hopefully I will not look back at this post in a few months, after only going twice.
Monday, 1 February 2010
January Review
In relation to the New Years resolutions and The List:
- Built shelf for alcohol cupboard
- Seen friends I haven't seen in a while
- Wrote blog regularly
- Got bike fixed and been on gym exercise bike
- Made decent progress on website (more to write soon...)
- Booked a holiday abroad (more to write soon...)
- Cooked twice
- Entered into another dodgeball tournament (more to write soon...)
- Haven't had stupidly long lie-ins
Cons
- Hardly been to the gym
- Haven't started managing money
- Haven't made a list of moral English companies
- Haven't played Guitar Hero much to learn drum rhythm
- Only read 1/4 of my book
- Haven't started to learn IPA
- Haven't crossed anything off list yet
Overall
So-so... started off well but got lazy. Must make new aims and follow them better.
Aims for February:
- Get website working fully, minus any design/styling
- Finish off book, and start new one
- Cook twice
- Install money managing program
- Get photos on computer up to date
- Play Guitar Hero a bit more
- Bring stamina up and join a boxing gym
- Compile a list of moral British Companies
- Cross at least 1 thing off list.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
21) Cycle 50 miles; Post 1
Both my 100 things to do list, and 2010 resolutions have that I must do a 50 mile bike ride.
I started the year off well by taking my bike, which I haven't properly used in maybe 8 years, to have a service and repair. Keeping up the rapid progression, 4 days later I messaged my friend... and today I have finally decided on a cycle route! It already feels like it has been crossed off my list. Surely all the hard work is done now.
The route is Birmingham to Oxford, which you can see here. Hopefully it won't be too hard, and the 4 minutes I struggled to do on the bike at physio (because of cardio, not my knee!) was just me having a bad day :)
I started the year off well by taking my bike, which I haven't properly used in maybe 8 years, to have a service and repair. Keeping up the rapid progression, 4 days later I messaged my friend... and today I have finally decided on a cycle route! It already feels like it has been crossed off my list. Surely all the hard work is done now.
The route is Birmingham to Oxford, which you can see here. Hopefully it won't be too hard, and the 4 minutes I struggled to do on the bike at physio (because of cardio, not my knee!) was just me having a bad day :)
This post alone acts as progression! If I'm not dead by the end of it, I may add a '100 mile bike ride' to the list... :o
Friday, 1 January 2010
News Years 2010 Resolutions
I see new years as an important time for self improvement, and as such take resolutions quite seriously. I realise I won't succeed in all, but will try to as much as possible!
1) Continue being patriotic. Start using correct English spellings (realise instead of realize, organise instead of organize)
2) Start investing in moral British companies.
3) Have no more than 8.5 hours sleep.
4) Start boxing, with the intention of sparing somewhat competitively by next year.
5) Learn the drums.
6) Cook something exciting twice a month.
7) Make a website.
8) Start to pronunciate correctly. No more lazy talking and mumbling.
9) Sort out my finances.
10) Try and read a book a month.
11) Start riding bike, with the intention of completing a 50 mile bike ride soon.
12) Although I don't really do it, exaggerate less.
13) Have less tolerance for people pissing me off.
14) Start creatively writing in some way.
15) Be nicer to friends, cultivate more relationships.
16) Learn IPA (international phonetic alphabet).
17) Keep traveling. Try and go to at least 4 countries.
18) Not take things like off the cuff comments to heart as much.
19) Make this year even better than the next!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
