#22 - Have my brother over for a sleep over.

I did this one sometime in November. After Albert slept over, we went to visit Aunt Karin and later had dinner at Pizza Hut with Mike. Albert slept on the futon and we stayed up late and watched movies "on-demand".

#13 - Cover my outside door with wrapping paper at Christmas time

It was harder than it looks and it keeps getting messed up at the bottom because the door is kinda dirty so the tape doesn't stick to it so well. But my neighbor complimented me on it, so I think it's a mission accomplished!

#63 - Post a video of myself singing on YouTube.

Well, that was easier than I thought. Once I figured out how to do it!

At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple

At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple, by Marion Chesney

I picked up this book a few years ago simply because it had the word "pineapple" in the title. I suppose judging a book by it's title is only slightly better than judging one by it's cover.

It is a story about a woman, Henrietta Bascombe, who decides that she is not content with simply being married off in life - she wants to be RICH and she also doesn't mind working to get there. However, the society of the day (I'm thinking 1800's) is not exactly supportive of this choice. Miss Bascombe opens a confectioners shop in the heart of London and it is no secret that she is better at what she does than all of the men in the trade. However, she must face lots of people in town who want her out of business - and will stop at nothing until it happens!

This book is a story of women's rights and romance (strangely enough). It was a rather quick read - but also very enjoyable. It has it's moments of sincerity, humor, seriousness, and wit.

It was also a great book to read after using up all my brain cells reading Ishmael.

#26 - Go to another Lo Cash Cowboys show.

Hey, I did this! Another completed item. I already wrote about it over on the ol' eljay:

http://tenthz.livejournal.com/976246.html

Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn

Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn (Recommended by Jacquin)

This book was really an awesome read. The message of this book is basically that we are doing it all wrong - and have been for what our culture considers "the beginning of time". Throughout many parts of this book I found myself thinking "wow, yeah... but so what? how can we change?" And that was even addressed at the end of the book.

One thing that surprised me was that at no time did this book make me cry. There are a few emotional parts in it and I didn't even bat an eye! This is completely out of character for me - I mean, I cry at cotton commercials for goodness sake! I think one of the reasons I didn't cry is because this book is heavily intellectual. I found myself not being able to read this before bed just because my brain could not properly process the information. This book makes you THINK (omg, ohones).

There are 2 books that are semi-sequels to this novel, and I'm definitely going to be adding them to my reading list. Daniel Quinn's writing style is unique in that he is able to portray mundane aspects of life one minute, and then explain complex concepts the next. I'm not sure if these two different things flow well when he writes them, but it definitely begins to show some serious juxtaposition - thus illustrating the entire point of the book.

I feel like delving into the plot at all is just a complete spoiler, so go read it for yourself!

#99 - On every grocery trip, buy 1 thing to donate to a good cause

This one was going really well, but has gone downhill. I need to step it up. I think I'm negative 2-3 items since I started.

The point of this one is really to be conscious of the things I buy for myself that many do not have the ability to buy. Fortunately I do have many ways and places to donate the items that I purchase. In fact, I still have some items in my car that need to be dropped off at the humane society.

#82 - Set up my futon/daybed.

This one was "buy a futon mattress", but I decided that was a bit too narrow of a goal. On Saturday, my mom and I comparison shopped like crazy and finally bought a futon mattress. I got it at Lemoyne Sleeper - they were very nice and helpful there, plus they had what I really liked for a good price. SCORE! It ended up being just over $200 with tax, etc.

I purchased a futon cover online on Sunday. It's burgundy and it was less than $35 including shipping. SCORE! It was seriously ON SALE. Very nice. Hopefully it will fit properly and everything.

The last things I need to do to complete this item are:
- Get appropriate bedding
- Get pillows and covers (fancy and sleeping)

I'm hoping this idea works, but since the futon frame does not have arms, I'm going to try to make the pillows be arms. We shall see how that works. They might just end up in one big pile. :-P

#66 - Organize the cables for my entertainment unit.

I did this on Sunday night. I was preparing to set up my new TV, so all cables got pulled, prodded, untwisted, and otherwise tidied up. Unfortunately, the TV didn't work (bah!) so I'm still waiting on that to get started on my VHS -> DVD projects.

#9 - Organize my half.com stuff and KEEP IT THAT WAY.

Well, I organized my half.com/amazon marketplace stuff a few weeks ago... and it has been staying organized, so I am going to mark this one as complete. If it becomes out-of-hand again, this shall become uncomplete and I'll have to start over. But I think I have a pretty good system in place right now.

#2 - Make my lunch the night before work every day for a week

Finished! I made myself lunch everyday this week - except for Friday, but we had a lunch meeting (as usual, lately). Still, it counts! DONE.

#2 - Make my lunch the night before work every day for a week.

Last night, I made my lunch for today. Nothing crazy: just a PB sandwich, a bag of pretzels, an apple and a container of yogurt. But it is the start of creating a new good habit. Now, to keep up the good work. Tonight, I'll be putting leftovers into a container and putting that in my lunch box. It's good to have a plan.

#3 - Get a file cabinet and move my files from my parent's house

I have all my files in my apartment.

I have a filing cabinet in my apartment.

HOWEVER! The files are not yet in the filing cabinet, so this is not completed yet. It is however, officially "in progress", so that's something.

#6 - Figure out where to put all my plants and make sure they all have pots.

I finished this one and I forgot! I put the vine-y plant that I got as an apartment warming gift in the bathroom between the sinks. I set the pot liner in a dish garden dish that I have and now I'm all set! Woo!

This post should really have a picture, but sadly, you are just not that lucky.

#27 - Visit Heather in MD at least one more time before she moves(?).

I visited Heather this past weekend. We went to the MD Ren Faire which was lots of fun. I blogged about it over on my lj:

http://tenthz.livejournal.com/958145.html

The Westing Game

I just finished reading The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin. Matt recommended this one, but I've read it time and time again. I think the first time through, it gave me nightmares. Ever since that first read, though, I've tried to see if I can figure out the answer to Mr. Westing's game before the heirs. However, this is difficult since I already know a major piece of the puzzle. I've taken to reading it and trying to figure out who knew what. I debated taking notes or making a diagram this time around, but I decided against it. I just enjoyed reading.

There is one interesting thing about Ellen Raskin's writing style for The Westing Game. If you tried to define who's point of view it is written from, you'd have a great deal of trouble. Sometimes point of view seems to switch from sentence to sentence, however, it only creates planned confusion. Raskin wants the reader of the book to have to work at keeping track of what clues have been spilled and who suspects whom(?). Another great literary device that she uses is the unreliable narrator. In fact, there is rarely a fact told that the reader is absolutely certain to be true! It really makes for great twists in this mystery.

#53 - Go Bowling

Mike and I went bowling this afternoon. We played three games, the 2nd of which went the best... the first game was a warm-up.. and by the third we were over-analyzing our stances and stuff, so things went a little downhill.

I won't go into the scores as to not to embarrass the involved parties. :-P But it was fun and neither Mike nor I could remember the last time we bowled.

#10 - Play the lottery

I bought a $1 scratch-off ticket at the grocery store today.

I didn't win anything. It was moderately thrilling scratching it off, but not thrilling enough to see the draw that people have to it.

Whatever. One more to cross off the list!

#30 - Send all college-going relatives a "care package"

Well, on Tuesday I sent Elizabeth (and her room mate Angel) a package of halloween-y stuff. She just got it and said she has a stomach ache from candy corn already! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. :-P

(1/4)

#61 - Frame and hang my Jim Craig poster

Well, the last thing I did on this thing was to order the frame. And I have to give another major shout-out to http://wholesaleposterframes.com/. Excellent, excellent, excellent! Straight-forward directions, high quality product, and fast shipping on a custom order. I couldn't be more pleased. The frame arrived a little less than 2 weeks ago, but I hadn't really had the time to do anything with it until just now. I took it apart, put it back together, banged a hanger into the wall, and VOILA! All done! :-)

The Valley of the Dolls, by Jacquelin Susann

I occasionally have moments of panic - you might even say terror - when I hallucinate myself into a fantasy world. Not a world of wonderful things, mind you, but a world where those fleeting thoughts you've had over the past year... they all come true, all at once. Those thoughts born out of jealousy, rage, anger, and fear. A world where one minute your on cloud nine, and the next, you've been chewed up, spit out, and kicked to the ground with not even a hope or a dream to live for.

Perhaps this is what drew me the most to the world of "The Valley of the Dolls". A world where the problems of the moment can be drowned out by a little red pill and a gulp of scotch. An amazingly written book, with amazing characters that you fall in love with from the very start. Unfortunately, they love themselves more than you could ever love them. They never would be able to understand that you loved them even when they didn't. A pity, really.

All this reading...

I'm already starting to think about how I am going to come up with 100 books to read (50 that I haven't read before)! It is a daunting thought. Especially when I haven't been reading like I used to. Anyway, came across this blog today and I decide that their "Super Ultra Amazing Must Read Book List" (which is only 2 books long at the moment) would be a good place to start. :-)

#93 - Obtain copies (1st edition, if possible) of the Harry Potter books I don't have. (2/4)

Last night after my tap class, I made a craigslist run. First Edition copies of both Goblet of Fire and Prisoner of Azkaban! Very excited. They are in very good condition - never read - but stamped with "Not for resale - Bookspan". I'm not sure what that means. Both are stamped on the top edge of the pages. GoF has a slight cut in the cover and PoA's jacket is slightly ripped, but has been taped. All in all, a good deal for $20.

Now I just need to find first editions of SS and CoS. We shall see...

#73 - Try 5 new non-chain restaurants. (1/5)

On Friday night, Mike and I went to Evergreen Chinese Buffet which is off of the Union Deposit Road exit on I-83. My co-workers had raved about the place, so I figured we should finally try it - especially since we were thinking Chinese for dinner already.

Honestly, I wasn't that impressed. It's not more special or better than any of the other Chinese buffet places in the area, and it's hard to get to and kinda run down. I'd rather just go to the place that is up on 22 or something. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't worth the extra trouble. It was $9.95 or something per person which is also normal for the area - especially for a weekend night (Although, JUMBO Buffet is more expensive... but they are JUMBO).

But, I completed a fifth of this "thing" and I didn't even do it on purpose!

#83 - Find a new pair of sneakers.

I "found" out that I had 2 perfect good and awesome and fitting and such pairs of sneakers at my parent's house. They are hand-me-downs from Albert. It is so strange to me that my little brother is growing out of his clothes and giving them to me. I think his feet grew a size the week after my mom bought these shoes for him, so they are barely even worn. I completely despise shopping for shoes, so it is awesome that they fit me so nicely. I even wore one of the pairs to Wegmans on Sunday. Very comfortable.

This is the first item that I completed! YAY!

#46 - Read 10 books recommended by friends, no questions asked.

This one is pretty straight forward, but first I need suggestions of books! I'd like to do one book, per person to start off, so comment with a book you would recommend I read.

1) Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn (Recommended by Jacquin)
2) Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About, by Mil Millington (Recommended by Melissa)
3)The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin (Recommended by "Matthew") (I've read this before, but I never had a rule about reading books that I've read before, so it's in!)
4)The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, by Edward Tufte (Recommended by Adam)
5)The Lake of Dead Languages, by Carol Goodman (Recommended by Heather)
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#61 - Frame and hang my Jim Craig poster

Well, framing a poster that is 12x18 is waaaaaay harder than it should be. I went to Michael's the other week and they said that it was an "irregular size" and that they only carried 1 frame - which was gold leaf and like $70. HAHA, no. I think my Jim Craig poster would take one look at it and say "WTF!?!". Anyway, I just ordered a custom frame from http://wholesaleposterframes.com. Once that comes in, I'll have to put it together, get the poster in the frame, and then decide where to hang it (although, I have a general idea). So, I'm 1/4 of the way finished with this one!

# 76 - Change the beneficiary on my 401k plan.

Well, I got the ball rolling on this one just now. I thought maybe I could update it from my fidelity account online, but it seems that we have NO FEATURES AT ALL on whatever plan my employer chose. It is really annoying. It makes me wish it was with Vanguard. *sigh*

The first post... what it's all about!

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.