New Year Orientation

Hello 2011, welcome to my life. Together, we will explore the final year of my 20s and the first few weeks of my third decade on Earth.

Your predecessor, 2010, was agreeable on the whole but supplied its fair dose of heartache (see eHarmony adventures in the first quarter and death in the family in Q2). I appreciated however, the perspective 2010 gave me. We didn't always agree, but I usually walked away feeling I had learned something and gained new, valuable insight. I give a lot of credit to 2010 for personal growth in the area of wisdom. And, it was nothing like the doozie known as 2009. I suppose we all encounter years like that from time to time.

2011, I feel I should give you some idea as to what I want to get out of you, the vision I have for you. I can't just expect you to read my mind and deliver. That said, it is still early and I haven't completely formalized my plans for you. I usually like to review and tweak on a quarterly basis. We will have regular planning meetings, opportunities to touch base, etc.

To begin, I'd like to take on a new novel writing project, likely this month, as I did with 2010. This time around though I'd like to take five weeks to complete it, which would mean committing to 10,000/week. In my first attempt I went in without much of a plan. The result was a positive experience, but not a product I was terribly happy with. I'd like to improve the product but still keep to a tight schedule as I feel it was key to sticking with the project and seeing it through to completion. I've already signed up for  a January 22 writers workshop at which I will have to have something to share.

I have finished paying for Truck which means that I will have an extra $475 to my name each month. I would like to invest this money in retirement savings, home improvements and personal improvements. For home improvements I'd like to paint my kitchen and install new flooring. I had thought that I might like to do this in January also, but perhaps I am being too ambitious with loading all these goals in your first month. I may push this goal back to February or March, although, you should know, I have already begun research on this.

For personal improvements there are some courses I am considering through Continuing Education. I need to look again at when they are being offered. I will get back to you on this one.

I'm also interested in investing in a heart rate monitor for use during my workouts at the gym. I've made going to the gym a regular habit and would now like to focus on getting the most out of my workouts by ensuring that I am exercising at the level I need to be in order to attain my fitness goals. Right now I am looking at the miCoach Pace Bundle by Adidas. It retails in Canada for $169.99. The sooner I pick out a monitor, the sooner I can get serious about my fitness goals, so this is another possible goal for January. Until then, I'll do my best with just placing my fingers on my neck.

There is one more personal improvement investment I have in mind. I've had some thought about giving eH another shot. Lisa's on there still and got a good subscription price. If I could get the same price I'd do it. Overall it was a fun experience for 2010 and made for good blogging.

Finally, 2011 you are shaping up to be a good year because on the weekend I got an email from my good old friend OAF announcing his plan to travel across Canada by bike. He will begin in April in B.C. and tentatively has plans to arrive in Manitoba by May. 2011, this is super exciting. I haven't seen OAF since he was NYF in 2008. I have already responded to OAF to let him know I'd be happy to be his ambassador to Manitoba and provide him with a bed and fridge full of beer upon his arrival to Winnipeg. More details on this to come as he finalizes his plans.

So 2011, that's what I have in mind so far. I trust this is enough for you to get going. No doubt you are already planning some surprises--both pleasant and unpleasant to make the next 12 months interesting. I usually try not to rely on you too much to supply inspiration and paths, however, I am considering testing out a more "whichever way the wind blows" approach with you to change things up a bit. I feel some of the previous years have taught me to keep my eyes and options wide open to maximize opportunity for full enjoyment.

I truly do have a good feeling about you, 2011. I am sure we will accomplish a lot together before your time is up.