99 Problems - One of them being Laziness

So I could lie and say that I’ve been on hiatus due to some spectacular adventure or some meaningful sojourn, but of course, it really has only been because I’m lazy. (or perhaps unwilling to sit for an extended period of time and ruminate on my own neurotic personality!) That being said, at least I have only reneged on my commitment to CHRONICLE my “comeback” - I have managed to actually DO a few things that I hope will bring me closer to being the being of my dreams.

One of those things stemmed from a small blog entry on Gapers Block that highlighted a girl named Jessi who had started a blog called My99Problems. Her goal was to choose 99 things to accomplish over the course of the year. In her words:

“This past December, I regretfully declared to several co-workers that I would start a blog. My initial thoughts were that I would simply keep a journal type of blog, but C said “You need to have a goal before you start, otherwise you won’t keep it up.

So I decided, because I frequently say I will do something but don’t follow through, this would be a perfect time to start a blog about my goals (which I am calling problems, more on that later). Having my goals for the year in writing not only holds me accountable for them, but acts as a perpetual to-do list.”

As a non-follower-througher from way back, this of course struck a chord with me and I decided to give her system a shot! But since I already find my journaling slightly narcissistic, I’m not going to blog about it – I’m just going to work on it and if anything interesting transpires in the process, perhaps I’ll give an update. Here’s the list so far:

99 Things for 2008

THE MEANINGLESS CATEGORY:

1) Re-learn how to have a conversation
I am hoping that this is not the result of some latent neurological disorder (although I should keep that on the radar just in case) or from being beaten down about my inability to tell a story (ahem…) but as of late I am completely unable to even answer a simple question, let alone hold a meaningful discourse, without struggling. What’s up with that??

2) Re-learn how to walk in high heels
Obviously this will be on-going, but between graduated heels and my new orthodics, I’m shooting for a killer pair by New Year’s! (I mean really – what 39 year old can’t walk in heels???)

3-9) TBD!

THE HEART CATEGORY:

10) Write one letter per month.
One real, handwritten letter. To 12 different people. Since it is April, this month I need to write 4!

11) Leave a server a really big tip in proportion to the ticket

12) Use the Steve Chandler “Call List”.
Write a list of everyone who is important to me. Include their addresses, phone numbers & emails, and contact someone off the list every day.

13) Find lost friends.
Like Liz…

14) Make one friend date per month.
Aim to make it fun, unusual, and something that sparkles on the calendar.

15-19) TBD!

THE HEALTHY CATEGORY:

20) Walk Dougal every day.
Good for me, sure – but important for him. Besides, he deserves it!

21) Ride my bike to work 2 days a week for the entire summer and then some...

22) Lose 15 pounds
Not to much, but enough to feel healthy and able to reassess.

23) Find a Doctor and an Ob/Gyn AND GO!
I mean, really.

24) Continue with dental work.
They’ll never get all fixed unless I keep going.

25) Fall in love with Exercise
Not as unrealistic as it sounds…

26) Be able to do 20 pushups by my 40th birthday
Regular ones!

27-29) TBD.

THE GET SMART CATEGORY:

30) Learn Basic Spanish.
Or maybe Italian – but Spanish is much more practical. Investigate the library. CDs for car?

31) Read, Read, Read
Nuff said.

32) Take a class
Any class.

33) Re-evaluate my relationship with the media

34) Go on a Gossip Diet

35) Be an informed voter in November
Know positions on all candidates and vote from the brain as well as the gut.

36-39) TBD

THE FOOD CATEGORY:

40) Organize cookbooks and recipes
Make a file for all loose recipes and create a USEABLE resource. That being said…

41) Make 1 new recipe per week.
Preferably together.

42) Eat Fresh Food
Support Wednesday Farmers Markets in Winfield

43) Look for sustainable food options
www . localharvest . com

44) Try one new restaurant per month
With new people if necessary – it doesn’t have to be expensive, just different.

45) Throw a Tapas Party
We have the cookbooks and pans...

46-49) TBD!

THE FINANCIAL CATEGORY:

50) Increase what I’m savings by 25% per month.
Which is 25% more than nothing, so I’ll have to work out an amount.

51) Go on a buying “fast”
Simplify. What do I really need??

52) Think about investments/retirement
What can I do within my current constraints?

53) Make a budget
Know where our money is going!!

54) Open a “Rainy Day” bank account.
See #50

55) Apply for and get a credit card
Use and pay each month – shoot to boost credit score above 700 by 2009

56-59) TBD

THE SUGGESTION CATEGORY:

60-69) TBD. This is for when someone says “You’ve got to…”

THE CULTURE VULTURE CATEGORY:

70) Use twice the value of my Art Institute membership
Only 5 visits, not including special tickets! (Hopper & Winslow 5/10, Ruscha 6/1, Bresson fall, etc.)

71) Renew National Geographic Membership
And read it!

72) See one opera at the Lyric
Season starts in September. Get cheap tickets – Tristan & Isolde...Madam Butterfly…Lulu

73) Go to Ravinia
Tickets on sale APRIL 17!

74) Play Bodhran!
Practice! Listen to recordings. Practice! This can be a cool talent.

75) Visit one new museum
The more unusual, the better!

75) Take an Architectural Boat Tour
For $28 during the week, it is a heck of a way to enjoy Chicago in the summer!

76-79) TBD!

THE TRAVEL CATEGORY:

80) Renew Passport!
Because you never know…

81) Be a Tourist at Home
Spend 48 hours being a tourist in Chicago – Sears Tower anyone?

82) Visit Maureen in MD
Take the Cruiser for a ride!

83-89) TBD

THE RANDOM CATEGORY:

90) Take LOTS and LOTS of pictures
Fill the photo diary!

91-99) TBD… lots TBD…