Wk18: Postcard

Nothing interesting to brag about, so I didn't send a card. 

Wk17: Easter with the G/F's family

The traditional Easter egg hunt was brought back for my enjoyment at Renee's Easter event.  As an added twist, we were allowed to hide mini bottles of wine for the adults. 

WK16: Insanity Workout

We started the workout because it promises results without weights or other equipment.  The moves are hard, but not impossible and rather than advancing with reps or weights, the programs tests us with intensity.  We are a week in and already feel more flexible. 

Wk15: Angels Game

The after-school program at Renee's Mom's elementary school went on a field trip the the L.A. Angels game and we got to go as chaperons.  There were several other schools from the district there and we all took up most of a section.  Everyone got a ticket, promo hat, and a hot dog and soda.  The adults also got the experience of playing banker for the kids and bathroom monitor.  All the students were well behaved and think they all really enjoyed the winning game.

Wk14: Moved In

I have my printer and we have moved into a new place.  I don't know if the former owner had some money to throw around or was a "artist" but the cross in the driveway can be seen from space and is etched into the cement.  On the plus side, it does make the house easy to find. 

Wk13: No Sent Postcard

So, it is an excuse, but I'm waiting on a power cord I had to reorder so I can print postcards at home.  My desire to make my own cards with pictures of what I'm doing is my little excuse every week.  The cord it ordered, so my fingers are crossed that I can start printing soon. 

Wk12: Post Office Fail

I was in D.C. and I thought that would make for an interesting postcard.  FAIL.  I tried to buy postcard stamps, but the post office I went to was only handling pick-ups and they would not let me "pick-up" some stamps.  Whatever. I went to a bar instead and watched March Madness instead; I thought my mom would still approve. 

Wk11: Poster

Boring.

Wk10: posty

Same old, same old.

Wk9: post

Nothing interesting, so nothing to send out. 

Wk8: Postcard

Nothing to report, nothing to send.

Wk7: Posted

Man I need to really try harder. . .

Wk6: Post-poned

Nothing new done, so nothing new to send. 

Wk5: Postcard

Sorry Mom, nothing new this week. 

Wk4: post

I'll find something interesting to write home about next week.  Nothing but boring errands and job applications this week. 

Wk3: No Post

I didn't do anything postcard worthy this week; maybe next week.

Wk2: Oregon

Oregon in the winter is green and rainy.  I thought I could handle the rain, but I just don't like the constant wetness of the day.  I even had to buy a rain jacket for the first time in my life.  I was told that for three months out of the year, the state is beautiful and would try to lure you to moving there.  January is not when that happens.  Maybe I'll visit in the summer.

Wk1: Big Bear Lake

I went snowboarding at Snow Valley and I figured that was something to write home about.  The mountain just got some fresh snow and because everyone thinks of Bear Mountain or Snow Summit for Southern California snowplay, Snow Valley is offering half off codes all over (billboards, radio spots, etc).  I paid $27 for a full day lift ticket.  Beautiful weather that, if it wasn't for the perfect slopes, could be called spring conditions, and the short lift lines made for a great day.  I think the most I waited in line was at mid-way, where the wait was for a free chair, not the person in front of you.  I will say that the back side of the mountain wasn't open (lack of customers), but I was never bored and some employees told me that it could open for the weekend.  I will be going back either way. 

On the way home I drove around Big Bear Lake and I must say, the postcard picture shows what the lake looked like. 

Postcards

This is just to stay in touch.  I plan on doing some interesting things this year and I want to keep my folks in the loop.  I feel that while I can post pictures online or Skype my parents, it is the old fashioned snail-mail that delivers the most basic bang.  Everyone likes to get mail that is not a bill or advertisement and I think I can concisely summarize myself in the space of a post card.  While people can probably guess what I wrote, I will not post its contents here.  Instead, I will put up the picture of the postcard that was sent.  I'll let the picture tell the first thousand words.

Week:

1. Big Bear Lake
2. Oregon 
3. *No Post 
4. *Unpost 
5. *Sorry 
6. *Post-poned 
7. *Posted
8. *Postcard
9. *Post
10. *Posty
11. *Poster
12. *Post Office Fail
13. *No Sent Postcard
14. Moved In
15. Angels Game  
16. Insanity Workout 
17. Easter Egg Hunt 
18. *Postcard 

The Resolution: The Challenge

I want to make a difference in 2011 and no single resolution will suffice.  Rather than make one iffy, generic resolution that will either be too hard to complete or too easy to be considered worthwhile, I'm going to set multiple weekly goals over the whole year.  I want to do the following once a week, every week:
- Read a new book
- Patron a new-to-me, local restaurant
- Brave a new bar
- Try a new beer
- Try a new wine
- Make a new recipe
- Send a postcard to my mom
- Donate to a charity

In the end, I will have done each 52 times over the 52 weeks in a year.  Most are just interesting things that I've been trying to do for a while; like I can't even count of how many local restaurants I pass everyday as I go to the same-old places again.  A few will be real challenges; for example I have started to read more frequently, but my book wish-list keeps getting longer.  I really look forward to the ones that will help others; such as finding more than several charities that could benefit from a new donor.  I really just want to set a good goal and finish it next year.

The general rules:
I have from 12:00 a.m. Sunday to 11:59 p.m. Saturday to complete each task for the week.  These times will be based on whichever time zone I happen to be in on those days.  2011 makes it easy to follow this schedule as I will have 52 full weeks, with only January 1, as a by-day.  This blog will be used as a way to keep my accountable and then document my progress.  Finally, the most important rule is that I want these to be new things.