New Year’s Resolutions

[photosinensis]

This was posted originally at my WordPress blog, here.

The first week of the year isn’t over yet, and I haven’t posted my new year’s resolutions yet.

In years past, I didn’t think I needed to change anything about my life. This year, however, I know there are things that must change. Therefore, I’ve got a list of things I’m going to do to make sure at least some of those changes happen.

1. Until I am employed, engage at least three companies a day, including weekends.

The only exception is when I’m travelling for an interview. If the interview is in Greater Houston, I don’t get the day off. Sending a resume and cover letter counts as engaging a company, as do phone and in-person interviews. If the in-person interview is not in Greater Houston, it fills the day’s quota.

2. Get a new driver’s license.

My driver’s license doesn’t expire until 2014. However, I will need a new one when I leave my parents’ house. There is a preference for this driver’s license to come from a state other than Texas.

3. Start paying down my student loans.

Currently, my parents are paying them. This is not acceptable, and it never really has been.

4. Buy a car.

Unless my employment takes me to New York City and its immediate environment, I’ll need one.

5. Purchase a new computer.

It must run at least Windows and Linux. There is a stated preference for legally running OS X as well.

6. On no day weigh more than 180 pounds, naked and fasting.

I will weigh myself every day. Being over 180 pounds will result in a restricted diet for a week from that date, and the restricted diet will continue until I weigh less than 177 pounds, naked and fasting (in the morning).

7. Go to the gym for at least 1 hour three times a week.

Yeah, I’m already behind on that one. Walking for one hour may substitue for a gym visit.

8. Attend a Weight Watchers meeting at least once a week.

If I move, I have one week from the date of initial move-in to find a meeting and two months to find a regular meeting that works for me.

9. Watch at least one new anime series a month.

I need to catch up here. Use bittorrent and buy it if the series was worth watching. Besides, I need some fun.

10. Upon employment, find a social group and join it.

Civic groups count, churches do not. There is a requirement of weekly meetings. I must attend at least one meeting a month.

11. Upon employment, find a church and join it.

I must attend at least two services a month. Between acquiring employment and joining a church, I must attend worship services from at least two different traditions each month. For a tradition to count, it must affirm the Nicene Creed (because that’s how I roll personally). I must take notes and blog about the experience. If I should choose to join a traditional church that requires new confirmation before joining, enrolling in adult confirmation classes will suffice for this requirement.

Those are my resolutions. The last two may be deferred as long as I am making an honest effort to find a satisfactory group or church.