We had our first weekend in Charlotte last weekend and it was very nice. Saturday we ran a lot of errands including car maintenance and some shopping. Whilst waiting we found a small but neat European bodega. We also went to the local library which is very nice. We put some books on hold and then went home. For date night we ate a very nice meal in, and Julia cooked some Salmon which I argue was as good as any restaurant we have ever eaten at. Sunday we stayed in and it was very very nice. We watched Dr. Who and the first five minutes of Southland Tales...and decided not to watch Southland Tales.
We also got hit by the Ragnarok snowstorm and I worked from home Wed, Thur and Friday. I was going to work from Star Bucks Wed, but finally figured out how to get my work computer to work on our internet at home. It was awesome. We were quite comfortable and ate well and enjoyed each others company. No mail. No stores. We were a lot luckier than some though, since we had power, heat and water the entire time.
Friday we went to Atlanta and went to Wayne and Helen's wedding reception. It was full of lanterns, sparklers and glow sticks with some fantastic Gelato and other deserts. Saturday we had our valentine's day dinner at Leon's and celebrated Skip's birthday with Carrot Cake. Sunday we had a fantastic egg and hashbrown breakfast and then came home.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Trip to Washington D.C.
We've been slowly moving in and getting used to Charlotte. I'm enjoying taking the train to and from work, which saves me $2 a day on parking fees. The monthly deal would save me more of course, but since I only have to go into the office three days a week that doesn't quite up. Not that I have anything at all to complain about mind you. Indeed, I'm enjoying my job quite a bit, and am hopeful to go Permanent in the next few weeks.
We left early Saturday morning and were able to see the Natural History museum at the Smithsonian. It was really incredible. I particularly enjoyed the David Koch evolutionary science center, which was colorful and historic. It did an excellent job of presenting the evolutionary progression of mankind and exhibited a profound understanding of our natural development. It was exactly the kind of center for science that all museums should be. We later went to the Castle and saw several souvenirs and random knickknacks the museum had collected over the years. We also walked to the Jefferson Memorial, which was quite a profound spiritual experience for me, especially reading the quotes on the walls. Those quotes are far away from the Mall of Washington though, across the Potomic and disconnected with the mires that the White House, the Supreme Court and the Capital Dome have that seems to ignore the populace at large. We went back to the hotel and enjoyed an evening of peace.
Sunday was all about the Kennedy Center and the Marienski performing Swan Lake. It was quite good. We had dinner at the Bistro Francais, which quite expensive but good. Besides, its our two year anniversary of knowing each other so spending a little was worth it. Afterward, we came home and watched the Super Bowl. Which is to say, we switched back and forth a lot between the puppy bowl and commercials. The half time special was decidedly better than last year.
Monday we drove part of the way out of the city to avoid being caught in rush hour traffic, where I worked for four hours from Starbucks in Barnes and Noble. Julia worked on school work while we waited. We got back Monday night and a grateful and well adjusted Sacha was very glad to see us. On the whole, it was a fantastic trip.
We left early Saturday morning and were able to see the Natural History museum at the Smithsonian. It was really incredible. I particularly enjoyed the David Koch evolutionary science center, which was colorful and historic. It did an excellent job of presenting the evolutionary progression of mankind and exhibited a profound understanding of our natural development. It was exactly the kind of center for science that all museums should be. We later went to the Castle and saw several souvenirs and random knickknacks the museum had collected over the years. We also walked to the Jefferson Memorial, which was quite a profound spiritual experience for me, especially reading the quotes on the walls. Those quotes are far away from the Mall of Washington though, across the Potomic and disconnected with the mires that the White House, the Supreme Court and the Capital Dome have that seems to ignore the populace at large. We went back to the hotel and enjoyed an evening of peace.
Sunday was all about the Kennedy Center and the Marienski performing Swan Lake. It was quite good. We had dinner at the Bistro Francais, which quite expensive but good. Besides, its our two year anniversary of knowing each other so spending a little was worth it. Afterward, we came home and watched the Super Bowl. Which is to say, we switched back and forth a lot between the puppy bowl and commercials. The half time special was decidedly better than last year.
Monday we drove part of the way out of the city to avoid being caught in rush hour traffic, where I worked for four hours from Starbucks in Barnes and Noble. Julia worked on school work while we waited. We got back Monday night and a grateful and well adjusted Sacha was very glad to see us. On the whole, it was a fantastic trip.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Life in Charlotte
My what an interesting few weeks. We have started life in our new apartment. The move went well, though we had to bump it once due to rainfall. That meant I spent the week in a new but empty apartment. The next week I loaded everything with Skip on Saturday and drove the U Haul to Julia's parents place that night. Alan, Phillip, Diane, Julia and I loaded up the truck on Sunday. Skip helped secure my stuff and I learned his techniques using cord on securing Julia's stuff. Apparently I did a good job since I was complimented on it.
To get there in time for the movers to unload the truck, I had to leave at 3:30 in the morning, which set a pattern of odd hours for the whole week. I got an offer to do a focus group in Atlanta on Thursday but to do that and get my 40 hours still in, I got up at 5:30 on Wed and Thursday and 6:45 today. But after that I intend to spend the weekend celebrating my Birthday and Julia agrees with me.
The new place is quite nice. We've run errands and begun unpacking but found time to be together. Dinner is an important ritual for each day. For example, Wednesday, even though I had to work 12 hours I took a break in the middle ate with her and then worked the remaining two hours at Starbucks while she did her school work. I'm looking forward to next week being a bit calmer.
To get there in time for the movers to unload the truck, I had to leave at 3:30 in the morning, which set a pattern of odd hours for the whole week. I got an offer to do a focus group in Atlanta on Thursday but to do that and get my 40 hours still in, I got up at 5:30 on Wed and Thursday and 6:45 today. But after that I intend to spend the weekend celebrating my Birthday and Julia agrees with me.
The new place is quite nice. We've run errands and begun unpacking but found time to be together. Dinner is an important ritual for each day. For example, Wednesday, even though I had to work 12 hours I took a break in the middle ate with her and then worked the remaining two hours at Starbucks while she did her school work. I'm looking forward to next week being a bit calmer.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
2014 Goals
It was the best of years. It was the worst of years.
The Good: Wonderful marriage to my beloved. Fantastic Honeymoon in Kona, Hawaii. 1 week in Portland Oregon. Fun at Dragoncon. Finished Forever West, best novel yet. Trip to Miami. Quality family time w Carlsons and Lawson/Huffman. Wrote 2-3 good short stories. Vastly improved in Naked City Readings. Julia surviving Strategic Management. Julia getting 4.0 in Fall 2013. Julia internship 2013. Job at Wells Fargo. Jeckle Island. Escaping the Library of Death. Almost at Tier 1 Reserve.
The Bad: Strategic Management. Family Drama. Crypt Keeper. Dragons on Tarmac. Violation of the Drama Directive (STTNG). Ikea Beds. Spiders in the Sugar Factory (inspiration not the actual poem.) Longest unemployment gap ever. The Library of Death. Julia being laid off twice.
The Ugly: Red Anvil Creative. Red Anvil Tagging. Tossing Grenades at Windmills Podcast. Strategic Management. Back and Forth from Charlotte. Pointless interview in Miami. Pointless interview in South Carolina. Nasty disappointment after nasty disappointment during gap. Problems that many loved ones and friends had without being able to do anythings.
Goals for 2014.
Tom
Given how many I was not able to make, even with mitigating circumstances, especially upon missing the primary goal of weight which I have missed for two years in a row, I am reducing my goal count to 5, avoiding any bucket list in 2014, and keep it simple, maybe adding a few incidentals if on track in July.
1. Get to 250 lbs and stay there.
2. Do 8 Belly Dancing Classes with Julia.
3. Finish "I, Ashera" poem.
4. Get at least 1 of Minor PMP/Minor BA Cert/Scrum Cert.
5. Project Schlurp.
Julia
1. Maintain A's in MLS.
2. If no full time job, take 2 classes each semester.
3. Maintain food journal 82%.
4. Project Meep.
5.Get a job or Make Red Anvil Tagging work.
Marriage
1. Date night 1/week.
2. Continue communicating properly.
3. Trip 1/month
4. Reach Reserve Level 4.
5. Teach Tom to Cook.
6. Successfully do move.
The Good: Wonderful marriage to my beloved. Fantastic Honeymoon in Kona, Hawaii. 1 week in Portland Oregon. Fun at Dragoncon. Finished Forever West, best novel yet. Trip to Miami. Quality family time w Carlsons and Lawson/Huffman. Wrote 2-3 good short stories. Vastly improved in Naked City Readings. Julia surviving Strategic Management. Julia getting 4.0 in Fall 2013. Julia internship 2013. Job at Wells Fargo. Jeckle Island. Escaping the Library of Death. Almost at Tier 1 Reserve.
The Bad: Strategic Management. Family Drama. Crypt Keeper. Dragons on Tarmac. Violation of the Drama Directive (STTNG). Ikea Beds. Spiders in the Sugar Factory (inspiration not the actual poem.) Longest unemployment gap ever. The Library of Death. Julia being laid off twice.
The Ugly: Red Anvil Creative. Red Anvil Tagging. Tossing Grenades at Windmills Podcast. Strategic Management. Back and Forth from Charlotte. Pointless interview in Miami. Pointless interview in South Carolina. Nasty disappointment after nasty disappointment during gap. Problems that many loved ones and friends had without being able to do anythings.
Goals for 2014.
Tom
Given how many I was not able to make, even with mitigating circumstances, especially upon missing the primary goal of weight which I have missed for two years in a row, I am reducing my goal count to 5, avoiding any bucket list in 2014, and keep it simple, maybe adding a few incidentals if on track in July.
1. Get to 250 lbs and stay there.
2. Do 8 Belly Dancing Classes with Julia.
3. Finish "I, Ashera" poem.
4. Get at least 1 of Minor PMP/Minor BA Cert/Scrum Cert.
5. Project Schlurp.
Julia
1. Maintain A's in MLS.
2. If no full time job, take 2 classes each semester.
3. Maintain food journal 82%.
4. Project Meep.
5.Get a job or Make Red Anvil Tagging work.
Marriage
1. Date night 1/week.
2. Continue communicating properly.
3. Trip 1/month
4. Reach Reserve Level 4.
5. Teach Tom to Cook.
6. Successfully do move.
2013 Goal Review
Goals
2013
Physical
Primary: Get to 250lbs by July 20th. - Shifting to End of year. Can do. Will do.
Physical
Primary: Get to 250lbs by July 20th. - Shifting to End of year. Can do. Will do.
D+. Mitigating
Circumstances.
Secondary: Go to 60 Yoga Classes.
C.
Started out strong, ended weak. Mitigating
Circumstances.
Mental
Primary: Read the following 6 books:
B+ 4 out 6.
Mental
Primary: Read the following 6 books:
B+ 4 out 6.
Secondary: Learn 48 French phrases.
F.
Emotional
Primary: Abstain from Paranoia
A-
Secondary: Continue optimism
A.
Spiritual
Primary: Write one poem a month in soul forging. A-
Social
Primary: Take Julia dancing 12 times in 2013.
Spiritual
Primary: Write one poem a month in soul forging. A-
Social
Primary: Take Julia dancing 12 times in 2013.
B-.
Mitigating.
Secondary: Hang out with friends at least once a week. A+
First Life: Retired.
Second Life
Primary Goal: Finish Forever West by the end of the year. A+
Secondary Goal: Write Tossing Grenades at Windmills in National Novel Writing Month. N/A
F. While mitigating, still choked.
Third Life
Primary Goal: Operation RUR schedued for production in an actual physical location charging money for admittance at least once by the end of 2013. N/A
Secondary Goal: Film Project Chaylite in 2013 or another short film.
Secondary: Hang out with friends at least once a week. A+
First Life: Retired.
Second Life
Primary Goal: Finish Forever West by the end of the year. A+
Secondary Goal: Write Tossing Grenades at Windmills in National Novel Writing Month. N/A
F. While mitigating, still choked.
Third Life
Primary Goal: Operation RUR schedued for production in an actual physical location charging money for admittance at least once by the end of 2013. N/A
Secondary Goal: Film Project Chaylite in 2013 or another short film.
Scuttled
due to lack of interest w. partner. A on my part.
Fourth Life
Primary Goal: Initiate Project Horribly Inappropriate and remake yearly investment budget in RAA.
Completed.
Secondary Goal: Project Red Attack Tagging viable for its intended goal.
Parameters: Website, trial with 5-6, hire 1-2 agents.
Current: N/A
Fifth Life
Primary Goal: Project Chysalis II.
A+
Secondary Goal: Decide and Enact the Year of the Kane Eagle.
Completed. A.
Sixth Life
Primary Goal: Write in Eagle as Phoenix Once a Week.
B-. Mitigating.
Secondary Goal: Operation Evict Reed.
N/A. I've looked but no outlet visible. Will keep looking.
Incidentals
Earn my PMP.
**Investigated. Defaulting until 2014 due to advice. Starting document recreation in 2 weeks.
Write the script for Earth and Sea and Star and Sky.
**Not done but doable.
Write the League of Christmas Darkness Dodecaology.
**C.
Reach the half way mark in the Egress fund.
A+
Somehow make the Mosaic Inglemia campaign idea work.
A
Fourth Life
Primary Goal: Initiate Project Horribly Inappropriate and remake yearly investment budget in RAA.
Completed.
Secondary Goal: Project Red Attack Tagging viable for its intended goal.
Parameters: Website, trial with 5-6, hire 1-2 agents.
Current: N/A
Fifth Life
Primary Goal: Project Chysalis II.
A+
Secondary Goal: Decide and Enact the Year of the Kane Eagle.
Completed. A.
Sixth Life
Primary Goal: Write in Eagle as Phoenix Once a Week.
B-. Mitigating.
Secondary Goal: Operation Evict Reed.
N/A. I've looked but no outlet visible. Will keep looking.
Incidentals
Earn my PMP.
**Investigated. Defaulting until 2014 due to advice. Starting document recreation in 2 weeks.
Write the script for Earth and Sea and Star and Sky.
**Not done but doable.
Write the League of Christmas Darkness Dodecaology.
**C.
Reach the half way mark in the Egress fund.
A+
Somehow make the Mosaic Inglemia campaign idea work.
A
Average: B. Would be C+ or F but mitigating circumstance were extreme.
Julia's
Goals
1. Get straight A's in her classes toward her MLS degree.
1. Get straight A's in her classes toward her MLS degree.
*A+.
One B+ and 3 A's and the B+ was psychotically hard.
- Lose 10lbs by July 20, 2013.C-. Great effort but no results but still looked fantastic. (Julia gave herself an F...I strongly disagree)
3. Stay physically afterwards and maintain that.A-. Julia gives herself.
4. Obtain a full time job.
B+
Average:
A-
Marriage
Goals
1. Remain patient and communicative in our relationship.
1. Remain patient and communicative in our relationship.
A.
- Datenight at least once a week.A.
3. Successfully complete and ENJOY the wedding.A+
4. Decide Starter City.
A+.
Prep city decided (Charlotte). Goal city decided (Kona). Plan B
not so much.
Average:
A+
Life
Goals - "At some point"
1. See the Louvre.
**2015.
2. Travel around the world on a one way trip. Japan, Australia, India, Egypt, London, Italy and Hawaii.
** Goal to see all by 2018. Egypt pending political situation.
3. Learn a martial art.
**Done
5. Assemble a band for a tour based on music written by me.
6. Start a successful business.
Started in 2011. "Success" is determined in this case by an operating profit of 400% invested capital or $10000. 2011-2015. Otherwise 'failure' and goal removed from dock.
**I'm trying a lot here, but the results aren't being kind. But I still have 2 more years.
**Red Anvil Tagging has a great deal of potential given invested capital. This could prove an exception since it is a separate business than Red Anvil Creative.
7. Learn a musical instrument.
Slated 2016
8. Sculpt something memorable.
9. Create or help create a graphic novel.
**Completed. [And also permanently dead :( ]
10. Own a plane, sailboat, taught or ultralight and learn to pilot/sail it.
11. Write seven novels.
**5 of 7 done.
13. Go on a cruise.
2015-2016.
14. Organize a convention on SOMETHING.
16. Build a house (not necessarily my own.)
17. Own my own home (all own, no mortgage)
Slated 2019-2020.
18. Have a room with a secret passage
23. Be in a flash mob dance number.
2015
26. Live the fifth life (who knows what that is)
Doing.
27. Ditto the sixth.
Doing.
28. Ditto the seventh.
Doing.
47. Finish 7 films. (3 out of 7 completed).
2016.
48. Enter a remote controlled airplane tournament and place in the upper half.
49. Enter a competitive Kite contest (the kind with the razors on the wings.)
50. Blow something up with Dynamite. (Legally)
52. Hypnotize someone.
Done. 2013.
53. Firewalk.
54. Visit the Library of Congress
2014.
55. Complete 7 Projects of Significance. [1 of 7 done.]
1) Project Chrysalis and Chrysalis II are go.
If the right door opens....(ie interesting goals that either depend on another person or a significant amount of wealth that may never happen but that I want to write down)
29. Marry the Right Person. [2013]
Done
30. Establish a business empire dedicated to a not for profit foundation.
31. Visit (but do not live in) Space.
32. Buy my own island.
35. Create a functional and profitable news network that actually produces what is independent.
36. Create an institution to focus on pure research.
38. "" Neurological regeneration.
39. Paid Angel agents to quietly and anonymously do good.
40. Create a series of libraries (10) dedicate to principles original to libraries. Secular sanctuaries and temples to knowledge.
43. Breed dogs to live twice as long
44. Create 3 patents.
45. Own and that is entirely self-sufficient w. energy, food and other items.
46. Become a Father.
1. See the Louvre.
**2015.
2. Travel around the world on a one way trip. Japan, Australia, India, Egypt, London, Italy and Hawaii.
** Goal to see all by 2018. Egypt pending political situation.
3. Learn a martial art.
**Done
5. Assemble a band for a tour based on music written by me.
6. Start a successful business.
Started in 2011. "Success" is determined in this case by an operating profit of 400% invested capital or $10000. 2011-2015. Otherwise 'failure' and goal removed from dock.
**I'm trying a lot here, but the results aren't being kind. But I still have 2 more years.
**Red Anvil Tagging has a great deal of potential given invested capital. This could prove an exception since it is a separate business than Red Anvil Creative.
7. Learn a musical instrument.
Slated 2016
8. Sculpt something memorable.
9. Create or help create a graphic novel.
**Completed. [And also permanently dead :( ]
10. Own a plane, sailboat, taught or ultralight and learn to pilot/sail it.
11. Write seven novels.
**5 of 7 done.
13. Go on a cruise.
2015-2016.
14. Organize a convention on SOMETHING.
16. Build a house (not necessarily my own.)
17. Own my own home (all own, no mortgage)
Slated 2019-2020.
18. Have a room with a secret passage
23. Be in a flash mob dance number.
2015
26. Live the fifth life (who knows what that is)
Doing.
27. Ditto the sixth.
Doing.
28. Ditto the seventh.
Doing.
47. Finish 7 films. (3 out of 7 completed).
2016.
48. Enter a remote controlled airplane tournament and place in the upper half.
49. Enter a competitive Kite contest (the kind with the razors on the wings.)
50. Blow something up with Dynamite. (Legally)
52. Hypnotize someone.
Done. 2013.
53. Firewalk.
54. Visit the Library of Congress
2014.
55. Complete 7 Projects of Significance. [1 of 7 done.]
1) Project Chrysalis and Chrysalis II are go.
If the right door opens....(ie interesting goals that either depend on another person or a significant amount of wealth that may never happen but that I want to write down)
29. Marry the Right Person. [2013]
Done
30. Establish a business empire dedicated to a not for profit foundation.
31. Visit (but do not live in) Space.
32. Buy my own island.
35. Create a functional and profitable news network that actually produces what is independent.
36. Create an institution to focus on pure research.
38. "" Neurological regeneration.
39. Paid Angel agents to quietly and anonymously do good.
40. Create a series of libraries (10) dedicate to principles original to libraries. Secular sanctuaries and temples to knowledge.
43. Breed dogs to live twice as long
44. Create 3 patents.
45. Own and that is entirely self-sufficient w. energy, food and other items.
46. Become a Father.
Slated 2016.
Bucket List (the Bucket in the Bucket….IE, I no longer care about this but might change my mind.)
4. Competitively enter a fencing competition
Bucket List (the Bucket in the Bucket….IE, I no longer care about this but might change my mind.)
4. Competitively enter a fencing competition
51. Join the Masons.
Friday, October 4, 2013
News and Quarterly Goal Check
The good news is that I finally have a job. It has taken over 6 months, longer than any gap in employment I have ever had. I was able to traverse it with Julia's support and the support of friends and family. Skip and Mom, as well as Julia's parents were absolutely vital toward accomplishing this as well. I've done a lot of neat things in this time, but the emotional and financial drain has made a vast scaling back of my goals in an unprecedented fashion. Many will be reduced by 50% to reflect these dire circumstances. I will include more details in future weekly posts.
Goals 2013
Physical
Primary: Get to 250lbs by July 20th. - Shifting to End of year. Can do. Will do.
-Weight fluctuating between 265 and 270. Set goal for end of year at 260 with further reduction next year.
Secondary: Go to 60 Yoga Classes. - At 11. I have started the habit and can make 60 by the end of the year though.
Reset goal level to 25, which puts me at 50% performance thus far.
Mental
Primary: Read the following 6 books:
Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks by Friedrich Nietzsche
Religion within the Limits of Reason Alone by Immanuel Kant
Early Mormonism and the Magic World View D. Michael Quinn
The Complete Works of Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Water of Life - Michael Mead
Reducing this to 3 books. I have already read Nitzche, Kant and Early Mormanism so technically this is done. I've also read 1/2 the water of life. I'm going to read One Hundred Years of solitude and post shakespear to next year.
Secondary: Learn 48 French phrases.
Maintaining this goal in its entirety. Will begin in earnest later this month.
Emotional
Primary: Abstain from Paranoia.B+
Secondary: Continue optimism.B+
No need for reduced scope.
Spiritual
Primary: Write one poem a month in soul forging. B
Reducing, and I will count at the end of the year. 6.
Social
Primary: Take Julia dancing 12 times in 2013. B
Reducing to 6. So far we have done 2.
Secondary: Hang out with friends at least once a week. A
Made impossible to complete due to circumstances.
First Life: Retired.
Second Life
Primary Goal: Finish Forever West by the end of the year. B+
First draft completed.
Secondary Goal: Write Tossing Grenades at Windmills in National Novel Writing Month. N/A
Doing Nanowrmo....unsure if it will be Tossing.
Third Life
Primary Goal: Operation RUR schedued for production in an actual physical location charging money for admittance at least once by the end of 2013. N/A
This was changed to Lunacy. Not in my hands.
Changed to another play and dependent on others, but for efforts to launch..."A". Also replaced by "Join and Participate in Working Title in July 2013."
Failure but excused due to events.
Secondary Goal: Film Project Chaylite in 2013 or another short film.
Scuttled due to lack of interest w. partner. A on my part.
Fourth Life
Primary Goal: Initiate Project Horribly Inappropriate and remake yearly investment budget in RAA.
Completed.
Secondary Goal: Project Red Attack Tagging viable for its intended goal.
Parameters: Website, trial with 5-6, hire 1-2 agents.
Current B
Fifth Life
Primary Goal: Project Chysalis II.
A.
Secondary Goal: Decide and Enact the Year of the Kane Eagle.
Completed. A.
Sixth Life
Primary Goal: Write in Eagle as Phoenix Once a Week.
C-, changing this goal to once a month. Missed Sept. Reducing more. Try to finish up to 50% of constitution by the end of the year.
Secondary Goal: Operation Evict Reed.
N/A. I've looked but no outlet visible. Will keep looking.
Incidentals
Earn my PMP.
**Investigated. Defaulting until 2014 due to advice. Starting document recreation in 2 weeks.
Write the script for Earth and Sea and Star and Sky.
**Not done but doable.
Write the League of Christmas Darkness Dodecaology.
**Way behind on this. Goal is 6 out of 12 by the end of the year.
Reach the half way mark in the Egress fund.
Briefly reached. Unemployment killed. Now N/A
Somehow make the Mosaic Inglemia campaign idea work.
Done. A
Julia's Goals
1. Get straight A's in her classes toward her MLA degree.
2. Lose 10lbs by July 20, 2013.
3. Stay physically afterwards and maintain that.
4. Obtain a full time job.
**These are Julia's to comment on but she looks like she's doing kickass on them to me....
Marriage Goals
1. Remain patient and communicative in our relationship.
2. Datenight at least once a week.
3. Successfully complete and ENJOY the wedding.
4. Decide Starter City.
**1 and 2 are "A-" since there is always room for improvement. 3 is done. 4 is we have a transition city, and a target city, and a secondary city so I'm calling this completed.
Life Goals - "At some point"
1. See the Louvre.
**2015.
2. Travel around the world on a one way trip. Japan, Australia, India, Egypt, London, Italy and Hawaii.
** Goal to see all by 2018. Egypt pending political situation.
3. Learn a martial art.
**Done
5. Assemble a band for a tour based on music written by me.
6. Start a successful business.
Started in 2011. "Success" is determined in this case by an operating profit of 400% invested capital or $10000. 2011-2015. Otherwise 'failure' and goal removed from dock.
**I'm trying a lot here, but the results aren't being kind. But I still have 2 more years.
**Red Anvil Tagging has a great deal of potential given invested capital. This could prove an exception since it is a separate business than Red Anvil Creative.
7. Learn a musical instrument.
Slated 2015
8. Sculpt something memorable.
9. Create or help create a graphic novel.
**Completed. [And also permanently dead :( ]
10. Own a plane, sailboat, taught or ultralight and learn to pilot/sail it.
11. Write seven novels.
**5 of 7 done. 5th and 6th slated for 2013
13. Go on a cruise.
2015-2016.
14. Organize a convention on SOMETHING.
16. Build a house (not necessarily my own.)
17. Own my own home (all own, no mortgage)
Slated 2018-2019.
18. Have a room with a secret passage
Slated 2018-2019.
23. Be in a flash mob dance number.
2014
26. Live the fifth life (who knows what that is)
Doing.
27. Ditto the sixth.
Doing.
28. Ditto the seventh.
Doing.
47. Finish 7 films. (3 out of 7 completed).
2015.
48. Enter a remote controlled airplane tournament and place in the upper half.
49. Enter a competitive Kite contest (the kind with the razors on the wings.)
50. Blow something up with Dynamite. (Legally)
51. Join the Masons.
2014. Maybe.
52. Hypnotize someone.
Done.
53. Firewalk.
54. Visit the Library of Congress
2014.
55. Complete 7 Projects of Significance. [1 of 7 done.]
Project Chrysalis and Chrysalis II are go. Working on Chrysalis III.
If the right door opens....(ie interesting goals that either depend on another person or a significant amount of wealth that may never happen but that I want to write down)
29. Marry the Right Person. [2013]
Done! :D
30. Establish a business empire dedicated to a not for profit foundation.
31. Visit (but do not live in) Space.
32. Buy my own island.
35. Create a functional and profitable news network that actually produces what is independent.
36. Create an institution to focus on pure research.
38. "" Neurological regeneration.
39. Paid Angel agents to quietly and anonymously do good.
40. Create a series of libraries (10) dedicate to principles original to libraries. Secular sanctuaries and temples to knowledge.
43. Breed dogs to live twice as long
**Strangely some people are surprisingly responsive to this. This might move to more realistic within 3-4 years when/if I own a house.
44. Create 3 patents.
45. Own and that is entirely self-sufficient w. energy, food and other items.
46. Become a Father.
Bucket List (the Bucket in the Bucket….IE, I no longer care about this but might change my mind.)
4. Competitively enter a fencing competition.
Goals 2013
Physical
Primary: Get to 250lbs by July 20th. - Shifting to End of year. Can do. Will do.
-Weight fluctuating between 265 and 270. Set goal for end of year at 260 with further reduction next year.
Secondary: Go to 60 Yoga Classes. - At 11. I have started the habit and can make 60 by the end of the year though.
Reset goal level to 25, which puts me at 50% performance thus far.
Mental
Primary: Read the following 6 books:
Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks by Friedrich Nietzsche
Religion within the Limits of Reason Alone by Immanuel Kant
Early Mormonism and the Magic World View D. Michael Quinn
The Complete Works of Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Water of Life - Michael Mead
Reducing this to 3 books. I have already read Nitzche, Kant and Early Mormanism so technically this is done. I've also read 1/2 the water of life. I'm going to read One Hundred Years of solitude and post shakespear to next year.
Secondary: Learn 48 French phrases.
Maintaining this goal in its entirety. Will begin in earnest later this month.
Emotional
Primary: Abstain from Paranoia.B+
Secondary: Continue optimism.B+
No need for reduced scope.
Spiritual
Primary: Write one poem a month in soul forging. B
Reducing, and I will count at the end of the year. 6.
Social
Primary: Take Julia dancing 12 times in 2013. B
Reducing to 6. So far we have done 2.
Secondary: Hang out with friends at least once a week. A
Made impossible to complete due to circumstances.
First Life: Retired.
Second Life
Primary Goal: Finish Forever West by the end of the year. B+
First draft completed.
Secondary Goal: Write Tossing Grenades at Windmills in National Novel Writing Month. N/A
Doing Nanowrmo....unsure if it will be Tossing.
Third Life
Primary Goal: Operation RUR schedued for production in an actual physical location charging money for admittance at least once by the end of 2013. N/A
This was changed to Lunacy. Not in my hands.
Changed to another play and dependent on others, but for efforts to launch..."A". Also replaced by "Join and Participate in Working Title in July 2013."
Failure but excused due to events.
Secondary Goal: Film Project Chaylite in 2013 or another short film.
Scuttled due to lack of interest w. partner. A on my part.
Fourth Life
Primary Goal: Initiate Project Horribly Inappropriate and remake yearly investment budget in RAA.
Completed.
Secondary Goal: Project Red Attack Tagging viable for its intended goal.
Parameters: Website, trial with 5-6, hire 1-2 agents.
Current B
Fifth Life
Primary Goal: Project Chysalis II.
A.
Secondary Goal: Decide and Enact the Year of the Kane Eagle.
Completed. A.
Sixth Life
Primary Goal: Write in Eagle as Phoenix Once a Week.
C-, changing this goal to once a month. Missed Sept. Reducing more. Try to finish up to 50% of constitution by the end of the year.
Secondary Goal: Operation Evict Reed.
N/A. I've looked but no outlet visible. Will keep looking.
Incidentals
Earn my PMP.
**Investigated. Defaulting until 2014 due to advice. Starting document recreation in 2 weeks.
Write the script for Earth and Sea and Star and Sky.
**Not done but doable.
Write the League of Christmas Darkness Dodecaology.
**Way behind on this. Goal is 6 out of 12 by the end of the year.
Reach the half way mark in the Egress fund.
Briefly reached. Unemployment killed. Now N/A
Somehow make the Mosaic Inglemia campaign idea work.
Done. A
Julia's Goals
1. Get straight A's in her classes toward her MLA degree.
2. Lose 10lbs by July 20, 2013.
3. Stay physically afterwards and maintain that.
4. Obtain a full time job.
**These are Julia's to comment on but she looks like she's doing kickass on them to me....
Marriage Goals
1. Remain patient and communicative in our relationship.
2. Datenight at least once a week.
3. Successfully complete and ENJOY the wedding.
4. Decide Starter City.
**1 and 2 are "A-" since there is always room for improvement. 3 is done. 4 is we have a transition city, and a target city, and a secondary city so I'm calling this completed.
Life Goals - "At some point"
1. See the Louvre.
**2015.
2. Travel around the world on a one way trip. Japan, Australia, India, Egypt, London, Italy and Hawaii.
** Goal to see all by 2018. Egypt pending political situation.
3. Learn a martial art.
**Done
5. Assemble a band for a tour based on music written by me.
6. Start a successful business.
Started in 2011. "Success" is determined in this case by an operating profit of 400% invested capital or $10000. 2011-2015. Otherwise 'failure' and goal removed from dock.
**I'm trying a lot here, but the results aren't being kind. But I still have 2 more years.
**Red Anvil Tagging has a great deal of potential given invested capital. This could prove an exception since it is a separate business than Red Anvil Creative.
7. Learn a musical instrument.
Slated 2015
8. Sculpt something memorable.
9. Create or help create a graphic novel.
**Completed. [And also permanently dead :( ]
10. Own a plane, sailboat, taught or ultralight and learn to pilot/sail it.
11. Write seven novels.
**5 of 7 done. 5th and 6th slated for 2013
13. Go on a cruise.
2015-2016.
14. Organize a convention on SOMETHING.
16. Build a house (not necessarily my own.)
17. Own my own home (all own, no mortgage)
Slated 2018-2019.
18. Have a room with a secret passage
Slated 2018-2019.
23. Be in a flash mob dance number.
2014
26. Live the fifth life (who knows what that is)
Doing.
27. Ditto the sixth.
Doing.
28. Ditto the seventh.
Doing.
47. Finish 7 films. (3 out of 7 completed).
2015.
48. Enter a remote controlled airplane tournament and place in the upper half.
49. Enter a competitive Kite contest (the kind with the razors on the wings.)
50. Blow something up with Dynamite. (Legally)
51. Join the Masons.
2014. Maybe.
52. Hypnotize someone.
Done.
53. Firewalk.
54. Visit the Library of Congress
2014.
55. Complete 7 Projects of Significance. [1 of 7 done.]
Project Chrysalis and Chrysalis II are go. Working on Chrysalis III.
If the right door opens....(ie interesting goals that either depend on another person or a significant amount of wealth that may never happen but that I want to write down)
29. Marry the Right Person. [2013]
Done! :D
30. Establish a business empire dedicated to a not for profit foundation.
31. Visit (but do not live in) Space.
32. Buy my own island.
35. Create a functional and profitable news network that actually produces what is independent.
36. Create an institution to focus on pure research.
38. "" Neurological regeneration.
39. Paid Angel agents to quietly and anonymously do good.
40. Create a series of libraries (10) dedicate to principles original to libraries. Secular sanctuaries and temples to knowledge.
43. Breed dogs to live twice as long
**Strangely some people are surprisingly responsive to this. This might move to more realistic within 3-4 years when/if I own a house.
44. Create 3 patents.
45. Own and that is entirely self-sufficient w. energy, food and other items.
46. Become a Father.
Bucket List (the Bucket in the Bucket….IE, I no longer care about this but might change my mind.)
4. Competitively enter a fencing competition.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Small Victories, Dire Peril on Dangle Thread and Big Dreams
Tonight I got a much needed victory in the form of a very successful night of "Finding Joe" with the Mythic Imagination Institute where Robert Walter, president of the Joseph Campbell Foundation, gave a presentation. There is some background here, and I'll present it in chronological order; two converging 'story lines' as it were.
The first began in 2009, where I went to a movie called Mythic Journeys. I'd been aware of Mythic Journeys in 2004 and 2006, and heard great things about it, but couldn't afford to go. (I also couldn't volunteer and that's another story entirely). But I was good friends with some people who helped organize it, Andrew Greenberg and Bill Bridges, so I went to check it out. You can see the trailer here, but it's a pretty cool movie with puppetry, and the voices of Tim Curry and Mark Hamill, as well as a wide range of impressive speakers.
It was neat stuff. Especially this stuff called "Applied Mythology" which seemed to me to answer some very important questions I'd been asking myself about society and how to avoid some rather dark paths I see ahead as a science fiction writer. Once the movie was done, they had some awesome discussions...and then proceeded to ask for donations. I didn't have money at the time to donate, but I did have my tech writing skills. I'd grown rather distasteful of tech writing, and wanted to do some good with it, so grant writing was something I was considering. I offered my skills.
I got to know Honora and Dahlan Foah and got to help them with a grant that led to a rather amazing concert. But the success path on the grant was...indirect. My initial attempts didn't actually help them directly, though the text did lead to some portions of a grant they got later that did. I kept working with them in other ways, mainly showing up and offering ideas.
To be honest, for a long time, I felt a bit like a third wheel because all I did was offer ideas. There are some rather heavy hitters on the Mythic Leadership Council...and I wasn't. There were successes and failures, but to be honest, there were more failures than successes. Over time, I made some more concrete contributions, including more grants, Search Engine Tagging, and research. But...it kind of wasn't going anywhere for me. To me, at least, despite all the effort, and the occasional success, all of this time wasn't helping what I originally wanted to help them with...
Until tonight. Tonight I will count this as a personal tangible victory. Not because I did it alone (I certainly didn't), and not because I really was even the major contributor. I only did one really important thing...
I believed. I believed in this project, and I believed in Mythic, and I believed in the people doing it...and finally, FINALLY it really feels like it is turning around.
And the timing could not be better.
The second story in this is what happened after the wedding. I meant to, and haven't gotten to, posting about the fantastic honeymoon Julia and I had. Here's the thumbnail. It was paradise. It was perfect. It was awesome. It was romantic, and honestly it is our dream to not only revisit, but someday hopefully go back there and live.
But then we got back. I'm unemployed. We're living with our parents. Both my parents (both sets actually) as well as Julia's parents have been incredibly supportive and generous. We've needed it. This gap has been a long time...the longest...and my well stocked financial reserves have been depleted. Julia's job is a great opportunity but is really an extended internship and not enough for us to live on. I've had 19 interviews in 6 months and it is starting to wear on us both.
Restrictions and preferences I originally had at the start of my process..."permanent jobs only" "project management jobs only" "this rate only" have gone by the wayside. I'm open to doing tech writing again because it will pay the bills. That didn't help. I've done different versions of my resume. I've expanded the search nationally and even removed all geographic restrictions. That hasn't helped. I've actually made two trips recently out of state in the last two weeks; once to Miami and once to South Carolina. The first didn't pay for the trip and the second did. (Lesson learned...if an out of state company won't pay for my interview face to face, they're not really interested.) There have been many many excellent jobs, many recruiters working closely with me to help me get these wonderful opportunities, and each time they've said essentially, 'we like him, but the other person had more experience.'
Desperate times call for desperate measures. I've dug up 10 years worth of creative material and put it on Amazon...it hasn't sold. I've tried side careers in consulting and voice over work...both of which might work eventually, but which will take time. I've come up with all kinds of schemes for getting cash...and really, so far, nothing has really panned out.
But despite the difficulty, Julia and I have helped each other pull through. When I've been low, she's held me up. When she's had a difficult time, I've sung, "the Sun will Come Out Tomorrow" until she smiled. Then I kept singing it and she eventually had to punch my shoulder but was still smiling. ;) But after South Carolina....a permanent technical writing job that I was rather confident I would get...an interview I did very well in...I lost to someone with more instructional design experience. This time...this time we were both down. Neither of us could pull each other up because there was no more energy left.
It was too much. Decisions had to be made, and some lifestyle choices and arrangements have been altered. More will be altered. It also means expanding my job search. It's not just Plan A,B,C and D anymore...it's plan F-Z. In fact, I'm looking at jobs that will just pay the bills. I still am. But I was wondering if there was any point to it. If the deck really was rigged against me.
And then tonight happened.
"Finding Joe" is basically about finding your dream and going after it. I've always done that. But the thing I realized tonight, the thing that changed the equation for me, is that I'm good at helping OTHER people do that too. Why?
Because I believe in you. You see, I know what its like for people not to take you seriously, to NOT believe in you. I'm blessed with many wonderfully supportive family members and friends. But I've also had people not take me seriously. My million projects aren't going anywhere. They're stuck in the mud. Just like my work with Mythic was for a long long time...until tonight.
I've set up my consultancy. You can see the website here. [Look for some changes soon.] What's going to change...one of the things I'm going to specialize in though, is something that I have wanted to do for a long time, is help others make their dreams a reality. And I'm going to be paid to do it, by playing the long game. Granted, it will take time. There will be pitfalls, but after tonight...tonight? Tonight I saw that I can do it. Tonight I saw that believing in something makes it happen...and that it can be made reality. By helping others, my own dreams can be made reality too.
So life begins anew. And I start to build my dream by helping others build theirs.
[Having said that, to pay the bills in the meantime, if you know a guy who knows a guy, email or call or message me...I'm pretty damn flexible at this point. ;) ]
The first began in 2009, where I went to a movie called Mythic Journeys. I'd been aware of Mythic Journeys in 2004 and 2006, and heard great things about it, but couldn't afford to go. (I also couldn't volunteer and that's another story entirely). But I was good friends with some people who helped organize it, Andrew Greenberg and Bill Bridges, so I went to check it out. You can see the trailer here, but it's a pretty cool movie with puppetry, and the voices of Tim Curry and Mark Hamill, as well as a wide range of impressive speakers.
It was neat stuff. Especially this stuff called "Applied Mythology" which seemed to me to answer some very important questions I'd been asking myself about society and how to avoid some rather dark paths I see ahead as a science fiction writer. Once the movie was done, they had some awesome discussions...and then proceeded to ask for donations. I didn't have money at the time to donate, but I did have my tech writing skills. I'd grown rather distasteful of tech writing, and wanted to do some good with it, so grant writing was something I was considering. I offered my skills.
I got to know Honora and Dahlan Foah and got to help them with a grant that led to a rather amazing concert. But the success path on the grant was...indirect. My initial attempts didn't actually help them directly, though the text did lead to some portions of a grant they got later that did. I kept working with them in other ways, mainly showing up and offering ideas.
To be honest, for a long time, I felt a bit like a third wheel because all I did was offer ideas. There are some rather heavy hitters on the Mythic Leadership Council...and I wasn't. There were successes and failures, but to be honest, there were more failures than successes. Over time, I made some more concrete contributions, including more grants, Search Engine Tagging, and research. But...it kind of wasn't going anywhere for me. To me, at least, despite all the effort, and the occasional success, all of this time wasn't helping what I originally wanted to help them with...
Until tonight. Tonight I will count this as a personal tangible victory. Not because I did it alone (I certainly didn't), and not because I really was even the major contributor. I only did one really important thing...
I believed. I believed in this project, and I believed in Mythic, and I believed in the people doing it...and finally, FINALLY it really feels like it is turning around.
And the timing could not be better.
The second story in this is what happened after the wedding. I meant to, and haven't gotten to, posting about the fantastic honeymoon Julia and I had. Here's the thumbnail. It was paradise. It was perfect. It was awesome. It was romantic, and honestly it is our dream to not only revisit, but someday hopefully go back there and live.
But then we got back. I'm unemployed. We're living with our parents. Both my parents (both sets actually) as well as Julia's parents have been incredibly supportive and generous. We've needed it. This gap has been a long time...the longest...and my well stocked financial reserves have been depleted. Julia's job is a great opportunity but is really an extended internship and not enough for us to live on. I've had 19 interviews in 6 months and it is starting to wear on us both.
Restrictions and preferences I originally had at the start of my process..."permanent jobs only" "project management jobs only" "this rate only" have gone by the wayside. I'm open to doing tech writing again because it will pay the bills. That didn't help. I've done different versions of my resume. I've expanded the search nationally and even removed all geographic restrictions. That hasn't helped. I've actually made two trips recently out of state in the last two weeks; once to Miami and once to South Carolina. The first didn't pay for the trip and the second did. (Lesson learned...if an out of state company won't pay for my interview face to face, they're not really interested.) There have been many many excellent jobs, many recruiters working closely with me to help me get these wonderful opportunities, and each time they've said essentially, 'we like him, but the other person had more experience.'
Desperate times call for desperate measures. I've dug up 10 years worth of creative material and put it on Amazon...it hasn't sold. I've tried side careers in consulting and voice over work...both of which might work eventually, but which will take time. I've come up with all kinds of schemes for getting cash...and really, so far, nothing has really panned out.
But despite the difficulty, Julia and I have helped each other pull through. When I've been low, she's held me up. When she's had a difficult time, I've sung, "the Sun will Come Out Tomorrow" until she smiled. Then I kept singing it and she eventually had to punch my shoulder but was still smiling. ;) But after South Carolina....a permanent technical writing job that I was rather confident I would get...an interview I did very well in...I lost to someone with more instructional design experience. This time...this time we were both down. Neither of us could pull each other up because there was no more energy left.
It was too much. Decisions had to be made, and some lifestyle choices and arrangements have been altered. More will be altered. It also means expanding my job search. It's not just Plan A,B,C and D anymore...it's plan F-Z. In fact, I'm looking at jobs that will just pay the bills. I still am. But I was wondering if there was any point to it. If the deck really was rigged against me.
And then tonight happened.
"Finding Joe" is basically about finding your dream and going after it. I've always done that. But the thing I realized tonight, the thing that changed the equation for me, is that I'm good at helping OTHER people do that too. Why?
Because I believe in you. You see, I know what its like for people not to take you seriously, to NOT believe in you. I'm blessed with many wonderfully supportive family members and friends. But I've also had people not take me seriously. My million projects aren't going anywhere. They're stuck in the mud. Just like my work with Mythic was for a long long time...until tonight.
I've set up my consultancy. You can see the website here. [Look for some changes soon.] What's going to change...one of the things I'm going to specialize in though, is something that I have wanted to do for a long time, is help others make their dreams a reality. And I'm going to be paid to do it, by playing the long game. Granted, it will take time. There will be pitfalls, but after tonight...tonight? Tonight I saw that I can do it. Tonight I saw that believing in something makes it happen...and that it can be made reality. By helping others, my own dreams can be made reality too.
So life begins anew. And I start to build my dream by helping others build theirs.
[Having said that, to pay the bills in the meantime, if you know a guy who knows a guy, email or call or message me...I'm pretty damn flexible at this point. ;) ]
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