New Year Resolutions 2009

With 2008 gone and having been completely unsatisfying, it is time to look to 2009 and examine how we can better ourselves at the individual level. It is only after this that we can better ourselves at the collective level. So here are the ways in which I will seek to better myself.

1. Stop wearing jeans to bed.

I have a feeling this may be contributing to early wear of the knee.

2. Create a daily habit of writing.

It is not enough to have an idea and then let it percolate for months before finally sitting down to write it out. Writers write. So if I want to tell people that I’m a writer, I must write everyday.

3. Create a daily habit of exercise.

Now that my gym membership is kaput, it is up to me and me alone to stay fit. My yoga mats, push up grips, dumbbells, and pull up bar will not go to waste. My Dhoom 2 poster must go up on the wall today as motivation to attain Mr. A’s physique.

4. Eat breakfast.

The most important meal of the day. ‘Nuff said.

5. Resume habit of drinking water.

I’m not really sure why I stopped drinking water when I got laid off. Suicide by dehydration? Anyway, start the day with agua, fill the day with agua, and end the day with agua. I may have to get up three times a night to take a piss, but my body will thank me.

6. Resume habit of reading books.

Five books in an entire calendar year is totally unacceptable for a bookworm and aspiring writer like myself. I’m not sure when I started viewing a book as a chore, but I need to change that. Perhaps start with something mindless or enjoyable, or both. I need to remember what it’s like to enjoy a book.

7. Finish 3 video games before buying another one. This applies to downloaded titles as well. This does not apply to heavily discounted new* or used titles.

I should not be allowed to go into a video game store or the video game section of a store without responsible supervision. Otherwise, things like the Tomb Raider/Fallout 3/Force Unleashed or Rock Band 2/Mirror’s Edge/Saints Row 2 fiascos are liable to repeat themselves. I stopped buying comics and thought that was a great way to save money. But then I bought a Wii. The Wii release schedule of awesome games ran dry so I thought “cool, I can save some money. But then Metal Gear Solid 4 came out and I bought a Playstation 3 which had an amazing release schedule of awesome games. Now I have a ridiculous amount of games for having had the system for such a short time. So much for saving money. I guess I don’t feel bad about spending the money, because if not games, I probably would have spent it on something else. I traded in my Xbox and bought an Xbox 360. Returning that was the smartest decision I’ve made so far. Buying two major consoles in a year says nothing but “I’m ridiculous.” I also couldn’t look at myself in the mirror knowing I paid 200 bucks for a Microsoft product. I will wait until I have the required amount in trade-in credit at Gamestop.

8. Finally learn design/video/music software in a manageable and methodical approach.

The books on my shelf are collecting dust. This is unacceptable to me. I must choose one, see it through and move on to the next. Where to begin….. Photoshop, Motion, Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, After Effects, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign, Soundtrack, GarageBand, Reason, Logic Express, Logic Pro. I think I’ll start with Photoshop since I have the most experience with that. Also, according to this book, I can teach myself UNIX in 24 hours. So I will.

9. Move out of the house, whether it’s to Vancouver for film school, or to Seattle or New York for life school.

Living at home with my parents is driving me crazy. Living in Fremont is driving me crazy. Being in the Bay Area is driving me crazy. Don’t get me wrong. I love the Bay Area, but in the same way I love my parents. I love them to death, and wouldn’t let anyone talk shit about them except for me, but I just can’t be around them all the time. So here’s hoping the loan is approved. If not, then I will find a way to get myself to Manhattan or Seattle and set up shop there.

10. Be a little more frugal.

This does not mean to imply that I’m trying to become cheap. I just don’t want to keep buying things I don’t need. I have lots of books. I must read them before I buy more. I have lots of video games. I must complete them before I buy more. I have enough clothes. They must fall apart before I buy more. As someone I love once told me, “simplify.” Then I can afford to do things like travel. Or something.

There you have it. My list of New Year Resolutions for 2009. Nothing extravagant. Nothing unrealistic. All require effort and dedication.

Here’s to me. And to you. Happy New Year!