Before I get into putting my goals for the next year into print (instead of the traditional "New Years Resolutions" - good call Kim), I'm going to look back to last year to see how I did on the ones I put into print then. Bolded means I was successful.
Resolution Number 1: Run a marathon.
Resolution Number 2: Get a promotion.
Resolution Number 3: Meet girl. Date girl. Get girlfriend.
Resolution Number 4: Average a blog for every two days of the year.
Resolution Number 5: Read 30 books.
Resolution Number 6: 2 self paid vacations.
Resolution Number 7: Stay between 190 and 200 pounds.
Resolution Number 8: Take a college course.
Resolution Number 9: Make more lunches and dinners at home.
Resolution Number 10: Be less wasteful.
Resolution Number 11: Take more pictures.
Resolution Number 12: Challenge myself.
Resolution Number 13: Drink? Hide phone.
Resolution Number 14: Develop abs (or get bigger shirts).
Resolution Number 15: Eat healthier
Not too bad. Eight out of 15 is pretty decent, especially given that 15 is a ton of resolutions to begin with. Some will carry over to 2009 due to the fact that I didn't quite make them as I'd hoped to do.
However, I do want to point out that I decimated my 2008 goal of 30 books by reading 51 (not quite the updated goal of 52, but still). I read a total of 23 actual books and 28 graphic novels, so I feel pretty good about that. I really would like to average one a week this year though.
Also, while I didn't maintain my weight as I'd hoped, I did go up to the 205 to 210 area, regulate my blood pressure, and start eating a lot more fruit and vegetables. So while it may have went up (mostly due to inconsistent work out habits), I'm still really fit I feel. There's something to be said about that.
Good work 2008 David. Let's hope 2009 David is even more successful.
New Year Goals: Vol. 1
Let the Right One In
When going through a large sum of movies to round up my Best of 2008 list, I really did not expect a miminalist Swedish love story between a Vampire in the form of a 12 year old girl and a bullied prototypical Swedish kid to stand out amongst the rest. Who would really, mostly because one would have to openly wonder whether or not a movie that fit under that description could possibly exist.
Yet it does. And it did.
It's name is Let the Right One In, and it's a remarkable movie that has a guaranteed spot in my favorite five movies of the year. Everything about it, from the two brilliant lead performances by the two child actors (Kåre Hedebrant as Oskar and the "wears sadness better than most Oscar winning actresses" vampire Eli as performed by Lina Leandersson) to the haunting music, from the subtle script to the brilliant direction (Tomas Alfredson...remember that name when he makes your next favorite American movie - he can set a scene like nobody's business), is phenomenal.
It's definitely not for everyone. Not into foreign film? Probably not for you. Not into movies with slow but thoughtful pacing? Avoid like the plague. But if you're an adventurous movie goer and want to see something truly excellent, check this out.
You'll be happy that you did.
Let the Right One In: A
O Alaska
Alaska when it isn't murdering me with its coldness
Preface: if you are considering a possible move to Alaska in the near future (*ahem* you know who you are), do not read this. Please observe the pretty picture instead. Isn't Alaska pretty? Gorgeous. Can't get better than that.
With that said...
WHAT THE HELL ALASKA!
NEGATIVE TWENTY!
Why do you want me to never go outside? Even better, why, when I'm inside, am I colder than my friends who are outside in Portland? I'm in a coffee shop, traditionally one of the warmer locations around, and I'm cold as hell while wearing a lengthy peacoat, scarf, and you know...clothing. To be fair, my feet are really my only cold part. But still, it's ridiculous.
I remember not that long ago I was reading (and getting excited about) our upcoming supposedly mild winter. See, the summer was crappy, so "scientists" (I use that term very loosely) claimed that because of our mild summer, we were going to have a warmer than usual winter.
Enter negative twenty.
Exit David.
I hate you Alaska.