resolutions

3/3 GHR Check-In!

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Time to review my progress from this past month. This is the 11th annual attempt at creating life-long habits for myself. I’ve discovered that because of the after the end-of-year holidays I am not mentally or physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new year. I need a break so I take the whole month of January off to reflect and plan.

Physical
Dance lessons. We’re leaning towards country dancing. I’ll see what I can do to change that.
Kickboxing/sparring: Can you believe my gym has only one class a week? Yep, I call BS too. Guess we’ll have to do this at home.
Disc Golf. Waiting on warmer weather
Yoga/Meditation: Still not a habit but I am enjoying this more. There is a yoga studio nearby and classes at the gym.
All of this with a goal to drop 25 pounds. My motto will be “Eat clean, train mean, get lean”. Three pounds so far. That recent road trip didn’t help.

Technical
Learn Python: Not the data scientist yet but there is some lessons learned.

///Print (“Hello World!”)

Artistical
Sketching, drawing, doodling: learned some tips and tricks on using the Pencil. Shading, pressure, etc. 
Learn Spanish: “Mi nombre es Chris Denbow”
Learn Chinese: “Ni hao, wo de minzi jio Chris Denbow”
Learn to play the ukulele: I picked up the instrument once this month, tuned it and then moved on to something else.

DAM- Digital Asset Management: Progress! The new year allowed me to start fresh, purge and then organize the keepers into months. Granted, only two months but there were a lot of photos so far.
Write short stories. “He had seen a lot of incredible sights when working with his camera over the years. But nothing like this and certainly nothing he wanted to see ever again.”
Write micro fiction: Micro fiction or flash fiction? I’m on the fence as to what to call it. Haven’t done it though.
Work on that novel: Or not. Still overwhelmed.
52 week challenge: Number 9 out of 52 has been completed

Financial:

Order a credit report and start settling some debts for less.This has been done and am currently disputing some items that should not be on there. Got a few knocked off. Yay.
Build credit with a secured credit card: Done!

See you back here on 4/4 for the next review of how I do!

Groundhog Resolution Day 2019!

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Its that time of year again. The 11th annual attempt at creating life-long habits for myself. I’ve discovered that because of the after the end-of-year holidays I am not mentally or physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new year. I need a break so I take the whole month of January off to reflect and plan.

So the kickoff is today on 2/2! My resolutions, goals and life-changing habits are listed below. These are not to be confused with items on my “F*%k It List”.  I will check in every month and then review my progress. Next check-in is on March 3 (3/3). After that will be 4/4, 5/5 and so on. Here we go!

Physical

The immediate goal is to drop 25 pounds quick. Besides the typical
motto of  “Eat clean, train mean, get lean”, I’m throwing in some activities that should help.

  • Kickboxing/sparring with Tracy

  • Dance lessons. Something fun like Swing? Sexy, like Bachata? We’ll figure it out.
  • Disc Golf. Time to get back into it. Less expensive than golf and I don’t have to wear baggy, plaid pants. 
  • Yoga/Meditation. I had some moderate usage last year but not enough to form a habit. I did appreciate the quiet time to breathe, relax and focus on nothing.

Technical

  • Learn Python. Only one tech goal this year because I get scattered and end up not learning anything. No more. Time to learn and apply data science and machine learning applications.


Artistical

  • Sketch/Draw/Doodle. I bought an iPad and pencil last year and I want to be more creative.
  • Learn Spanish with Tracy.
  • Learn Chinese. For myself. 
  • Learn to play the ukulele. I grabbed one late last year but with the holidays in the way it took a back seat. 
  • DAM- Digital Asset Management, or, where the hell are my photos from that shoot last month?
  • Write short stories. I have a ton of ideas for these.
  • Write micro fiction. One hundred word stories.
  • Work on that novel. Its been ten plus years and I still can’t get all of this out of my head. 
  • 52 week photo challenge. 52 weeks in a year = 52 photos


Financial

  • Order a credit report and start settling some debts for less. 2017 was not a good year and it hurt me financially so I am slowly recovering. This year will be dedicated to resolving this and restoring my good name. 
  • Build credit with a secured credit card.
  • Automate savings and track investments. Yes, there is an app for that and it is called Acorns. 
  • Cryptocurrency. This year I will dip a toe into these unknown waters. Bitcoin? Ethereum? Research is crucial here.

Knowing myself all too well, I may end up adding or subtracting this or that. Either way, I’ll check back in here on 3/3 for the first review of how I do!

11/11 GHR Check-In!

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Time to evaluate my progress for my Groundhog Resolutions, the 10th
annual attempt at creating life-long habits for myself. I’ve discovered
that right after the end of the year holidays I am not mentally or
physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new
year. I need a break so I take the whole month of January off to reflect
and plan and start on 2/2 instead of 1/1.

I’ve got one more month (12/12) to wrap all this up until Groundhogs Day 2019.

Fun-

Get another tattoo: Coming soon

More camping: Waiting on warmer weather

More skinny dipping: Think I’ll have to skip that this year

Learn Spanish more fluently: Downloaded the Duolingo app for practice but haven’t used it. Will work with the MissAdventurer

Join a book club: No decent bookclubs around town.

50 Books a year challenge: According to Amazon and the library, I’ve read 46 so far. I’ll share my reading list next month.

Snail mail friend: Fail mail

Volunteer: Who’s got the time?

Fitness-

Kickboxing: The gym offers one class…during the day. One day a week. Fail.

Self-defense: Can’t defend myself. Fail

Yoga: Almost daily. Is it supposed to hurt when I stretch?

More 5 & 10k obstacle course racing: I finished the Warrior Dash again. Next year I want to do a minimum of 3

Consistent training: Working out with Tracy is mutually beneficial. Accountability may be the one thing I needed to maintain this.

Consistent nutritional training: Really been enjoying more meals at home. Eating out is becoming frustrating and disappointing. This is making my decision to eat in easier

Hashing: I’m done for this season. My foot injury sidelined me.

Hiking: I want to explore more but again, foot. Time to hit some light, low elevation trails.

Geocaching: I want to find at least ten more caches before year end. Will I renew my premium membership? Lets find out.

Meditation: Ommm… this has been beneficial but not consistent.

Creative-

Complete my book: I have been enjoying the process so far. It won’t get done this year. There is too much I want to include and that involves more research. Besides…still working on an ending.

Photo essay on a topic I am passionate about: Cold, crisp nights will help me round out my Tulsa After Dark series for the year.

Video log every month: This is so easy and yet it hasn’t been done.

Leave inspirational notes everywhere:

Year in photos album: Cannot wait to see what 2018 memories I’ll have at the EOY.

Shoot more film: Film is a precious commodity. A costly commodity. Sure, the Fuji camera is fun but at almost $1.50 a sheet? I am convinced that I will buy a Canon 35mm soon though. It’ll be cheaper

DAM: I have all the DSLR photos organized into yearly folders. Finally. Now to sort the wheat from the chaff. Oh, and since I shut down Google photos, I need to organize and integrate all these mobile pics from the years too. I just doubled my work!

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7/7 GHR Check-In

by

Time to evaluate my progress for my Groundhog Resolutions, the 10th
annual attempt at creating life-long habits for myself. I’ve discovered
that right after the end of the year holidays I am not mentally or
physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new
year. I need a break so I take the whole month of January off to reflect
and plan and start on 2/2 instead of 1/1.

I’ll check back in on myself on 8/8

Fun-

Get another tattoo: Coming soon

More camping: It’s hot y’all. And the last attempt was off asphalt and sand dunes. Fall cant get here fat enough.

More skinny dipping: Does a jacuzzi count? Then yes. When’s the next one?

Learn Spanish more fluently: Watching futbol and Spanish-speaking announcers helps(?)

Join a book club: I have given up on this one. Not enough interest for guys.

50 Books a year challenge: I have lost count but still going. Mixed signals here.

Snail mail friend: Eh.

Volunteer: Taking care of my business is challenging enough. Still looking for opportunities though

Fitness-

Kickboxing: Tae Bo for the win

Self-defense: Meh. 

Yoga: Almost daily practice using the Sworkit app. Is it supposed to hurt when I stretch?

More 5 & 10k obstacle course racing: See above. It’s hot.

Consistent training: Still going strong here. I’d like to add more days.

Consistent nutritional training: Work
in progress. I’ve dropped soda pop and going with water, soda water and/or beer. Less eating out too. Small victories.

Hashing:

Waiting on cooler. Got called out by THHH Mismanagement for it too. Will be paying for it when I’m back on trail.

Hiking: Taken
more than a few hikes this year and explored familiar and new trails.

Geocaching: I am 0 for 12 so far this year. Um, what? Meanwhile, Tracy has decided to sign up and has found two that I wanted.

Meditation: Will be utilizing the same space as kickboxing and yoga for this.

Creative-

Complete my book: Researching settings, plot, characters and more. Novel or short stories? Hmm…

Photo essay on a topic I am passionate about: Waiting on warmer weather and a topic.

Video log every month: Landed on Vimeo. Will post a link when it gets interesting but so far just dark, grainy video of me looking tired but giddy for some reason.  

Leave inspirational notes everywhere: Send me inspiration.

Year in photos album: 2017 is just there, waiting on me. Cannot wait to see what 2018 memories I’ll have at the EOY.

Shoot more film: Buy more film. Ain’t cheap!

Find my muse: Found her. Now how to use her?

DAM: Constant work in progress here

6/6 GHR Check-In

by

Time to evaluate my progress for my Groundhog Resolutions, the 10th
annual attempt at creating life-long habits for myself. I’ve discovered
that right after the end of the year holidays I am not mentally or
physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new
year. I need a break so I take the whole month of January off to reflect
and plan and start on 2/2 instead of 1/1.

I’ll check back in on myself on 7/7

Fun-

Get another tattoo: I am dragging ass on this one. Why?

More camping: Attempted and failed to secure a spot at Lil Sahara, recently.. The park office was closed. Park ranger said we could stay no penalty but it was SPARCE. It was either sleep on sand or asphalt parking lot. No shade or water sources. Um, no. See also, a camping trip in Robbers Cave last month.

More skinny dipping: Gotta get sneaky since summer is here

Join a book club: Still no decent bookclubs around town.

50 Books a year challenge: Currently reading “I Married Adventure” by Osa Johnson of Kansas. Adventure! Photography!

Fitness-

Yoga:

Almost daily practice using the Sworkit app and DVDs. Is it supposed to hurt when I stretch?

Consistent training: Working
out with Tracy is mutually beneficial. Accountability may be the one
thing I needed to maintain this. We’ve just started out this past week
and so far so good for both of us. Will utilize digital encouragement as
well with our Fitbits.

Consistent nutritional training: Work
in progress. Bad food is too cheap and easy to acquire while healthier
options are scare and pricey. Looking at some non-meat options as well
as eating at home more. Again, accountability is key here.

Hashing: Summer is here! More runs, more beers! Got called out by THHH Mismanagement for not showing up in awhile. Will be paying for it when I’m back on trail.

Hiking: Taken
more than a few hikes this year and explored familiar and new trails.
Ancient Forest was extensive but limited access. Will go back. Also,
urban hikes along River parks, Midland valley and Turkey mountain.

Geocaching: I am 0 for 12 so far this year. Um, what? Meanwhile, Tracy has decided to sign up and has found two that I wanted.

Meditation: Will be utilizing the same space as kickboxing and yoga for this.

Creative-

Complete my book: Plot and character developments Novel or short stories? Hmm…

Photo essay on a topic I am passionate about: Fail.

Video log every month: I am on Vimeo. So far just dark, grainy video of me looking tired but giddy for some reason.  

Leave inspirational notes everywhere: Send me inspiration.

Year in photos album: 2017 is just there, waiting on me. Cannot wait to see what 2018 memories I’ll have at the EOY.

Shoot more film: Buy more film. Ain’t cheap!

DAM: Constant work in progress here

I SUCK AT THIS….is it worth it?

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5/5 Check-In!

Time to evaluate my progress for my Groundhog Resolutions, the 10th annual attempt at creating life-long habits for myself. I’ve discovered that right after the end of the year holidays I am not mentally or physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new year. I need a break so I take the whole month of January off to reflect and plan and start on 2/2 instead of 1/1.

I’ll check back in on myself on 6/6

Fun-

50 Books a year challenge: Up to 9 so far. Need to get a move on.

Fitness-

Calvinball: Acquired balls but need to dedicate time to learning the rules and enjoying

Yoga: Work in progress

More 5 & 10k obstacle course racing: We did it! Just today we ran the Warrior Dash. Now we’re looking into local 5ks and cause to support. 

Consistent training: Working out with Tracy is mutually beneficial. Accountability may be the one thing I needed to maintain this. We’ve just started out this past week and so far so good for both of us. Will utilize digital encouragement as well with our Fitbits.

Consistent nutritional training: Work in progress. Bad food is too cheap and easy to acquire while healthier options are scarce and pricey. Looking at some non-meat options as well as eating at home more. Again, accountability is key here. No Whataburger in weeks!

Hashing: Waiting on warmer weather. Got called out by THHH Mismanagement for it too. Will be paying for it when I’m back on trail.

Hiking: Taken more than a few hikes this year and explored familiar and new trails. Ancient Forest was extensive but limited access. Will go back. Also, urban hikes along River parks, Midland valley and Turkey mountain.

Geocaching: I am 0 for 15 so far this year. Um, what? Meanwhile, Tracy has decided to sign up and has found two that I wanted.

Meditation: Will be utilizing the same space as kickboxing and yoga for this.

Creative-

Complete my book: The plot thickens…finally.

Photo essay on a topic I am passionate about: Waiting for a topic and inspiration.

Video log every month: Landed on Vimeo instead of YouTube because I am getting rid of Google soon. So far just dark, grainy video of me looking tired but giddy for some reason.  

Leave inspirational notes everywhere: Waiting on weather to get better and people hit the streets. Send me inspiration.

Year in photos album: 2017 is just there, waiting on me. Cannot wait to see what 2018 memories I’ll have at the EOY.

Shoot more film: Buy more film. Ain’t cheap!

Find my muse: Found her. Now how to use her?

DAM: Constant work in progress here

4/4 GHR Check In!

by

Time to evaluate my progress for my Groundhog Resolutions, the 10th
annual attempt at creating life-long habits for myself. I’ve discovered
that right after the end of the year holidays I am not mentally or
physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new
year. I need a break so I take the whole month of January off to reflect
and plan and start on 2/2 instead of 1/1.

I’ll check back in on myself on 5/5

Fun-

Get another tattoo: Coming soon

More camping: Waiting on better weather

More skinny dipping:

Waiting on warmer weather

Learn Spanish more fluently: Downloaded the Duolingo app for practice

Join a book club: No decent bookclubs around town. Start one?

50 Books a year challenge: I
need to average 5 books a month to complete this goal. I’ve read five
and started a 6th. Not bad for the month of March going into April.

Snail mail friend: Need to seek, find, write

Volunteer: Looking into organizations that I can contribute to

Fitness-

Kickboxing: Dusted off an old DVD called Tae Bo and set up a space to work out in. Let’s see how this will work.

Calvinball: Need to get some balls for this bit of fuckery

Yoga: Work in progress

More 5 & 10k obstacle course racing: I may have missed the boat for OCR this year. Looking into local 5ks and cause to support.

Consistent training: Working
out with Tracy is mutually beneficial. Accountability may be the one
thing I needed to maintain this. We’ve just started out this past week
and so far so good for both of us. Will utilize digital encouragement as
well with our Fitbits.

Consistent nutritional training: Work
in progress. Bad food is too cheap and easy to acquire while healthier
options are scare and pricey. Looking at some non-meat options as well
as eating at home more. Again, accountability is key here. No Whataburger in weeks!

Hashing:

Waiting on warmer weather. Got called out by THHH Mismanagement for it too. Will be paying for it when I’m back on trail.

Hiking: Taken
more than a few hikes this year and explored familiar and new trails.
Ancient Forest was extensive but limited access. Will go back. Also,
urban hikes along River parks, Midland valley and Turkey mountain.

Geocaching: I am 0 for 15 so far this year. Um, what? Meanwhile, Tracy has decided to sign up and has found two that I wanted.

Meditation: Will be utilizing the same space as kickboxing and yoga for this.

Creative-

Complete my book: The plot thickens…finally.

Photo essay on a topic I am passionate about: Waiting on warmer weather and a topic.

Video log every month: Landed on Youtube instead of Vimeo. So far just dark, grainy video of me looking tired but giddy for some reason.  

Leave inspirational notes everywhere: Waiting on weather to get better and people hit the streets. Send me inspiration.

Year in photos album: 2017 is just there, waiting on me. Cannot wait to see what 2018 memories I’ll have at the EOY.

Shoot more film: Buy more film. Ain’t cheap!

Find my muse: Found her. Now how to use her?

DAM: Constant work in progress here

3/3 GHR Check In

by

Time to evaluate my progress for my Groundhog Resolutions, the 10th annual attempt at creating life-long habits for myself. I’ve discovered that right after the end of the year holidays I am not mentally or physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new year. I need a break so I take the whole month of January off to reflect and plan and start on 2/2 instead of 1/1.

I’ll check back in on myself on 4/4

Fun-

Get another tattoo: Coming soon 

More camping: Waiting on warmer weather

More skinny dipping: 

Waiting on warmer weather

Learn Spanish more fluently: Downloaded the Duolingo app for practice

Join a book club: No decent bookclubs around town. Start one? 

50 Books a year challenge: I need to average 5 books a month to complete this goal. I’ve read two and started a 3rd. Not bad for the month of February going into March. 

Snail mail friend: Need to seek, find, write

Volunteer: Looking into organizations that I can contribute to

Fitness-

Kickboxing: Dusted off an old DVD called Tae Bo and set up a space to work out in. Let’s see how this will work. 

Self-defense: Eh. Not to thrilled with this one. May drop. 

Yoga: Almost daily practice using the Sworkit app and DVDs. Is it supposed to hurt when I stretch? 

More 5 & 10k obstacle course racing: I may have missed the boat for OCR this year. Looking into local 5ks and cause to support. 

Consistent training: Working out with Tracy is mutually beneficial. Accountability may be the one thing I needed to maintain this. We’ve just started out this past week and so far so good for both of us. Will utilize digital encouragement as well with our Fitbits.

Consistent nutritional training: Work in progress. Bad food is too cheap and easy to acquire while healthier options are scare and pricey. Looking at some non-meat options as well as eating at home more. Again, accountability is key here.

Hashing: 

Waiting on warmer weather. Got called out by THHH Mismanagement for it too. Will be paying for it when I’m back on trail. 

Hiking: Taken more than a few hikes this year and explored familiar and new trails. Ancient Forest was extensive but limited access. Will go back. Also, urban hikes along River parks, Midland valley and Turkey mountain. 

Geocaching: I am 0 for 12 so far this year. Um, what? Meanwhile, Tracy has decided to sign up and has found two that I wanted. 

Meditation: Will be utilizing the same space as kickboxing and yoga for this. 

Creative-

Complete my book: Researching settings, plot, characters and more. Novel or short stories? Hmm…

Photo essay on a topic I am passionate about: Waiting on warmer weather and a topic. 

Video log every month: Landed on Youtube instead of Vimeo. So far just dark, grainy video of me looking tired but giddy for some reason.  

Leave inspirational notes everywhere: Send me inspiration.

Year in photos album: 2017 is just there, waiting on me. Cannot wait to see what 2018 memories I’ll have at the EOY.

Shoot more film: Buy more film. Ain’t cheap!

Find my muse: Found her. Now how to use her?

DAM: Constant work in progress here

#GHR #GROUNDHOGSDAYRESOLUTIONS #RESOLUTIONS

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