I'm looking forward now at a large span of time. About a year. So, it's apt to set a few goals. I think this will help me in the long run, as otherwise I tend to walk through Jello. By that I simply mean that I tend to do more reactive thinking and useless thinking than proactive thinking. I think that with a list of goals, I will make some steps towards the completion of some of them. So, here is my list. Feel free to offer critique!
1. Learn Enough Spanish to "Get by," This is a goal I'm already working haphazardly on, with Rosetta Stone
2. Improve my Arabic speaking, reading, writing, listening : Not sure how to go about this
3. Improve my German skills
4. Learn the basics of C++ programming
5. Lose about 10 pounds of fat, continue to develop musculature, tone. (Working out 4-5 times a week and not overeating could help this, but I need to be sure the workouts are effective.)
6. Go to/Cover The Republican National Convention, I'm slightly obsessed with this goal of meeting my political enemies in the flesh. Plus, for whatever foolish reason, it's in St. Paul, a place I do not associate at all with Republicans.
7. Vote for my hopes rather than my fears in November (Note: This doesn't necessarily mean I will go green)
8. Clean Up slightly. I need to develop better habits regarding personal hygiene, the cleanliness of my car, living space, etc. No more fear of the basement.
9. Move into a place that I like and can afford.
10. Improve Cashflow slightly. (I made all of 12 thousand dollars last year, only slightly above median world income)
11. Budget a little better.
12. Visit Duluth Several Times
13. Take a couple other trips at least one with Vanessa
14. Learn to bake.
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2 comments:
Dear Jon,
First of all, hello from you future. Life is good. The kids are fine.
1) You never do learn enough Spanish to *get by*... but then you never really put yourself in a position where you have to use Spanish (immersion - you know that's the way to do it right... but again, you never need to use it).
2) I still think it would have been fun to read arabic. It's a nice thought, but you never *really* set this as a goal - and while it would have lead to some interesting work in the modern world, you wouldn't really like the folks you worked for.
3)Dude, you end up in Germany quite a bit - and your Deutsch gets really good. Don't bring your wife though. She had a lousy time because she only speaks French (and English), and you were busy working most of the days there.
4)Yes, you learn C++ (after first learning C), but really fly when you learn Python. That's the computing language for you. Start today - you'll like the work you get from the skills, and you'll like the folks you work with (Those open source guys are *okay*)
5)The good news is the fat falls off when you start biking instead of riding. You even get some nice muscles (for awhile). The bad news is, once you get married and start a real job, the fat comes back. Deal with it (only you think you look bad).
6) Something comes up. but that's okay. It's a good thing (blessing abound these days).
7) Yep, still and always an optimist. The world does get better (and then worse... but then better still... :-) The important thing is to get more involved now. It takes awhile, but you really like the folks you meet in this part of your life.
8) It happens. You make the little jobs into habits - each with their own assigned Weekdays and times. That (and auto-pay) take care of a lot of things. Don't fear sleep-walking through these moments of your life. The rituals actually free up your mind to wander introspectively. It's all good.
9) As every Bee knows, be happy with the flower you land on (as long as it doesn't try to eat you...).
10) That goes up and down for awhile, but as your programming skills (in Python) increase, that problem falls away... and doesn't really ever come back.
11) The best you ever budget is to have auto-deductions taken out of your bank account for your kids college funds; but then money isn't that big an issue (eventually).
12) It's not "Duluth" you want to visit :-)
13) You'll love the time you took off with your girlfriend and saw the Grand Canyon (and the Narrows at Zion). Of course your girlfriend planned that trip. You get more into hiking (and biking) - it all helps to get you into better shape.
14) You do this very well. In fact you make a sort of Favorites cook book - which a room mate eventually steals. Bummer. Maybe you should put those recipes on line...
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Take care. I enjoyed the journey, and still do!
Jon Carnes (the older version)
Interesting work Jon
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