Resolution update: November 2011

With just one month left to complete my New Year’s resolutions, I have started crossing off those items that are complete.

The following is my progress through November.

1.  Lose 23 pounds, bringing me down to my high school track and field weight.

Eight-tenths of a pound away as of this morning. 

Stupid Thanksgiving.  And the day after Thanksgiving.  And the day after the day after Thanksgiving… 

2.  Do at least 50 100 200 push-ups and 50 100 sit-ups a day.

I did not miss a day in November.

3.  Practice the flute for at least an hour a week.

I practiced for a little more than an hour in November.  Again, a significant improvement over the previous nine months, but not even close to my goal.

4.  Find a wine that I can drink every night or so.

Success!  While I don’t adore it, I have found a wine that is moderately palatable.  Chianti is now my win of choice.  

5.  Complete my fifth novel.

Not looking good.  I have a feeling that I’ll be resetting this goal to somewhere around my birthday.

Even after writing four of them, books are hard.     

6.  Complete and submit one children’s book to my agent.

Still done. Revisions of both of my stories continue, and a new story is still underway.  I’m also participating in a children’s literature workshop in December and making plans to attend a children’s literature and publishing conference next April.  

By the end of the year, I should have three children’s books in various states of revision, with at least one back in the hands of an agent.        

7.  Complete the book proposal for the non-fiction collaborative project that I began last year.

Possible but unlikely.  This was a project that was supposed to be completed over the summer, but my partner and I failed to connect.  It will likely reappear on next year’s list of resolutions. 

8.  Complete an outline for my memoir

Done. The writing of the memoir continues. 

9.  Convince my sister to write on http://107federalstreet.blogspot.comat least once a week and do the same myself.

Still done!  Writing continues! 

10.  Drink at least four glasses of water every day.

Done.

11.  Complete at least one of the three classes required for me to teach English on the high school level.

As I stated last month, I originally needed to complete three classes in order to receive my certification, but after jumping through some administrative hoops and providing the state with some documentation, I only need two classes now.  Therefore, resolution accomplished.

I also await the results of my English certification test.  I think I probably passed despite not studying.  If not, I know the one area that I will need to review. 

12.  Try liver.

Done!  It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. 

13.  Publish an Op-Ed in a national newspaper.

I have submitted a piece to the Hartford Courant and have another in the works.  With a month to go, this is looking unlikely unless I find the write editor. 

14.  Participate in The Moth as a storyteller, at a live show or on their radio broadcast.

On Monday, I told a story at my second StorySlam and my third Moth event of the year.  I plan on attending one more StorySlam on December 26.  With luck, my name will be drawn from the hat and I will have one more chance to perform in 2011.

15. See our rock opera (The Clowns) performed on stage as a full production or in a dramatic reading format.

Done!  Since the reading last month, we have heard from two local theaters that may be interested in a full production of the show. 

16.  Organize my basement.

Almost done.  I have confidence that work will be completed by the end of the year. 

17.  Land at least one paying client for my fledgling life coach or professional best man business.

Done!

18. Rid Elysha and myself of all education debt before the end of the year.

We have eliminated half of our education debt thus far.  While it is unlikely that all education debt will be eliminated by the end of the year, we have made significant progress in this area. 

19. Replace the twelve ancient windows on the first and second floor of the house with more energy efficient ones.

Still waiting on the funding.

20. Make one mortgage payment from poker profits.

I played quite a bit of poker in November but broke even for the month.  I remain stuck on a little less than 25% of a mortgage payment so far.

21. Post my progress in terms of these resolutions on this blog on the first day of every month.

Done.