December Goals

Yes yes. I realize it is a little late for these. But shut up! I am never on time for anything...anymore!

Please note: I totally copied this post of Nadine's, short of stealing her goals! I was tempted....they are pretty awesome!

I think these are goals I can live with! And maybe even accomplish!

later loves

p.s. I can't believe I have started some kind of "tradition" of goal-setting....and accomplishing! It feels weird...weird, but good!

I don't set goals...

That being said, I think I am going to continue with my diet of "crazy pills" and make some. Buddy...you are the "worst" influence on me! Inspiration...energy...gumption even! Oi vay.

This was something that A Beautiful Mess encouraged their followers to do back at the beginning of September, but as I do not follow those ladies anymore I am just coming across it now. I figure, what can it hurt? Also, they asked you to set four goals, but I am going to be less ambitious and try for three.

And I decided to make them all "creative" goals. With my evenings being what they are - short - I haven't been spending enough time creating things. Scrapbooking & painting & drawing help me de-stress and unwind. And I find they get my brain working in a different way that is so refreshing and stimulating (compared to work, and computering...you know...)

#1. Complete at least four weeks of Project Life. I have started it up again. The giant monster. The other day, as I was looking through my first album of the year, I realized that I absolutely love how this project looks and works! I just find the follow through really damn hard. If I can document even a tiny tidbit of the next two months, and not have it drive me crazy, I will be a happy camper! #2. Do something "crafty" to decorate the mantle. My mantle is looking really (really) sad these days. I used to put lots of time & effort into creating little vignettes and displays, using whatever random decor bits I had laying around the house. But that has fallen by the wayside, and now it's just a place for rocks and bottles to collect. I want to make something and decorate with it. Maybe something like this? #3. Start a new art journal. Here is another of my favourite things that has been left behind thanks to busy life syndrome. I love looking back through the books I completed earlier in the year, when I was really needing them to help me work through some stuff. I found some books that will make great art journals when I was cleaning out the basement a couple of months ago. They are made from the perfect paper, and they aren't too big (aka overwhelming)! I thinking I will leave one by my bed to record my thoughts at the end of the day. 

I have loads of other "to-do" type goals in mind to accomplish before the year is up, but I thought I would start small and start fun with these guys! They are totally do-able, and nothing too drastic or abnormal that it will take some sort of acrobatic changes to my routine to get them done!

Are any of you guys out there "goal-oriented"? 

Do you have any fun goals or tough goals on the books right now?

Is there anything YOU would like to accomplish before 2013?

later loves

It's Almost September!?!?!

Where the HECK did summer go? I guess we've got about a month left of "technical summer", but with school back in it gets harder and harder to enjoy those late nights and loose weekends.

I thought I would take today to check out how I did on my "Summer Manifesto" - both the real and the goofy - and overall how my summer panned out in the great scheme of things!

And then I got busy and forgot about it, and left this post scheduled for this morning without any of the goodies in it...so some of you might be having a strange sense of Deja Vu at this point. Anyhoo.

I saw some whales, and met up with a blog-friend...in real life.

I enjoyed my backyard, and drank lots of mojitos (and beer).

I did go for loads of coffee dates, and had some drinks out (with R, & with BFF).
Thank heavens.

But I did not have people over, and I did not go to any movies, or host any movies at my place, or organize play dates, or eat breakfast out.

But to be honest, I am quite satisfied with my summer so far! I may not have stuck to my lists, but I was quite busy. And I would rather focus on the "dones" that the "not-dones".

I went camping twice and I went to the beach a bunch of times.

And I went to Folk Fest and Wide Mouth Mason.

And Heritage Days, and Taste of Edmonton.

And I organized half of my fricken messy basement! And got lots of other cleaning done.

These last items weren't on my list originally, but they made it there last week!

And summer isn't over yet! I am planning to have people over for my birthday in September (stress!) that might involve some sort of BBQ and games night!

I am looking forward to the fine weather we are sure to get headed into Fall. And maybe, just maybe, checking off a couple more "Do Mores" on my lists!

How did your summer stack up? Did it live up to all the hype!? HA!

later loves

June Book List

Can I just say that June disappeared in to the ether like nobody's business!? What the deuce!? I was celebrating Mother's Day, then all of a sudden it was Russ' birthday, with Father's Day creeping up on it. And then the last day of school hit my ass like a tonne of bricks. And now it's the end of the month, and I am on my way out west to revel in the beach and the rain forest and the sushi that is British Columbia.

Behind the Beyond by Stephen Leacock (borrowed from Dan)
Deadline (Newsflesh Book #2) by Mira Grant (iBook)
Blackout (Newsflesh Book #3) by Mira Grant (iBook)
Life, The Universe & Everything by Douglas Adams
The Time Machine by HG Wells (iBook)
So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish by Douglas Adams
War of the Worlds by HG Wells (iBook)

Everything was awesome! And I recommend it all! I'm going to do up a nice, full review of the Newsflesh Trilogy, and the Hitchhiker's "trilogy" (once I finish it).

The two HG Wells titles were amazing! I was genuinely spooked while reading War of the Worlds. And his insight into the future, as shown in The Time Machine was spot on. Great, timeless, classic short stories.

Have you ever just wanted to sit in the quiet of the day, and read? I had a bunch of those moments this month. Bunches and bunches. It was nice for my brain and my sanity, but not so nice for my to-do list! Ouch!

Also, I find reading at the gym really makes my workout fly right by. Whether this is a good or bad thing, I am still on the fence.

We leave on our big road trip today, which means more reading on the road...umm...yeah. Russ likes to drive, and I like to read and watch the scenery pass me by. And I have many quiet days on the beach "planned" so I hope to make quite a dent in my "to-read" list in July.

And can I also just say that I miss you...and can I borrow Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter for the next two weeks (or so)? Pretty please?

later loves

p.s.

"Go West, young man, go West. There is health in the country, and room away from our crowds of idlers and imbeciles."

"That," I said, "is very frank advice, but it is medicine easier given than taken. It is a wide country, but I do not know just where to go."

Summer "Do More" List

Kyla Roma recently posted a list of "Summer Intentions". And Vivs did a post awhile back about "Summer Goals". I'm sure there are loads more of these kinds of lists in the Blog-world right now, but all I needed was these two to get me making my own list. I'm calling my the "Summer 'Do More' List"...and I am using it to come up with ways to make the most out of my summer! And to finally do some of those things I always say I'm going to do, but never follow through with. Best intentions, eh!?

More picnics in the park

More breakfasts out

More drinks out with friends (here, here, and here to start)

More play dates for Dude

More mini albums

More enjoying my backyard

More people over (see note above!)

More games nights (see note above!)

More mojito nights!!

More movie nights

More coffee dates

More play!!

Do you have any summer goals? Mini or otherwise!?

later loves

May Book List

I took it (very) easy this month with books. I am slowly (very slowly) making it through The Crossing, but I keep having to return it to the library!

Arcadian Adventures with the Idle Rich by Stephen Leacock (borrowed from Dan)
American Gods by Neil Gaiman (iBook, re-read)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Blindness by Jose Saramago (library)
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams


Recommended: Still love American Gods. Still recommend it, and anything else by Neil Gaiman.


I really enjoyed the first two books in the trilogy of five Hitchhiker books. Good, light, sci-fi. I might just find me the movie to watch...it gets bonus points for starring Martin Freeman (on a side note, I finished the latest series of Sherlock, and love love loved it!)


Meh: This latest Stephen Leacock got old quick. I get it. You think rich people are ludricrous. Thanks for the update. Now can we move on to some other jokes?


I was so ready to love Blindness. The premise is excellent, the presentation unique. But I just couldn't get into it. I think something (a lot of things) were lost in translation. Time felt out of joint, but not on purpose. The characters seemed really fake sometimes. And I totally didn't pick up on the similarities to 1984 and other dystopian works. I just didn't get it. I can tell that this is a wonderful book, but not for me.




At the beginning of the month I went and spent a bunch of money at Chapters. There is a theme to all the stuff I bought, which will not be immediately apparent to anyone else. So maybe this is a private joke...anyhoo...I am looking forward to some non-fiction next month (Margaret Atwood's Payback & No Logo by Naomi Klein), as well as finishing off the Hitchhiker series and starting in on the Arthur C. Clarke's series of Space Odyssey books.


later loves

2012 Goals...An Update!

The last update I did for these was back in March. I was doing okay, but I wanted to really get focused and make my 2012 Goals a super-priority for me! And...well...I'm still only doing "okay". But I'm totally okay with that! This year I wanted to create simple, general goals, that would be easy for me to follow through with, and that wouldn't make me feel guilty if I slacked off a little!

I am still making art everyday, and finding a lot of answers and satisfaction in this. I looked up at the stars the other night (giant moon!!) and the sky was totally different than the last time I looked up! So I am going to get a sky map out this month, and spend a couple of nights outside. And I am definitely going to try and catch the Transit of Venus in June!! The books thing is so not a problem, and I am adjusting my reading every month depending on how I feel and how busy I am.

I should have named Goal #3 "The Friendship Goal"...I may not be seeing lots of different friends for coffee dates, but I am spending a good amount of time focusing on one new friendship. And it feels really good, and I am just going to go with it! The spirit of the Goal was to focus on and really work on my friendships, and I think I am doing that in other ways (mail, email, etc.). The coffee date thing is still a great idea, but it is taking to the back-burner right now as I continue to work on my schedule and work out my "free time".

I have decided to add a mini goal to this season. I know I started off wanting to have a "mini goal" every month, but to be honest, that was just too much for me! Too specific, and too time-sensitive! HA!

So for the next little bit (keeping it super non-specific here) I want to try out some new recipes!

Drinks & dinners. I want to branch out a bit. I want to spend more time outside, relaxing with a fun cocktail in my tiny backyard. I want to invite people over (gasp!). I want to "live a little" and try some new things!

I am freaking out!!

I don't do recipes very well. I am a lazy cook. I like pattern and repetition. But I also love all those pretty pictures on the internet of beautiful, delicious food! And cocktails! Oh my....my liquor budget is going to go through the roof this month!

Does anyone out there have any food & drink suggestions for me this month??


So far I'm thinking of this slaw (we love slaw here!), and anything with avocado and eggs is heaven in my opinion. Also, anything with the word "mojito" it. Peach! Strawberry & basil! I can't wait to start muddling!

later loves

2012 Goals...an update

I have been such a bad bad girl...not following through with my goals like I thought I would!

This page gives you a run down of the four simple tasks I set for myself at the beginning of this year.

I am going to go through them one-by-one, to get the point across to myself and maybe give me the necessary kick in the pants to do something!!

#1. Create ART everyday. Create something everyday. I was really good about doodling in my journal for that first month, and then I started in on Project Life and all hell broke loose. I really enjoyed Julie's post on Project Life the other day. Near the end, she writes about P.L. has taken her away from Art Journaling, as it is so time consuming and has so much in common with an art journal that she finds she's repeating herself. And I totally agree! I have been finding so much satisfaction in my random little art journals right now, that I find myself struggling to complete my PL each week.

#2. Read 52 books. Here is a goal that I am really sinking my teeth in to. I am at 14 books so far, and going strong in to March. I have almost reached my library goal, and I borrowed a bunch of books from my buddy this month as well. He reads goofy books like me!

#3. Coffee dates...this one is the no-go. I feel so busy all the time, like my nights and weekends get eaten right up before I have any say in the matter. I inadvertently had a "tea-date" with the friend who lent me his books. I went over to pick them up, and he asked me in for tea. Not quite what I was thinking of when I created this goal, but it was awesome, so it will have to do! March is the month to start these! Come hell or high water...

#4. Look to the sky. No problems there. I went star-gazing a bunch of times in February, learned the names of some constellations, and am reading lots of interesting star-related articles and watching some neat-o videos. The weather hasn't been great lately for stargazing (cold + cloudy), but I'm not worried.

So, I guess I haven't been doing so bad, but there are definitely ways I can improve.

These four things were very important to me in January, and they still are. Which means to me, that I picked the right goals!!

This month I am going to:
- go on at least one coffee date (#3)
- finish my Collider book (#2 & #4)
- "Catch up" my Project Life album, and re-evaluate how this is working (re: not working) for me (#1)

There...that makes me feel much better. All warm and cozy inside.

Oops, did I type cozy? I meant crazy...obviously.

later loves

Astronomy in the Hood

"Look to the sky", I said.

I think I have lived up to my side of the bargain.

And hopefully I am on the way to convincing a certain someone to join me outside one of these days.
(updated: I did! One text was all it took to convince him to join me on this random back road. We spent an hour outside watching the sky move, and he saw his first shooting star!)

Photo taken just east of 17 street on 23 avenue, Edmonton. Thursday, February 16, 2012. Around 9pm.

The clouds came a-swooping in and I had to call it a night earlier than I had hoped. But the weather was beautiful otherwise, and I got some sketching done. I am now trying to find out which constellations I was looking at. Aside from the Big Dipper...that one is a no-brainer.

And if it isn't, maybe you would like to join me as well.

later loves

p.s. Like my workout outfit? I was previously at Spa Lady on this night. On a positive note, my previously skin-tight leggings are getting loose and I can now fit into every one of my previously too small Threadless tees. The only possible word for this is awesome...

p.p.s I think I am on my way to making a new friend! I am beyond excited. You have no idea how difficult it is, which makes it all the more rewarding.

Dang it's Cold Out!!

I just couldn't bring myself to go to work today. Drive in the cold, walk in the cold, sit in the cold office. No thanks! Walking Lucas to school was so painful...it is on days like today that I feel most sorry for my mailman. He was positively frosty by the time he made it to my house, and I am early on in his route. Yikes!

I have made a substantial to-do list for this afternoon, which includes things like:
- type up meeting minutes (check!)
- put away laundry and do another load
- work on this week's mini album (check!)
- have a shower and get dressed

If I don't write it down, I might forget...

Stay warm today!

p.s. my glasses came today and they are not what I expected. back to the drawing board...

2012 Goal #4

Look to the Sky...

I'm busy finding websites to browse, and am looking for a good book to buy. I am waiting for a cloudless night to pull out a lawn chair, dig out Russel's binoculars and do some stargazing!

2012 Goal #3

One of the changes I want to make in my life is to meet up with friends more often. It seems nowadays that the only way I keep in touch is by stalking someone on Facebook! And that is just not good enough. So starting next week I am going to try and go on one coffee date every couple of weeks!

Goal: "Keep in Touch"
Particulars: Meet up with one lucky lady (or gentleman) every couple of weeks - schedule permitting - for a coffee date. I have compiled a list of people I want to see, which I am not going to include here. Chat and catch up.
Deadline: Ongoing!

I have decided to include my two best friends in this as well, and invite my boys on some coffee dates. Because I can always use a little extra love from these guys!

And speaking of Facebook, I found this interesting article last month, posted on Facebook of all places. The author details how Facebook is making us more miserable, more anxious about our jobs and personal lives, cutting into our work day, fragmenting our time spent doing other things, and wreaking havoc on our ability to make and maintain personal connections with living, breathing human beings. Most of the comments were from users who had stopped using Facebook and had no regrets. I am rarely on Facebook nowadays, but do enjoy the occasional bump into people that I wouldn't normally interact with. Is Facebook inherently evil? No. But does it have the tendency to exacerbate bad behavior in otherwise decent people? Yep...for the most part.

In closing: Facebook less. Coffee dates yes!

Also, you might be getting an email within the next year requesting your presence at a coffee house of your choosing to help Lisa accomplish this goal! Be a dear and pick somewhere with decent parking...

p.s. what happens when you want to start a new blog but someone has already used the web address you wanted? I am stalling out...clever failing...wit evaporating...sarcasm sign dropping...

2012 Goal #2

Read 52 Books!

I accomplished this last year and it felt so good, so I thought I would add it to the list again. This post from early 2011 details some of my guidelines for this goal. I was basing all of this on another blogger's own goal for herself. Thanks to my own personal success on this, I have decided to tailor-make my own rules for myself this year. Feel free to play along, or to make your own reading challenge!

Lisa's 52 Books in 2012 Guidelines

1. Read at your own pace. There is no minimum per month.

2. At least 15 books should be borrowed from the library.

3. At least 20 books should be purchased second-hand, or borrowed from other readers.

4. Re-reads count. E-books count, because they are still books...duh!

5. Graphic novels count towards the total, but comic books and magazines don't.

I will be documenting all the books I read each month in a similar fashion to how I did it last year. I will also document all the comic books and magazines I read, just for fun as they won't count towards my final total. I think a goal of "reading more" should include all forms of reading. I have read some Scientific American articles that are full of more information than some novels!!

I hope some of you join me in adding "read more" to your list of goals for the year. It really was rewarding to look back through my list of books last year and see all that I had accomplished. Reading is important to me, and I would love to be able to inspire others to bring more reading in to their lives!

2012 Goal #1

Create ART everyday.

 

no rules. no right or wrong supplies. no pressure.