32 for 32

After a long hiatus, it's time to reboot the blog. As the few that may bother to visit this page probably know, my wife recently left for a long research trip to the other side of the planet. So as to keep myself busy, and hopefully to not spend money out of boredom, I decided to create a list of goals for the next eight months.

This was inspired by a number of things: a friend's New Year's resolutions; another friend's story of his 'year of trying foods he never liked again'; maybe a little Julie and Julia-style bloggery (though that half of the movie was boring as shit). So below is my defense against boredom. I'll be jabbering about my work to meet these goals here. Lo, I present the 32 (things I will do) for 32 (weeks)!

health & fitness

01. Fix my bike, and use it regularly.
02. Ride my bike out of town for a day trip.
03. Do 80 consecutive sit-ups, 40 push-ups.
04. Run a race distance I've never done before.

food

05. Plant a garden and use what I grow in meals.
06. Cook 16 recipes I’ve never tried before.
07. Learn 4 useful meals by heart.
08. Have an unusual food night every week.
09. Make 8 foods not usually made at home.

arts, media, culture

10. Attend 8 concerts.
11. Attend 8 sporting events.
12. Visit 8 museums, galleries, or exhibits.
13. Finish seeing all the films on the AFI 100 best films list.
14. Read 4 books by 4 different authors.
15. See as many Batman comics, movies, etc. as possible.

educational, professional

16. Complete a New York Times crossword puzzle, Wednesday or later.
17. Get CPR re-certified.
18. Make progress on my aerial photography experiment.
19. Make a custom map that's actually useful.

crafts & technology

20. Convert my console stereo into a digital entertainment center.
21. Create a simple website for Blair family birthdays & contacts to be accessed at.
22. Frame a picture & hang it.
23. Bind a book.

environment, friends, society

24. Buy my parents dinner.
25. Volunteer for 2 things.
26. Donate blood for the first time.
27. Avoid using a car to get groceries for 12 weeks or more.
28. Stop using clothes dryer and dishwasher for 32 weeks.
29. Attend a public meeting.

travel

30. Go to at least one new place every week.
31. Browse every bookstore in Lane County.
32. Visit a ghost town.