2012 Year-End Round-Up!!

Well, the Mayans didn't get us and neither did Santa...here we are, still kicking just a few days away from the end of another year!  Who woulda thunk?!?

Next week we'll try and figure out a new agenda for 2013, but for now, let's just see how I measured up as 2012 winds down....now...what were my goals again? 

1. My number one priority this year - be OUT OF DEBT before 2013!

Done!  My last debt payment was paid off in November!!  I was both shocked an pleased! 

2. Maintain my weight in the 135-155 range, while actually building a little muscle and tone.

I kept my weight within 2 pounds of 150 all year long...right up until this week, when Christmas struck!!  Regardless, this morning I was 154.6...still (barely) in my desired weight range!  I'll likely be back down to 150 in the next week or two when all of the turkey and cookies and pie and stuffing and cake and you know...FOOD...is finally finished off!  IN the meantime, both fridge and belly are full of LEFTOVERS...

Much more important than just being skinny is Exercise.  I'm currently very committed to a standard 45 minute work-out, 4 days a week, and I'm definitely the strongest I've been in years!  Not only that, but I feel MUCH much better on a day-to-day basis.  Less joint pain, more energy, and a better and happier attitude overall!  Exercise!  It's not just a pain in the ass....it's a pain in the ass that, turns out, is WORTH IT!  Who knew? 

3. Memorize one song a month, chords and lyrics, throughout 2012. 

FAIL!  I managed two or three songs for a little while at least, but right this minute I can only think of ONE song that I can play now from memory that I couldn't back in December, 2011.  That song?  The Superman Song by Crash Test Dummies.  Not too shocking, I suppose.

Oh well, at least it got me practising more.  Can't win 'em all... 

4. Write lots!

Well, I've certainly once again managed my at-least-once-a-week postings both here and over at Fruitless Pursuits.  I've also managed a lot of personal writing and some world and character building for a few different stories that I'd like to tell.  So yes, I have been writing a lot.  However, I feel a little like I'm spinning my wheels writing lots of little things when maybe I ought to concentrate on one larger effort.  Hmmmm.  More on that in 2013... 

5. Schedule one half day a month to really clean my apartment and keep it looking nice.

I picked back up on the cleaning in the last few months of the year, IF you don't look too closely at the bedroom.  Somehow a large pile of random junk has accumulated in the corner of that room with no rhyme or reason.

Actually, I was supposed to be cleaning my stupid room right now!  I'm gonna start dealing with it this afternoon, probably.  I have the next few days off work and I'd like to make it nice again.  In any case, overall I think the place has been cleaner and nicer all year than it ever was in the past.  There's always more I could do, but at least it smells and looks nice, more often than not...

So that was it for my year-long goals.  I think I did well!  I've had a good year...of course there's been ups and downs...life is still life...but overall I've been pretty happy, healthy and successful!  I really can't complain about anything!  I've had some great moments this year too...the aforementioned vanquished debt, a reinvigorated interest in going up North over the summer and fall, Counting Crows and Leonard Cohen (amongst others) in concert...the list goes on and on!  Thanks, 2012!  You've been pretty kind to me...here's to keeping it up through 2013!  Momentum, baby!

Remember...a goal without a plan is just a wish!  Next week we'll start planning for...the FUTURE!!!

You Vitriolic, Patriotic, Slam, Fight, Bright Light...

...Feeling Pretty Psyched!

So tomorrow's the End of the World as We Know It, according to some Mayans who carved it in stone a long long time ago.

Yeah, right...

Why is it that we all pay attention to doomsday prophecies?  I don't think anyone REALLY expects the world to end, right?  I DO think that everyone wants some significant CHANGE though...isn't looking forward to the end of the world really just admitting that we're all sick of the status quo?  That this civilization that we live in now is broken and we're ready for something new?

Well, good news...that's what the Mayans were predicting...not the end of the world but the end of an age (presumably to be followed by a NEW age!)  That still doesn't mean that they are right...although if we WANT them to be, we could make it so...

Changing the world is as easy as everyone just changing their attitudes...even just a fraction.

Imagine, for a moment, if starting tomorrow we as a species all decided that we would actually obey the universally accepted law, "enforced" by pretty much every religion and government on the planet, and STOP KILLING OTHER HUMAN BEINGS.  For ANY reason.  I'll do my part...never killed anyone and I'm not gonna start!  Who's with me?

That would be the end of the world we know.  Wouldn't it be great?  

Peace and Love to everyone, everywhere, unconditionally!  Merry Christmas and a Happy End of the World!  Catch you on the other side...

'Tis the Season...

 
...to be BUSY, Fa lala lalaaaa la laaa laaa laaaaa...

Which I don't actually mind

Because when you're a single guy without kids in your mid thirties, you really don't WANT too much time to stop and think around the holidays.  There's a lot of mixed emotions that come to the surface at this time of year, and I think even the most content single guy ever (and while I am having a good time, I can't go quite THAT far) must have to consider the alternatives, however briefly.

Well, there's still time...the future is unwritten and the wheel's always turning...

Anyway, after devoting several hours over the last 2 days to the task, I managed to pull together a little bit of Christmas!  Tree - Check!  Presents - Check!  Chocolate - Check!  Good enough for me!  Still got 11 days left too, so I can recall whatever it is that I'm sure I forgot.

Let the countdown commence!

"Living Legend"

 While watching the season finale of "Comic Book Men" the other day I heard Kevin Smith (who is not without some notoriety of his own) refer to Stan "The Man" Lee as a "Living Legend".  He's not wrong...Stan Lee is the guy who's created almost every viable property in the Marvel Universe and who creations have netted untold (well,un-looked-up) riches, from their humble beginnings as comics in the early days to the Avengers movie raking in billions all on it's lonesome!

Anyway, it made me consider the concept of "Living Legend" and who might fall into that category these days.  One person, whom I at least am willing to place there, I got to see live for the first time on Wednesday night!  Living (at least Canadian) Legend, Leonard Cohen!

Seventy-Eight years old and this guy had the A.C.C. riveted for hours...I laughed, I cried, I repeated the word "brilliant" far too often...this guy is incredible!  I've seen a lot of concerts in my time, some good, some bad, some notable giant venues with world famous musicians, and some dingy little stages with musicians who'll drink with you afterwards, and I've seen all levels of "musical charisma" but Leonard Cohen takes it to the next level...I couldn't help but be riveted...this guy's got too much charm for one human being.  I even wept unashamedly as he recited "A Thousand Kisses Deep".

Plus look at the man get down on his knees!  Geesh, at 35 I'm lucky if both of my knees will bend on command at all...how does he do it?

Anyway, it was well worth going to see the show...If you ever get a chance, go see Leonard Cohen!  There aren't too many people left in the world who might be considered living legends...the aforementioned Stan Lee....maybe Bob Dylan...Paul McCartney...Wayne Gretzky...a handful of folks...but Leonard Cohen's one of a kind.  Thanks for coming back to Toronto, Mr. Cohen!!  Great show!