New Year's Resolutions

[mary]

I have made a game plan for myself for the coming year, and I'm posting it here in my journal as a way to push myself towards completing it -- don't feel like I'm expecting a commentary or anything; this is just as a way to kick myself into gear. I'll be printing out a copy and sticking it on the back of my front door as a reminder, too.

As well as being massively self-indulgent and otherwise content-free, I should also warn for potential triggers related to weight loss, self-harm, and discussion of money/budgeting.

Mary's resolutions for 2011:


HEALTH

I will lose 30 kilos (66 pounds).
[14 January: 1.6kg down, 28.4 to go.]
[27 January: 5kg down, 25 to go.]
[1 May: 8kg down, 22 to go.]

How:

• rent a treadmill [completed 6 January]


• use the at least 20 minutes per day before leaving for work
  (Allow one day per week 'off' without beating yourself up about it -- this doesn't mean you HAVE to take a day off, just that you CAN if you're prevented from the usual routine for whatever reason.)


• take healthy packed lunches to work


• drastically cut down on fatty, sugary, and otherwise junky foods


• get enough sleep

I will stabilize my general physical health.

How:

• lose weight, as detailed above


• exercise


• eat healthily


• go to the dentist


• take zinc and iron supplements


• get enough sleep


• maintain a clean home and office environment

I will stabilize my mental health.

How:

• keep a regular medication schedule


• regularly see a therapist


• disregard dark thoughts when possible


• don't punish myself for dark thoughts


• accept support and help from friends

I will stop hurting myself
[relapse 22 May]
[relapse 19, 20 August]

How:

• throw out razor blades


• don't blame myself for every thing that goes wrong


• don't punish myself for feelings of failure


• jump on the treadmill when the harming urge starts


• call friends


• keep regular medication schedule


• regularly see therapist


• every time I feel like hurting myself I will donate money to a charity instead

HOUSEHOLD

I will be responsible with money.

How:

• create a reasonable but firm monthly budget [completed January 12]


• take packed lunches to work


• switch to instant coffee


• make gifts for people rather than buying them


• be firmer about 'want' purchases versus 'need' purchases


• supplement day-job income through etsy and selling stories.
  - relatedly: I will create and upload at least 5 new Etsy pieces per week


• stop buying freaking handbags Mary oh my god, Freud would have so much to say about you, you are ridiculous.

I will reduce the massive amounts of clutter in my house.

How:

• pass things (ie action figures, dvds, posters) along to friends who will appreciate them more than I do


• donate one plastic bag a week of unwanted clothing to the charity bin near the train station -- drop it off every Monday morning on the way to work


• throw out the things that aren't suitable for donation or passing to friends


• the things you own end up owning you -- every give-away will make you feel lighter

PHILANTHROPY/MEDIA/PR WORK

Complete Public Relations qualification
- have emailed Swinburne asking about what subjects I still have to do and what my enrollment options are for the year -- follow-up after January 10th. [Completed January 10th]
- if the times/days clash badly with my Philanthropy Australia work, look into Recognition of Prior Learning options to get credits that way.
[May 25: have been given RPL for three of four remaining units, will study last subject in semester 2]

PRESSing Matters newsletter
- create new file system for newspaper archive [completed 7th January]
- transfer previously filed material to storage area [completed 7th January]
- learn Vision6 email software [completed 24th January]
- delegate as required

Set up a media release service and associated web archive at work
- scan relevant pages from PR textbook, make into office handbook [Completed January 12]
- create database of sectoral journalists in Australian media and their contact information
- create a weekly timetable to fit new duties in alongside ongoing tasks
- DUE BY EARLY FEBRUARY
- delegate as required

Australian Philanthropy Journal
- create year-long timetable for the release of three issues
- request extra work hours as necessary [longer hours will commence early February]
- schedule in blocks of time each week to keep up-to-date on journal tasks as well as working on it on designated days
- delegate as required, ask for help as required


WRITING

I will sell at least 5 stories and/or articles.
[1 May: 1 down, 4 to go, 3 if Sequential Tart content is also counted.]
[25 May: 2 down, 3 to go, 2 if Sequential Tart content is also counted.]
[12 August: 3 down, 2 to go, 1 if Sequential Tart content is also counted.]
[29 August: 4 down, 1 to go, none if Sequential Tart content is also counted.]
[18 November: 5 down, 0 to go]

How:

• return to music journalism?
  http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/
  http://www.thedwarf.com.au/
  http://www.tsunamimag.com/


• comics journalism?
  http://www.sequentialtart.com/


• erotica?
  http://www.xcitebooks.com/


• pop-culture essays?
  http://www.smartpopbooks.com/
  http://sequart.com/


• something different?
  http://www.bigissue.org.au/
  http://bitchmagazine.org/

I will write and sell a novel.
[1 May: Novel written, not yet sold.]
[4 September: in talks with a publisher.]
[18 November: achieved]

How:

• consistent writing schedule


• find a subject I'm passionate about


• make a clear narrative plan


• keep going even when it's miserable


• send it to industry people you know


• keep sending it


• keep sending it


• see above, repeat until sold.

Also:
Consider enrolling in this writing course: http://chuckpalahniuk.net/workshop/my-desk


OTHER

I will travel.

Potential choices:
- visit Dad in North Queensland
- Colorado and Chicago in April with Erinna
- possibly NYC with Charlie, Kellie and Merri at end of year

I will see live music.

Shows and possible shows.
- Shihad Feb 18 Corner Hotel [did not attend due to stress/exhaustion]
- The Like Feb 19 Northcote Social Club ($36.00 ) [not yet decided or purchased] [did not attend due to stress/exhaustion]
- Rob Zombie, Murderdolls, Monster Magnet, Dommin March 3 Festival Hall ($76.85) [not yet decided or purchased] [Gracie no longer able to come down, decided not to go alone, 16/2/11]
- Henry Rollins, March 7, Espy: not strictly live music but a live gig, very punk rock and very inspiring. Funny and profound by turns. Irreverent and no-bullshit and not afraid to make fun of himself or anyone else. Believes in things and believes in goodness. Enthusiasm. Anger. The ink on our wrists where we've been stamped blurs purplish red in the warmth of the evening and looks like birthmarks or hickeys. Life and love, a secret society all of us marked. Corn on graves and wells in the desert.
- My Chemical Romance April 9 Fillmore Auditorium Denver
- My Chemical Romance April 13, Eagles Club Milwaukee
- My Chemical Romance April 15 Aragon Ballroom Chicago
Done done done, notes in brown notebook from trip.
- Cobra Starship May 5 Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena supporting Maroon 5($90.50) [not yet decided or purchased] [Cobra Starship no longer supporting so no reason to go, 16/2/11)
- Rise Against July 21, Festival Hall: Positive, joyful vibe in the room, everyone there to have a good, loud time. The constellation of camera phones during Swing Life Away. Standing there plotting stories in my head while the music swirled.
- Soundwave Brisbane, September 24 [Cancelled]
- Soundwave Revolution, 30 September, Festival Hall [numb]
- Darren Hayes, 2 November, Forum Melbourne [transcendent. sitting at the booth reading, grasping my own hand so tight in ttmab, everything falling into place, a smile that wouldn't fall for animal song]
- Darren Hayes, 5 November, Tivoli Brisbane [darren on his knees in break me, affirmation, signed poster]


Personal appearance-related
- get HUSH-heart tattoo [Completed 11 January]
- regular haircuts/dye touch-ups
- ask dentist about teeth-whitening options
- dress like a grown-up for work
- that includes your shoes, Mary