January status report

resolutions status report

Update: Now in color and with pictures

We're now roughly 10 percent of the way through 2006, and it's time to take stock of my progress on each of my resolutions.

Zero credit card balance

Status: Behind schedule

This situation has actually gotten worse since January 1. I was making reasonable progress until I purchased a ticket to Las Vegas. That shouldn't have affected my goal too much, until it was compounded by unforseen expenses related to my recent hard drive failure.

I think I can still make this goal happen, but it comes at the expense of another. My plans for visiting Europe this fall have become abbreviated: Instead of one week in Paris and one in London, I'm planning on only spending a week in/around London.

Post one entry per week to cmerrill.com

Status: Ahead of schedule

While some may argue the merits of some of my entires, I'm currently well-ahead of schedule, averaging 1.25 entries per week. In theory, I could not write another entry for 2 more weeks and still be on track for accomplishing this goal.

Write one handwritten letter per month

Status: Behind schedule

I haven't written one yet. Since we're still early in the year, I don't anticipate any problems catching up.

Buy two new CDs per month

Status: On schedule

I bought two CDs in January: Cat Power's "The Greatest" and "Tales from Turnpike House" by Saint Etienne. I'm pleased with both selections and look forward to my next purchase. If you have any suggestions for new discs, please leave them in the comments. Keep in mind I'm trying to restrict my selection to music released in 2006, but will make exceptions.

Be able to run three miles in 25.5 minutes

Status: Way behind schedule

I don't think I've even laced up my running shoes this year.

Leave the state five times

Status: On schedule

Toward the end of January, I visited the Tennessee Aquarium in Chatanooga. I was only out of the state for a few hours, but outside the state is outside the state. Future plans include a trip to Las Vegas next month and a trip to London in the fall. That leaves two more extra-state trips to plan before the year is out.

Spend eight days in Paris London

Status: Revised

Due to financial constraints, this goal is being revised to spending eight days in London.

Read 13 books

Status: On schedule

Book No. 1 was "Blink" by Malcom Gladwell. Book No. 2 is in progress: "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes. I didn't read Amazon's description very carefully, so I was surprised when it turned out to be almost a thousand pages. I'm enjoying it so far.

Prepare/cook 21 meals per month

Status: Behind schedule

I was doing OK at the beginning of January, but have since fallen behind. I think I can catch up, though -- especially considering that accomplishing this goal means spending less money, leaving more for paying down the credit card.

Produce and upload 34 minutes of audio/video content

Status: On schedule

The video from the aquarium visit is a bit over three minutes long, which means that I've finished 10 percent of this goal and we're about 10 percent of the way through the year. It doesn't get much more on schedule than that.

Conclusion

I obviously have some catching up to do, but I'm not yet so far behind that any goal is out of reach.