101 goals in 1001 days review

I have one of those "2009 in review" type posts percolating in my head, but before I get to that, I figured it was time to do a review of how my 101 goals in 1001 days is coming along.

For reference, here's the original list of goals.

I haven't been working at them too diligently, but I knew that a few were either finished or in progress, so here's the list so far:

In Progress
- Lose 50 pounds (22/50)
- add one new album per month to my music library (5/whatever)
- read 10 of the books in my collection that I've never read before (2/10)
- remain debt free for the entire duration of the project (except for possibly financing a car)
- create a proper precedent system including a binder with printouts, and remember to take it with me when I change jobs (which should be after I finish my paralegal) (in progress)
- register my SCA name and device (in progress, working with a herald)
- get one character of each class in WoW to level 80 (faction unimportant) (6/10 complete)
- draft and execute my Will (it's in progress, still deciding on things)
- Plant and grow a container garden on my balcony containing at least 6 herbs, and successfully harvest at least one large handful of herb from each plant (have started planning it for 2009)
- get 10 pictures of friends and family and frame them and put them up around the house (2/10)

Finished
- save $1000 in an emergency fund
- set up an altar
- buy a car (didn't buy it, but it's on long-term loan from SIL so that is close enough for me)
- learn to drive a stick shift (done! had to do it to use SIL's car)
- find a hairstyle that suits me and doesn't require much maintenance
- pare down my wardrobe to only things that fit and what can fit in my closet without being stuffed to the gills

Not too bad for not having actually worked at it!

memeage: Resistance is Futile

So I went to answer the Resistance is Futile meme questions that wulfstan gave me, and I remembered that I'd gotten questions from lynda a while back and hadn't answered them yet. So I answered them both!

Here's how it works:

Post "Resistance is futile" as a comment on this post, and I'll reply with 5 questions. Then post the questions, and your answers, in your blog. Easy, yes?

questions from lynda

1. What did you and Ian do on your first date? Did you immediately know the relationship would turn serious?
We met up at a skytrain station, went for lunch, wandered around a bit, and then hung out at his place for a while. No, I didn't immediately know it would turn serious. In fact, after the first date, I thought he was a total dork. It took us about 3 weeks to have a second date, and after that I still thought he was a dork, and even told jazdewills that if I told her I was going to see him again, that she should remind me that I said that after the 2nd date. But we continued to chat online, and I really enjoyed talking to him, so a couple weeks later I decided to see him again. Jaz reminded me of what I said, and I said "I don't care, I'm bored and lonely, I'm going to see him anyway." By date #3, he'd gotten used to me enough that he lost his nervousness, which is what was causing me to think he was a dork. So date #3 was fun enough that I decided to start seeing him regularly, and somewhere in the month or so after that, it got serious.

2. I know you identify as pagan. What does that mean to you?
To me, it largely means having a huge respect for nature and the earth, being more in tune with the earth's cycles, seeing diety as having both a feminine AND masculine aspect, and practicing a religion that encourages thinking for oneself.

3. When/How did you decide to open your own business? Do you like this day job or does it just pay the bills to give you more time to do other stuff you love?
To be honest... I hadn't thought about it until I GOT this job. My boss wanted me to work on contract, which lended itself to functioning as a business, but really, I am still just a plain 'ol legal assistant. I'm still working on the whole opening a craft business on Etsy thing. Things got sidetracked during some of my down periods in the past 6-8 months.

4. I don't think I knew before reading your profile that you are a classically trained pianist. When did you start learning to play? How does this skill affect your current life?
I started taking piano lessons at age 5 or 6, I don't remember exactly. I took lessons for 11 years as a kid, and only stopped in my late teens because I was working and couldn't get a lesson time that wouldn't mess with my work schedule. This was such a dumb move, looking back on it. Anyways. I still play, though not as much as I should or want to. The skills I gained from it definitely still show in my day-to-day life. The fact that I can read music really strongly has made any other instrument I've wanted to take up quite a bit easier. I also have very dextrous fingers, and it has probably made getting my typing speed up a lot easier. I also have excellent hand-eye coordination. On the down side... playing the piano and now, spending as much time typing as I do... it means my fingernails grow like freaking weeds. I seriously have to cut them at least once a week or they become unmanageable.

5. What do you struggle with, if anything?
Oh SO many things. My weight, my mental state, keeping myself on track with tons of things. This question would take two entries all in itself to answer. :)

questions from wulfstan

1. How did you get started in the SCA?
Almost 14 years ago, I was on a date with someone who has since become a good friend that I don't talk to enough, and out of the blue, he said "Y'know, I think you would really like the SCA". He brought it up as a place that is very plus-size-friendly, since I am, and was at that time, a large person. I went home, looked it up on the internet, and went "that sounds SO COOL, I wanna join!". I went to a few things that fall, but didn't really get started until the following spring when I moved to the city, which of course had a large, active SCA branch.

2. How did you and Ian meet?
Online. Via Craigslist personal ad, actually. :)

3. What is your all-time favorite movie?
Love, Actually. :)

4. If you could travel to any one place, all expenses paid, for up to a month, where would it be?
Ireland. Absolutely no question there. Actually I'd probably do a combination Ireland/Scotland/Wales/England trip if I had a full month. But Ireland is one of the two parts of my heritage (the other being the Ukraine), plus the history and the art and the spirituality... it's pretty much my dream vacation.

5. What is a question you were hoping I would ask but didn't, and the answer to it?
Cop-out! :P Seriously, I have no idea. I had no questions in mind at all when I did the meme. :) Anybody else wanna ask me something?