Tuesday, January 1, 2008

So This is the New Year (2008)...

Damn I'm sexy!Let's start this blog with a song...

The New Year
By Death Cab for Cutie, 2003


So this is the new year.
And i don't feel any different.
The clanking of crystal
Explosions off in the distance (in the distance).

So this is the new year
And I have no resolutions
For self assigned penance
For problems with easy solutions

So everybody put your best suit or dress on
Let's make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
Lighting firecrackers off on the front lawn
As thirty dialogs bleed into one

I wish the world was flat like the old days
Then i could travel just by folding a map
No more airplanes, or speed trains, or freeways
There'd be no distance that could hold us back.

There'd be no distance that could hold us back [x2]

So this is the new year [x4]

I love that song. Really captures how people celebrate the ending of one year, and the beginning of the next. As you can see in the picture, that was me this year. My friend Bryan had people over for a very classy cocktail party, and we had a great time. Thanks B.

Anyway, this is the new year, and unlike the song, I do have resolutions. Before I dive into what I want to do this year, I think I need to examine the results of last year's resolutions (original blog on MySpace at http://blog.myspace.com/clintcrockett). So without further adieu...

Wanted to be a homeowner by the end of April. Successful? Yes. I purchased a very nice condo in Broomfield that I like more and more everyday. Very cool huh?

Planned on being a parent to a puppy by the end of June. Successful? No. I am having so much trouble justifying this. I'm never home, I don't have a yard, and it would only be me taking care of the pup (with help from some very considerate neighbors)... and those three things are the main things making me think I'm not ready to be a "parent".

Tried to be more aggressive in my dating life.. Successful? Oh Yeah. I would say this has been a very interesting year when it came to dating. I defiantly went out with more women this year than ever. Some were fun and over, some are still friends, and some just were not meant to be. I learned a lot about the process, other people, and about myself... I haven't learned everything though...

I was looking to make an annual income of $50K by the end of 2007. Successful? ... 10 months early.

Looking to remain active despite all the changes in my life. Successful? ... For the most part. I was able to stay pretty active this year, but I wasn't able to do everything I wanted to. The last time I played golf was the middle of June, I stopped going to the Yoga studio this summer, and I never joined a soccer league... But I was able to figure out a way to stay active...

I was hoping I could keep writing my weekly blogs until July 3rd, one a week for a year. Successful? Negative. The last weekly blog I wrote was on April 29th, two months short my goal (again, check out http://blog.myspace.com/clintcrockett), but I'm not upset about that. I just ran out of topics to write about that would have been any interest to anyone. But I'm still happy with the outcome and some of my writing is actually pretty interesting, so I'm happy with it.

I wanted to learn how to cook. Successful? For the most part. Before my friend Sarah left for Vermont, we were cooking every Sunday. I learned a lot and really want to do more...

Now we know the old, let's check out the new:

Working on the results of my dating so far. Like I mentioned before, I learned a lot this year... And with all the learning I did, I think I'm ready for the next step. As some of you know, I've never had a real serious relationship (some of you might cite otherwise, but one of those was in high school, the other based on a lie, so neither of those count in my book). I want to learn more about being in that situation, acknowledging the necessary sacrifice, compromise, happiness, and comfort that comes with that next step. And yes, I want to learn more about who I am in that situation and what adjustments I could make based on the newly acquired knowledge.

Improving my culinary skills further... And why not? This is fun and, if I have someone to cook for, could even be more fun...

Volunteering: You know, I have things pretty good. Now I think I should do more to help those who haven't had the nice breaks I have. If you have any ideas on where I could volunteer, let me know. I want to be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army next holiday season, but of course there are 11 months before that where I could do some good.

Travel More: To be honest, I'm not happy with myself this year. Not one trip anywhere. Given, funds were lower due to the new house and new car, and my brother Mike and I planned a trip to Mexico that fell through, but I'm still not thrilled. Vacation time was not the problem (I maxed out at my 120 hours numerous times this year). So this year, I've adjusted my finances to add $50 from each check to a vacation/Christmas fund, and I'll get a 40 hour extension on my max of accumulated time, so I should be okay to at least take two trips of some sort this year.

Professionally, want to increase my income by more than $9K by the end of the year: I'm aiming high this year, but hey, nothing wrong with that. I would love to get into a management position this year, so we'll see if that's possible.

I know, I know, there is no mention of a puppy up here. Trust me, it's not an easy thing to omit. But, as I mentioned, I just couldn't provide the attention and accommodations the pup needs. This does not mean I'm not willing to be convinced otherwise though...

So there ya go, my resolutions for the new year. I'm anxious to see what this one holds. I think this will be a good year for me. Not a whole lot new going on now or in the immediate future, and that's not a bad thing.

Here's to hoping you all have a great year in 2008!

Check ya later!

Clint