1) Blog More (for real...since I didn't do this last year)
So, this kinda got achieved as I did 10 more entries than I did in 2007 (though, still 10 less than 2006). I did pull off a massive 100+ photo blog of my Costa Rica trip and I also had a hefty entry on my NZ travels as well. I guess things got a bit busy to try and keep this thing as well updated as I have in the past...
2) Spend more time outdoors (camping, climbing, hiking...all on the to-do list)
Um...kinda not really. What I had in mind didn't get accomplished at all! No camping, climbing or hiking outside! Well, I did a little in Costa Rica and a little in Hawaii as well but overall I didn't do any here in the Bay Area. Something to work on this year...
3) Top rope (climbing higher...different than bouldering [like a marathon to a sprint], which is what I've mostly done to date)
Amazing! Something I did do! Go figure. Well...I did when I had friends who would come along to the gym. I did a pretty good amount of climbing (indoor) this past year and I would certainly give myself a pass mark in this category. Keep up the good work!
4) Find out how I can spend a few years overseas (preferably through employment...just need to figure it out, don't need to do it just yet)
I made this resolution without knowing that I'd be unemployed less than halfway through the year. I'll let myself out of this one for now. With the way things seem to be going, maybe I won't be doing that OE anytime soon?
5) Learn to do something completely different (I'll figure out what when I do it)
I learned how to ride a motorcycle! And I got licensed! Now, to get one so that I can ride more frequently...
I haven't yet fully figured out how 2008 rates as I did have some fairly high hopes that didn't entirely get met (as partly indicated by the low achievement rate for my resolutions). Being jobless for a significant portion of the year didn't help at all but a long desired trip to Costa Rica that actually eventuated has to be a major accomplishment. I suppose more stability this past year would have been very nice but what would life be like without a bit of excitement and unexpected events? Now looking ahead to '09...
1) Cook more (eat in and eat well)
2) Be a bit more cultured (Art, Literature, Theater, Music, Film all come to mind...)
3) Live healthy (in many facets...perhaps this stems from my month w/o Insurance over the summer?...oh and I should floss more)
4) Give (As junk as things may get, I'm luckier than many)
5) Get out (I'll leave this intentionally vague...outdoors and out of country mostly)
And there we have it. Let us dare to hope that great things shall come to pass in 2009. It'll be interesting in particular to see how my fellow Punahou alumnus will do in his first year in the White House. In regards to NZ sports, 2008 gave us respectable returns from the Games in China (Brilliant Olympics performances by Valerie Vili, Evers-Swindell twins, Tom Ashley, Hayden Roulston, Nick Willis and Mahe Drysdale as well as an outstanding Paralympics by swimmer Sophie Pascoe) in addition to a shocking Rugby League World Cup Final victory! Plus, the NY Giants won the Super Bowl!
A great many significant deaths, however, definitely contributes a measure of sadness to 2008. Many more than I care to mention here but in particular the passing of Paul Newman, Majel Roddenberry and Sir Edmund Hillary greatly affected me. I am an admirer of Paul Newman's film work but his philanthropy arguably will be his more significant legacy. Also, the man was a avid motorsport fan! Majel Roddenberry will be best remembered for being the First Lady of Star Trek, yet my most enduring memory of her will be when I met her at a Star Trek convention in Honolulu as a young child and how genuinely kind she was to not only me but all the other numerous fans as well. She wasn't the center of attention but for many years she proudly carried the legacy created by her late husband Gene. Sir Edmund Hillary was such a monumental pillar of NZ history & culture. First man to conquer Everest and founder of the Himalayan Trust. I can only hope that my contribution to this world will be somewhat meaningful compared to what Sir Ed accomplished in his life. You will all be missed dearly...
Gung Hee Fat Choy! Happy 2009!
Climbing a Costa Rican coconut tree circa May 2008
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