Positive Momentum

Happy New Year internets!

So looking back, I was a complete failure at goal numero uno in 2010... to blog... and for that I apologize!

However, despite also failing at goals number four through eight, 2010 was a downright fantastic year! Highlights certainly include amazing trips to Montreal, Chicago, the west coast swing through Portland, Napa, and San Fran, a 40th Anniversary shin dig for mom and dad, FIGMENT, dancing my ass off at Further Festival with Mike Piergrossi, St. Patrick's Day with the Insane Clown Posse, the 2nd Annual Bad Bridesmaid Dress Pub Crawl, and my awesome 33rd birthday party at the crazy Russian nightclub, The National!

While all of these were amazing experiences, I think what solidified 2010 as a great year was a complete attitude shift. I decided to control what I could control, avoid things I knew were stressful, and find the fun and ridiculous in everything. So in an effort to continue this positive momentum, I thought I'd lay out some goals for this year. So as not to disappoint, I'm not including blogging as an actual goal, but I do hope to write with more frequency than four measly posts in 365 days. That's just pathetic.

1) Join a gym and Weight Watchers and lose 20 pounds. In past years I have not set a specific goal for weight loss, so perhaps a number will help? All I know is that I hate the way I look and it's time to do something about it.

1.5) Complete "Couch to 5K" program. I know a bunch of chubby out of shape people who have successfully completed these programs. I think it would be good for me... even though I detest running.

2) Support breast cancer research. I'm not sure if this will involve a fund raising walk or something else, but I know too many amazing women, including my awesome Aunt Jeanne, that have suffered at the hands of this disease. If you are participating or organizing something this year, feel free to recruit me.

3) Finish a project management certificate program at NYU and pass the PMP certification exam. I'm all registered for my first of five classes. Now I just have to remember how to read, study and...write. I haven't used my brain in a meaningful way in a long time. To be honest, I'm nervous!

3.5) Apply for jobs in project management and get the hell out of the museum ghetto. To put it bluntly: WORKING FOR MUSEUMS SUCKS. I'm over it. It's time to get paid.

4) See more live music. I live in NYC and my friend Rachel is always trying to get me to come with her to some concert or another! I love live music and I want to make this more of a priority.

5) Take a comedy improv class. I never got around to this in 2010 and still really want to try. We'll see if I have time or money considering my school and FIGMENT time commitments.

6) Recommit to FIGMENT. While many of you heard me whine and complain while I was volunteering last year, in the end this was a positive experience. I met some amazing talented people, it led to a new lucrative part-time job and it ultimately got me in gear to go back to school. Plus, the weekend itself was a total hoot. I mean, who doesn't like girls in neon spandex dancing on a pile of bagels?

7) Grow balls and put my name in the hat for The Moth. Last year I got close but chickened out when I saw the crowd of 200 people. This year I'll do a few shots of liquid courage and get my ass on stage.

8) Never again waste another random "I love you" or " I miss you" on anyone that doesn't deserve it! This is actually a goal focused on having better judgment in people. Enough said.

9) Keep up with Meatless Mondays. I suppose this is partially a cop out since I've been doing this awhile, but I like to have an achievable goal! On a side note, all my food industry interest led to a slight addiction to documentaries last year. I learned a lot of interesting stuff in 2010!

10) "Poop Free In 2011!!!". Obviously this is more of a wish than a goal, but I believe 2010 was better because the fucking birds didn't poison me with their special brand of loving! Let's see if I can go two years in a row! (Knocking... wood...)

PS - Here's hoping my New Years Eve fortune comes true in 2011!