January is well underway, and I’m already behind with what I wanted to accomplish by the end of 2008, including this website. No one knows this site exists at the moment, except Avi who helped me set up this Word Press account. It’s a liberating feeling. Part of the problem I had with the old Play site was that posting a typical entry was beginning to suck up anywhere between 90 minutes and two hours. The coding was complex, I had to reformat all my photographs, upload them by hand in Dreamweaver, insert comment code and ultimately end up reformatting the entire page because inevitably, I would screw something up. I refused to convert to typical Internet blogging sites because I felt I lost control of the appearance of the page. I knew Word Press was an option, and I had an old version collecting cyber dust in the ether, but the pre-upgrade interface was terrible to use. Now, I have the upgrade and, as the saying goes, wherever you go, there you are. I’m glad to be back.

My New Years Resolutions, still going strong after 2 weeks (and in some cases, several months):

1. Save Money. This has become a personal mantra as I’ve realized the only way to free myself from a lifetime of worrying about money is to have a stash in the bank. I’m working to eradicate debt and job dependence.

2. Go Vegan. Yes, for real. I’m rocking the Vegan lifestyle like I did between 1997 and 2001. I feel better already. My stomach isn’t as sensitive and I have much more energy throughout the day.

3. Don’t Drink. Goodbye alcohol. We were never really friends to begin with anyway, and I refuse to acknowledge your supposed social lubricant properties when all you do is make me feel ill and excluded.

4. Do Less. By doing less of the things I don’t gain personal benefit from, I save more time to participate in those things that actually do feed my soul. The list is long, but I am mighty and I refuse to abide by artificial and unachievable expectations placed on my life by others.

5. Do What I Love. Take photographs, make prints, listen to music, go on adventures, be involved in my community, teach, talk, walk, bike, run.

6. Be Mindful. One of my perpetual problems is my inability to be in the present moment. I’m always future planning. For the next year, I am content with where I am and what I am doing. I will practice daily meditation and attend the downtown Buddhist center’s weekly guided meditation sessions.

7. Cleanse. Physically and mentally:  shed, release, change.

Welcome to the next big adventure, friends. This year is going to be a good one.