Some Resolutions

Hello there, 2017!

2016 is done. Dead. Over. So... what next?

1. I am going to eat something green every day - that definitely fell by the wayside toward the end of last year - strangely enough, after the 2016 Elections here in the US.  
2. Do the Read Harder Challenge from Book Riot.  I did the 2016 one, and that was an excellent choice: it provided the motivation I needed to read books that I perceived to be worthy but not always as immediately appealing as something trashier and lighter. The challenge taught me also that these perceptions were not really accurate - so much of what I read was wonderful and easily digested, in part because I chose good books by authors who knew what they were doing.  I might post up the choices I made for 2016, because I was pretty pleased with myself, but that's for another time.
3. Cut down on screen time.  I am not quite sure how I'm going to do it, but some research (sadly, on a screen) will be needed!  But, basically, I spend too much time with my phone and it irritates me as well as people in my life.  I would like this to help with productivity, too.  This is where I'm starting: each year, NPR looks at different ways to disconnect, a little, and I will be looking into some of 2015's recommendations.  It is a little scary, but exciting, too.  I think smaller steps are needed, as I don't really know how to even start!  So I see the plan as this:
1. January: Working out (and being honest about) just how much time I spend doing what - on phone, on tv, and on computer.  
1. After two weeks, work out what is "essential" time, what is "fun" time, and what is "I'm doing this because I can't stop / I'm addicted / being lazy" time.  
2. Then make a plan to cut down on a small part at a time.  I think the Bored... and Brilliant? series at NPR will really help there.
2. February: Make my first cut!
3. March: Check in on how I'm doing; make a second cut, or alter the plan depending on the success thus far.
4. And then we'll see, I suppose, how it is going.
4. Walking!  There are two parts here:
1. Hit my 10,000 steps each day.  I'm going to work on making sure that if I do not have enough steps, going for a ten minute walk before bed, that sort of thing. What should help is...
2. Every hour I'm at work, having a five minute wander. I'm going to set my alarm to do this.  Obviously there is some leeway when I'm in meetings or teaching, but this is the aim.  At least while I'm teaching I stalk around the classroom, so I get some steps that way.
5. USE MY PLANNER.  I often end up feel harassed and all over the place. I have a new class to teach this year, as well as all the other work and personal obligations I have to address.  So actually using the planner will, I hope, help me feel a little more on top of thing.  That would be nice.  It's not going to be easy, and this planner is a little intense, so we'll see how I do.

I know I can do #2; #1 I've done before and is a small but useful thing to do; #4 I'm pretty sure of, too.  The main concern is #3, but I think having smaller chunks to break it down will help.  We'll see about #5 - I am not good about consistent planning and use of the planner, but I know it will help.  A concerted effort to use it should help me determine whether it's good for me.  

A Non-Exhaustive List of Chores That Are Suddenly Compelling When I Need to Grade Papers

• Clear out the fridge.
• Check expiry dates for condiments.
• Rearrange the spice collection.
• Do laundry.
• Not just laundry, but hand wash laundry, which is really rather excessive.
• Alphabetize books.
• Attack the unpaired sock pile.
• Make healthy (ha!) donuts.
• Wash up.
• Use a face mask.  Clearly, I cannot grade while my pores are being deep cleaned. That would disturb the process.
• Play Sporcle.  It is extremely important that I can recognize the names of countries in Africa when they are written in Greek characters.
• Update my planner.  This thing is seriously intense.  I'm trying to be organized.  We'll see how this goes.
• Play Lyraball.
• Work out.  For a long, long, long time.
• Prep my meals for the next week.
• Make sure I am up to date on college football.
• Plan my Hallowe'en costume.
• Update my blog.

Pottering

It's been one of those Saturdays I enjoy the most: a small wander around to do some tasks that had piled up (framing a print; returning not-too-overdue books to the library) and a trip to the farmers' market, and then some home-based tasks of hand washing items, laundry, and a bit of a tidy up while the slightly grubby, wet, cold weather continues.  These are all tasks that needed doing; they are also all tasks that I used to completely avoid the teaching work I needed to do.  But the main thing is a gentle sense of contentment and joy in the knowledge that I am still British enough to call this pottering.

Buzzed

Today I taught constitutional law from 10 in the morning until 6pm. I had about 45 minutes' break total.

It was absolutely brilliant.  I am so, so, so tired; there is very little as exhausting as teaching. Nothing quite consumes your mind and attention like teaching.  But it was utterly exhilarating.  I am so, so, so happy.  Not because of what I did, bear in mind; instead, I was moved and invigorated by their effort, minds, and all round brilliance.  What a day.  You do not necessarily get many days of work that are as good as today.  I thought it was worth marking it down.

[Insert number here] Ways I am Slowly Becoming a Grown Up*

* Or basic things that most functional people do that I should not be proud of achieving only in my late 30s.

1. I have made an appointment at the dentist's. (This is a BFD, frankly.)
2. I have recommendation for a new dermatologist who, fabulously, is in network. And I am actually going to get my moles checked out.
3. I have bought a lovely detangling hairbrush that I have been using. Every day. For the last three days, admittedly, but it's a start.
4. I now carry tissues in my bag(s). All of them. 
5. And a Tide pen (other brands are available).
6. I clean my makeup brushes and implements every month.
7. I have a watering the house plants day of the week. And it happens on that day of the week.
8. I record on my calendar when my period starts and ends. I also use a ruby cup, because they are amazing. 
9. I have several umbrellas and I know where they are. I keep a spare couple at work.
10. I take my vitamins every day.
11. I semi-regularly clean my mattress protector and mattress. Not that there's an alarm in the calendar or owt like that, but it does happen. Including today.
12. I know how to clean out a blocked sink using vinegar and baking soda. Which is one reason why we always have baking soda and vinegar in the house. Bugger, just ran out of baking soda (see #11); will purchase more tomorrow.
13. We have a semi-functional landing strip. No, not one of those, you filthy thing. The home clutter filtering variety.
14. We regularly refill the bird feeder. We also spend a lot of time discussing which birds are frequenting the bird feeder.
15. We pay for digital downloads.
16. We have a wine fridge! I have annotated those bottles of wine that should not be drunk yet! 2024 is going to be a great year, clearly.
17. We still drink too much wine (and beer, and picklebacks, etc.) and don't get enough sleep. But we have a gorgeous room that is a sunshiney yellow place of warmth and comfort. And we're about to frame a glorious Georgia O'Keeffe print that will be what we see when we wake up each day. FRAMED POSTERS!
18. I have a jar of rendered bacon fat in my fridge for vegetable cooking goodness.
19. I am--stutteringly and sporadically and inconsistently--admittedly, trying to give up sugar and get on top of that family history of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease... 
20. I am concerned about and actively managing the green/brown ratio of my compost heap.
21. Each time I open the lid, I say hello to the nesting spider in the aforementioned compost heap. Is that odd or being a grown up? You decide!
22. I have Marie Kondo'd my bathroom products this year. Clothing will happen. I'm sure. Yep. But I did do it last year. That totally counts.
23. I am trying to keep my Goodreads to-read list under 800, because I know that I will not read these all in my lifetime. Having said that, I just added an amazing book. But, because I am Slowly Becoming A Grown Up, I removed one to make it a round 800 again. #Goals.