Freedom Day V

Thanks to Wayne and Helen for making this very memorable. Julia helped plan it. Thanks also to all those who offered their moral support but couldn't make it (especially Adam and Holly who came to the Shelter but weren't able to join us after the fact.)

There were some negative events earlier that day that distracted me (a friend decided our friendship apparently meant nothing) but the conversation and the meal was awesome. Later, Helen and Wayne invited us to a party of a friend of Helen's who had a band (that so far as I know has no name) though I think a working title might be Endless Jam Band...they were quite good though and it was this awesome party in this awesome old house which was decorated to the nines. We were planning on ending the evening at the Shelter which would have been a kind of dance Halloween Party (Wayne was a Speed Demon, Helen was Danica Fitzpatrick the race car driver, Julia was Little Red Riding Hood (the interesting version ;) ) and I was Harry Dresden. Alas, in the course of moving from the impromptu party to the Shelter, we hit a flat tire (a rock the size of Cleveland). While we waited for a tow truck, Wayne directed us to a nearby bar called, "The Church" which could not have been more thematically themed if I had tried. It ended up being an even better ending than I could ever have dreamed, with a vibrant party, the best Sangria in the city, fantastic costumes (including two poison ivy's and a guy dressed up as a squirrel with an inflatable tail, two guys dressed as swat officers that pretended to be actual cops for thirty seconds etc) and choir robes that you could dress up in. At some point I'll be posting a picture of me in my Dresden hat wearing a choir robe...:D

Earlier that day, Mom, Skip and I all drove out to see Julia and Todd. The baby is doing well and is still very very cute. They were both happy to see us and we had a lot of fun talking with each other though we weren't there for very long. Still, I was glad we could do something for Julie's birthday on her birthday. There was cake and Raging Burrito which is pretty awesome. :D

Last night, I hung out with Julia's family. We had a magnificent northern french (ie practically German) dish prepared by Julia's mother and then talked seriously about some wedding plans. When I made the list it made me realize that a) I have a BIG family and b) I have a LOT of friends, though the schedule of so many people might be extremely random. A few amusing bits included trying to explain the Mythic Imagination Institute, Handfasting and Stonehenge on Mom and Skip's front lawn. :D After everyone else scattered to do their own thing, Julia and I watched the original 1930's Frankenstein and the Woman in Black. Both were quite good, but what really shocked me was the fact that I realized I had *NEVER* seen the original Frankenstein. In fact, I might not have seen Dracula or the Wolfman now that I think about it. And I call myself a cinephile?

I've started reading "The Atrocity Archives" by Charles Straus. Quite good. Writing going well. Podcast going...ok. First episode got a lot of hits, second not so much but I'm taking the long view and will do it for at least a year. The irony of course being that the second episode is a LOT better than the first. Skip mentioned some things that make me think it may be hard for people to get to, so I'm going to try embedding it in my writing blog instead and seeing if that works.

Sergey has started up the Archer/Venture brothers group again which will be very fun to participate in/watch. Julia and I last Friday watched two more episodes of Buffy and she treated me to dinner at There and Main, a VERY nice restaurant in downtown Roswell. We're also jointly doing Yoga near Perimeter Mall and its pretty awesome. Its rather relaxing and it is good exercise too. I want to make arrangements to do it at least twice a week.

Always stuff going on, but that should cover the big things.

Trip This Weekend

So I suppose the big news is that I asked Julia to marry me and she said "Yes." We are officially engaged. The date is not yet set.

We stayed at the Sautee Inn, which was nice and a bed and breakfast. They serve breakfast at 9am every morning which means sleeping in is a no go. Still, the place is gorgeous (1890's house) with antiques everywhere. It is the perfect place to get away from it all and the couple that runs it is very nice.

The first night we went to the festival hall in Helen, where they do the Octoberfest. It was fun, with lots of people in German costumes and the chicken dance. Julia and I each had a single drink and then went back. It was really more of a trip for flavor rather than enebriation.

After a huge breakfast the next morning we went on two hikes. The first was to Ruby Falls which has a gorgeous water fall after a half mile hike. The second was to Brass Town Bald, which had a hike to the summit I didn't take the first time I went there due to the super intense fog. They had a hokey but moderately cool museum and movie theater at the top, so we learned...all we ever really wanted to know about it, but the view was spectaular and that's where I asked Julia to marry me.

Upon return, ate in Helen (don't remember the name of the place, sorry,) but the food was fantastic. Julia got a bracelet made of stones from different parts all around the world. The glass blowing shop was fantastic as usual, though it was interesting this time because the guy who worked there basically was spouting communist libertarian propoganda (and yes, that is a weird combo but that's what he was doing) but his skill was on display for all to see and the guy is a real master. I got a box I plan to open in 20 years from the 'random box' pile.

We went back and had a lovely evening watching the stars and rocking. And other things. The next morning after breakfast we headed back and I dropped Julia off at home.

Life is going to become interesting after a while. :D

3rd Quarter Goal Check

So just looking at this list...HOLY @$@#$@# WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?! :/ :D

Right, so there are some mitigating circumstances....unemployment, illness, meeting someone incredible....some insanity the second time around...so...the world is not like I anticipated at the beginning of the year...at all...but...my life is chaos...I should have known this.

Bottom line, setting goals is an art. Last year I underbid my abilities and properly, goals should push your abilities...but I like...TRIPLED the number of goals I set...so let's get a report of what these are looking like and a plan of action...it's still something I take seriously, and will make the best salvage effort I can.

Critical Goal: Reach and largely sustain a weight of 250lbs.

**This was my most important and first goal, and I've failed it utterly thus far. I'm exercising 30 minutes a day but I just started. There will be no mitigating circumstances allowed in this goal...so its likely to be at best a C...which makes the whole year a C in some ways, but its more important I reach the goal than I make it when I wanted, which means starting and taking a C as better than an F.

Important Goals:

Reduce Toxicity by 20% (Test Jan 2012 and Dec 2012 at least)

**Pretty good but without insurance, I've been unable to measure. I...think I'm doing good?

Increase Aerobic Endurance by 50% (Test Jan 15, 2012)

**BAHAHAHAHAHAHAA. This one I can blame on illness...but I am better than my low after my illness. With current plans I hope to get up to 25%. I'm recalibrating this goal to that.

Flat Abs (Subjective improvement of 100% based on comparison Jan – July – December 2012)

**BAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Fail. I'm pushing this off the list.

Bonus

Do the Warrior Dash at least once - Illness nixed this. And tis once a year BUT I'm shooting for Zombie thing in Feb...and if I can feel that I can make this at the end of the year, this can be a pass.

Play in some physical competitive league/sport/tournament thing - ZUPER FAIL! :D And strangely I don't care...

Mental

Critical Goal: Read the following six books:

*The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx - A

*The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith - A (AND *YE* GODS...why did I make myself do this?!)

*The Federalist Papers - A

*Infinite Jest - Swapped. Next time I pick a 1000 page book, make sure it has years that let you follow the plot. Replaced with The Pale Blue Eye. A

*The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money by John Maynard Keyes - On Track

*Common Sense - On Track

Important Goals

Learn 3 New Non Social Skills (Likely Dancing, Cooking and Something Outdoors) Slated as Yoga, Wine Tasting and Swing.

Read at least 5 books about a single major contemporary sport (Not the Olympics) Fail. And really? I don't care.

Read at least 10 books from the ‘classics’ list - Doing good. 4 so far. Likely seven-eight by the end of the year.

Bonus:

Write a review for each book read in terms of a goal on my review blog to keep track - I'll need to go back and do this. But I'm closer but not reading as much as I should.

Read 10 books from the top 100 Sci Fi list of all time (Or bestseller if I’ve read them all) - I've kind of cheated by finding classics and sci fi in one thingy. Good progress but unlikely to pass.

Emotional

Critical Goal: Develop an optimistic attitude (Or at least make significant progress towards such)

-So Far So Good! ....I hope...:/ :D

Important Goals

Laugh at least once a week

-Pass in SPADES! :D

Empathize with someone of another perspective at least once a week

-Pass.

Stop talking about people that I no longer want or need to have anything to do with on a regular basis

-Who? PASS! :D [Yay!] @96.5%

Bonus

Learn to control my attitude at will

Pass.

Experience prolonged joy

Pass. IN SPADES WITH SPARKLERS! :D

Spiritual

Critical Goal: Refine my personal spiritual beliefs to decide what it is I really believe about God. Post to my spiritual blog by the end of 2012.

**Almost there.

Important Goals

Read the spiritual text of a major world religion

**I've put this on the list every year for 3 years....I'm taking it off.

Meditate often

**Done.

Go to Alchemy

**Well, I had the money, but by the time I had it, Alchemy was sold out. :/ I'll give this a "Close."

Social

Critical Goal: If appropriate come April 2012, Operation Bitter Apple

**Made irrelevant. Replaced with Operation Scout.

Important Goals

Reach Level 20

**Made irrelevant, but 15 isn't bad.

Take 6 Swing Classes and Go out Swing Dancing at least 6 times

**Down to the wire but likely.

Attend at least 5 FL ‘Events’

**4 down. 1 to go.

Bonus

Take an Improv Class

**No.

First Life (Retired)

Critical Goal: None. A ‘retired’ life by definition has no critical goal.

Important Goal

Run 3 ‘mini arc’ games of 3 sessions each.

*1 3 arc done. 2nd arc has had 2 sessions.

Record any games played in my RPG blog.

*Done.

Take at least 10 yoga classes.

*Starting tomorrow.

Bonus

Attempt to run a PBEM for 6 months - PASS! And...wow did it die painfully.

Run another mega plot on Dark Metal mush - PASSish...when the staff went fruitloops I went out, but the plot was ready and getting started. Going back soon to try and salvage.

Wrap up Belan’s arc successfully - Pass.

40 Karma increase for Bob in Shadowrun Missions - Le NOPE!

Play in at least 2 Larps - Le NOPE!

Help run games for SEIGE 2012 - E for Effort.

Pay an Homage to Byeard M by running one of his games at a con - PASS!

Establish ties to Portland Gaming community. - N/A due to scrambleness.

Second Life

Critical Goal: Finish the first draft of Novel Five (Starting March 2012)

**At 40K. Possible to get to 100K by the end of the year, but I'd rather have GOOD than CRAP so we're going to measure this at 69K (half way mark) instead.

Important Goals:

Finish Play/Poem “Tenth Muse” by March 2012. - Pass. Because....What I wanted to write wasn't what I thought it was, and because that story isn't mine to tell.

Write 2 Feature Length Movie Scripts - 1 done. Er....2....well...er...who knows. I'm not hopeful...but Amendment 28...is ...kind of....not even close, but it will be awesome...looks a likely C.

Start the Tossing Grenades at Windmills Podcast (by April 2012) - FAIL! But still starting...tomorrow probably.

Bonus

Sell something written to a ‘gate keeper’ that is a professional or semiprofessional publication.

-PASS! Smoke and mirrors qualifies for the latter.

Write 5 Horror short stories

-PASS!

Write 3 Sci Fi short stories

-2 of 3 so far.

Write 2 Non supernatural stories

-If you include acid trippy then PASS.

Write 1 entirely inappropriate story

-Not done yet.

Write an entry for each Write Club monthly venue

-........no comment.

Join Atlanta Playwrites

-Not yet.

Write 10 Episodes for Earth and Sea and Star and Sky.

-Huh. Dunno. Who knows? :D

Write $200000 worth of Grants for Mythic.

-It's not like I haven't been willing or trying....it's a bit of a swamp castle...but i keep slogging.

Establish ties to the Portland Writing community.

-N/A

Third Life

Critical Goal: Produce Unfood (or at least have it Produced)

-Officially shot in the head. I still give myself a pass.

Important Goals

Get involved with another web series either as writer, crew or elsewise.

-Kind of done.

Take an acting class

-No.

Film footage for “Earth and Sea and Star and Sky”

-Maybe.

Bonus

Be an extra in at least one short film

-Nope. But I did boom.

Read at least 20 hours for GARRS

-Done.

Take another sound class

-I count live experience. :D

Help with sound in at least one short film

-PASS! :D

Enter something in some film festival somewhere.

-MAYBE.

Participate in the 48 hour film festival in some capacity

-MAYBE.

Establish ties to the Portland Theater Community.

-NA

Fourth Life

Critical Goal: Only take Project Management jobs as my ‘day job’

-PASS!

Important Goals

Make a $5000 profit for Red Anvil Amalgamated

-Er...cough cough cough...er....cough.

Hire an Accountant in March 2012

-FAIL!

Get the CAMP or the PMP by the end of 2012

-Likely fail....but I have a plan.

Bonus

Get at least 4 paid VO gigs.

BAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAH.

Get at least 5 paid gigs for Emergency Documentation.

BAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH!

Join and interact with the least Reality Deviant Chamber of Commerce I can find in the Atlanta Metro area.

On target for Nov 2012.

Start or Join MOD team

BAHAHAHAAHAH!

Participate in Video Game Jam 2012

Fail.

Establish ties to the Portland Business community.

N/A

Fifth Life

Critical Goal: Finish reading and applying the principals of the core books (US, TAS, and Unknown Book #3)

Finished.

Important Goals

Find a patron(s)

In Progress

The Year of the Phoenix (decide by Feb 2012)

Oh my yes :D

Learn Self Defense

PASS! :D

Sixth Life

Critical Goal: Decide to implement and then implement EITHER Operation Dark Hammerfell or Operation Montoya Hammerfell

Dark Hammerfell it is.

Important Goals

Monitor and Follow Up on Traffic Stop of Evil

FAIL.

Help those trying to make the world a better place indirectly at least 5 times in concrete ways

PASS!

Avoid voting for War Criminals

FAIL! But really...better than a Roberts Court.

Seventh Life (In Reserve till 2027)

Incidental Goals

These goals are all, by definition ‘bonus’ that do not fit into a particular category OR are implementations of Life goals, which are Important.

Go to Dragon Con-PASS

Go to Anachro Con-PASS

Go to Mardigras (if I win my bet with myself)-FAIL! (Bet won....too expensive...illness exuses)

Go to FC-PASS!

Obtain 5 Physical Objects (An annual tradition at this point): Fix the Bumper, Fix my Teeth, Ereader, Running Stilts (Once I reach 250), and a fifth item to be determined in July 2012 at the mid year goal check. - PASS! FAIL! PASS!

BAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH! Unchosen and thus...FAIL.

Go to Canooga-FAIL

Go to at least one Anime con.-FAIL

Go to Play It On Con-FAIL

Complete 70% of all bonus goals-Likely FAIL

Complete 80% of all bonus goals-FAIL

Complete 90% of all bonus goals-BAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA

Get a tattoo based on the Gathering of the Seven-Still trying. About to change course.

Life Goals - "At some point"

1. See the Louvre.

**Keep. Slated 2012-2013. Likely 2013 but 2012 may have great deals that show up.

-Shifted to 2014.

2. Travel around the world on a one way trip. Japan, Australia, India, Egypt, London, Italy and Hawaii.

** Goal to see all by 2017.

3. Learn a martial art.

**Done

5. Assemble a band for a tour based on music written by me.

6. Start a successful business.

Started in 2011. "Success" is determined in this case by an operating profit of 400% invested capital or $10000. 2011-2015. Otherwise 'failure' and goal removed from dock.

WELL....It's still POSSIBLE...but 0 is a low number.

7. Learn a musical instrument.

Slated 2014

8. Sculpt something memorable.

9. Create or help create a graphic novel.

**Completed. [And also permanently dead :( ]

10. Own a plane, sailboat, taught or ultralight and learn to pilot/sail it.

11. Write seven novels.

**4 of 7 done. 5th slated for 2013

13. Go on a cruise.

2014. October unless I find a really cool themed one before or after.

14. Organize a convention on SOMETHING. [Small chance of 2013]

16. Build a house (not necessarily my own.)

17. Own my own home (all own, no mortgage)

Slated 2016.

18. Have a room with a secret passage

23. Be in a flash mob dance number.

Do in Spring 2013 unless an opportunity comes before hand.

26. Live the fifth life (who knows what that is)

Started 2012. Likely perpetual but since goals must be achievable, transform this to a tangible in 2012 Mid goal check.

-Doing.

27. Ditto the sixth.

Started 2012. Likely perpetual but since goals must be achievable, transform this to a tangible in 2012 Mid goal check.

-Doing.

28. Ditto the seventh.

**Kept in reserve until 2027.

47. Finish 7 films. (3 out of 7 completed).

Shooting Unfood Dead. Counting In The Head. 4 of 7 completed (Well...my contribution).

48. Enter a remote controlled airplane tournament and place in the upper half.

49. Enter a competitive Kite contest (the kind with the razors on the wings.)

50. Blow something up with Dynamite. (Legally)

51. Join the Masons.

52. Hypnotize someone. [2012-2013 likely. Learning.]

53. Firewalk.

54. Visit the Library of Congess

If the right door opens....(ie interesting goals that either depend on another person or a significant amount of wealth that may never happen but that I want to write down)

29. Marry the Right Person. [....:D ]

30. Establish a business empire dedicated to a not for profit foundation.

31. Visit (but do not live in) Space.

32. Buy my own island.

35. Create a functional and profitable news network that actually produces what is independent.

36. Create an institution to focus on pure research.

38. "" Neurological regeneration.

39. Paid Angel agents to quietly and anonymously do good.

40. Create a series of libraries (10) dedicate to principles original to libraries. Secular sanctuaries and temples to knowledge.

43. Breed dogs to live twice as long

**Strangely some people are surprisingly responsive to this. This might move to more realistic within 3-4 years when/if I own a house.

44. Create 3 patents.

45. Own and that is entirely self-sufficient w. energy, food and other items.

46. Become a Father.

Bucket List (the Bucket in the Bucket….IE, I no longer care about this but might change my mind.)

4. Competitively enter a fencing competition.