Bay 12 Games Forum

1. Be diligent about attending class, work, and therapy.
I'm really bad at this. The good news is that I'm not showing up anywhere really late anymore. The bad news is that I just had to withdraw from a full courseload, partially because I haven't been diligent enough (mostly for other reasons). I need to work on sleeping and eating on time.

2. Be more proactive about using my time.
I'm learning to stop procrastinating by starting with the dishes, and with making myself healthy meals on time. Being responsible is hard. I'll go make myself a frittata and have it with the leftover bok choy right after this.

3. Keep up better with my obligations.
... I have a huge to-do list that I've just been almost ignoring for a few days, and a bunch of work opportunity emails to send and respond to. Blargh??

4. Get a good job for the fall.
I'm putting in my applications. I need to work really hard on Cycle I and my executive functioning in general so that I can get more opportunities.

5. Apply to graduate schools.
Just awarded another research position. I need to set aside time regularly to study next, and try to talk more with professors in my areas of interest. I'm kind of out of the loop.

6. Enroll in health insurance.
Step 1: Earn $1,250+/month. As of Mar 1, Current Earnings: $1,042/month + tips. I just set up a spreadsheet to track my income/outcome. Too bad I made $1.00 in tips today.

7. Keep up writing in my diary.
I don't write every day anymore, which is good because I'm saving on ink and paper, and I felt like I was stewing too much in negativity instead of going out and doing things. I try to make time when I have a problem I need to think through, though.

8. Read 52 books that will force me to grow intellectually.
I've read 14 books so far this year. I think that 11 of them count for this.

9. Read the Five Great Chinese Novels.
Story of the Stone: Finished. Currently on p. 288 of vol. 2 of Jin Ping Mei, like I have been for the past three years

10. Host regular moon-viewing and tea-drinking parties.
I'm arranging this for the full moon each month and I've successfully had two of these so far. I need to make a guest list and menu for March. I just picked up some new silver tip jasmine tea, which will be great for a Spring but I need to think up a new simple dessert. I also need to send thank-you cards for Monday's celebration.

11. Complete 5 small pieces of writing.
I've finished most of a commission on a game that's going to be published soon, but I haven't been doing a good job of setting aside time every day to work on my other projects, or of finishing the commission in a timely way.

12. Make my own New Year Cards this year.
I'm saving money so that I can take an introductory drawing course this summer. Eventually I want to learn how to use watercolors. The first thing is to stop eating out and be more careful with grocery money, and see if I can't pick up another student. I need to send the cards in the last week before the New Year, manufacture the cards, buy the stamps, and write on them in early December, start arting in November, figure out my theme in October, and have a full list of recipients ready by September.

The wages of sin are death. Let's just talk about the good stuff. Next steps will probably have to continue into next year. I am committed to making these purchases for myself as reward for good behavior, whether I have to dip into savings or not to hold up the bargain.

On completion of Cycle I:
=> I will buy myself underwear that doesn't have holes in it and shoe polish/shoe repair materials, as well as a brand-new pair of shoes.
Next step: Learn how to take my own authority and feel better about making my own decisions. Don't let other people irritate and derail me so much. Be more friendly, but also stop oversharing.

On completion of Cycle II:
=> I will purchase between 5 and 10 books for myself that will help me learn things I need to know for my new job and life in graduate school.
Next step: Learn how to drive.

On completion of Cycle III:
=> I will buy myself two new fountain pens, a converter, and a new shade of ink, along with a stationery set from the local store where all that stuff is so expensive and maybe more Herbin sealing wax as well.
Next step: Read a wider variety of poetry and commit some new poems to memory.

On completion of Cycle IV:
=> I will buy myself some expensive drawing supplies (G-Pen, bristol board, etc.) and another drawing class or two at the local community college.
Next step: Plan and execute a large creative project, such as a book of poetry translations, or making a novel, graphic novel, visual novel, or short game.

On successful completion of all Cycles:
=> I need to think of a big bonus that I really want. Maybe a new winter coat? Or a sewing machine?