Welcome to 2008. Where’s my Robot Maid?
Joelle said in the early morning on January 2, 2008
So, here we are… 2008. I feel like I should have all these profound things to say about starting a New Year and hope and resolution and dreams and all that, but really, I’m just wishing the kettle would whistle because mama needs a cuppa.
I remember when I was a kid I would daydream about the year 2000 and how old I would be and the husband, dog and mid-range sedan I would (not) have, but while I was still 26 in the year 2000, I didn’t really plan beyond that. None of my fantasies said, “In the year 2008, you’ll be 34 in your bathrobe, foisting your thoughts on people all over the world via this thing called the Internet”. Though, I did think that perhaps by 2008 I’d have some kind of flying car or magic Jetson’s dishwasher or something. What gives, Science?!
My New Year’s Eve was pretty mellow. I spent the afternoon working on some personal design stuff, listening to music and chatting with this guy. Then later on, I made some mushroom cavatappi, watched Ocean’s 13, then ran outside at midnight to get some shots of the fireworks over the bay. Of course, I didn’t have a tripod, so out of 100 shots only 6 came out, but I guess that’s the nature of the beast.
I guess it’s time for the requisite resolutions portion of the post-New Year’s post. Having had my fill of resolutions gone bust, I do better with goals. It’s all semantics really, but resolutions are just made to fade away around the 2nd week of February, amidst wrinkled weight-loss flyers and dusty Thighmasters. Valentine’s Day desserts have a way of derailing even the best of intentions. I’ve never met a tiramisu I didn’t like. Ok, yes, I have, but do you really expect quality tiramisu from a place called Vito’s? I don’t think so…
My goals, in a tidy nutshell:
- Set rules, boundaries and limitations
Thank you, Cesar Milan. For the first five years of our business, I’ve pretty much let my work dictate my life. I love my clients and pride myself on going the extra mile, but all those extra miles have put me a little off-course in my life outside of work. I’ve forgotten how to relax, what my friends look like or what the meaning of “weekend” is. That’s going to change. - Get in better shape
No, not lose weight – get in shape, though I suppose that will be a side effect. I’m starting to snap, crackle and pop and I’m too young to sound like Rice Krispies. - Sing more
I’m hoping to rent a piano this year so I can get back into my music. I haven’t played in a while and my theory is shameful, but I miss playing and need an alternate creative outlet. Perhaps I’ll even record something, even if it’s kind of lo-fi. - Travel, travel, travel
I’ve not seen most of the people I miss most in far too long, so I’m due a trip to Dallas, Los Angeles, Florida, England and maybe even New York City, not to mention the travel we’ll be doing for work (SXSW in Austin) and anywhere else this year takes us. - Yoga
In 2007, I basically stopped doing yoga. I’m not sure why… I think it goes back to my first goal of “setting boundaries”. I just felt like there wasn’t any time or moreso, that I didn’t deserve that time to myself to do something that helps me stay sane and handle stressful situations easier. That sounds so ridiculous when I type it out. It’s really a benefit to everyone when I’m not wound up tighter than Ann Coulter. I’ve been thinking about taking a Qigong class, too... - Try more new things
I’m going to attempt to try one new thing a month. There are all these things I keep saying I want to do: take a bartending course, take a photography class, try that wine and cheese place across town, take a knife course at a cooking school… the list goes on and on.
That’s about it. 
Nothing too crazy. I don’t want to jump out of a plane or get a tattoo or trip acid at Burning Man or sleep with a musician. Wait, I take that last one back.
It’s my last official day of my “vacation”, which will be spent relaxing, cleaning and getting my ducks in a row for tomorrow’s swan dive into a vat of email. We spent a lot of time over our holiday break working on the new sites we’re launching during the first quarter, in celebration of our 5-year anniversary. So stay tuned for those!
I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year’s holiday. Did you make any resolutions or set goals for yourself? Do tell…
Moxie Design Studios™
Happy New Year, Joelle! I’m with you on the yoga goal. I tackled that one in November and now take a class every Tuesday and Thursday of the week. After a year or so of no yoga, I realized I missed it and once I started again, I remembered why. Now… NOTHING gets in the way of my yoga fix twice a week!
I’m still working out my resolutions/goals… I’ll get back to you with a link to my post on it when I get it worked out.
I KNOW ya wanna know. Ha.
Spectacular fireworks photo… what a great way to see in the new year.
from Tampa, FL
I have set a few. The clutter in my life, it needs to go.
I have started with my kitchen. I got new dishes, so the old ones went, in addition to all of the bazillion extra utensils and plastic containers that we had. Next up is the office closet, my desk, and the hall closet. Any towel older than 5 years old needs to GO.
I won’t stop until I have uncluttered every closet and room in this house.
As for the other stuff, I just need to be more organized. I also need to manage my time better. I spend way too much time persusing Flickr.
I have been walking 3.5 miles a day, so I need to keep that up and drink WAY less diet soda and more water.
Also, overall, I just want to be a better person. I have finally come to realize that I cannot control the actions of others, just MY own reaction. I get way too angry with stupidity, lack of decency, etc. I need to stop wasting time and energy being angry and annoyed with things that I have NO control over. It just is not worth it.
I hope this year brings you many good things! Happy Happy!!
oh. Good to see that someone else on this planet likes Hall and Oates. :O)
You photos came out great, especially for not having a tripod! I’ve tried fireworks photos without a tripod before, and I don’t think I got a single decent shot.
Good luck with your new years goals
Setting boundaries is the hardest thing about our type of work, I think. The Internet doesn’t have set hours, unlike an office building, so it’s hard to draw the line and make yourself unavailable outside of office hours. It’s so hard to resist checking your email, and then once you’ve checked it, you start responding, and next thing you know you’re working on your weekend off! I really do hope your successful with setting your boundaries. I think it will make a huge difference.
As for me, I only have one goal for this year: buy a house without going broke in the process. Is that even possible?
I absolutely love your fist resolution! I’m going to have to steal that one. Without that one, none of the others are even possible! That’s my problem, no time for me, it’s all about everyone else. No more of that!
from Panama City Beach, FL
You always have interesting resolutions.. and an interesting outlook. I felt the same way about 2000 - though I bought into all the y2K mumbo jumbo and thought that we’d be in the Dark Ages again for a while. Ahh, ignorance.
Either way.. my N. Y. R. is to have this baby in June without being too whiny about the painful ripping of my lady parts...and then to get into shape in as little time as possible. So basically? I might die this year.
Good things, and a prosperous New year to you!
from joisee
I haven’t had time to make / list out my goals and/ resolutions. I can relate to some of yours, especially the first 2 and this? this just cracked me up (no pun intended):
I’m starting to snap, crackle and pop and I’m too young to sound like Rice Krispies.
If/when I ever update my blog, I’ll trackback to this one
In the meantime, Happy New Year! May this year bring you the best of the best!
ps-great fireworks shot!
Aw man! I totally Nyquilled my way into the new year. Didn’t even hear the fireworks. Wow. Being sick sucks. Love the shots...I see you got a couple Bob Mackie’s! :-D
This new year is going to be SPECTACULAR like those fireworks. There are already things brewing/in the works and I couldn’t be more excited, energetic or motivated about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Life is GOOD!!!
*doing the happy dance*
from Northern NY • Cocktail: Harvey Wallbanger
Wow - I’m impressed you got such a great shot without a tripod!
I haven’t done resolutions in a long time but this year I am making one - I need to work on my eating habits and to exercise more so, that’s what I intend to do. Starting the day after tomorrow… er… maybe I should start on Monday.
Ok… I’m back with my list - http://alohafromthemidwest.blogspot.com/2008/01/lister.html. Jen inspired me to add decluttering to my list.
And just so you know… I was so happy to see “sing more” on your list. You have an amazing voice, Joelle.
from Dallas TX
I love your resolutions!
I’m sticking to one resolution for 2008 (it’s similar to Jen’s, above): simplify. In every aspect of my life, just simplify. I kinda-sorta got a head-start over my holiday vacation but there’s much more de-cluttering to do. I’ve found that, for me, when there’s little/no clutter, I think a lot more clearly and everything *stays* organized. It’s been a little tough since I’m such a pack-rat, but the feelings of being “liberated” from all the extra stuff is quite addicting. If that makes any sense.
Happy New Year!!
Ha! You and I have the same thoughts WRT resolutions.
xo!
One of my resolutions is always to hump Angelina Jolie. Alas, that pesky restraining order…
Seriously, though, I don’t make resolutions. They’re just one more thing to be disappointed in myself for.