Resolute

I remembered that finishing a Century Ride was a resolution I wrote back when I first started blogging. I haven't really re-visited these resolutions since then, so now might be a good time.

• continue to live healthy
  Full Credit!
  I've lost a mind-blowing 40 lbs since New Year's Day, am eating right and staying extremely active. I've had to tighten up the waistline a couple of times. Blood work has all been great: no more diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc.
  
• live my life with more thought about spirituality
  Partial Credit
  I could make Meeting more consistently, but I've been very introspective about my spirituality, exploring the topic with various groups in and out of Quaker circles. That's been very rewarding.
  
• compete in a sprint triathlon
  No Credit
  I think this resolution is out the window. I injured myself running for a very short period of time, and I don't want to risk losing the things I love doing right now (dancing, cycling) over something I've never enjoyed doing (running). I also haven't been swimming enough. Or much. OK, I've swum very rarely. Need to do more. Off days, perhaps?
  
• complete a "Century" ride (100 miles)
  Full Credit (08/18/2007)!
  Cool Breeze Century, Ventura to Santa Barbara and back: My First Century Was A Cool Breeze! Even have the bumper sticker to prove it.
  
• take more pictures each week
  Partial Credit (tiny amounts)
  I have taken more pictures, but it's really tailed off. Reminder to do that more often.
  
• update this blog with consistency
  Full Credit (grudging)
  OK, so some of my posts go on and on about Swing Dancing, and I'm the only one who cares. So what?!
  
• increase my social circle
  Full Credit
  This has happened since I've picked up more activities, but it's been something I've consciously worked on. More socializing with certain Friends outside of Meeting. Socializing with dance friends outside of dancing. Socializing with cyclists I'm meeting though L&E's Lower Cadence group.
  
• contribute positively to the communities I belong to
  Partial Credit
  I'm helping out where I can with Quaker First Day School. Trying to organize post-class dinners with dancing friends, along with Lindy Groove trips. Only just ramping-up the socializing with Lower Cadence.
  
• take a vacation that requires an overnight stay
  Partial Credit
  Overnight stay for the Cool Breeze Century only partially counts.
  
• take positive steps towards finishing my degree
  Full Credit
  I totally killed my math class. Still need to follow up with Caltech adviser on best way to continue with degree there.
  
• write 5 minutes of stand-up comedy
  No Credit
  Did very minor work on this and abandoned. Too much time in front a computer in my own head, which is what I do for work. Trying to make my hobbies different from my work. Can't say I'm really interested in pursuing this.
  

What were the things I should have put on the list but neglected?

• Go On Casual Dates
  Partial Credit
  At the beginning of the year, dating was so far off my radar that I'm not surprised I didn't include it. OK, so I've casually dated. But going on dates with one person isn't the same as dating a variety of people and personality types to see what I do and don't like. I've done the former, but not the latter. I'm finding myself a bit gun-shy at potentially ruining the social dynamics of the groups I'm in. I don't think anyone's really thinking of me romantically in my swing or cycling groups, but if I did date someone from those groups, what would happen to the friendships if it didn't work out? That might be OK for a casual thing, but not for an intense one. Hmmm... the potential ending of an intense relationship is keeping me from thinking about casual dating? That doesn't seem right.
  Let's make this a quantifiable goal: I'd like to go on at least 5 dates (one a month including August) before the year ends. Repeat dates with the same gal doesn't count.
  
• Be More Organized
  No Credit
  I let my apartment get messy and stay messy. Bad. Quantify this? Maintain a clean apartment for four weeks in a row.
• Cycle
  Get to an average of 100 miles per week of cycling. Work on getting a 70+ mile in once a month or so. D.H.'s 75 mile ride? The Falcon's San Gabriel River Trail ride?