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Thursday, December 31, 2009

2009: A Year in Review

2009 was pretty decent.  I did some things well and others not so much.  I picked up some bad habits and strengthened and added some good ones. 

Adventure
This was a good year for expeditions, travel and adventure. Some of the highlights include:
Kicked around SE Asia with Bryan & Britney for 3 weeks.  The adventures are here, here, here and here.

Athletics
Did decent, but not great this year.  Some highlights:
Sparred with this world-ranked fighter

* Unfortunately failed at my goal of breaking a 5 minute mile and getting enough fights to turn open class in boxing.  Next year.

Social Life
I made some good friends through kickball and the boxing gym, but need to be better about making myself available for social outlets.  Tended to do my own thing a lot more than is probably healthy.  Not sure if this is out of laziness or just a lack of a need for much social interaction.  Unfortunately have let quite a few friendships from Southern California slip quite a bit.  No real excuse for that when just a phone call here and there would do.

Reading
Finally knocked out some of the books that had been sitting on my shelf for a while, and read a bunch of others.  A complete list here.

Writing
I am pretty happy with how my writing has come along.  I think I have "found my voice" as they say, and it seems to depend entirely on putting myself down.  I'll roll with it.  Wrote two 20-30 page abortions that were supposed to end up as novels, which was a fail.  Maybe 2010 will be the year I can write a story that I can still stomach after the 10,000 word mark.

General Know-How & Competency
Picked up bits and pieces of knowledge and experience on all the outdoor activities
Learned quite a bit from reading the US Army Survival Manual
Learned that pretending to pick up a rock will sometimes dissuade a dog from attacking
Learned that you cant brake and accelerate at the same time on a motor-cycle

Financial
Paid off all credit card debt, and only owe a few thousand left on my student loans. 
Created emergency fund of a few months...not enough
Started using Amex for a lot more expenses in order to take advantage of rewards.

3 comments:

linda said...

great list!
i'm impressed with the boxing a world ranked boxer. this year i've taken to watching boxing and UFC. i love manny pacquiao.

Anonymous said...

Pat yourself on the shoulder for 2009 and best of luck with your 2010 feats! I request to be a part of one outdoor adventure this year :)

Martin said...

Linda - Thanks! Yep, Manny is a great fighter. Very humble as well...he's easy to like.

Clara - I pat myself on the shoulder enough...but thanks! And definitely, an outdoor activity should be planned immediately if not sooner.