Welcome to the first of a dozen monthly recaps of my attempt to stick to a series of New Year's Resolutions for 2012. This first installment shall cover January. Yes, we still have a handful of hours left in the month (where in the hell did the month go?), but it's close enough for government work.
I think I'm just going to break this down one by one as listed in my original post. Sound good? Cool. Assuming you're saying "yes," that is.
1. Meet a neighbor and remember their name beyond that one meeting
Ummm... hasn't happened yet. I have said "hi" to a couple people I never met before, but it hasn't gone beyond that.
2. Read 20 books
As of this morning, I'm at three! I started and finished Meghan McCain's Dirty Sexy Politics, Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, and Janet Evanovich's One for the Money, in that order. I just started reading Max Brooks' World War Z today at lunch.
3. Listen to one new band per month
This month's band was Chairlift. They might not be new to all of you. But, until earlier this month, I thought I'd never heard of them when XM/U introduced me via the song "Sidewalk Safari," which I loved. It was right around that time I realized that I did know the band via the song "Bruises" off Does You Inspire You used a couple years ago in an iPod Nano ad. But two songs do not an "old" band make, in my estimation. I bought their new album Something when it came out on January 24 and have listened to it three or four times already. Something is a solid listen from start to finish. Nice upbeat blend of electronic instruments and sound effects and I love the lead singer's voice. Give a spin to "Amanaemonesia" and "Met Before."
I have to give an honorable mention to another album... Lenny Kravitz's Black and White America. I know he's not a new artist but considering I haven't purchased one of his albums in 19 years (1993's Are You Gonna Go My Way?), it almost counts as "new," don'cha think? I was shocked with how much I enjoyed B&WA. Every last song is damn good.
Next month may be the band Fun. I'm sure you've heard the song "We Are Young." It's currently being featured in some car commercial or another.
4. Finish watching through season 5 of Doctor Who
I haven't done anything on this one.
5. Learn how to make homemade pasta
No progress here either.
6. Try one new recipe per week
On this front, however, Katie and I came up quite rosey! Let's see, we've made Alton Brown's macaroni and cheese (and it rocked now that we've perfected the roux base), pancakes from scratch without a boxed mix (not our first time, but mine), Rachael Ray's frittacos (awesome, and we've made them three times this month we loved them that much), a chicken oriental salad with homemade dressing, harvest chowder, and a new type of pizza dough as well as a homemade pizza sauce to adorn it. Not bad, overall! I hope I didn't miss anything.
7. Continue my 365 days of photography challenges
I have continued with both of the challenges I gave myself this month. My normal Insty366 as well as the one-month Instagram Photo-a-Day Challenge. For a second there, I thought I forgot to post one to my Insty366 back on January 20. Turns out I did take it, but it never uploaded. Whoops. It's there. Just not on the correct date. I hate when that happens.
I'm not sure if there will be a February challenge via Instagram, but I will certainly continue with my personal Insty366
8. Post monthly updates on my progress
Well, yeah, you're reading it.
So, overall not too bad. There are a few I've done nothing on, but I've progressed pretty well on the rest. All told, I'm pretty proud that I've stuck to it. Woo!
Please remember that if you'd like to hold me to my resolutions, they are listed in that "2012 Resolutions" link in the top menu bar.
Go me! Bring it on, February!
