New Beer's Revolution!

I am finally getting around to my second post, and it looks like I will be blogging more often now. Yep. I was off to a slow start (imagine that), but things will get rolling faster now that I made this part of my "New Beer's Revolution" at work.

Since I work at a brewery, and that brewey happens to be Stone Brewing Co., things aren't always traditional and are seldom boring. So why should the traditioal--and often boring--New Year's resolution be any different?

So let me guess, you’re planning on losing weight and exercising more in 2009, and that’s your New Year’s Resolution for the fifth time in six years? It’s ok to admit that—really it is. Or perhaps you’d like to improve intellectually, you know, learn a new skill or teach someone something? Maybe you want to make a difference in your community? All noble aspirations, but will you actually do any of them? Maybe, maybe not. But what if you had a support system—a team? And what if there was an incentive to accomplish your goals, like a reward?

That, and the "support group" of co-workers going through this with me... and the chance to win $500 or even $2,500 if the judges deem my efforts to be worthy of rewarding.

Let me guess. About this time you're wondering what I said I was going to do, right? Here's the list:

1. Physical Goals: Decrease my waist size (36+ to 34-36) and "lifestyle belly" while increasing muscle mass and cardivascular health. Achieve this by exercizing (somewhat) regularly and making subtle dietary changes.
2. Intellectual Goals: Write 50,000+ total words in the following areas:
• blog (every other day)
• novel projects (Talidon, Dune)
• short stories
3. Community Goals: Ride bike to work more (at least one time a week). Research "green" projects and solutions for my house and develop implementation plan (rain barrels, solar water heating, etc.)

I've finally registered for this thing on Friday, but as I said, I'm off to a slow start. Thankfully I have until the end of April to complete this journey, assemble the packet, and present it to the judges.

What have I done so far? ::hmm:: Not much. I'm not feeling well, and I'm not sure why I am so tired lately. I've been fighting some sinus issue or another for what seems like forever. Neither of those help me get moving. In response to that lethargy yesterday, I spent some time reading through the issue of Family Handyman magazine that has the plans for the bookcase I intend on building. I also spent some time tuning my vintage 1960 Shopsmith, getting it prepared for a workout. I took a quick trip to Harbor Freight to look for a pocket hole jig and some "extra arms" in the from of an adjustable roller assembly. I got some quotes for cherry and maple, but I haven't quite locked in the decision to go with the maple... it's slightly cheaper and doesn't have the knots like the cherry wood does (or so I am told). Since Andie and Ethan are home tomorrow, I won't have to take Ethan to preschool and I'll be able to ride my mountain bike to work instead of driving the "grueling" three and a half miles to work.

That's it for tonight. I'm falling asleep in front of the keyboard. I'll post again tomorrow... if I remember and am not too tired.