See Solly's New Year's Resolution

So, I thought about it for a few days and I've finally come up with my New Year's resolution for 2001.
Every month, I will do something new. Something I've never done before.

On this page I will track those things, and if you see me slip, you have my permission to mock me in the manner of your choosing.

JANUARY - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 01-07-01
I got up in front of about 100 people at Urbana and performed a poem that I wrote. I was very nervous and my performance suffered for it, but I was still proud of myself for having done it.

FEBRUARY - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 02-28-01
I attended a Holy Day mass (Ash Wednesday) at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was beautiful, but not as spiritual, I think, because there were so many people there moving around the whole time. More like people were there just to fulfill their obligation than to really celebrate the day. Oh well.

MARCH - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 03-22-01
I traveled to Vancouver, BC, Canada. Such a beautiful city! The water is gorgeous and there are mountains to the north that are just breathtaking. It was my second trip to Canada (the first was in September to Toronto) and I loved it. I think I could live in Canada.

APRIL - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 04-07-01
I went for a real massage. I was feeling really stressed out and thought it might help. I got a half-hour Swedish massage, and it was really great. I though, though, that I would feel relaxed ffor the rest of the day, and, sadly, I didn't. I'm not sure I'd go for another one, but it was a nice way to spend half an hour (and $40).

*BONUS* 04-09-01 - I got a cat, Ozzie. Never had a pet before, other than fish. He's so great and I love him to pieces.

MAY - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 05-06-01
I donated platelets. I've given blood before, but never platelets, and it was quite a different experience. They draw blood out of one arm, run it through a centerfuge to get the platelets out, and then run your blood back into the other arm. (There apparently is a single-arm procedure, but that's not what they had where I went.) It took a long time -- the donation alone took over an hour -- but I feel really great about it. People in chemotherapy need platelets. It would take 8 donations of whole blood to get all of the platelets I donated. I encourage everyone to give blood; save a life.

*BONUS* 05-15-01 - Trip to Hawaii.

JUNE - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 06-23-01
I went to my first gay bar. I went with my friend Mike and his friend Joel to a bar called g. I had a really great time, just enjoying the view of lots of beautiful men, and found it funny that almost none would even make eye contact with me. :) (Except for a Netherlander who was quite literally just off the boat and spoke terrible English.) *BONUS* 06-23-01 - I also went to my first New York nightclub. I'm surprised that it's taken me so long to get to one, considering I've lived here for a year and a half. I had a really good time (danced until 5am!), but, from what I've read, the club actually isn't a great one, so I'm pretty excited to get myself to a really great club.

JULY - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 07-10-01
Well, this was not something I had planned at all. I was laid off, which is a first in and of itself. So, I filed for New York State unemployment. A quite painles process, I must say. I did it all over the phone, and I have to call once a week to say I didn't work, and then they send me money. [sigh] I wish I had something better for this month.

If anyone cares, I took about a week and a half to run around and see lots of people and do fun stuff, and I am now actively looking for a new job. I was extremely upset about it, but now I've dealt with it and am doing what I can now to get on with things. I like having the freedom to do whatever I want now, but I do wish I had a steady paycheck. I miss that. :)

* I am also resolving to pay my bills on time every month.

If I don't do this one there will be no need for you to humiliate or mock me; the creditors will sic my ass with fines.