52 Things/Week 3: Read One Book in a Week - Incomplete

I began last week with the intent to read one book in a week.  I chose the book "All Families are Psychotic" by Douglas Coupland with only the prior knowledge that reading this book will help me to appreciate my family more because they aren't as bad as this family is.

(Batman: The Animated Series, "Perchance to Dream")

I started up on Sunday and planned to read 4-5 chapters a day to get through the 29 chapters in the book.  It's an easy read and brings you quickly into the story, so I was very excited I chose this book for the challenge!  It's about a family of two parents, who have been divorced for some time, and their three adult children.  The come together in Florida to watch the daughter, Sarah, be launched into space.

Halfway through the book, and halfway through the week, I petered out.  Maybe Christmas week wasn't the best choice for this one.  I will finish the book, hopefully this week, and I will take on this challenge another week with another book!  I will now have to double up on one week of challenges, because, as I planned, these 52 things will be completed within the year.

That said, I continue to look over my list and I realize there are some things I need to start preparing for now (like completing a triathlon or paying off one debt over $500 or filing for divorce).  It's an ongoing project and I really feel that 2013 is going to be spectacular!  2012 has been a series of ups and downs.  I've been pulled to the near-breaking point and have come back together.  I have been stepped on and built up.  2013 looks like it'll shape up quite nicely for me! 

Best of luck in 2013 to you!

52 Things/Week 2: Help Fund a Kickstarter Project

This week, in the spirit of giving and the holidays (Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and any others I may have missed) I helped fund a Kickstarter project.  Kickstarter, if you are unaware, is a way to allow people from anywhere put their ideas and dreams, that require some cash flow, on the internet for all of us to see and to monetarily help out.  Those who help out substantially enough, which is determined on a project-to-project basis, are usually rewarded with something such as a sticker, t-shirt, copy of the game, or whatever the developers are looking to give out.

I first heard about Kickstarter a bit over a year ago when the South Jersey Derby Girls were looking to build a banked track in 2011.  They needed $10,000 to make it happen and they made it.  The next time I stumbled on Kickstarter was early in 2012 when I heard about Jammer Up! - a roller derby-based board game.  The idea is excellent and I am pleased to say that it was also completely funded.  Unfortunately, as much as I loved these ideas, I wasn't able to back either of them.  I vowed I would help get someone's idea off the ground, and that's what I did this week...

I came across Dice Rings, which are stainless steel spinning rings numbered 1-4, 6, 8, 20, and so on.  The rings would be used for role-playing games, such as Dungeons and Dragons.  Yes, I'm proudly a nerd, but I haven't yet taken a dip into the D&D pool.  I funded this project because I thought this would be an excellent ring to use for a life counter for Magic the Gathering, which I do enjoy quite regularly.  I checked with the creators of the rings and they do plan to make life counters counting to 100 life (using 00) that click into place, rather than spin, so as not to lose the life total (this is a minimum of $20 funding and isn't yet offered on their Kickstarter page - if you're interested, pledge $20 and choose the $15 single ring option).  Also, they are also making Rock/Paper/Scissors and Rock/Paper/Scissors/Lizard/Spock rings and are looking into creating roulette dice!

The project appears to be more than funded and will certainly get off the ground.  I'm very excited to be able to help and to receive a life counter in the process.  Well done, CritSuccess!

52 Things/Week 1: Pay for the Person Behind Me at the Drive-Thru

Yesterday I was in a rush at lunchtime.  I helped with a charity, I ran to the store to prepare for the early Christmas dinner I'm making tonight and had to run through Taco Bell's drive-thru to hopefully make it back on time...  I was 5 min late.  In my rush, I just wanted to get through the line (it wasn't as time-saving as I'd hoped with 4 cars ahead of me).  I saw a woman in the car behind me and, as I had the time, I decided to pay for her meal as well.  I pulled up to the window and gave the cashier my $5.49 and an extra $10 and told her, "I'd also like to pay for the person behind me."  She smiled, said "Okay," and gave me my change and meal.  I drove off.  That's it!  It's been years since I've done this and I'd like to do it more often - now that I'm eating at the drive-thru far less than I used to!                                                                           

52 Things in 52 Weeks

Well, the 101 Things in 1001 Days list went kaput (I finished about a third of them).  I'm on to bigger and better things with this new list.  I intend that over the next year I will do something new every week.  Some are small (like buying a new eyeshadow color) and others are big (like skydiving).  I intend this blog to document all that I do in these weeks and see what I can truly accomplish in one week or less.  I'm certain I will amaze myself this year and, aren't you lucky, you get to come along for the ride!
Anyone who knows me understands that I cannot sit still.  I need change.  I need movement.  I need chaos and commotion.  In all of that, is comfort.  I am comfortable with a bit of mess and chaos (too much and I stress, there is a nice balance).

Without further ado, here is my list!  I grouped them according to type of action.  The fun starts next week!  What, oh what, shall I do?  Honestly, I don't yet know...

1. Kindness: Volunteer at WCNY
2. Kindness: Donate to WCNY and NPR 
3. Kindness: Pay for the person behind me at the drive-thru  
4. Kindness: Send flowers anonymously  
5. Kindness: Write a letter to three people who have made a difference in my life 
6. Kindness: Help fund a Kickstarter project
7. Kindness: Wear a free hugs sign for a day
8. Fun: Attend the midnight premiere of a movie
9. Fun: Celebrate an obscure holiday
10. Fun: Find one Geocache 
11. Fun: Buy a complete Renaissance Faire outfit
12. Fun/Self-Improvement: Go to dinner and a movie by myself 
13. Self-Improvement: Identify 101 things that make me happy 
14. Self-Improvement: Don’t speak a single word for a day
15. Self-Improvement: Try a basic meditation technique
16. Self-Improvement: Not log into Facebook for a week
17. Self-Improvement: Read one book in a week
18. Self-Improvement: Read the Declaration of Independence  
19. Self-Improvement: Prepare Idea/Outline for NaNoWriMo
20. Self-Improvement: Take a BOCES class
21. Self-Improvement: File for Divorce 
22. Self-Improvement: Write up my final wishes
23. Finances: Write up a budget 
24. Finances: Pay off one debt over $500 
25. Finances: Set up sons' savings accounts
26. Food: Bake and decorate one batch of really pretty cupcakes 
27. Food: Make fudge 
28. Food: Make marshmallows from scratch
29. Food/Family: Have dinner by candlelight   
30. Family: Have family photo taken 
31. Family: Try a new board game 
32. Family/Travel: Go on a family vacation 
33. Travel: Go to a museum I have never visited before
34. Travel: Tour the Saranac Brewery 
35. Travel: Buy map and pins and mark travel destinations
36. Crafting: Take one picture a day for the week
37. Crafting: Refinish a piece of furniture 
38. Crafting: Make soap
39. Crafting: Make a cushion
40. Crafting: Make mosaic art
41. Health: Go rock climbing
42. Health: Go sky diving
43. Health: Go ice skating 
44. Health: Work out with a personal trainer
45. Health: Try kickboxing 
46. Health: Complete a Triathlon
47. Bodifications: Wear a skirt or dress every day for a week
48. Bodifications: Finish my tattoo sleeve 
49. Bodifications: Get a new piercing
50. Bodifications: Make a list of 25 interesting words to tattoo on myself
51. Bodifications: Buy an unusual color of eye make-up
52. Bodifications: Learn a new braided hairstyle