On 2012 Resolutions

It's a new year, and time for new resolutions/targets. In no particular order, we have

1. Quit casual gaming. I feel really lousy after gaming in general, but I feel the worst after spending more than 1 minute playing anything on my iPhone. Quitting gaming proved too tough, so I just quit heavy-duty gaming and thought that would work better. But maybe I had it reversed; maybe I'll feel better allowing myself Skyrim and forbidding anything purchased from an AppStore.
2. Get back in to music. I've flirted with this idea a few times, specifically considering going back to trumpet or piano, or picking up an electric bass and trying to teach myself.
3. Finish History of the World. I'm making progress, and this is the year I finish.
4. Top-rope more. Pretty much all of my climbing has been bouldering. I never got used to the harness, so it's time to get used to it.
5. Camp in the Snow. Not sure where, doesn't have to be hike-in, but I'd like to try it. Bonus points if it's in a snow cave.
6. International Travel: Let's just say travel outside of the North American continent to some place that isn't India. I won't set destinations as a specific goal here. I do have a lot of vacation to burn this year, so I can't fall back on that excuse.
   
7. Solve a problem I have with a technological solution. Currently in progress, so let's see if I can finish the fight.
8. Five puzzle pieces by years end. Amazon employees know what I'm talking about here.
9. Do a better job of dissenting. For some reason, I like being the one person in the room with a different opinion. But I'm not very good at convincing the entire room to go my way. Last year, I finally managed to have my first "12 Angry Men" moment where I reversed the rooms position on a hiring decision. This year, I'll try to get better at it. I may never go to law school, but that doesn't mean I don't get to relish debate.
10. Weigh in at 130 lbs. Got close a couple of times in the past, but I'd like to keep it on this time.
11. Failing that, stop wearing thick/baggy clothing to hide the fact that I'm skinny.
    
12. Climb one of the Cascade Volcanoes. I have no excuse for not doing St. Helens, and it's not much training for me to do Adams.
13. Make my den look nice. Bonus points if it's a room in a new place.
    
14. Eat at a table, not at a desk. Starts tomorrow. I'm not going to eat at my desk at work, or at home.
    
15. Be funny. Two days in, and I've made people laugh both days. 364 to go.
16. Use more umlauts. I like using umlauts in the New Yorker style, so I'll try and evangelize this practice.
    
17. Learn how to throw a frisbee with a good forehand. I've come close to this, and I'm maybe a couple weeks of solid practice from getting it solid.
18. Raise at least $1,000 for a charity.
19. Every time I'm in an argument with a religious person, and I use any argument that invokes "starving children," I am now required to donate $20 to aid in the cause of famine relief or local food banks. Partially, the argument is tiresomely cliche; partially, it's good to help.
20. General amnesty for everyone. I have a tendency to hold grudges, and sometimes it's a net positive when they motivate me to accomplish good stuff. It's also fun to fantasize about elaborate payback plans. But I don't think any of the grudges I currently hold are doing me any good. So I'm going to declare a complete amnesty for anyone who has wronged me in the past. It doesn't mean that I've forgiven or forgotten, just that I'm going to try to not let it affect me.
21. Troll For Great Justice. I troll mostly because I enjoy being a jerk, but maybe it's time for me to use this ability for good. A good troll should work to take people down a notch, and to quote Sports Night, "Point out what is important by mocking that which is not." So this year, I resolve to put on my trollface only when I think I can make things better.