My Triumphant Return and First Failures

It's been a good long while since I last posted, but I've been periodically updating my list.

My progress has been pretty slow as of late, but I've continued working on a lot of my 'continuing goals'. I did finish the "try pilates" goal. I finish the class in two weeks. It's really got me in better shape. I haven't lost a lot of weight numberwise (and I don't have a scale at school, so I haven't been weighing myself), but I can see the physical difference in my body, and I've dropped a pants size. I don't love pilates like I love yoga (yoga makes me feel good... pilates makes me look good), but I really like the results, so if I can swing it I might try and take the class again next semester.

Also, my first failure: I've decided not to apply to the Yale MA program. I think I need a year off from school or I'll burn out and I think I wanted to apply to the program for the wrong reasons (it was a good placeholder while I figured out what I really wanted). I'm not taking it too hard, and I use the word "failure" loosely. Obviously, my goals and priorities are going to change over the next few years, and the list needs to be flexible. Part of the point is to track my growth anyway.

I did, however, take the Praxis. I get my scores back in a few weeks, so hopefully, I'll be able to tick off that goal, even if I (probably) won't be needing the test score for anything.

Some more progress: I've read more books. Minus the erotica ones, they've all been for school. The titles are listed on the page for that goal (47). I've purchased more non-necessary books, but I need a count, so I'll be back to update that soon. I applied for a promotional scholarship on Zinch--it's more of a sweepstakes, so I don't know my chances, but it's worth a shot.

Upcoming: D and I are going on a cruise in March--it's all booked and everything. And I'll be getting a passport for it, so that's two goals down (I also might go parasailing while we're there, so we'll see). In February, we're going to the Fetish Fair Flea Market in Providence. We're attending the Masquerade, and I'm dressing in fetishwear. So, depending, this may or may not count as public play and that weekend we may or may not do slave training. Next year, I'm signed up for a CPR class, so I'll be registered in April, I believe.

Finals are coming up, so I can't make any promises about posting habits, but I plan to schedule an hour during the week during which I can blog.

Freedom Trail! (Finally)

So, here's my much delayed update (with pictures!). On the 5th (nearly a week and a half ago) D and I decided to walk the freedom trail. It's about 3 miles long (depending on your deviations) and takes you all over Boston, past various historic sites related to the Revolutionary War. It starts in the Boston Commons, takes you through the heart of the city, through the North End (Boston's version of little Italy), to the Navy yard and up to Bunker Hill. We walked almost the whole thing before heading off to Cambridge so I could pick up a good study guide for the Praxis, look at a corset for my Halloween costume (the Silk Spectre from Watchmen), and get some crepes for dinner (D's suggestion, and a good one too).

Anyway, on to the fun stuff:
That's the state house, right at the start of the trail, coming out of the Commons.

Those are D's feet on the trail. Proof!
My feet on the trail, plus the arm with the freckles that look like the big dipper. Further Proof!
Paul Revere's grave. People had put pennies all over it, though I'm not entirely sure why. I'm sure there's some significance to it. Luck?

It doesn't look like blogger will let me put more than 4 pictures in a post (shame). I had a couple more of the Old North Church Yard, and the Bunker Hill monument, which we climbed. I like history, but the Revolutionary War era really isn't my favorite, so we skipped over some of the free "museum-ish" things along the trail. I really enjoyed getting to see parts of Boston I'd never seen before. I stumbled across a ton of cute areas I never even new existed--the farmer's market in the North End, the Shooting Fountain, the Old North Church Yard (gorgeous), that Bunker Hill can be reached on foot. Really glad I put this on the list, and got the opportunity to finish it before I graduated.

Also! I have followers! Hi! Glad you find me interesting enough to read.

Another Idea.

Try X number of things I don't like (x could be one a year, 10 for the challenge or 101 if I feel up to it).

I got this idea from my computer science professor today: He says he tries to do at least one thing he doesn't like each year. I forget his answer, though he said for his wife, it's olives. I thought that this would be a wonderful idea for a unique task in keeping with the spirit of mission101. Things I don't like can include foods, television shows, writers, anything really so long as I have decided I don't like it based on little experience. I wouldn't have to change my mind about these things, necessarily, but by coming at them with a decidedly open mind perhaps I can reevaluate some of my own prejudices and broaden my horizons.

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You:

• An entry about walking the Freedom Trail in Boston
• An entry about swimming in the Charles
• Progress on reading a book a week, pilates, learning to cook, Applying to Grad school, and taking the Praxis.
  

First Month's Progress

Since August just finished, I figured it would be worthwhile to do a progress report to see how things are going so far.

Completed: 5
11. Go to a strip club <Read About It>
15. Try out for Jeopardy <Read About It>
18. Take the GRE and get a score with which I am satisfied <Read About It>
35. Get high <Read About It>
51. Make D orgasm on my own <Read About It>

In Progress: 13
14. Start a blog for this project and include at least one entry a week (13/143)
25. Apply to the Yale MA program
30. Store $1 a day (50/1001)
33. Visit 20 more states (4/20)
42. Donate 1 million grains of rice on freerice.com (30,000/1,000,000)
46. Put poetry in 101 different bathroom stalls (1/101)
47. Read at least 1 book a week (3/143)
48. Wear no make-up in public on 10 separate occasions (1/10)
60. Finish a coloring book
66. Tell D I love him everyday (33/1001)
70. Buy no more than 15 non-necessary books (1/15)
74. Try pilates
97. Take as many pictures of completed tasks as possible.

(You can read about these when you click on the tags)

Up Next:
25. Apply to the Yale MA program-- I started the official application online and am working on getting all my stuff together.
50. Block off my time at school and stick to it-- I'm waiting this one out-- I haven't had all my classes yet, so I don't have a whole lot of work to do. I figure I'll start next week as a trial.
74. Try Pilates-- I started my class today--so far, so good. D and I talked about it and decided that "trying it" requires 3-5 classes. Since it is a credit course, I'll be doing it al semester, ubless something goes horribly awry.

Small Progress.

So, over the course of my road trip I worked on a couple of my other goals:

Number 48--Wear no make-up in public. I did this on Sunday, the day after we got super high. I feel like it was almost a cop-out given the circumstances, but we did go out to eat and I did see people other than D so I decided to count it. A bigger step will be going without make-up to class one day (or days). I'd like to wait til my skin is particularly clear (which admittedly, sort of defeats the purpose of this task). Maybe I'll slowly wean myself off.

Also, I finished another book. Lost Tribe: Jewish Fiction from the Edge ed. by Paul Zakrzewski. It was a collection of short stories. I'm particularly interested in Jewish fiction (particularly in magical realism in Jewish fiction), so this collection of contemporary stories was great (post-Portnoy, they called it) to see where dialogue is headed. I made a few new discoveries--I love Myla Goldberg (she's not just an awesome Decemberists song), and even though I loved Everything is Illuminated, I'm willing to accept the Jonathan Safran Foer is kind of a douche. Lots of new stuff to look into, as well as some food for thought when it comes to possible graduate study.

Suck it, Trebek

So, last night I tried out for jeopardy--just the online quiz for the College Edition--and since I have no control over whether my 'audition' goes any further than this, I'm considering this task complete (woohoo!). It was a fifty question test with 15 seconds to answer each question--the questions were presented just like on the show, but you didn't have to answer in the form of a question. Honestly, I have no idea how well I did. I knew a bunch of them, but there were also a good many where the answer was on the tip of my tongue, and quite a few where I just had no freaking idea and either guessed or passed. They can contact me anytime between now and a year from now, so we shall see.

Bathroom Graffiti Take One.

This is the first piece of bathroom graffiti I've written in several years now. i used to do it quite a bit in high school. This was actually one of my favorite poems to use back then--I liked it, or course, but mostly it was short and easy to remember (plus I love Margaret Atwood).

This piece was put up in the Ladies' Room of a Macy's in a mall in Onalaska Wisconsin. I think some woman noticed. I went into a stall that clearly wasn't working (toilet hadn't and wouldn't flush) and the other two filled up while I was in there writing. As I was coming out, another woman came in. I went and sat outside to wait for D and the lady came out shortly thereafter and gave me a dirty look. I don't know if it was the unflushed toilet or the graffiti. Oh well.

A couple of things I'm debating as I continue this task. I definitely want to take a picture of each piece, but since this is largely a crime of opportunity, it might be difficult to ensure that I always have a camera on me. I'm also considering compiling a book of appropriate poems to put up there. It's hard to find something short enough and keep a store of them all in my head. So maybe it would be worth it to put some together in a marble notebook that I can keep on me. Also, I think pieces of poems are acceptable, like a stanza or so, so long as it has meaning in and of itself and doesn't lose much without the context of the poem.

New States! Now with photographic evidence.

So during this road trip, D took me to 4 new states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Two states were on the way (Illinois and Wisconsin) and two D took me to just because they were close and he wanted to help me knock off as many as possible.

First, we hit Illinois on Friday night--drove right through Chicago, which was beautiful at night. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a picture of the skyline because my camera doesn't take good pictures at night. We spent the night in a Super 8 in Illinois too, so I actually set foot in the state too. Picture below. It's not so great, but that the Welcome to Illinois sign.
Next up was Wisconsin. We got there Saturday before noon. After driving from 9am to 11pm (Central time too, so really 12) on Friday, it was a quick jaunt to Tomah, our final destination. Here's some photographic evidence from Wisconsin.
This is my failed attempt at taking a picture of the Welcome to Wisconsin. In any direction out of Wisconsin we went, this was the only sign--nothing on the side of the road, just Welcome to Wisconsin carved in wood planks. More proof:
This one's from the way back from Wisconsin after our quick trip to Minnesota.

We went to Minnesota on Tuesday--after we went to LaCrosse, we just hopped across the Mississippi River and into Minnesota. I tried to get the Welcome to Minnesota sign, but all I could get was the -ota.

And finally, here's Michigan. We got there on Saturday morning on the trip back. D took the Indiana toll road specifically so we could just hop across the boarder (the toll road runs right next to the Michigan state line. It was right by Notre Dame.

Take it off!

Wednesday we went to not one, but two strip clubs. Ostensibly, we were going for D's friend's birthday, but it meant I got to tick off another goal. I wanted to go, but as it got closer and closer to day zero, I started to get worried--that the vibe would be bad, that D would go off with his friends and strippers and I'd be left alone surrounded by women who are much prettier than I am, that it would be full of creepy men, that I'd spend the entire night comparing myself to the girls on stage--basically that I'd be miserable. Of course, all my worrying was for naught. I had a great time, and strippers love me, apparently.

We started off bar hopping, trying to get D's friend free drinks for his birthday (no luck), then we headed to Wisconsin Dolls, in the Wisconsin Dells. D's friend wanted to go there (rather than the other strip club in town) even though it was smaller, because it was cheaper over all and you were actually allowed to touch the dancers. Unfortunately for the three guys (D, and D's two friends B and R), but fortunately for me, it was male review night meaning only male strippers up on the stage. I don't usually like the 'pretty' 'cut' guys, but it was interesting for the novelty. There were still female strippers milling about, and I got the impression that they'd have girls up on stage later in the evening, but the guys weren't really interested in hanging around for it, though.

We did stick around for lap dances all around though. D got one for both of us, and the girl said she'd do it as long we both sat in one chair. I didn't catch her name, but she was really cute--tiny, tan, dirty blonde hair, and an accent. Briefly, I thought she reminded me of my sister, but I quickly pushed that thought out of my head. I sat on D's lap, and she ground herself on my leg and his, rubbed her breasts up against mine--D was getting a kick out of it. At one point he even pulled my breasts out. She rubbed her tits in his face and let him suck on her nipples. I was surprisingly not jealous--honestly, it was pretty hot. I guess my inner voyeur took over. Certainly this bodes well for a lot of the things we've talked about exploring re: including others (including the threesome). The girl told us we were a crazy couple and seemed to have a good time herself. Over all, a good experience.

Because the guys were still on stage and everyone had gotten a lap dance, we decided to high-tail it out of there to another, larger strip club, Chubby's. It was pretty dead when we got there, but it was still early on a Wednesday. the place filled up later. This club was huge--one big stage but with three poles. Lots of girls--most of whom seemed really friendly and into it. Some of the stuff those dancers did on the poles was absolutely wild--flipping, stripping, etc all while spinning around so fast you couldn't even see them. We stuck close to the stage the entire night, long enough to see the 'rotation' of girls come through twice almost. I had a couple of favorites--most of the girls seemed really enthusiastic because I was a girl (I wasn't the only one there with my boyfriend, and from what I gathered they got similar treatment)--I had my nipples licked a couple of times and got lots of free boobs shoved in my face, and just special treatment in general for no special cost. D got some, too, I think because he'd brought a girl with him. A stripper bit his nipple! Of course, when he told me I thought he was just being a baby (in my experience guys tend to have a low pain tolerance for stuff like that, and D doesn't like anything near his nipples), but when we got home nearly three hours later he had teeth marks and a nice bruise forming.

I felt a little hinky being there--like I was exploiting the dancers by virtue of patronising the place. Most of them seemed to be having a good time--a few were obviously faking it, and one was clearly not having a good time. She only went on stage once, and sort of stomped around each pole for a song angrily and left quickly. I saw her talking to the bouncer when we came in, so I think she probably just wanted to go home, but they made her get up there once. I know it's a job, and the dancers who did look like they were enjoying themselves probably know that you get more money when you seem happy about what you're doing, but some of them seemed like they were genuinely enjoying themselves. I've considered dabbling in sex work before (including exotic dancing), and I'd like to think it would be something I'd find fun and empowering, though I'm sure it wouldn't be a good time every night.

I had an awesome time--just as good a time as any of the guys, and maybe better, since the dancers paid a lot of attention to me. They actually wanted to leave before I did, but theyd spent all their money and I still had a good bit left. Would definitely go again.

Illegal Doings

So I've returned from my trek to the wilderness (read: Wisconsin), and in the process I've accomplished 2 more goals, started several more, and made progress on others. And I have pictures! I'll be updating over the next couple of days about the goals I completed and the ones I've just started.

First things first. I got high! And it was wonderful. After staying the night at a Super 8 in Illinois, we got in to Tomah, Wisconsin before noon. D's friend, who we were staying with for the first few days, was getting ready for the party later that night (he turned 22 on Wednesday, but had a big party Saturday night). D had asked him to procure some pot for us before we came out, and he had, so D and I went off on our merry way to buy brownie making supplies.

We decided to make brownies because I didn't want to smoke for a couple of reasons--first, I heard that sometimes you don't get high the first time if you smoke (I think because most people don't really know how to inhale it), and I didn't want to risk wasting the pot and missing my chance to complete this goal. Also, I was worried I wouldn't like smoking--I don't even smoke cigarettes, so I figured I'd probably cough and choke, and I wanted this experience to be as pleasant as possible. Plus, I already love brownies.

The brownies were done by about 4, and they reeked of pot. Not a bad smell really, just pine-y, but honestly, thinking about it makes me feel kind of ill. We started eating them pretty quickly but it took a while for them to kick in, so we kept eating and eating (Not so great an idea, it turns out). By 5, we were through almost the whole pan, and we were both super high. D was so high that he couldn't tell I was high, so he kept insisting I eat more brownies, even though I didn't want more (turns out I lose the ability to say no when high).

Everything was hilarious. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt, and smiled so hard my face hurt. The feeling of uncontrollable laughter is a strange one. I could literally feel each giggle bubbling up out of me, from my diaphragm and though I could feel it coming, I couldn't stop it. D smoked up a bit (by this time the party was underway, and while we were the only ones eating brownies, a lot of other people were smoking) and chugged around the house blowing smoking out, pretending he was a train (hilarious). Later, he thought his friend (whom he hadn't seen in about three years) had grown about a foot and a half taller. I just laughed and laughed, and thought D was a giant at one point (to be fair, I was lying on the floor and he was standing over me).

I liked being high much better than drinking--I got all the happy euphoric feeling of being buzzed, but without that fuzzy-headed moving-through-jello feeling. By 8 I was just vegetating on a big comfy chair in the kitchen. I was still conscious and aware of what was going on around me (though my eyes were closed and I was sort of incorporating everything going on outside into the weird psychedelic trip going on in my head), but I was out of it. My entire body felt warm and the top half of me felt like it was lightly vibrating. I think I described it to D as a million little orgasms all over my body. So yeah, a pretty good feeling over all. I was in bed probably by 9. D joined me shortly thereafter. Apparently, people were banging on the door to our room trying to get us up without any luck.

We slept late the next day, and went to get Mexican food. That was all we did. D and I were both out of it. I was worthless the entire day. I think I took a nap, and maybe read a little bit. The Mexican sure tasted good though.

Overall, I'd rate getting high as a great experience. I don't think I want to try again any time soon, or do it with any regularity though because I don't want to ruin it with a bad trip and it's hard to block off two days where I can be totally worthless. More to come later.

I Came, I Saw, I Kicked Ass.

So, I took the GRE today and I did better than my wildest dreams--740 on both Verbal and Math. Which, if you'll note, was higher (much higher for math) than my "ok, I'll stop here" scores. On D's advice, I'm not marking this goal as complete yet because I still have to get my essay scores back, and that won't be for another couple of weeks. I don't think I did poorly on those either, and if I didn't do as well as I wanted I believe I can retake those separately. So, Woohoo!

As a reward for myself afterward (which I would have done regardless of my score), I went to Barnes and Noble and picked up Anais Nin's Delta of Venus, so now I've officially bought my first non-necessary book, so that goal will go in the "in progress list" (though really, it should have been already because of the nature of the goal), and once I read that (hopefully, during my upcoming vacation), I'll be able to tick off one of the ten pieces of "classic erotica".

Nerves.

Tomorrow is the GRE. 12:30. I've finally decided what I consider to be acceptable scores (meaning, once I get these scores, I can stop taking the GRE): I want to crack 700 in verbal--I'm about at this level right now. And I want to crack 600 in math. I should be able to do this. I'm going over a bit more tonight and writing down some formulas. Writing, I'm not as concerned about, but I'm shooting for a 5 (you have to wait for your score for this part).

Send good math vibes my way.

Good News, Everyone.

Two new goals definitively begun (as opposed to the previous post, where I'm just anticipating beginning them). Jeopardy Try-Outs for the College Edition are on the 25th. I registered to take the online test today, which is the first round of tryouts, followed by another test (I think), an interview and a dry-run. Goal 15 is officially underway.

Also, I started a coloring book. It's My Little Pony (don't laugh...ok laugh), and I think D got it for me (more likely I saw it while we were out somewhere and he got it for me when I got all excited). He bought me an entire My Little Pony army for christmas (there are 7. we're preparing to march on France). I've had it sitting around for a bit, but its also the only one I hadn't already started.

Idea for the next list

Complete the Irongirl Triathalon.

I got this idea because some woman at the gym the other day asked me if I was training for it after I finished swimming the other day. If were to do this, I wouldn't be competing seriously, just looking to finish it. Apparently, it's about a 3.4 mile run, about a .5 mile swim (which I can definitely do) in open water (which I haven't tried, but I'm not worried. I can swim a mile in the pool no problem), and about 17.5 miles biking. The run might be the hardest because I hate running, though 3 and a half miles isn't that much. I can do about 15 miles biking, but I've never done it without breaks. Anyhow, something to strive for.

Here's more info about Irongirl.

Upcoming Goals

So, D and I are headed off on our week-long roadtrip to Wisconsin in exactly one week. In the next week (before the trip) and over the course of the trip itself, I'm looking forward to starting a bunch of goals, and completing a few as well.

Next Wednesday, I take the GRE for the first time, hopefully completing goal 18. I'd really like do well the first go 'round, because a) the GRE is flippin' expensive and b) I'd really rather not study any more than I already have. Also, I really don't have much time to retake the test before I submit the scores to the grad program. Wish me luck! I'm probably going to be a hermit between now and Wednesday, with the exception of a therapy appointment, and a possible going away dinner with some friends, otherwise it's all library all the time.

On our road trip, I'll definitely be visiting at least 3 new states (with the possibility of one or two more, depending on our route): Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota for sure. Possibily Michigan, too. So I'll get to start on goal 33 and fill in my map some more. There would be more states, but thanks to some relatives in Louisville, I've been to Indiana (yay Holiday World!) and Ohio (yay layover!). I should also be able to take some pictures of the signs and of the other goals on the list. Some will be posted (the ones that are least likely to prevent me from getting a job), others will be kept only for posterity, so goal 97 will be on it's way.

On the way there, I'm hoping to plaster some poetry in public restroom stall walls across the country (goal 46). I've put a sharpie and my marble poetry notebooks on my list of shit I need to bring, and I'll try and sneak a camera in with me a few times so I can document my vandalism. Also, I'm hoping to procure a copy of the Sunday Times so D and I can attempt the crossword during the drive. He tells me we should be able to find the Times when we get out there (maybe at a book store if nothing else). I figure it'll be a good way to pass the time (goal 29).

There has been much debauchery planned for when we get down there. I'm not really looking forward to a bunch of keggers (especially with a bunch of people I don't know), but I figure I'll muddle through. Lord knows I've dragged D into more than enough clothing/book/girly stores that he's more than paid his due. So far, definitely on the roster: purchase of a keg, a toga party (yes, really), a trip to the strip club for one of the guys' birthdays (I'm hoping to get a lap dance out of it, and I can cross goal 11 off my list), and his friend is growing weed for us. Provided I can actually get high the first time (I've been told whether or not this happens depends on how much I smoke and the quality of the 'product'), I'll be able to check off goal 35.

I'm sure I'll make one more post before I leave, probably after the GRE on Wednesday. I won't be able to update everything else until I get back the next Saturday (and probably not until the next day anyhow), but I'll bring a notebook along with me so I can keep track of everything.

Until then--adios!

Technicalities, and another book

So, I finished another book for goal 47. Another book that I had started before the 1st (and hence, before my challenge). 2666 by Roberto Bolaño. Really, this is one book broken down into 5 thematic parts (also called books, so this might get a bit confusing), but then contained in 3 physical books. In the first physical book (total of 350 pages), are housed the first 3 thematic books--The Part About the Critics, The Part about Amalfitano, and The Part About Fate. This is the book I just finished, so I'm counting it as one, and then I'll count the other two physical books (housing parts 4 and 5, respectively) as one each as well. I don't think this is cheating, but obviously I wouldn't count War and Peace as more than one book (or Infinite Jest, which is actually on my to read list, for that matter).

So to the story: Ostensibly, 2666 centers around a series of murders that take place in Santa Teresa, a small town just across the Mexican boarder. I say "Ostensibly" because, so far, these murders (numbering in the hundreds, all of young women) seem to only float in the background, until the very end of the 3rd part (where some of the characters go to interview a man who has been arrested for the murders. The narrative structure disintegrates and the writing takes on a phantasmagoric quality).

So far, the first three parts seem to link up only in the most tenuous of ways, but the plot is interesting enough, and the writing engaging enough for me to slog on another 5 hundred pages and find out if it all comes together in the end.


Other continuing goals: Goal 42, donating to Freerice.com. So far I've donated 10,000 grains of rice. I've decided to do them in 5,000 grain increments, because it will be easier to keep track. I need to play 200 times total to complete this goal (198 to go!)


Still telling D I love him everyday. Last night he "reminded" me (I hadn't forgotten, just hadn't said it yet. It was about 11:30) which annoyed me, but probably won't be a bad thing later down the road when I actually might forget or lose track of time.


Oh, and for goal 30--saving a dollar a day--I've decided to get ahead of myself. I plucked out all the quarters from my change jar and rolled $10 dollars of them, so I'm set for the next 10 days. I figure since it's the final number (1001) that's important, rather than the daily ritual of sticking a dollar in a jar, this is the path of least resistance.

And They're Off!

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67. Attend a Unitarian Church Service

What is it: I grew up Catholic, but I've basically stopped going to church except when family pressure dictates (Christmas, Funerals). I'm not even home for Easter anymore, so I haven't been to services for that in several years. Right now I consider myself agnostic--there may very well be no rhyme or reason to the universe, but it's comforting for me to think that there's some great organizing principle. I've heard good things about the Unitarian Universalist church from friends and I'd like to check it out for myself. I enjoy the ritual and moral structure religion can provide, and maybe the Unitarian Church will be the right fit for me.




Status: Haven't started.

Just Who Do You Think You Are?

Me

I'm a full time student in my early 20's, studying Anthropology and English Language and Literature at a great school in the Boston area. I graduate May of 2010 and am trying to figure out how to enter the real world as a Responsible Adult (tm) with as little culture shock as possible. Eventually, I'm looking to go to grad school (really, it's my only option if I want to do something within my fields of interest) but I have no idea how I ultimately want to combine English and Anthropology.

I read voraciously and people watch. I'm a dog person, but I like cats. I grew up in Baltimore, but live in New England now (Boston currently, Connecticut after graduation). I love all things strange, weird, and peculiar from John Waters to Elvis impersonators.

My Relationship

My boyfriend D and I have been together since January of 2008. We met on teh intertubes when I posted a personals ad on a forum site we both belong to and he responded. Our relationship is a wee bit different in that it's a D/s relationship--he's Dominant, I'm submissive. Basically, what that means is he wears the pants. I don't spend my days naked which, while probably fun, is also highly impractical. Everything he does to me is consentual, from beating my butt blue to having me ask permission to go out with friends or stay out late. We do it this way because this is how we both prefer it, and this is what works for us.

He's wonderful and I think I'd be happy with him for the rest of my life. Right now, we live about two hours away from one another when I'm at school, but we're looking to move in together after I graduate.

The List

I stumbled on the idea for the 101 goals in 1001 days challenge quite by accident--I found one blog and followed it back to the Day Zero Website. Truth be told, my motivation to do anything in my life has been flagging for a while now, and I was getting overwhelmed at the prospect of graduating and entering the Real World. The 101 list has helped me form specific, do-able goals. Everything seems a little less scary when you've got a plan, after all. I'm hoping that at the end of the 1001 days I'll have come out on the other end as a competent, self-actualized adult.

Got more questions? Feel free to leave a comment.

101. Create a new 101 things list

What is it: This one's pretty self explanatory, but it's completion will have to wait til close to the end of the 1001 days. I'm hoping to kick my life into gear with this challenge and bring myself to a new and better place by the end of it. I'm sure I'll have a ton of new things I want to do by the end of this list (I'll be 24. Christ) because I'll be in a different place in my life. If this challenge can kick me into gear once, I'm sure it can again.




Status: Haven't started.

97. Take as many pictures of completed tasks as possible

What is it: I recognize that this goal is not so clearly defined as it could be: "as many pictures...as possible" is sort of vague. But many of my tasks do not lend themselves well to photography. I will not be taking a picture of my first threesome, for example. And how does one photograph "Tell D that I love him everyday"? Other tasks lend themselves really well to photography, like the travel related goals

I want to take more pictures in general. I'm really bad at it: I don't carry a camera with me anywhere, and if I do by some divine providence happen to have one on my person, I rarely use it. So in part, this task is meant to provide the incentive I need to start actively documenting my life. As to which task get pictures and which don't--I'm going to have to use my best judgment on a case by case basis. Because of the sexual nature of some of my tasks, I'd like to keep myself as anonymous as possible, but I do plan to upload a good deal of the pictures here.



Status: Haven't started

89. Have a 1001 days completion party

What is it: After 1001 days, I will have (hopefully) accomplished a lot and kicked my life into gear. So celebration will be in order. I'm more a 'low-key night with friends' kind of person than a 'wild kegger with strippers and blow' kind of person so I'm envisioning something classy with good friends and good food, for my new adult life. I'll be inviting friends as well as all the people who help me finish my goals (even if they can't make it).

This can't really be accomplished until close to the end of the 1001 days, but since my time ends on a Saturday, it's possible it can even been done on that night.



Status: Haven't started

14. Start a blog for this project and include at least one entry a week

What is it: This blog, obviously. It's in progress because I've started the blog and am doing my best to get organized before my countdown actually begins. But I've got 0/143 posts because I'm not counting these initial organizational posts towards my total and my actual countdown hasn't started so I can't count anything I do before that as a completed goal (or as working towards my completed goals). I'm hoping my commitment to at least weekly updates will keep me motivated to complete the whole list. In this case, there might be weeks where I can't update--for example, I'm going to Wisconsin for a week in August and will likely be away from a computer/internet connection for the entire time--so the end total of 143 is more important than the dates of the posts.




Status: In progress. (8/143)

88. Tutor

What is it: Originally, when I started this list, I had a ton of "volunteering" related goals--being a Big Sister, building a house for Habitat for Humanity--all noble goals and all things that I'd still like to do (just because they're not on the list doesn't mean I can't still do them) but I don't know if I'd have the time or the heart at this point to commit to them.

Tutoring, on the other hand, is something I can do. I've done it before, both informally and formally, for pay and pro bono. It's a good way for me to give back, but also something that might prepare me for things I want to do later in life. If I'm not mistaken, there are opportunities to tutor at area schools through my college.





Status: Haven't started

42. Donate 1 million grains of rice to freerice.com

What is it: While I was compiling my 101 list, I realized a lot of my goals were very self-focused. I really wanted to give back but I'm short on both time and money. Freerice.com provides me with a fun, easy (and free!) way to give to a cause I believe in (hunger). 1 million grains of rice seems like a lot,but the way the game is set up, its definitely feasible, plus it helps build my vocabulary for the GRE.






Status: In progress (25,000/1,000,000)

66. Tell D everyday that I love him

What is it: When I was compiling this list, I shared this one with D and he said, "But don't you already do that?" He's right, of course. I probably do. We have contact in some form or another everyday and I'm sure "I love you" makes an appearance in one of its many incarnations (we have a number of disgustingly cute code words and phrases that approximate to the same thing). But I put this on my list because I want "I love you" to be a deliberate action on my part, to think about why I'm saying it every day that I say it. In this case, "I love you too" doesn't count.





Status: In progress (119/1001)

57. Visit Stranathan

What is it: Stranathan was my high school chemistry/bio teacher. He was the first person to seriously ask me what I wanted to do with my life (and listen to the answer), and he fought the administration to have me placed in higher level Physics. He's been a sort of mentor to me and I've been back to see him and chat a couple of times, but for one reason or another, I haven't seen him in over a year. I want to make at least one final visit before I move out of the area for good.





Status: Haven't Started.

34. Find a way to thank Mary

What is it: Mary is/was my therapist. She's helped me through the absolute worst times in my past, has been a constant advocate for me, but isn't afraid to tell me when I'm wrong, and I don't think I'm being hyperbolic when I say that, in a number of ways, she's saved me.I woudn't be half as well adjusted as I am today if it weren't for her. I stopped seeing her after I went off to college, but have recently come back since my mother's been slowly circling the drain and I've been trying to adjust to life as an Adult. I want to find an appropriate way to say "thank you".





Status: Haven't started

24. Keep in touch with college friends after graduation

What is it: I am a notoriously bad friend. Not in the sense that I'm not there for someone when they need me or that I'm a raging bitch (at least, I hope not), but I'm really terrible about keeping in touch with people. I'm phone phobic, and tend to take my sweet time replying to emails and facebook messages (which reminds me of a number of them still sitting on my to-do list as I type). I'd hate to lose out on all the great connections I've made in college because I'm being lazy or needlessly anxious. There are about 3 or 4 people that I want to stay in contact with after I graduate. In order to consider this task complete, I must still be in touch with at least two people through email, phone, or in person at the end of 1001 days. I would classify "Out of touch" as no contact of any sort in 3 months.

I can't actually start this task until I graduate in May, but until then I can practice calling and emailing the people I want to stay in touch with.



Status: Won't start until 2010

16. Cook a Holiday meal for friends/family

What is it: Seems to me that this is one of those things you do when you're really an adult. Granted of course, I'm likely to be doing major holidays (Christmas and Thanksgiving) with my family for the next couple years, but I'm hoping I can arrange it so that I can maybe do something small at my place either one of those holidays (Maybe christmas eve?) or maybe on a minor holiday (Labor day, Memorial day or July 4th cook outs). I can probably take pictures of this one ( or at least the meal).





Status: Haven't started.

98. Learn to Belly dance

What is it: While not related to the stripercize goal, the motivations behind this are similar. It's a great way to get and stay in shape, and it's sexy (D will approve). Plus I'd love to be able to list this as a skill somewhere. I think the best way to accomplish this goal is either through classes (which cost money, my school doesn't offer them) or videos (which also cost money, but less). I'll consider this goal complete when I can do some sort of "routine" to a song, on my own without guidance. I should be able to take and post pictures.





Status: Haven't started

90. Learn to mix drinks

What is it: Like a number of things on my list, this just seems like a fun and interesting skill to have. I'm not a big drinker, and what I drink depends largely on how it tastes (sugary, usually, since I don't like the taste of much alcohol), so learning to make fancy schmancy cocktails would be an asset for myself and my own drinking habits as well as a neat party trick. I could take a class and get a certification for this which costs money (bad) but would allow me to work as a bartender (good). I could also just get some books on shots and cocktails and experiment until I'm competent. Not really specific, but I'll make a more specific list of requirements later. A list of "Classic cocktails" I shoud be able to make (martini, G and T, etc) and maybe some fun ones too.




Status: Haven't started.

81. Learn to fish

What is it: There is photographic evidence of me fishing when I was probably about 10--I vaguely remember the day. My dad took us to a friend's house on a smallish-pond and I remember squishing the worm over the hook and then hurting my fingers on the fish's scales. I only have a vague recollection, and I haven't been fishing since. I don't think this task will require a class or anything. Maybe some instruction from someone who already knows how, or a book. My Dad doesn't fish to my knowledge, but D might be game (even though I don't think he knows any more about fishing than I do).





Status: Haven't started

64. Apply for 10 scholarships in Zinch

What is it: Zinch.com is like a cross between fastweb and facebook. You create a profile and then they find scholarships that apply to you. Essay writing is a strength of mine, and not all of the scholarships even require essays. It's likely that this is likely the last year I'll be eligible for many, so best make hay while the sun shines, and all that. I could certainly use the extra cash for the school year and beyond.






Status: (1/10)

The No Essay Scholarship

59. Catalogue my Library

What is it: I have (probably literally) a ton of books. 4 bookshelves--2 tall and 2 wide and more books than can fit on all of them. I'm hoping that when I move out for good, I'll be able to take my books with me (even if it is little by little). When I do, I'd like to do an inventory of what I have and complete The Great Reorganization* once more. The are a number of sites that let you catalogue your library online, but I haven't been able to find one that doesn't have a limit to how many books you can list (at least without paying, which I'm not willing to do). I'm not opposed to keeping my catalogue on line, but I probably want to keep a hard copy as well.


* The Great Reorganization is a yearly process during which I rip apart my bookshelves and rearrange them according to topic and author's last name.

Status: Haven't started.

54. Read the entire Marquez oeuvre in Spanish

What is it: I picked up Spanish in High School pretty easily, but since I've been out of practice my skills have dissipated pretty quickly. Reading Marquez in Spanish at this point will probably necessitate having my hefty Spanish to English dictionary on hand, and should be slow going, at least at first, but hopefully by the end of it I'll feel more competent in my Spanish speaking skills.

Coming soon: A list of what I consider to be Marquez's oeuvre




Status: Haven't started

50. Block off my time and stick to it

What is it: As previously noted, I'm a terrible procrastinator. Instead of just saying something like "stop procrastinating" and tossing myself into the metaphorical deep end, I've decided to be proactive about it with my list. I've heard that you're supposed to spend three hours out of class doing work for ever hour in class. Since I have 4 classes at three hours a week total, I should be spending 9 hours per week doing work for each class. I want to experiment with blocking off my time to see if that helps me get all my reading done on time and not save assignments until the last minute. From what I heard, if I do it right, I should have more free time than before left over.

I'll start with a week of it, once school gets back into swing and see how it goes from there.




Status: Haven't started

47. Read at least a book a week

What is it: A book a week may sound like a lot--over 1001 days, it comes out to be about 143 books--but really, I don't think it's going to be that difficult. I'm a bookworm and a fast reader, besides which I read more than a book a week with classes anyhow. In this case, its not so much the book a week thing that's important, so much as that it averages out to be a book a week.




Status: In Progress (24/143)

The Writing Class by Jincy Willet
2666 (1) by Roberto Bolaño
Lost Tribe: Jewish Fiction from the Edge ed. by Paul Zakrzewski
Silence by Shusaku Endo
My Antonia by Willa Cather
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers by Henry David Thoreau
Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov
A Feather on the Breath of God by Sigrid Nunez
Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Call it Sleep by Henry Roth
How to Write a Dirty Story by Susie Bright
The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The Quiet American by Graham Greene
Heat and Dust by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
The Best of the Best American Erotica 2008 ed. by Susie Bright
War Trash by Ha Jin
A Bend in the River by V. S. Naipaul
Frauds, Myths and Mysteries by Kenneth Feder
Fables: Legends in Exile (graphic novel)
Fables: Animal Farm (graphic novel)
Live Nude Elf by Reverend Jen
Morphology of the Folktale by Vladimir Propp
The Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille

39. Begin to learn another language

What is it: In high school and a bit in college I picked up Spanish. At my best point, I considered myself fluent, but at this point I'd say I'm passively bilingual at best (I can understand it, but my speaking skills are shot to hell). I've already assigned myself a goal designed to work on my Spanish skills (see: Marquez), but I want to pick up another language, for my own personal benefit, but I'm also thinking an extra language can only be an asset in my later academic life. I'm not sure which language yet (short list: French, Russian, Hebrew), or my exact plan of attack, but I've got a few ideas--they offer Rosetta stone for free at school, and I've got a free class next semester.




Status: Haven't started

31. Start all school papers before the night before they are due

What is it: I am a terrible procrastinator and it's only gotten worse in college. I've never turned in anything late, though and I do pretty well but I think, over all, the quality of my work suffers for this. I don't think it's realistic to expect I'll change these habits overnight, seeing as how they've been developing for about 16 years now. So I didn't make this task into *finish* papers before the night before they're due, though I'd like to do that for a paper or two eventually. Starting a paper can count as planning it (outlining) or writing a couple paragraphs, all the way up to writing a draft.



Status: In Progress

Papers So far:
Atlantis Found?
Solitude as a Function of Location in Emerson and Wordsworth

27. Get CPR certified

What is it: There are a couple of reasons why this one is listed. First, it's just a useful skill to have, even though I don't know if I'll ever feel confident enough in my abilities to save the day. Second, depending on what jobs I'm looking for (and how desperate I get), CPR certification (along with first aid, or life guard cert.) can help me get a job either caring for children (camp counselor, nanny, etc) or lifeguarding. My college offers courses each semester, so I can easily take a class next semester to get certified and I'll have this complete by the end of the school year.




Status: Haven't started.

26. Figure out what I want to do in Grad school

What is it: Another seemingly ill-defined goal, but I've got some specific parameters. I'm an English and Anthropology double major, so my problem lies in picking which one I want to pursue in my graduate career or finding some acceptable middle ground. Alternately, I decide I want to pursue folklore (in America, about Elvis), oral history, Hispanic culture, Cultural Counseling, Magical Realism in Hispanic or Jewish-American Lit. and on and on and on.

My goal is to pick which avenue to pursue and find some Grad programs that would allow me to pursue it. I expect this to be a long range goal.




Status: Haven't started

25. Apply toYale MA program

What is it: I stumbled across this almost on accident and it's perfect for me. I'm being deliberately vague because it's a small program. It would let me do something I actually want to do while giving me the time to figure out which direction I want to head in later for Grad school. Of course, it's Yale, and from what I can gather it's very selective, so I have no idea of what my actual chances are of getting in, but I'll never get in if I don't apply.

I really want this, so I can't wait until the last minute to turn anything. The Application opens in August and I have essays to write and recommendation letters to solicit (2 in mind, need one more) and standardized tests to take.


Status: Will Not Be Completed

19. Pass the Praxis

What is it: This is a requirement for the MA program I'm applying for, but in addition if I want to get a teaching certification in the not so distant future, better to get this sort of standardized testing out of the way while the information and procedures are still semi- fresh in my mind.

First step: Determining which versions I need to take, and registering for them.




Status: Haven't started

18. Take the GRE and get a score with which I am satisfied

What is it: In order to get into Grad school later, and the program I'll be applying to in the fall I need to take the GRE. Better now while (at least some of) the information is still fresh in my head. Right now, I've got a couple of test prep books and have been reviewing an practicing. So far my verbal score is fine, I just need to take more time with some of the reading passages, and my Math score is improving. I want to take a couple more practice tests to ensure that the math score I just got wasn't a fluke. Need to practice the writing prompts, just to get the hang of it, but it shouldn't be a problem.

Also, need to determine what I believe to be a "good enough" score. Will comb through some grad school program profiles to see what the median is for the competitive schools.





Status: Completed! 8/29/09

Final Score: Verbal: 740
Math: 740
Writing: 5

12. Graduate from college with Latin Honors

What is it: Academic success has always been important to me. I'll be graduating from college this may with a B.A. in English Language and Literature and a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology. Latin Honors are determined each year by the top % of GPA in the class (5%, 10%, etc), so the actual GPA that qualifies you for a certain level of honor (Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, and Magna Cum Laude) changes from year to year. Based on last years percentages, my current GPA qualifies me for Cum Laude, and if I work hard for my last two semesters, maybe Summa Cum Laude.





Status: Projected completion date: May 2010

99. Put a message in a bottle and send it

What is it: Another one of those weird, semi-inconsequential ways things I just want to do for no reason in particular. I enjoy connecting with strangers in novel (or, in this case retro) ways. I have no idea what I'd write, or if I'd even write anything myself. This tasks presents a couple of logistical problems--what kind of bottle should I use? How do I seal it without it leaking? How can I put it in the ocean? I can't just toss it into the surf because it's likely to just wash back up in a matter of moments. Maybe I can do it on my cruise.




Status: Haven't started

85. Go half a mile on a hippity-hop

What is it: I made a Life To-Do List when I was about 13 and this was on it. It was an homage to Friends (which I was really into at the time) where Phoebe goes for a mile on a hippity-hop because she's turning 30. I thought it would be cute and fun and something silly I can tell people about. This goal requires the purchase of a hippity-hop. D thinks it's adorable. He'd probably come down with me to a school track to help do it.




Status: Haven't started

82. Learn to dance a dance

What is it: Always wanted to be able to "cut a rug". I'm not rhythm-less, but I do have trouble letting the guy lead. I'm hoping I can learn to dance a specific kind of dance--something sexy and latin, maybe. Maybe just something I can bust out on my wedding day somewhere off in the distant future. My school offers free tango, salsa, and swing classes, so I think I'll satisfy this goal that way Spring semester.





Status: Haven't started

71. Beat Kingdom Hearts 1 or 2

What is it: I like video games but I generally prefer the "classics"--Mario, Pacman, etc, etc. I don't think I've beaten a video game since Mario Bros 3. I love Disney movies, so by default I love Kingdom Hearts, but I've never beaten it. Armed with my outdated PS2, I'm going to tackle one or the other in my free time.




Status: Haven't started

63. Mastermind a scavenger hunt

What is it: I think scavenger hunts, when executed well, are awesome. I have always always wanted to plan an elaborate one or complete an elaborate one. I have a bunch of ideas for this one but I'm waffling between several ideas--should I do it for a specific event (Birthday scavenger hunt, Halloween scavenger hunt, etc) or have it as it's own event. Should I state specific things (find a lamp) or should I do riddle clues and on and on and on. This will probably require a good deal of effort on my part but I'm hoping to make it a fun time for everyone who participates. ooh. Maybe I'll make it a writer's workshop event.





Status: Haven't started.

61. Make 10 mix CDs to leave for others to find

What is it: I love crafting the perfect mix CD for friends and for specific occasions for myself. So, as a random act of kindness I plan to make 10 CDs with track lists and leave them in public so that other people can find and enjoy them. I'm worried that someone will see me leaving them and try to give them back to me or that they'll just wind up in a lost and found somewhere. I suppose that's a risk I'll have to take. When I finish each one, I'll post the track listings here.




Status: (0/10)

60. Finish a coloring book

What is it: Since D and I have gotten more in to age play, I've started coloring again and found that I find it incredibly relaxing. I've got a number of coloring books now, mostly from cartoon shows that I liked when I was little (even Rainbow Brite!) but they're all half-finished. Basically I'd just like to have a cute, nicely done little girl thing.




Status: In progress

53. Learn how to read tarot cards

What is it: I'm really interested in the supernatural and the occult. I don't know that I have much in the way of natural psychic ability, but I'd still like to give it a shot. I've made a couple of attempts at learning how to read tarot cards, but I've never considered myself competent at it. I'll consider this goal complete when I can do a complete reading without consulting a guide of any sort. According to lore, you're supposed to receive cards as a gift, or else its bad luck and they won't work. So I guess I'll have to do some heavy hinting.




Status: Haven't started.

46. Put poetry in 101 different bathroom stalls

What is it: In high school, I used to graffiti the bathroom stalls with poetry--not my own, which I feel would have been kind of self-aggrandizing (and slightly emo)--mostly short stuff by 'official' Poets that lent itself well to being scrawled on a bathroom wall. I've done it once or twice since going to college, but I've basically stopped at this point. I want to get back into injecting something beautiful into life.





Status: 1/101

38. Pet a monkey

What is it: Like the penguin one, this is another hold over from my list 8 years ago. Again, jun thing I'd like to do and reconnection with my inner child.

Unlike the penguin one, there are no plans to make this one happen, but we went to a petting zoo last years where I think you can do this kind of things, so we'll see. Pictures should be pending.





Status: Haven't started.

37. Pet a penguin

What is it: This is another hold over from a list I made when I was 13. I still want to pet a penguin. There's no deep meaning behind this one--just a fun thing I want to do and a hearkening back to my adolescence.

D has started planning for this one. He found some 'Penguin Meet and Greet' that a local zoo hosts. You can pay money for a group to go and everyone gets to meet the penguins. He wants to set it up for a weekend in the Fall.





Status: Haven't started.

22. See an Elvis impersonator

What is it: My weird obsession with Elvis is long celebrated. This obsession is weird because it is not your typical Elvis obsession--I like his music, and am interested in his biography, but what I find truly fascinating is how he's been raised to God Status after his death. I am so obsessed that I'm working my Elvis obsession into a novel and I'm considering doing anthropological research on Elvis as a cultural icon. My Dad has told me about a yearly charity event known as the Night of 1000 Elvises at which Elvis impersonators gather. I'm hoping to complete this goal there. Yes, there will be pictures.




Status: Haven't started

21. Spontaneously go to a roadside tourist trap

What is it: I love American kitsch and weird stuff in general. I've always wanted to spontaneously stop at one of those campy road side tourist traps, but I've never had the chance. On one memorable road trip with my friend N we passed by a wax museum, a drive-thru safari, and the Stonewall Jackson Hall of American Presidents (protip: Stonewall wasn't president, that would be Andrew). D and I are making a planned trip to the House on the Rock (as seen in Neil Gaiman's American Gods) but since, we're planning it, it's not spontaneous, so it doesn't count. I'll need another. Which means another road trip. Awesome!




Status: Haven't started.

20. Swim in the Charles

What is it: It's true--you can actually swim in the Charles River in Boston and not die of sepsis. I have friends who have done it, and as far as I know they haven't died or given birth to any flipper babies. I've lived in Boston far too long (3 years!) without trying this. Seize the day! Swim in the Charles! Hopefully, I'll be able to take pictures of this one.






Status: Completed! 9/4/09

7. Get my palm read

What it is: I don't put a ton of faith into things like this-psychic advisories, Chakra realignment, etc--but I do think there's something to them. For my 18th birthday, my family threw me a surprise party and my mother hired a tarot card reader. I think her reading of me was off--she told me I was in love. But I haven't given up on the enterprise yet. I've tried to learn a couple of times how to read palms myself, but I can only remember a few facts about a few lines.

Basically, this is just a fun little thing I'd like to have done to see what it reveals, if anything.





Status: Haven't started

93. Get my own credit card

What it is: Given the state of the economy as of late and my status as a perpetually broke college student ($50 to my name ftw), this may seem like a Really Really Bad Idea. But hear me out. I have a credit card now that my father pays for to be used for flights to and from school and emergency purchases. In general, I just use it for those things now. I want my own credit card, in my name that I pay for so that I can improve my credit score (by not overspending and paying it on time) and maybe not live in an apartment for my entire life. Also, I enjoy purchasing things online and I feel more comfortable making those purchases with a credit card (with theft protection) than with a back card. My boyfriend informs me that this might be a Bad Idea anyway, even if I'm diligent about not spending more than I can afford at any given time, but we'll see.

I plan to wait until I have a steady income of my own before I make this goal a reality, anyhow.





Status: Not Started

72. Back up all important computer files

What is it: For Christmas, D got me a couple of flash drives to use for school and to back up important files--documents for classes and personal writing, music purchased, uploaded and downloaded, etc--and I've yet to put them to use. If my computer were to crash, I would lose a ton of data and be out all that money i spent on itunes. I have the flash drives still, though I don't know if they're big enough to hold everything. Completion of this task only depends on me getting my butt in gear. Beyond that, I would like to continue to move data to the flash drives regularly, but this task is really about that first initial downloading.




Status: Not Started

70. Buy no more than 15 non-necessary books

What is it: I've changed the number here a bunch of times--first it was 5, and I thought there's no way I can buy so few books, then it was 25 and I thought that was way too high, especially given that I'm not counting books bought with gift cards in this number (because it's not my money, and in many cases, the card will depreciate over time). So I settled on 15. Enough so that I can run out get the new novel from my favorite author, or get stuff from the COOP (where I won't get gift cards), but low enough to make this to require a substantial amount of effort from me.

I'm a self-professed bibliophile and I own way too fucking many books (4 6x3 shelves and more books besides) and what's worse, is that there are still a ton of books I haven't read sitting on my shelves. By limiting my book purchases, I'm hoping to save some money and focus on reading the books I already own (maybe that'll be a goal for my next list).




Status: In progress (2/15)

8/12/09- Purchased Anais Nin's Delta of Venus, as an End of GRE gift to myself.
Some time ago- Purchased Nerve: Literate Smut at the Book Barn with D

58. Move in with D

What is it: I almost feel like this one is a cheat because he and I have been planning this one for a while, so it seems like it's almost inevitable (Like if I put "Graduate from college" when I have no reason to believe I'm not going to graduate). But I still think it's a big step in Real Adult(tm)hood and in a Real Relationship which will require a good bit of effort on my part (as well as on D's) to get the logistics together, and also to adjust to living with someone other than family for The Long Hull. Right now, we're anticipating moving in together immediately after I graduate, so sometime this spring/summer.




Status: Haven't started.

56. Pay my own bills for something

What is it: It seems strange that I shouldn't have had to do this already, even if it was money given to me specifically for the purpose of paying my own bills (I've never even actually had to write a check, even though I have, I think, 2 checkbooks). Since this list is in part designed to help me become a Responsible Adult (tm), I figure it's time I get around to covering this very essential part. The completion of this goal might have to be put on hold until I actually have bills to pay--when my cell phone is not on my father's plan, I'm not living in a dorm, or I get kicked off my father's insurance plan when I graduate.




Status: Haven't started.

55. File my own taxes

What is it: I am still listed as a dependent on my father's taxes. Which makes sense since I'm a full time student and work under the table, only making a couple thousand a year, tops. In order to be a Responsible Adult (tm) in the Real World, I need to figure out how to file a tax return that won't have the IRS hunting me down. D's already had to do this and he's got the necessary software, so he can show me the ins and outs. I don't suspect to be able to complete this task until I actually have a real job and my father is no longer listing me as a dependent or footing the bill for my education, so probably after I graduate.






Status: Haven't started.

45. Work a full-time job

What is it: Seems strange I haven't done this yet, right? (For the record--I'd count 40 hours a week during the 4 or so months during the year that school is out of session as "full time") I don't work during the school year (though that might change this year), but I do work part time during the summer. I have nothing against working full time, I just have terrible luck picking jobs (I've waitressed, nannied, done clerical work for friends, and taken care of my elderly grandmother (she died)) nothing has worked out well. I probably won't be able to work full time until I graduate, so this will be on hold until I graduate.






Status: Haven't started.