The end of 2010

So here we are, the first day of 2011, and it's time to put a close to this past year's goals.  I removed the page from the site and replaced it with the new year's goals, but I'm going to highlight some of the stuff I got done.

Things to Purchase

For the most part, got pretty much everything I wanted done here with one exception, but it was at the bottom of the priority list anyway.  Getting a new car and a new computer to do work with were definitely the two big ones.  Getting the drum set was also awesome, though I have slacked in using it in the second half of the year.  Just too much weekend work to get around to it.

Things to Learn

Did pretty good at this as well.  Definitely got much better at drumming thanks to my awesome drum instructor.  Wish I could've kept going with the lessons though, I could be even better.  Pretty much failed at picking up the guitar, though I still know more than I did before the year started.  Otherwise I did get better at cooking, and the social life is doing better than ever.

Things to Complete

This is where all my utter failure is.  Didn't get a single one of these goals done.  Didn't play anything with a band (which is not really my fault so much, but it's a failure nonetheless).  Didn't complete any of my writing projects, nor did I get NaNoWriMo done this time around.  I think it was overall just a case of my life changing significantly around getting a new job, which has been much more of a time suck than I predicted.  Plus working way more than 2009 has left me not wanting to do as much on the side.  Hopefully this year's goals will be a little more realistic and pertain to what I really want to do from a side project perspective.

Games

So I definitely bit off more than I could chew here, but it's not like I really knew how much to go for.  I think all things considered I did a hell of a job getting through a lot of my backlog, even if I only got about half of my goal done.  I just aimed too high.  This year's goals are more in line with what I actually did.

Media

Complete success across the board here.  Thanks to Netflix, I watched a ton of movies, and somehow managed to get my TV goal done, with the majority of it coming in the last couple months.  For the most part, this year's goals will be the same, just with a higher movie goal.

Previous Goals

• Write NaNoWriMo book - FAILED - This was a huge disappointment for me, but after writing 1/3 of the book, I realized that the story just wasn't going to work out the way I wanted to.  I still love the idea behind the novel, I just need to rethink how I want to use it.
• Actually finish current book - SUCCESS - The book in question being the sixth Wheel of Time book, Lord of Chaos.  Got that done in early November
• Complete shows goal - SUCCESS - Did manage to complete this one, even got one extra in there at the very end.  It was a very good thing that I changed the goal from shows to just seasons of shows.  Otherwise this wouldn't have gotten done at all.

I'm very excited for 2011.  As long as certain work things go according to plan, I'll be making a full salary, which will enable me to finally get a better place that will help make several other goals possible.  I have full confidence that it will happen, but like many other things in life, there is no guarantee.  Here's to a potentially awesome year!

The first ten months of 2010

Hmm.  Looking back at the last entry, I'm realizing that very little actually got done, just more progress in certain areas.  I did expect it though as work ramped up and we moved into a new office.  Just that alone removed another 30-60 minutes off of my day because of traffic.  Weekends have been filled with other things as well, so not able to just mess around.

Things to Purchase/Acquire

New laptop to replace my two six-year-old computers - YAY!  So I managed to boost up my credit card limit a bit and got a new laptop.  It is now my work computer so I got my other new computer back and it's doing what it was meant to do (play stuff on the TV).  I'm loving having a portable computer again, especially one that can actually do modern things.  One by one these things are just getting knocked down.

Things to Learn

Drum Lessons - Don't think I had any during this period of time.  Just didn't have the money, and now finding time is also difficult.  I miss them greatly.

Guitar Learning - As I said before, waiting on Rock Band 3 guitars to come out (have game now, love it).  Most likely, not going to happen until next year due to finances.

Games

DS Games (40%) - Nothing finished, but have started a new game of FFIII.  Do like it, but I'm rarely in a situation where it makes sense to play it above other things.

PS3 Games (60%) - Finished Resistance 2 and nothing else.  That game was a disappointment.  Am playing a lot of Rock Band 3 now, love the setlist and looking forward to getting better at the keyboards.

PS2 Games - Still haven't finished FFXII yet.  Actually in the same situation as before, but I did complete a lot of side stuff in the two month period.  I just stopped playing for a long while when my old laptop died since this is not the kind of game I solely focus on.  I usually listen to podcasts while grinding away.

Other Media

Movies (146%) - Just keep on rolling up the counter here.  And to be honest, this doesn't even include every movie.  There were a couple during the last few months where they were so bad or mediocre that I chose to not count them to the total.  As I predicted before, will definitely go over the 150% mark.

Shows (80%) - Got through another three seasons of shows during these two months.  Having trouble trying to remember the first one, but the other two were great.  One will hopefully get more content, while the other one has two more seasons to go and I've got them queued up to go.  Considering that I'm already currently watching four other shows right now, this goal will be completed with no problems.

Previous Goals

• Get new laptop - SUCCESS - See above.
• Get new phone - FAILED - Came close to needing to get a new one, but other more important necessities came up first.  Maybe by the end of the year.
• Focus back on games - FAILED - Only finished one game, only started two others.  And really, Rock Band doesn't count as a game for me, it's more like a habit.  It's not a game you ever finish.
• Finish current book - FAILED - Recently I added Netflix to my iPod Touch, so I've been watching TV at night instead of reading.  Probably not the best idea, but that's why I didn't finish.
• Get prep for NaNoWriMo complete - SUCCESS - Got the whole outline finished.  Now it's time to start writing the novel itself.

And now for some new goals:

• Write NaNoWriMo book
• Actually finish current book
• Complete shows goal

It's really hard to think of anything else to goal for since all of my immediate attention is on NaNo.  I have no idea what I'm going to want to do when December rolls around.  I already know that no other game goals will get done, that's just a given.  And with an upcoming wedding and Christmas, my money will be focused on those and paying off debts.  Lots and lots of debt.

The first eight months of 2010

It seems kind of weird to say first eight months, when the year is two-thirds over already.  Looking back at the last entry, there really hasn't been a lot of change in a lot of areas until just very recently.  Still working on the same stuff, though not as much as before.  Still not getting paid for any of it, but that will change in the coming weeks (for sure this time).  As such, it's been kind of tough to be really motivated about anything, which will be reflected below.

Things to Purchase/Acquire

New car to replace the old one - FINALLY!  My old car died three months ago at this point, so I've been using a spare the whole time.  Not a bad car by any stretch, used to drive the same when I was in high school, but it's a gas-guzzling POS compared to my old car (which got ~35MPG).  But now!  New car!  All mine!  And it gets even better mileage!  Sweetness.

Things to Learn

Drum Lessons - Still doing these on an irregular basis, and still enjoying every single one.  As a plus, my instructor might even join the band I'm in with another friend, since we still need a bassist to really start playing stuff.  Exciting!

Guitar Learning - Haven't even thought about this.  I'm pretty much convinced that I'm not going to bother again until Rock Band 3 comes out, which will supposedly help people learn real guitar.  I'm stoked for that.

Games

Wii Games (100%) - I only had one game on the list, and I did finish that one (Muramasa), so I'm done here until I get another game (probably Super Mario Galaxy 2).  Muramasa was pretty fun, but it is very repetitive and the only thing really driving you is getting all the swords.  Once I'd done that, there wasn't much point in playing anymore.

PS3 Games (53%) - In the last couple months my PS3 has largely become my Netflix Instant machine, with some Rock Band here and there.  I did manage to finish Pixeljunk: Shooter (which is a great game, can't wait for the sequel), and am over halfway through Resistance 2.  That one really isn't that good though, so it'll be a while before I bother to finish it.

PS1 Games (66%) - I mentioned in the last entry that I was playing Xenogears, and I finished that.  That game really is frustrating in how good it is, but once you hit the second disc, it just goes to shit.  Really a damn shame.  Moreso than any other game, I'd want to see a remake that's actually complete.

PS2 Games - Haven't finished a game here yet, but I've been playing Final Fantasy XII a LOT.  Like seriously, I've put over 100 hours into it now, and still have more to complete.  I'm at the point where I can just go to the last dungeon and finish it, but I want to get as much completion as possible since it's very likely I won't play the game again for several years, if at all.  I do really like the game, but it's just so long, it's hard to see myself starting it again anytime soon.

Other Media

Movies (116%) - Passed by the threshold a while ago and just haven't looked back.  I can easily see myself getting over 150% by the end of the year.  As I said at the top, I haven't been really motivated, so I've been watching a lot more stuff than before.  And I started using Netflix Instant, so that has helped.

Shows (60%) - Wow, there was a huge jump here.  Granted, I did change the qualifications a little bit, but I have been watching a lot of shows as of late.  Now instead of just shows, I'm counting things by seasons, so even though I only watched 4 shows (Skins, Arrested Development, Madlax, Penn & Teller's Bullshit), they totaled up to 7 seasons worth of content.  And yes, all except one show was thanks to Netflix Instant.  I think I might have a chance to reach this goal now.

Previous Goals

• Focus on smaller games/shows - SUCCESS - At least partially.  I did finish Pixeljunk: Shooter, which is a smaller game, and I'm also playing a couple others currently (like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World).  Final Fantasy XII, not so much.  And even the shows I've been watching aren't really small, but I am focusing on them more.  A few of the shows had seasons of only 10 episodes or so, so that counts too.
• Get new laptop - FAILED - Still not my fault.  And depending on how much I can save in the next couple months, don't know if I'll get this until the very end of the year.  I'd like to have it by the time NaNoWriMo starts, but my paycheck will determine that.  I did get a car though, so I don't feel too bad about this.  I still want this more than anything else.
• Work on second novel first draft - FAILED - Yeah, I don't know if I've ever touched the novel since the last entry.  If I have, it was only for part of a chapter.  Yes, I fail.  Very hard.  No motivation.  I did predict this last time though.  I went into consume mode instead of create mode.

And now for some new goals:

• Get new laptop - This will not go away until it happens
• Get new phone - Now that I know money is coming, this is also a priority
• Focus back on games
• Finish current book
• Get prep for NaNoWriMo complete - This means finish the outline I've started

I think that is sufficient for now.  Going to be working a lot in the coming months, so I'm trying to keep it realistic.  Waiting waiting waiting on that first paycheck.

The first half of 2010

Man, just realized that all of sudden, the year is half-way gone, and I'm not getting as much done as I had anticipated.  A large part of this is just because of work ramping up and not spending as much time at home as I'd like.  Also dealing with a couple unexpected hassles, having to replace my glasses recently and having my car die a month ago.  Hopefully in the coming months I will have a paycheck again and be able to focus more time on leisure instead of necessity.

Things to Learn

Drum Lessons - Had to quit these due to financial struggles.  But luckily my instructor is willing to keep going on a less regular basis, so they continue, just not in the same way.

Guitar Learning - Completely dropped this pretty much.  Just no time with everything else going on, and it's not a high priority for me at the moment.

Games

PS3 Games (47%) - Only game I was working on was Final Fantasy XIII, but I lent it out for several weeks, so I haven't touched it in a while.  Otherwise, the PS3 is still my Rock Band machine.

PS1 Games (33%) - Main game I'm working on now, replaying through Xenogears.  Definitely a flawed game in a lot of ways, but also does a lot of things character-wise that most games of its kind don't do.  I think I'm about half way through it or so.

Gamecube (33%) - Finally finished up Eternal Darkness, and am half way through Resident Evil 0.  Should've finished it a long while ago, I just got distracted away from it.

Other Media

Movies (78%) - I definitely think next year I'll bump the number of movies up.

Shows (13%) - This one will be bumped down instead.  These take a lot longer to get through than I tend to realize, especially shows that are multiple seasons (like the last one was).

Books (133%) - Books will also be bumped up next year.  Granted, two of those were partial finishes, but now I have two full finished books in the first half of the year, and will probably get two more by year end.

Previous Goals

• Drum lessons - SUCCESS - Got to do these for another month before I had to drop them
• More, more, more shows - KINDA SUCCESS - I did get through one more show, but I was intending to do more than that, so I count it was a partial
• Get new laptop - FAILED - As I said, no money, no laptop.  Hopefully soon.
• Start working on first iPhone apps, not just games - FAILED - This was dependent on the laptop
• Get majority of Seraph Compendium written - FAILED - Didn't even look at this during the last two months.  Shouldn't have made it a goal really.
• Finish reading the two books on my plate - SUCCESS - Got through three books actually, but I didn't count one because it was not a leisure book, and I quit on it due to its crappiness.

And now for some new goals for the next two months.

• Focus on smaller games/shows
• Get new laptop - Still on the list, and this time, it'll either happen or not at all
• Work on second novel first draft - Aiming to get to 25000 words by Sept

I'm holding back much more this time around because I don't know what I have in store.  I was hoping to be getting money by now, and that still hasn't happened, so I have to play it safe in case I have to get another job to stay afloat.  I can also tell that I'm in a consuming mode right now rather than a creative one, so I don't expect to get a lot done in the writing space.

The first four months of 2010

It's been another two months since my last update on my goal progress, so here's another one!

Things to Learn

Drum Lessons - So now with almost four months of lessons, I can honestly say that I've improved significantly in the areas that really count.  Certainly no master at it, but I feel like I can really make music now.  Lessons have gotten to the point where they're more just jam sessions than anything else.  They are still fun, and I'm going to keep doing them as long as it takes.

Guitar Learning - I'm not fully back on the wagon yet, but I'm not ignoring it like before.  Had a few good weeks where I got some things down, but with the way work has been lately, it's hard to justify giving time to it when I have so little available.

Games

DS Games (40%) - Finished two games so far this year, so I'm ahead by a little bit.  Put it down a month ago to focus on reading again, and also try to pick the PSP back up (with no success).

PS3 Games (47%) - Finished another few games in the last few months, currently working on number 8.  I know I said I was going to focus on other platforms, but I just couldn't stop myself from charging right into God of War III and Final Fantasy XIII.  I don't regret it at all.  Those games are fantastic.

PS1 Games (33%) - Hard to really count this, since I've only beaten FFVII a dozen times or so in my life, but it's still a long game to beat, especially with doing all the side quests.  This playthrough really pointed out a lot of the flaws to me though, which is a good thing for me when designing my own stuff.

Other Media

Movies (52%) - Again way ahead of the game here.  Movies are just so darn easy to get through compared to everything else.  I've resolved to put more effort into shows for the coming months, and I've been doing okay at it.

Previous Goals

• Buy the new car - FAILED - I wasn't necessarily expecting to quit my job so soon, so that's why I've put this off for a while
• Drum lessons - SUCCESS - Did do what I promised, except I'm going to keep going with them
• Continue movie watching, increase show watching - SUCCESS - Way ahead on movies, and I have been watching shows, just haven't completed any yet
• Play as many older games as possible - FAILED - Finished one, started another, but otherwise haven't even touched them
• Hopefully switch jobs completely - SUCCESS - Old job gone, now full on into new job, and loving every minute of it (most of the time); just waiting for the new job to pay
• Work on iPhone games - KINDA SUCCESS - I did make a game as a way of learning the SDK, but it's not exactly what I had in mind when I made this goal

And now for some new goals for the next two months:

• Drum lessons - Continue becoming more awesome at hitting things that make noise
• More, more, more shows
• Get new laptop - This is completely dependent on getting a salary again, but if that does happen, then I will get it; this is my new highest priority purchase
• Start working on first iPhone apps, not just games
• Get majority of Seraph Compendium written
• Finish reading the two books on my plate

I would have even more, but a lot of them depend on getting money again, which should happen, but is certainly no guarantee.