to make any considerable progress

subject: the new year's resolutions
style: affirmative
source: Lois Lowry's Gossamer, Ch. 11, p. 51

"[They] rarely sleep.... They are a restless herd, these dark creatures who contain within them the most profound of all our fears, the hidden things, old guilts and failings that we will ourselves to forget.... Their energy is boundless. They [taste] the air, searching for the places where they will spew their loathsome holdings, waiting for deepest night....

"They are not bound by rules or limits, as [we] are. They prey on the most vulnerable. They have no mercy."

For the record, I despise it when anyone says "happy new years" to someone else. It is simply wrong. Even "happy New Year's" is pushing it. If it is New Year's Eve, you can say "happy New Year's Eve." If it is New Year's Day, you can say "happy New Year's Day." (Take careful note of the apostrophes.) But it is no longer either. So if you are wishing someone a happy new year, it is just that. "Happy new year." There is only one, folks. Thank you.

I am going to skip the checking-up-on-past-years part this time, at least for now, because it tends only to make me feel worse about myself. I am, however, keeping (or taking parts of) some of my old ones, which either I have yet to achieve, or I hope to continually achieve for as long as I can.

[Update:  My score for 2007 was 7:4. For 2008, 7:4 (not a typo), and 3 in limbo. Not too bad.]

0000. To keep my resolutions. Cross your fingers.

0001. To end up with at least a 4.0 this year. I mean, come on.

0010. To sleep less. I am tired of waking up at noon everyday.

0011. To clean my room. To the point where I can actually feel good about living in it. And just to be more organized in general.

0100. [Dependent on 0011] To redecorate, and finally get that ME.

0101. [Dependent on 0100] To make use of the System, filter out my thoughts, and finally get on with my life as I'd planned it.

0110. To relearn to read, through repeated practice. i.e. To read everyday. I am not going to set any definitive, numeric goals on this one, because I know I just need to be determined, and to at least start, doing a little bit at a time, until I can gradually work my way up to "acceptable." I really want this one to succeed.

0111. To avoid watching television "just because it's on."

1000. To write. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Rainbeast, and Purging Purity. At least finish one of them by year's end. I have yet to make any considerable progress.

1001. To be more confident, face my fears, confront my troubles, participate.

1010. To be accepted into college, and not have to pay too much (hopefully).

1011. To break away from my OCD and Tourette's until I feel marginally comfortable on a daily basis.

1100. To maintain my dream log, to improve my recall and lucidity.

1101. To break habits. This is one I have tried time and time again. But there are still a few cycles I have yet to bust.

1110. To sustain my hygiene satisfactorily. Brush my teeth, wear my bands, take better care of my contacts, et cetera.

Once again, I have 14 major goals. (I may add a few more as I think of them, or adjust these as necessary.) Wish me luck.