Resolutionary Road
Another year has happened. I didn’t do a resolutions or plans post at the beginning of 2025 so I have saved myself the necessity of going back and reviewing it, so apologies to my future self in 2027. Here’s what I want to do:
Writing
I did this as a separate post here so I could link to it individually, but basically that. It would be cool to get two longer things written - one is about one third finished, which helps - but the weekly shorts will be fun. First one coming tomorrow!
Running
This is simple, under 2:50 at the Chicago marathon in October, before the spectre of age gets me. It would also be nice to get into the 35:xx for the 10k in April, but my current PR of 36:24 feels right at the edge of my abilities, at least now. We’ll see how the winter training goes. As a prerequisite I intend to make race weight before the marathon training block. That is to say, 60kg on May 1. Currently, post-Christmas, I’m in the 64-65 region, so highly possible if I get my shit together.
Chinese
Still doing this. I don’t have a concrete goal, which may render the whole thing pointless. It’s been a long time since I did HSK 2, they’ve revamped the whole system since then so maybe I’ll have a crack at HSK 3. The thing to do is register myself for the test so then I have to do something about it. Possibly going to visit Shanghai this year. My 2020 resolutions also included HSK 3, but, you know, then a bunch of stuff happened.
Become Canadian
It’s been three years so I can do this now. Just have to learn about a bunch of 17th century French dudes and have a look at which people and/or animals are on the currency.
Music
Listen to more of it, limit myself every week to three albums: one new, one old, and one neglected back catalogue from someone I know well otherwise. At least note down what they are, if not do some kind of allegedly “proper” review. Also in the music realm, I’ve been piggybacking on my daughter’s piano lessons, and frankly doing more practice than she is. I don’t know if I’ll be at grade 1 exam level this year, but who knows.
Miscellaneous
Some other things I would like to do this year:
- Read 30 books at least. I did 33 last year, which was nice.
- Phone screen time under 30 mins every day.
- Play Cosmic Encounter. I got that game for my birthday in 2023 and it remains untouched.
- Do a pub quiz. This will require friends, which is probably the harder goal. So then:
- Go for a beer with the neighbours on either side. I know one side reasonably well, the other less so.
- Go to the cinema >10 times. I bought membership of the local indie cinema to spur this on.