I'm making progress

In this post I talked about some of the things I want to accomplish in 2009. I'm already making progress on #1 (go to more concerts) and #3 (travel more).

First, I finally bought tickets to a concert for the first time in a while. I'm going to see Airborne Toxic Event next month at Schuba's. I'm going to the early show, the all ages one. But at least I'm going.

Second, I have one thing that covers both #1 and #3. I'm going to Coachella!!! It's 3 days of live music in Southern California. I've never been to Southern California. I've been scouring the Internet for rumored acts. I can't wait! I need the line up. Now.

Caution!

The wind chills are dangerous today. Be careful out there!

Thank you, kind stranger

One person was not enough to push my car though the snow.

Thanks to the kind gentleman who helped my boyfriend push my car and shovel around the wheels.

Valet your car

Taken 1/6/09 in front of a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.

What's in store for 2009?

I've spent a lot of time over the past couple of weeks thinking about what I want 2009 to be for me. While there have been a lot of great things that happened to me in 2008, there are other ways in which I took a few steps backwards. Those are the things I want to address. I'm used to my new schedule and job now. It's time to get back to feeling more like myself, and doing the things that are important to me. So here's what I want to accomplish in 2009.

1. Go to more concerts. In 2008 I went to more concerts than the average person does, but it paled in comparison to the number of shows I've averaged over the last three years or so. That needs to change. I always feel better after going to a show, but lately I've been avoiding shows, especially during the week, thinking I'll be tired or not have time to go. I need to make the time. If something comes up and I can't go to a show, fine, so be it. But I need to make the effort.

2. Explore the city more. I was good at this for a few years. We used to regularly go to another neighborhood and just walk around with no real plan. Just to see what was there. We haven't done that in a long time. There are so many special places in this city, it's time to find them again.

3. Travel. And not travel for work. I want to get to know the Midwest more, so I think a few weekends out of town are in order. And I want to take 2 trips further afield, and get out of the Midwest for fun.

A year from now I will find out if any of this panned out.