Rearview Mirror: July 2011
Earlier this year, I set several goals for myself that I want to accomplish before the year is out. Previously, I would routinely set goals and then hope to accomplish them. Sometimes I did and sometimes I didn’t. But what I didn’t do is follow up periodically to see if I was making any progress. That changes this year.
Here is a list of the goals I have set for myself along with notes on the progress, if any, I made on the goal during July. The majority of the goals were detailed in my Making Plans for 2011 post from earlier this year. I’ve added a few goals to the list since then as well.
You can find updates from previous months here:
July turned out to be a very good month. I was on-the-go most of the month and I feel like I accomplished quite a bit. I started out the month having some health concerns (which I documented in last month’s report), but I saw the doctor, got the problem under control, and went on to have a very productive month.
Here’s what I did on my 2011 goals during July:
Write a Novel — I’m sneaking up on the novel. During July, I figured out which idea for a novel I want to pursue and I got into a good rhythm writing for my blog and short story website. I’m planning on starting on the novel in August after the kids go back to school.
Continue With Plans to Race in the Rolex 24 at Daytona — No behind-the-wheel racing in July. I had made arrangements to race with a team out of Portland at the 24-hour race at Nashville over the 4th of July weekend, but health issues kept me out of the car. Thankfully, I’m ready to drive again and am scheduled to run at Sebring in September.
Learn to Play Guitar — I had my final guitar lesson in June. CJ Vaughn, my guitar teacher, is terrific, but I just haven’t found time to attend the lessons or practice like I should. I may still try to learn, but if I do, it will be by using a DVD or Internet-based lessons.
Learn to Play Piano — No progress to report. I likely won’t move forward on this goal until later this year.
Kayak the Length of the St. John’s River — I spoke to a friend who I am hoping can help me with logistics (i.e. pick up and drop off) along the route. I’m not holding my breath, but it’s still possible I could accomplish this goal before the year is over.
Circumnavigate Wisconsin by Bicyle or Foot — This goal is officially changed to hiking the length of the Ice Age Trail (IAT). That’s 1,000 miles across Wisconsin. I visited the IAT offices in Cross Plains, WI in July and purchased the maps and companion guide for the trail. I’m currently in the process of breaking the trail down into daily hikes. That’s the easy part. The hard part will be figuring out the logistics (drop off, pick up, where to sleep) of such a goal.
Start the Adoption Process — Nothing new to report. In February, I had lost hope that this goal would happen. March brought a glimmer of hope, but nothing new since April.
Apply for an MFA in Creative Writing — I applied for the MFA in January and received word at the beginning of March that I had not been accepted into the program. I’m disappointed, but not surprised. I applied solely to Vanderbilt University. They received more than 600 applications and chose just six candidates. I’m convinced I was 7th on the list.
Launch Short Stories Website — Accomplished! I posted new short stories, creative non-fiction, and even some prose poetry in July. Check it out.
Launch Other Internet Businesses — I met with the two web developers who will be helping me with two of these projects. I’m hoping to have one done in August so I can work on the other in September. However, things rarely go as planned, so it may take longer than I am hoping.
Read the 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century — In July, I read Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and I really enjoyed it. It is a creative, innovative novel that was far ahead of it’s time when it was published in 1932. I can only imagine that the way the author discussed sex in the novel must have been scandalous at the time. The next novel on my list is Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence.
[...] July 2011 [...]
[...] July 2011 [...]