Progress Report: Week 24 & 25

Wow, I really fell off the blogging bandwagon these past few weeks!  All of February I had some seriously lousy times and got the blues really bad.  For a few weeks I've been having a little bit of trouble sleeping (which is death for me) and headaches, which pretty much means STRESS!!!!  It makes it really hard for me to think, concentrate, and write. 

I definitely felt a change this past weekend.  The weather got a tiny bit better.  The sun shone on me. I spent some time writing.  I remembered that there are things to look forward to.  I was more determined to be productive this weekend.  And although I wasn't as productive as I wanted to be and did some unplanned Walking Dead watching, I still got more stuff done than I have in the past couple of weekends.

I'm about half way though the year, and I still have a lot to accomplish!  Gotta stay focused!

1.  Get a new job and move. **TINY PROGRESS**
I have found a couple jobs to apply to and I have started (almost finished) the application for one of them.

I haven't applied to the PR program yet, because I was waiting to make sure the money was in place.  My job is paying for it, and I wanted to make sure I don't get stuck with having to pay the bill, even temporarily.

I've also started doing some projects at work on my own initiative which has been making my job feel more rewarding and (hopefully) making my team a little happier.  I still have a couple ideas that I want to follow up on.

STEP 2  Apply!!!
STEP 3  follow up with PR program to sign up for courses
STEP 4 Do application to PR program
STEP 5 keep job searching
STEP 6 keep thinking about what I want to be doing in the next 5 years

2.  Make my own postcards. No progress

STEP 1: do some MORE research on the cost of ordering some cards.
STEP 2: identify 5 photos I would like to use on the cards
STEP 3: decide on software to use to to design my card (using Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and/or Lightroom) especially the back side
STEP 4:  Design the template for the back of the card.

3.  Write a script No progress
I really wish I had spent some time on this, especially since I've got some possible avenues for tackling some challenges.

STEP 1: settle on an story idea I want to tackle
STEP 2: outline my thoughts so far
STEP 3: identify my major problem areas
STEP 4: Work on those problem areas
STEP 5:  Do a complete outline of the plot points.

STEP A:  Come up with a concept for a short film that I can shoot and complete in a couple weeks.
STEP B:  See if I can pull together the equipment/people I need to produce it.

4. Publish a poem No progress
I haven't spent time on this recently.  I think it's ok to put some time between me and my last draft, but no too much time!  I also want to start looking in places to submit.

STEP 0: read notes from Friend 1
STEP 1: put together thoughts for second draft
STEP 2:  write some more poems
STEP 2: do some research into common ways to get poetry published
STEP 3: identify some places where I would like to submit a poem and qualify
STEP 4: select some poems for submission and fine tune them

5. Track my spending/budget **TINY PROGRESS**
I determined how I am going to accomplish one of my big financial goals, which is good to know.

STEP 1: Reassess my current budget structure.
STEP 2: Take stock of my current finances.
STEP 3: Set-up my budget for 2015.
STEP 4: Identify key rules/habits that will keep me on-top-of things and organized.
STEP 5: Identify financial goals (like major purchases, savings goals, loan payoffs etc.) 
STEP 6: Track my Feb expenses.
STEP 7: Do my taxes.


6. Apply for a passport No progress.
I haven't gotten back to this--- probably because I don't want to get a passport photo taken.

STEP 1:  Figure out how one applies to get a passport.
STEP 2:  Figure out how long it will take.
STEP 3:  Figure out how much it will cost.
STEP 4:  Decide when to begin the application process.

7.  Get new glasses **COMPLETED WEEK 8**

8.  Visit Canada **TINY PROGRESS**
I am still working on the scheduling.  There some people I would like to come with me, but I've got to figure out if they can come and/or whether or not they will be organized enough to come in time.  I have an idea for when I'd like to travel, but that's still a bit up in the air.

STEP 1:  Decide where I would like to visit (Nova Scotia).
STEP 2:  Decide when I would like to visit and how long.
STEP 3:  Decide who I would like to come with me.
STEP 4:  See if it is possible to plan such a trip.

9.  Alter two items of clothing for myself  No progess

STEP 1:  Talk to my mom about teaching me how to use sewing machine.
STEP 2:  Get advice as to what would be good starter items to alter.

10.  Get something tailored. No progress
Need to bite the bullet and do this!!!

STEP 1:  Identify some local tailors and their contact info and advice from others as to the quality of the work.
STEP 2:  Determine how much I am willing to spend.
STEP 3:  Select 2-3 things I would like to attempt to get altere

11.  Take a fitness class No progress
I still haven't gotten back to gym class!  Such a waste!  I've also been going some events and/or taking care of the doggie so it conflicts sometimes.  But this week I want to go at least once!

STEP 1:  Identify which classes I would like to try.
STEP 2:  Get the stuff I need to attend the classes.
STEP 3:  Go to a class!
STEP 4:  Return to each of the classes at least 4 times.
STEP 6:  Look into getting a gym pass for the spring.
STEP 7:  Look into getting an adult pass for the ballet school.
STEP 8:  Go to two gym classes a week.

12.  Read at least 4 of these feminist books: **PROGRESS**
Lean In, Reverence to Rape, A Room of One's Own, The Second Sex, The Beauty Myth, MaddAddam Series, The Feminine Mystique, Bad Feminist, Yes Please by Amy Poehler

I continue to read Bad Feminist, and I've been really enjoying it so far.  I've also found my copy of The Beauty Myth and have cracked the cover on that one again.  It's a bit heavy, so it's slow going.  But I've also found journaling my thoughts and responses alongside reading has been helping me get through it (although it slows me down even more).

STEP 1:  Pick a book to start with: MaddAddam series
STEP 2:  Read Oryx and Crake
STEP 3:  Read Year of the Flood
STEP 4:  Read MaddAddam
STEP 5:  Read Bad Feminist
STEP 6:  Read The Beauty Myth

13.  Organize something for Directed By Women. No progress.

STEP 1:  Review the guidelines
STEP 2:  Brainstorm some ideas.

14.  Write those think piece articles No progress.
STEP 1:  Outline what I would like to say about one of my article ideas.
STEP 2:  Do the relevant research.
STEP 3:  Write a first draft.

15.  Buy a new laptop No progress.
STEP 1: Identify the main things I will need my laptop to do.
STEP 2: Work out what the specifications are for what I want.
STEP 3:  Investigate the price range available for what I want.
STEP 4:  Modify expectations or price range.
STEP 5:  Choose a vendor.

16.  Keep to a blogging schedule **TINY PROGRESS**
I actually kept up my one post/week on my other blog.  I totally failed on this blog---- mostly because I don't really know what I want this blog to be, and I've been tired and also a little drained from writing that I'm doing for work now.  I am managing a blog for work which means writing, chasing around other authors, editing other author's posts, and trying to make the posts look visually appealing and dealing with random code problems.

I also started writing two posts for this blog, but they required more time and I didn't get around to finishing them.  I really need to start pre-writing posts so I can get them done in stages.

STEP 1:  Come up with a blogging schedule.
STEP 2:  Try to stick to it.
STEP 3:  Try pre-writing multiple posts at once and see if that works with staying consistent.

17.  Help a friend make her film a reality. No Progress.
I haven't heard back from my friend, and I want to do more funding research.

STEP 1:  Read script. (So embarrassing I haven't read it all yet.)
STEP 1: Read new script.
STEP 2:  Follow up with my friend about how the project is progressing and my thoughts on the script.
STEP 3:  Educate myself on ways to get funding for the script.

18.  Start learning a little web design No progress

STEP 2:  Finish my Make a Website lesson on Code Academy.
STEP 3: Complete the HTML/CSS lesson on Code Academy.

19.  Finish books I have already started: **PROGRESS**
Survival of the Prettiest, Ishmael/My Ishmael/Story of B, Ode Less Traveled, Anna Karenina, Contagious (by Jonah Berger), Jim Henson: The Biography

I have started Survival again.  Still making slow slow progress.

STEP 1:  Finish Contagious
STEP 2:  Finish Ishmael
STEP 3:  Finish Flappers 
STEP 4:  Finish Survival of the Prettiest
STEP 5:  Read Story of B

20.  Organize a Clothing Swap or Yard Sale No Progress
I haven't found any other groups who might be interested in helping me with this.  I found a possible location but they might not approve my program because it's a little short notice (less than 2 months).  I really want to make some progress on this this week.

STEP 1:  Identify some local groups who might able to help me organize something.
STEP 2:  Reach out to those groups about doing something for Fashion Revolution Day.

21.  Develop a financial plan for my loans No Progress
STEP 1:  Revisit all my loan paperwork so I have a firm grasp of all the aspects.
STEP 2:  Find some people I trust and who have expertise that can give me helpful advice.
STEP 3:  Explore options for paying off loans faster than my current monthly installments.

22.  Enroll in new medical insurance plan **COMPLETED WEEK 7**

23.  Watch these 10 classic movies that I have never seen No progress
Malcolm X, Blade Runner, Capote, The Virgin Suicides, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Strangers on a Train, Groundhog Day,  Rosemary's Baby, Young Frankenstein, Badlands

I still need to figure out watching Malcolm X.

STEP 1:  Figure out if any of these are available on Netflix Instant 
STEP 2:  Watch Rosemary's Baby
STEP 3:  Watch The Virgin Suicides.
STEP 4:  Figure out which of the remaining movies are available from my library. 
STEP 5:  Watch Groundhog Day
STEP 6:  Get Young Frankenstein from the library and watch. 
STEP 7:  Find a copy of Malcolm X

24.  Update a YouTube channel at work **TINY PROGRESS**
The other department has started re-doing the look of the page which is great.  I still want to develop some playlists, and I'm working on producing some new content.  I also have an idea about creating a log of the videos so people in the future can look back and know why certain videos were uploaded and given certain privacy settings.

STEP 1:  Get advice from the marketing department, especially regarding partnership and SEO.
STEP 1a:  Discuss my plans with my boss.
STEP 2:  Develop plan for eliminating bad content.
STEP 3: Develop timeline for eliminating bad content.
STEP 4:  Send follow-up email with marketing department delineating responsibilities.
STEP 4:  Follow up with partners on new playlist ideas I have.

25.  Complete some family projects:  No progress.

• help my sister make a scrapbook for our family reunion
• help my mother create a wedding album for a cousin
• create an anthology of  my grandmother's writing--- hopefully with some of her art and painting included.

We are sort of waiting on submissions for the scrapbook--- although I should start working on what physical or non-physical form it should take.

STEP 1:  Look through the wedding photos.
STEP 2:  Do some research on what typically goes into a wedding album.
STEP 3:  Talk to my mom about what she wants for the wedding album.
STEP 4:  Read my sister's notes about the scrapbook.
STEP 5:  Talk to my sister about her ideas for the scrapbook.
STEP 6:  Call my aunt about the writing that she has gathered from my grandmother.

26.  Private health-related goal. No progress.

Score:  Progress on 7 of 24 goals.