Organizing for Action doesn't always refer to unions

New year, new post.  That's how this works, right?

I want to accomplish so many things this year, this month, this week. 

I think the thing I want most is not to forget about things that I want to accomplish, so it's tempting to blog a list, but I know all too well that blogging a list is the modern equivalent of lip service with no action.

So while I am going to blog an unordered list in a moment, let me say that my most desired goal this year is this:

An original, personalized system for organizing my ambitions.  The clincher: the system should focus on and facilitate action, not simply an empty sense of organization.

That said, here are some things that I want to use such a system for:

- Renting out our Delaware home

- Saving toward a down payment on a new property

- Saving toward a Volvo plug-in hybrid to be purchased in 2014 or 2015, goal is cash payment

- Learning to code - web and iOS

- Designing and identifying material sources for our self-built dream home - Keep in mind Tiny House

- Consider Tiny House as options for facilitating Tyler Pell compound

That's it for now.  This is just a small sample of what I want to work on this year. 

Random things I like...the first edition

John Cusack said it best in High Fidelity:

"...what really matters is what you like, not what you are like... Books, records, films -- these things matter. Call me shallow but it's the fuckin' truth..."

I think people have a natural need to belong to social groups, and this leads people to define themselves by things they're into.  "I'm a runner," "I'm into horror flicks," "I only eat at independent pizza parlors."

I see no problem with this whatsoever.  The world is awash in stuff that we've created (and stuff that we haven't), and with so many things to try, I think it's cool to consider the items that have really made a positive impression on your life - even at a superficial level.

So without further adieu, I present a random list of things I've found in the world that make me happy:

• Mountain Dew - mostly the original, but LiveWire's great too
• Taco Bell
• RC Cola is totally underrated, but that's what I like about it
• Frisbee - I can play for hours and somehow I don't get bored
• Winnie the Pooh
• Vibrant colors - really in any context other than my own clothes
• Rich desserts, specifically Chocolate Mousse, Lemon Meringue Pie, and Key Lime Pie
• Early Grey tea with milk and sugar
• Sour gummy candy
• Telling a good joke - a rarity for me
• Picking and using aromatic hand or body soap - I get wayyy too excited when it's time to pick a new one
• The beginning of a road trip
• Long-form snack time
• The feeling of having "earned" a meal, usually from intense or extended physical activity

So a lot of this list turned out to be food.  I guess I take a lot of joy from eating.  It's true, actually.  I love to eat.  Usually after a meal, it takes about 45 minutes until I'm wondering about the next one.

Also, I will start posting more than once a week.  I just need to get in the habit of "just doing it."

Which reminds me...

• Nike running shoes...mostly because they run narrow with good arch support