Wednesday 10 January 2018

Seven Things I’d Quite Like to Do in 2018

Rather than setting myself new year resolutions, I’m choosing six things I’d quite like to do during 2018, plus one carried forward from last year. It’s something I tried last year, and it worked out nicely for me.

1. Read Two Books

As I’ve described previously (It’s Not Just for Kids: Reading Together for Fun and Friendship) Fran and I regularly read together on Skype. We’re currently reading Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon. It’s been a while since I read anything on my own, though. I’ve chosen two books to (re)read: Talk Like TED, by Carmine Gallo, and Peter Matthiessen’s The Snow Leopard.

2. Bring My Weight Back under 180 Pounds

This is the carried forward one! A year ago my weight was hovering around 190 pounds. I brought it down to 182 but it climbed again at Christmas and New Year. My long term aim is to maintain between 174 and 176 as I managed a few years back, but 180 will be a nice step on the way.

3. Have One Weekend Away From Home

A potential trip to London last spring had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances but I enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Ely in November. I don’t have any personal trips planned yet for this year but I’d like to do something.

4. Attend Two Speaking Engagements

I’ve read from our book several times at the Newcastle Literary Salon, done a live radio interview, taken part in a live mental health panel discussion, recorded several podcast interviews, and was a guest speaker at last November’s Talking FreEly mental health event. (See our News and Appearances page for details of these and other engagements.)

I’d like to develop this side of things more. If you know of any speaking opportunities, please let me know.

5. See Three Movies at the Cinema

In 2014 I made a deliberate commitment to attend the cinema and saw four superb films, most at Newcastle’s Tyneside Cinema: The Imitation Game, The Danish Girl, The Theory of Everything, and Unbroken.

I’ve not been to the cinema since and would quite like to do so. I’ll see what movies take my fancy as the year progresses.

6. Find a Use for My Standard Midori

I’ve owned a Passport size Midori Travelers Notebook (TN) for a couple of years. It goes everywhere with me. It has two notebook inserts: one for random scribbles and notes, the other as a mini journal for vacations and other events.

It’s also home to any number of other bits and pieces: business cards, addresses, sticky notes, stickers and reminders.

Last spring I bought a larger, Standard size, Midori, but have yet to find a proper place for it in my world. I recently decked it out with two brand new inserts: a 64 page lined one and an unlined lightweight insert with 128 pages of thinner paper. It also has a zip pocket for stickers, notes and such. I’m interested to see where this takes me!

7. Shoot a Roll of Film

Over the years I’ve owned and used a number of film and digital cameras. I’d quite like to shoot a roll or two of film in one or more of the film cameras I still possess.

Prime candidates are the Kodak Brownie 44B which belonged to my father and my Zorki 4K rangefinder, the first “proper” camera I ever owned.

I will report back through the year on how I get on! Have you set yourself any goals or resolutions for 2018? If so, I’d love to hear them!

Marty

3 comments:

  1. The larger Midori should prove interesting.
    I like shooting film. Rolls are not hard to find here in the states. I do not get prints made though, opting for negatives and digital files.
    I like your list, Marty.
    I started having people over more often. I have not opened my newish place up to having people over much. After having Fran over I decided to make the effort to do it more, Sunday lunch once twice a month.

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Beth! I have found a great use for the Midori in keeping a daily journal covering Fran's trip to Mexico, which also feeds into my writing/blogging, so that is a double win for me! I have also been to see one movie (Darkest Hour), so I am making headway already! Looking forward to trying out some of the others too.

      I love that Fran's visit inspired you to do this more regularly, what a lovely idea!

      ~Marty

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  2. What benefit do you find in your Midori over, say, a cheap notebook or journal.

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