Work Harder, Not Longer

Few should argue that these are tough times. I have it good, although am completely aware that the are no guarantees in life. I talk about a lot of goals within this blog, but it’s my new unwritten goal to work harder, but not necessarily longer, to which the title refers. I’ve also talked about re-tooling my skill set, I am working harder than I have since college to do so.

So Much To Do
Busy much? Here’s my current hit list.

• Work matters
• Black Sheep stats (why did I think I had already updated these?) [figured out why and am done!]
• Super Bowl Party preparations
• Download Apple’s Developer Tools (because I accidentally killed off the download after two hours when there were only three minutes remaining in the download)
• Pick photo to have printed, submit print job, contact event organizers
• Keep reading Ruby on Rails book

I know there is more that belongs on that list, but I can’t think of anything else at the moment.

I Missed The Majors Last Night, I Shall Not Miss The Minors Tomorrow
The New York Islanders played in town last night. I didn’t get to go.
Tomorrow night some team plays the Gwinnett Gladiators. I will be there.

ITP Flickr Pic
I copied over thirty shots from my camera to my computer last night. The shots were from a failed studio set and from the Fucked Up show. This was the only one I kept.

What is the significance of the Deuce of Clubs and the Eleven ball? Nothing other than I picked up both from my front yard one morning. East Atlanta living never gets mundane.

It’s The End Of The Month As We Know It
January is/was a big ball of FAIL. It wasn’t because I didn’t try, but rather because I got sidetracked and somewhat lazy.

The dining room is about 90% complete. The major failure is that the two cracks on the wall have yet to get repaired. On the positive side the bookcase and sideboard have been culled, the table cleaned, the furniture and floor have been cleaned. February’s room(s) will be my bedroom (and maybe my bathroom).

My book learning started really strong. I’ve completed the easiest of the three books identified (see the bottom of this post), but the other two are far from completion. To my credit I did read Christine Kane‘s eBook “The Complete Guide to Vision Boards” which is spurring me on to create one of my own.

Running. Didn’t happen.
Riding. Didn’t happen.

Top Chef: The Meek Shall Never Inherit The Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen is back!!! Sure it’s “more over-the-top,” “more outrageous,” than ever but I’m happy it’s back.

The series starts by showing a fast-paced set of highlights from season’s past. Remember these people? Some yes, some no. I assume I’ll get to revisit some of the people highlighted in an upcoming “Hell’s Kitchen’s All-Star Competition” later in the season.

We are “introduced” to the new competitors through the “Cook Your Signature Dish for Gordo” competition. Surprisingly Ramsey actually liked some of them. The biggest surprise of the night was when the old lady (41) stated that she taught cooking classes for something that worked out to be about $100/hr. Clearly she is working smarter, not harder or longer.

In typical Hell’s Kitchen fashion opening night was a fiasco, Ramsey yelled at everyone, “customers” got upset and left, and in the end Gordo ordered them to “Shut it down” (although not using that signature phrase). While there were many people from which to choose it was arrogant Seth and limp-wristed Wil who were called out. As is always the case when arrogance fights meekness, arrogance won out. Wil was the first to depart.

Episode #1 down, I’ve already identified a few people I will be happy to see receive the Wrath of Ramsey.

Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – indecisive
Current Music – listening to CBC Radio 3’s podcast (because I need to make sure I know a few Canadian artists when I go to Winnipeg)
Website Of The Day – If you are a Twitterholic like me perhaps you need Filttr to help filter some of the noise.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – stair climbing, six flights of stairs

Monthly
Foot Mileage – 3 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 30 (30)
Vegetarian Days – 5
Carnivorous Days – 24
Marta Rides – 0

January Goals
– Complete all necessary work on the dining room (not going to lie, I picked an easy room first)
– Lose no fewer than two pounds
– Run no fewer than 50 miles
– Completely read Softbox Lighting Techniques for Professional Photographers, Conceptual Blockbusting: A Guide to Better Ideas, and How to Be Happy, Dammit: A Cynic’s Guide to Spiritual Happiness

2009 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 190 pounds (today’s weight was 199.5 pounds)
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
РEarn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Jalape̱o Beach SmugMug account I opened the other day.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop

The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C (iPhone development) and Ruby on Rails (Black Sheep web page concept)
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]