DutchLikeMe mentioned her list of 101 things to do in 1001 days, and I wanted to try it. I always have lots of goals and never a deadline and this seems perfect. However, I wanted a shorter deadline. So this is a new goal set.

What a great adventure! Some of my goals are similar to hers, but I switched it around a little bit to insert my own goals.

101 Things to do in 365 Days

Start date: November 30, 2011
End date: November 30, 2012

* Finish editing a novel and submit to literary agents
* Buy Dragon Naturally Speaking to assist with writing tasks
* Finish five ebooks and start selling them online
* Set up a new credit card to boost credit (I have none! I don’t use it.)
* Manage food spending until it’s budgeted to $200 a month
* Buy a digital SLR camera
* Get a new freezer
* Make/buy an EarthBox or AeroGarden
* Set up an emergency fund with $2000
* Earn $80+ a day, working part time hours

* Limit eating out to once a week, or less
* Find one new recipe to create every month
* Cook from all natural ingredients for one week
* Eat vegetarian one day a week
* Learn to love veggies more
* Go one week without beef
* Achieve my personal weight goal
* Cooking only at home for a month
* Create my own food binder
* Use the wok at least once a month
* Dare to be vegan for one week
* Eat at a “off the beaten trail” restaurant at least once
* Drink 8 glasses of water a day for 30 days
* Find 10 quick, low calorie dinners that are yummy
* Track everything I eat/drink for 30 days

* Give to charity every month
* Start an online community about living well on low income
* Randomly pay for the meal of someone behind me
* Go canoeing/camping
* Share any garden leftovers with others
* Send out books randomly to people who have books on their wish lists
* Write one free ebook that helps someone else find a work at home/part time job to live better on less
* Donate money to someone in another country who needs help with their business
* Find a charity list, the list I use when I have money to donate
* Start spending a healthy amount of time doing something for other people, but no more
* Donate healthy food at every opportunity available
* Give a 100% tip

* Find a kooky tourist trap and have fun
* Crochet a toy
* Find a new unique hobby/passion
* Take a sculpture class
* Hunt for a collection of antique fairy tale books
* Go be a tourist in my own town
* Stay over a weekend at a nearby small town’s bed and breakfast, discovering the small town’s history
* Take a class in something random
* Eat raw for an entire week
* Try a new cuisine never experienced before
* Take pictures of everything and upload them to the blog
* Ride a horse (more than “trail walk”)
* Ride something bigger than a horse

* Blog once a day for an entire month
* Vlog once a day for an entire month
* Complete one fantasy novel and have it ready for submission
* Conduct interviews with successful people
* Earn an extra $50 a month from ebooks sold
* Send a query a day until an agent takes notice
* Write an ebook that’s completely free to give away
* Create a true work plan and stick with it
* Work hard enough to get a better job at my current job or retire from the job to work completely free on my own

* Become bilingual (Japanese)
* Learn to play two songs on the violin that I can share
* Read the entire list of books by my favorite author
* Read the two books by Jane Austen
* Identify 20 things I’ll never do any more because they’re bad habits
* Learn how to garden enough to feed the house for at least one week
* Keep track of how I spend my time online for one month, and adjust how I work from that data
* Photograph everything I eat for one month
* Find a science kit and complete the kit
* Find 5 new bands that don’t know that I like yet and buy their albums
* Learn to cook something new
* Enter a writing contest
* Finish a book in a day
* Learn how to make a scrapbook
* Learn a new, unique craft
* Learn new ways to save $1 a day and implement

* Write a letter to a living author to let him/her know how much I love the book
* Read 20 Nancy Drew books
* Visit an art museum
* Throw out 10 things a month that I don’t want/use/need and donate/sell/trash the items
* Finish the writing chart once
* Finish the reading chart twice
* Read Jane Eyre
* Actually sign the back of my license to donate organs
* Workout everyday for 30 days straight
* Floss every night for a month
* Write about every adventure I’ve completed on this To Do list, with photographs, and blog about it
* Do the “write a novel in three days” challenge
* Visit a Ren Fair
* Send 10 postcards via postcrossing.com
* Make a Crock Pot dinner once a month, freezing leftovers
* Eat no processed foods for a week
* Start a collection of something, and stick to it
* Learn how to can veggies
* Stick to a “spending” budget for 60 days
* Start sending birthday cards to all family members and friends, having them ready to go before hand
* For 2012, have Christmas presents ready to go before December 1st

* Go gluten and milk free for a week
* Write a bucket list
* Use up the candles/notebooks/stationary that I’ve been hoarding for years for “a rainy day”
* Hang up two pieces of artwork near my desk
* Donate 10 books to schools via Paperback Swap

Whew. I’ll be updating the list here with links to what I complete and how throughout the year. Set up your own list. Find a new passion. Do something.

The webisodes feature Krag, a barbarian hero, who has teamed up with a wizard, a cleric, and a bard and are now off on their first adventure together. They’re still figuring their way around the world, and each other, in order to make it through the day, much less through all the trouble that seems to come to them.

In fact, let’s not talk so much about it, let’s just watch Walking in Circles, the new comedy fantasy fi:

Adam Rady and James Rodehaver began working on Walking in Circles at their home in Ohio, and moved across the country to California in order to find their stars and film the series.

Speaking of these guys, I had the opportunity to ask them some questions about their work.

What was it like to move from Ohio to California in order to pursue Walking in Circles? Did you suffer from culture shock?

Coming to California from Ohio was a giant lesson in patience. One of the hardest things to get used to in this city has been blocking out 4 hours of our day to go down the street to the grocery store. There are just so many people, everywhere, all the time that it seems impossible to get anywhere. In Ohio everything is more spread out and open. The biggest culture shock has been getting used to the idea that English is a second language out here. There are so many times when we try to communicate with someone only to realize they have no idea what we’re saying and vice versa. There’s very little language barrier between anybody in Ohio, whereas out here everyone is from somewhere else.

Did you know any of the actors beforehand or did you meet them along the road? Some of them look pretty sketchy. Are you sure they’re actors?

We didn’t know any of our principal actors before moving out to LA, but our parents played guest starring and background roles. That sort of leads into the answer for question two in that some of the people we worked with were absolutely not actors. However, even those of us with no background in acting did a fantastic job and everyone in front of and behind the camera was perfect for their role.

Did you two ever play Dungeons and Dragons as a kids? By the way, how do you two know each other?

James has been playing Dungeons and Dragons since he was but a wee lad, and he convinced Adam that rolling dice wasn’t nearly as geeky as people make it out to be. Correction, it’s exactly as geeky as people make it out to be, but it’s a lot of fun anyway. James’s dad is responsible for getting him into fantasy and science fiction at a young age.

James and Adam met about 14 years ago when James moved in down the street. At first, James did not get along with Adam at all. Somehow that led to them being best friends and that dynamic is surprisingly unchanged.

What kind of equipment was used? Did you have to work with any new technology?

The camera used was a Canon Rebel T-2i. It had a really excellent quality to price ratio that we couldn’t pass up. We got a really nice boom mic set up that we barely used and instead recorded most of our sound off of a couple a lavalier mics. All of the technology we used was new to us because this is our first project and we have zero experience in the field with any of this stuff. Adam has put together all of our footage in Adobe premier, using after effects for our CGI work.

Were there any surprises along the way? Any thought-provoking moments you’d like to share with would-be directors wanting to do this sort of thing?

Well, one of our locations was flooded the day we showed up to film, so that would definitely count as a surprise. Then one of our other locations turned out to be 12 feet under water at the time of year we filmed. Basically, water hated us. One of the most surprising things though was that no matter what happened we were able to roll with the punches and keep going and produce some amazing footage. There were days where the crap just kept piling up, but no one gave up and at the end of the day we had something we were all proud of that was definitely worth it.

Batman or Superman?

Batman. Superman is more powerful, but all he had to do to gain that power was be born on a different planet. Batman may have had all the resources he needed from his parents, but the training, dedication, and smarts were all him. Not to mention there’s no element of danger with Superman. Oh no, Superman got shot in the face with a bazooka. No big deal because he’s indestructible. Having only one weakness means all the danger to Superman has to be contrived. Batman always needs to be on his A game or he’s toast.

What’s coming in future episodes? Is there more singing? Who writes the songs?

Now now, we can’t tell you all of what’s coming. It will be hilarious though. It will be awesome. And yes, Garand will continue to sing. All of Garand’s songs were improvisation on the spot by Jonah Priour, who is so incredibly talented. We’re fairly certain that that guy is the literal manifestation of Garand in real life.

Like what you see? Check out the video, plus later there’s an exclusive interview with the cast of Walking in Circles. That’s coming up soon. Sqweee!

HELP SUPPORT WALKING IN CIRCLES.

My New Years Resolutions

Eat healthy and be active
Finish the stories I’ve started
Read more books
Continue to be the awesome princess of the universe

Not a lot. But then, how many resolutions do people have?

Last night, the Cajun and I tried to sleep through the sounds of fireworks going off, when it sounded as if someone was shooting a gun.

Now, he was questioning me about whether it was a gun or not. Having spent the entire summer at the gun range, I told him it was, indeed, a gun. *smarty pants*

Now, a warning to folks with guns on New Years. Shoot blanks. Please.

Because what goes up… well, you know the rest.

News:
New contest coming… I think Tomorrow.

Nutrisystem front: Losing more weight! Yeay! Plus I’m on the Nutrisystem Select program now, which means that I get frozen delights along with the usual core plan (shelf stable) foods.

I like the variety. Again, some things you love, others you don’t so I’m hoping there will be some selections next time I order. One thing I have noticed though, that the selection is limited for frozen items.

BTW, I heard there was a sercret buzzing around the Nutrisystem forums. Something happening in January. I’m not allowed to say what it is!

Actually, I don’t know what it is. They won’t tell me because they know I’ll blab it to everyone the moment I find out.

So rumors are there’s going to be new food selections, or better recipes or something. Those are the rumors. I don’t know if they are true or what is going on.

I’ll be happy to find out.

By the way, the ice cream on Nutrisystem is sinful. I was eating it as a snack one day and I was just licking the last off the spoon and thought… “This just can’t be health food. Come on. Ice cream and chocolate syrup.”

Feel good naughty food. Whoda thunk.

Anyway, have you managed to scrimp your way past the holidays without over eating? I managed to sit with family and eat lots of fruit and veggie dishes, limiting the meat and cake and desserts. Not perfect, but that’s OK. The next day you get back on track.

Back to ice cream and chocolate muffins.

I am.

I’m writing every day, which is better than what I was doing, but I’m not writing as much as I should be writing.

But I shouldn’t talk about it. More I talk about writing, the less I actually write.

But it’s the weekend! So I have plenty of time… to make up excuses as to why I need to do something else other than write.

Like practice the piano.

Or plan that YouTube video… which I’ve been talking about and yet haven’t done.

Or homework.

Ppppbbbbbtttt. Homework.

So slow isn’t always bad. Slow is faster than slower, or stopped. Slow can be easier than fast or supersonicspeedofDOOMfast.

Like tonight, it was a slow night, I thought it was Saturday before it was over. Of course now by the time I post this, it is Saturday.

What are you doin’, Grannypants? Why are you up so late? — That’s a text from my friend, Alex. Hi Alex!

Whhhheeeee!

What was the question?

How are you all? How’s your week?

Being asked to video blog is kind of weird to me. I tried it before. Failed at it.

Never know what to say. I mean, I can write. I’m a writer. But… talking? My voice is weird. Even the Cajun admits to that.

My heart beats faster just thinking about it.

Yeah, for a while I was making the worst videos on YouTube.

What do you talk about, anyway?

Food yesterday: Going to cut back on the photos. Only take really good ones of the really good stuff. I keep taking pictures of the items in the boxes/wrappers. And how many of my salads do you really want to see?

But I’ll keep posting them every now and then. I don’t think my photos look all that fantastic. So I’ll take pics when there’s something really good or interesting I want you to look at.

BREAKFAST:

Banana, fresh, 1 small
Nutrisystem – Double Chocolate Muffin, 1 serving

LUNCH:

NutriSystem – Cheesy Homestyle Potatoes (1.76oz)
Tofu, Soga extra firm twin pack tofu, 3 oz
Broccoli, Green Giant Broccoli Cuts (No Sauce), 0.5 cup
Egg Beaters Egg substitute 1 cup, scrambled
Ketchup, Heinz, 1 tbsp

DINNER:

Bread, 1 slice, thin
Ketchup, Heinz, 1 tbsp
Banana, fresh, 1 small
nutrisystem beef patty, 1 serving

SNACK:

Nutrisystem Nutrichocolates

What surprised me today were the potatoes. I actually kind of liked them. I love the bars for lunch, but the potatoes really dealt with my ‘carb’ craving I was having.

I’m still working on getting my veggie count up. Problem is: I get full and then I don’t want any more.

I wish to thank Nutrisystem for sending all the many yummy foods listed here and in previous posts. Learn more about Nutrisystem at their website, on Facebook or through Twitter. I highly recommend signing up for Nutrisystem. The website is free to join so you can learn all about it before making a commitment.

Yes. Still playing Plants vs. Zombies. Addicting or what? I dubbed this the Cajun’s zombie. I bet he’ll be proud. I’ll go show it to him.

So I’m by myself at the physics lab. Everyone left for the day from work study. Well, OK, no one worked today. Or studied. We pretty much looked at College Humor and fail blogs. Don’t get me wrong, it gets busy around here, but if anyone would have asked me what I was paid to do today, I don’t know if screwing around on the Internet counts as bullet point in a resume.

And I’ve got at least four more years of this place. Go me signing up a summer early to work for a physics department.

It’s not always fun and games though. Sometimes we blow things up. One of the guys today plugged in a device, only to get shocked out of his Nikes. Apparently there was an explosion.

I wish I had seen it.

No one’s showing up to work tomorrow. Fridays aren’t a work day. That’s just a suggestion, right?

So today I took off a hanging clock from the wall and tried to get it to run backwards. The problem is: no second hand. So if it runs backwards, I can’t tell. I tried to tweak it just now but I think I broke it. GO SOON TO BE PHYSICS MAJOR. BREAKING SCHOOL CLOCKS.

I’m tempted to do some sort of prank while everyone isn’t here. But if I start something I may not finish it before the Cajun arrives to pick me up. We’re about to adopt yet another pet. First the cats. Then Bob the fish. Soon: Find out tomorrow.

Rich people are not happy people. Let me rephrase that, rich people aren’t happy because they have money. In fact, if a person is a miserable miser, just because he’s a rich miserable miser doesn’t make him happier. The more you have, the more you have to worry about.

What’s the secret to being happy if money can’t get it for you? And why are we so obsessed with having more money if it isn’t worth having the majority of it?

Even as many people talk about it, most still strive to work toward savings and building wealth. Me too! I still work (part time), but I hope to go beyond simple need for money and use my free time to improve the lives of others and to be a benefit of some sort.

Passion, excitement, drive, creativity. Those make me happy, and I don’t have to buy them. Is money all that much fun? What would you rather be doing?

And why aren’t we chasing fun and fulfillment more when we find a stabability of home and income?

Maybe you can share your favorite activities. Mine? I love spending time with the Cajun, the kids. I love my experimental cooking, inventing, reading, working on my novels, watching incredible fantasy stories and so much more to list. Very few of the things I love cost much more than a few spare dollars a month. Most involve me being creative, more than anything else.

What’s does your happiness look like? Is it experiences or materalistic?

According to reviews bottle tops do indeed perform like they say they do. Reading reviews from sources that actually tested this product there were some pros and a few small cons.

Pros: The people who tested the bottle tops liked the fact that they came in a variety of colors making it easier to give everyone their own color to avoid drinks from getting confused when they were set down. They also liked the fact the bottle tops could easy be rinsed out or run through a dishwasher. Most reviewers did find that the bottle top did keep the carbonation in the soft drink saving them from having to throw flat drinks out.

Cons:While the bottle tops did not spill all over like a beverage can without the top would when tipped over reviews did find that if left on it’s side the bottle top did leak.

Mixed reviews: While some of the reviewers found that the bottle tops were easy to snap on and take off, others felt that they were difficult to get off. All in all the reviews seemed to be positive on this product. If you would like to read some of the reviews you can find them at www.starreviews.com and www.agosa.com.

Included in the book are easy to follow instructions using one basic house template which can be replicated to decorate eight gingerbread houses for you to enjoy creating. If you choose to use one of these designs or use the designs to develop your own ideas, How to Build a Gingerbread House will be a fun and creative experience with a finished house – that you have built yourself!

The writer, Christina Banner won the Grand Prize for the National Gingerbread House Competition in 2004 and has also won the Food Network’s Gingerbread Challenge. She now begins to share her secrets from basics to share from the starting block of the dough through to finishing off the house with the icing.

The book is also beautifully illustrated and has detailed, comprehensive instructions to help construct a dream gingerbread house. Banner’s book is a must for beginners and also an inspiration to aspiring cake decorators.

My favorites about this book:

The shared ideas for gingerbread houses that aren’t just for Christmas
The very thoughtful different candies to use and in what areas to make great effects
Bright photos to help you along
Complete step-by-step instructions

Photo by avanzero

How to Build a Gingerbread House – by Christina Banner

Perfect Paperback: 135 pages
Publisher: Penny Publishing; First edition (June 16, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981580602
ISBN-13: 978-0981580609