2012 Resolution Recap

Posted on December 31, 2012 by LifeAbsorbed

It’s that time! Time to see what I was able to get done over the last 365 days. I’ll start by going through my 2012 New Year Resolution List. (Sorry for another pictureless post)

Life Absorbed’s 2012 Resolution List

- Complete all 42 walks in “Secret Stairs, A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of LA”
I wasn’t able to finish the entire book due to some health issues, but I certainly did 80% and now I have the pleasure of enjoying the walks as I complete the rest in 2013.

- Go rock climbing! I got to go indoor rock climbing with Amber, Lindsey and Adam thanks to a groupon to Hangar 18. Despite my crazy fear of hieghts, I was actually pretty good and got into it. I’m no pro, but I would gladly go again.

- Do at least one “monster” walk in 2012. Use my new “Car-Free LA” book to find a good really long walk and make a day of it. This didn’t get to happen. I’ve done monster walks alone, but they are more fun with a friend and my walking buddy Michelle had a wild year of getting pregnant and giving birth to lovely Cole. This goal will have to pushed to my 2013 resolution list.

- Resume hikes from my hiking book! Give those new hike boots a work out. I wasn’t too successful completing a ton of new hikes from my hike book, although I did complete a handful from the book in 2012. Bigger than that, I hiked Mount Whitney! That’s a pretty big goal for 2012, in fact I was so concerned I wouldn’t follow through with it, I didn’t add it to my resolution list from 2012. And I did it!

- Go camping! Camping happened for a few days around Mt. Whitney as well as on The Channel Islands and when I went tubing the Kern River.

- Hike (or ski) Mt. Baldy. I got to complete this with weights as I was training for Mount Whitney. I actually found this to be more of a challenge.

- Go back to Catalina! When my parents came to town in September, we got to take them to Catalina and took them parasailing. My sister and I had so much fun doing it last year, that when another groupon deal came up, we bought enough for all of us to go as an anniversary gift to them.

- Keep filling my nights and weekends with fun activities, even if it means being tired the next day. It’s worth it! This is of course hard to gauge, but I think I did a really good job at going out a lot after work and on weekends. In fact I went out so much didn’t get a ton of my night walks in. It’s about finding a balance and I have to be better about that in 2013.

- Visit Hearst Castle. Check! I got to go when my parents came to visit and loved it. As a family we took a weekend trip up there and drove back along the coast stopping at the small beach towns.

- Go cross-country skiing for the first time. I wasn’t able to complete this (due to lack of snow last winter) but the groupon was extended into 2013 which means I’ll be going this winter and already Big Bear has gotten some great snow.

- Go white-water rafting. Another side-effect of no snow in the winter, is that the run-off over the summer is so depleted that there’s not enough water to make it “white water”. But in place of rafting, we got to enjoy tubing down the Kern. I’m looking forward to white water rafting in the summer of 2013!

- Go kayaking. I got to do this during my weekend excursion to the Channel Islands as well as doing it about 3 times when I was visiting my parents in Cape Cod this past summer. I love it.

- Try yoga. Did it repeatedly! I love the Core Power Yoga free Sunday noon class. Although I didn’t realize you needed to pay to borrow the mats, so I didn’t realize I was stealing every time I went. But now that I’ve realized it I will be investing in a yoga mat in 2013

- Try spinning. I did not do that this year, although I really need to. I ended up canceling my gym membership this year, so now I’ll have to pay to go to a class but I still want to do this. The only reason I didn’t complete this goal was because I was busy, and frankly I forgot about it. This is why it’s good to do midyear resolution recaps, to remind myself what I still need to complete.

- Make new recipes to last during the week. This I did only a few times. It’s hard to make meals for one. Also my job often provides meals that are around dinner time, so it’s nice to save money by eating that food and leave the cooking to the professionals.

- Go to Chicago to visit my good friends and see a new city. CHECK! This was a really fun resolution. I got to lump a short stopover in Chicago onto my summer trip to Cape Cod. I had such a great time visiting friends and seeing the tourist sights (the FLW House!).

- Keep up my nightly walks. An hour a day does so much. As I explained above, I did this but not as regular as I used to (since my walking buddy was busy having babies and I started doing more event stuff at night). But in 2013 I’m going to go back to doing this a solid 5 times a week, if not more.

- Try new bars, restaurants and museums from my “L.A. Bizarro” book. (As Amber pointed out to me, we don’t have to see any of the porn-esque stuff and that is agreed). I got to do a bunch of these with Amber earlier in the year, although they did take a back seat to all of my other goals as the year went on. It’s worth digging this book out again and going more in 2013.

- If someone says, “try this hike with me” or “lets do this sport” or any other physical activity, say yes! So far so good. Saying yes to life has only meant good things.

- “Grow a Pair!” In 2012 I need to face the little fears. I successfully faced giant fears in 2011, so this should be easy right? I’m always working on that, and that’ll continue into 2013.

- As a part of “Growing A Pair”, I’m going to go on dates in 2011. It’s something Ive been putting off because I hate doing it, but why not? If it’s the worst, then oh well. If it’s great then maybe I get a new friend out of the deal. I’ve jumped out of a plane, I think I can handle a silly little date. So send your single, outdoorsy, male friends my way. This remains true in 2013. Also, I’ve decided that “date” is too scary a word, and only call them “friend meetups” in an attempt to making dating less scary.

- And of course I will work hard to maintain you, Life Absorbed. I wish I had started you last Jan. 1st, so now I must make up for lost time. I feel like in one year I did a lot to improve the blog. I tried (and I’m always trying) to come up with new features like Font Friday and Do This Today. I try to blog 1 or 2 times daily midweek and once on the weekends. I also designed a business card for the blog and changed the layout a bit. The “Life Absorbed” logo photo shoots where fun, and I hope to do more in 2013. Now all my photos have watermarks and I really work hard to make improvements as I get feedback. I’ve gotten retweeted by Scott Aukerman this year. I’ve gotten “shared” on facebook by some of my favorite comedians and even CBS included me in an article about the Secret Stairs of LA. It’s been good progress and I’m looking forward to more improvements in 2013!

This completes my resolution list for 2012. I can honestly say I gave it 110% and filled my time to capacity. There’s only so much time to get things done and I have no regrets with how my time was spent in 2012. I also want to share some things I did that weren’t on my 2012 resolution list:

A big Hawaii trip that included zip-lining, snorkeling, and hiking around an active volcano. Visiting the Queen Mary with my parents. Sitting in the UCB green room with Doug Benson and Zach Galifinakis (thanks Gabe!). The 1 million comedy shows I saw this year (I’m only exaggerating a little). Finally seeing David Cross do stand up! A fun weekend getaway to Palm Springs. My first hospital visit (not a good situation, but it could have been so much worse). Running the Denver Turkey Trot and getting to enjoy Denver fun. Getting to be Shari Lewis for the day. Doing all my DIY projects. Brunches with the girls. Visiting the JPL and going to about 5 neighborhood festivals. Doing the Color Run with Lindsey. Having my celebrity crush, Harris Wittels, comment on my blog. Tubing Mt. Baldy with Michelle and Lindsey. A weekend getaway to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. Visiting the horse racing park for Tom’s birthday. Going to a Beer Collaboration event. Magic Castle with the girls. Celebrating Chinese New Year in Chinatown. Gosh, this has been a busy year!

Rules for Resolutions

Posted on December 29, 2012 by LifeAbsorbed

It’s almost 2013, but Im still not ready to share my resolution list. I keep adding and whittling away at it. I just need to note, when I’ve asked my friends about their resolutions, they have all said “I’m so bad at following through, so why make the list. I’m just setting myself up to fail”. The point of the list isn’t to complete every task (as I certainly don’t), but by making the list it makes you aware of what your goals are. I have friends that say things like “I don’t know what I want” or “Im bored and I don’t know how to fix it” throughout the year. Just by making this list, you’re ahead in the game. Whenever I’m feeling in a rut or bored or lost, I just pull out the list and put that energy into crossing a task off the list, and that pulls me out of my rut. You certainly don’t HAVE to make a resolution list, but why not take 15 minutes and make a list of goals.

Rules For Making A Resolutions List:

1) Be Realistic With Money. Don’t make a list of goals that you know you can’t afford to complete. For example “buy myself a Fendi Bag” (BAD) should be “work to save money for a nice bag by setting a little money aside from each paycheck, and invest in a nice bag by 2014″ (GOOD). Just avoid making resolutions that you know are outside your budget, because you’ll never follow through with something if you can’t afford it.

2) Be Realistic With Time. There are 365 days in 2013, and only 52 weekends. When you’re trying to complete a list of goals, those weeks go by REALLY fast. While I think it’s important to shoot for the stars with your list and be over ambitious (whatever you don’t complete can be moved on to the following years list) it’s important to be at least somewhat realistic. If you work full time “Spend 1 month in Spain” isn’t a realistic resolution. Although maybe a baby-step towards that goal is doable: “Investigate if my job would let me take time off to travel, or if there are work opportunities abroad with my job”. The goal can be to lay the groundwork, so that “spend a month abroad” can be a realistic goal for the following year.

3) Be Specific. I’ve found with me, I’m much more likely to complete a goal if the game plan to achieve it is part of the resolution. For example a goal of “See more towns outside of Los Angeles” is so open-ended that I’m less likely to take it seriously. A great alternitive is actually looking up the names of some sights to see outside of LA, and then making each location a different goal: “Visit the Elmers Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande” or “Visit the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda”. This way if you have a free Saturday, you just go to the list, google the location and then make a day trip. Plus by separating the locations you can cross more off your list (it’s such a good feeling crossing items off the list).

4) Make Some Easy… Very Easy. If all of your goals require a ton of time and dedication, you’re much more likely to fall off the wagon. It’s such a motivation to be able to cross off items from the list, so make some goals easy and extra fun. For example, I often don’t let myself eat too many sweets (gotta watch my girlish figure) but “Treat yourself to a cupcake at that shop everyone keeps telling you about” is a fun awesome resolution to throw into the mix. It’s a resolution because it’s getting you to try something new and it’s not “buy a box of cupcakes” but it’s just one, which doesn’t hurt your wallet or your waistline. For the record “Eat a bag of cheetos alone on a Saturday night” is not a resolution, but a cry for help.

5) Include That Thing You’ve Been Putting Off. I hate going to the doctors. Whether it’s eye, skin, foot, or just the regular doctor, I hate it. The resolution list is a great time to include that dreaded doctors visit. As much as I hate doing it, I can tell you “Visit a dermatologist” and “Finally buy eye glasses” are on my resolution list for 2013. Maybe for you it’s “Clean out that scary drawer full of crap” (also a good resolution). With all of these dreaded tasks, you’ll feel so good finally completing them and then you get the reward of crossing them off the list and putting them out of your mind.

Well, I hope these are helpful tips for generating your own resolution list. I know you probably think resolution lists are crap, but seriously give it a shot. In the next day or two, I will take a look back at my resolution list and see what I’ve completed over the last year. I will also finally reveal my 2013 resolution list.

Merry Christmas 2012

Posted on December 25, 2012 by LifeAbsorbed

(Thank you font PW Christmas)

Merry Christmas all! There’s nothing like the holidays to be close to loved ones, say thank you to all the special people in your life, eat and be merry. I’m spending time with family in Connecticut and about to start playing family games. I hope you all have a merry Christmas. As you probably can tell, I’ll only be able to update sporadically until the new year, in order to spend time with friends and family. Don’t worry, as Ill be back to talk New Years Resolutions! Be making your list, as I have a big one I’m working on. Here’s a christmas tree ornament of me when I was a wee-lass:

Do This Today: Celebrate Life

Posted on December 20, 2012 by LifeAbsorbed

(photo taken from here)

Today’s Do This Today is to celebrate life! Since the world is “ending” tomorrow, celebrate tonight by doing something fun. Okay, so you have 24 hours to live, what do you do? How do you spend that 24 hours? Get out there, celebrate life and make the most of your 24 hrs

Holiday Blues

Posted on December 2, 2012 by LifeAbsorbed

Now that you are caught up on the fun times of my Denver Thanksgiving, you can imagine the second part of that trip was not so much fun. Typically that Saturday after Thanksgiving is when I allow myself to start celebrating Christmas. I start writing Christmas cards and listening to holiday music. Since Saturday was spent in the hospital and then it was a mad dash to get back to Los Angeles once I was released on Sunday, that switch from Thanksgiving to Christmas never happened for me.

I’ve spent this weekend laying low (still fighting the allergy, although it’s getting much better) and I decided to let myself start celebrating. I woke up early today and went to World Market to buy Christmas cards. I dug out my old roommates mini tree (see above) and decorated while listening to the Holiday Pandora station and breathing in my cinnamon scented candle. It’s like Santa threw up all over my room.

In all this holiday cheer, I must say I’ve got a bit of the holiday blues. Maybe it’s being single around the holidays or perhaps it’s this allergy/cold issue that’s sucked away the past month of my life, but I’ve got the blues today. I’ve also come to the sad realization that I can’t finish all my Secret Stair walks by 2013. Having lost the last 4 weekends to this cold, I’ve fallen too far behind. It’s painful to admit this, but the only way to complete them by 2013 is to rush and that takes all the fun out of it. I don’t want the walks to be a chore, but something I look forward to enjoying. So that goal is being stretched into 2013, and since I’m back logged on those posts, you’ll get to enjoy those well into 2013.

This all has me contemplating my 2013 goals, as I’ve got one month to make next years list. Have you started thinking about 2013?

Christmas Tree Cutting ’12

Posted on December 1, 2012 by LifeAbsorbed

Denver in the morning. Isn’t she beautiful? You can see the snow capped mountains far in the background. Such a fun city.

If you remember from last years tree cutting adventure, we go up into the mountains on every black friday to pick out the perfect Christmas trees (with permits of course). The drive from city to mountain is a beautiful one.

This year the roads were exceptionally dusty (given the dry winter). Normally there is snow and mud, but this year dust.

Look at our spread of food! It’s the fanciest tailgate I’ve ever seen Everyone makes something to share to accompany the annual turkey chili that is made with the Thanksgiving leftovers (Steve is so kind to make me a delicious veggie chili).

Once our stomachs are filled, the great tree race begins!!

We all search for the perfect trees. This year we were on a different side of the mountain and we were shocked at how many good ones we found. In previous years it would take hours and going deep into the woods.

We found the tree! It even had an abandoned birds nest in it. Little did I know, when the photo was taken above, my body was freaking out on the inside.

Once the trees are tagged, cut and mounted on the cars it’s time to pack up and hit the road back to Denver.

It’s a beautiful drive in and then back out.

After returning and washing down the tree (to rid any bugs), we got to catch this gorgeous sunset

Black Friday Indeed

Posted on November 26, 2012 by LifeAbsorbed

I’ve been very quiet on the blog the past several days because an emergency came up. While on my Denver Thanksgiving, it came to light that an antibiotic I’ve been taking is actually my kryptonite. Unfortunately I had already taken 17 doses of the medication before the allergy symptoms revealed themselves. After a couple of scary days Im currently back from Denver and on bed rest today. Even typing this post is taking so much of my energy. I have so many things to share with you (Palm Springs, DYI projects, Secret Stair Walks, and tons more) but I’m just physically unable to even think about all of that right now. It’s time for my head to be against my pillow, despite sleeping also being one of my many challenges right now. When Im better, you’ll be the first to know.

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Posted on November 22, 2012 by LifeAbsorbed

Another year, another Denver Turkey Trot! As much as I love LA, visiting my uncle (above) in Denver is one of the highlights of my year. It’s become our Thanksgiving tradition to get up early and Turkey Trot before we head to the days festivities (see last years post here). It’s a great way to feel good about all the food we are about to eat. This year I’m suffering from a nasty virus, so my trot was more of a speed walk, but I’m so glad I was at least able to participate. And Erica and I surprised our uncle with TURKEY HATS!

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! So much to be thankful for!

Do This Today: The Spice Kittens

Posted on November 20, 2012 by LifeAbsorbed

This is untraditional for my Do This Today, but today’s thing-to-do is check out THIS website. I’m no cat lady, although I do like pets. This website is a 24/7 live feed of 5(?) kittens playing. The best part is if you tune in while they’re sleeping, or out of camera range, just rewind and you can find a fun part with tiny kittens playing. The owner is raising them just until they’re ready to be adopted, so it’s a great promotional video for cat adoption. They are also crazy adorable and you get all the cuteness without the scratches and kitty liter.

Event: The Spice Kittens
Location: THIS link
Time: 24/7
Cost: FREE

Rainy Los Angeles

Posted on November 17, 2012 by LifeAbsorbed

(photo of Gustav Caillebotte’s Paris Street; Rainy Day)

In a place that’s always sunny, sometimes a rainy day is welcomed. I’ve had a crazy week at work and a terrible cold, so staying in, catching up on work, blogging and listening to a little Barry Manilow sounds amazing. All that, without the guilt of a gorgeous day, feels awesome. Alright Los Angeles, enjoy your ONE rainy day! Happy Saturday!

LifeAbsorbed

Los Angeles on a budget!

Category Archives: Life Inspiration