Half-year update

So, I hardly ever post on this. Yadda yadda, etc. But here's how I'm doing so far with my goals from the start of the year.

-Lose 16 pounds (to 195)
I am currently sitting at around 202, down from 211 at the start of the year. I am making decent progress here.

-Get to 80% done on the thesis (to first draft status)
Still at the literature search stage, but I have found a research group I can hopefully hook up with to get things really rolling. I at least have a solid area of application that I want to work within now, and a list of applicable papers in the area, which I am about 2/3 through reading.

-Finish Stress Test. Whatever state it's in at the end of the year, it's done.
I am currently tweaking the final mix and awaiting my lovely album art. After these are done, I plan on getting the thing out on CDBaby. It could be kind of awesome.

-Pay off credit card debt entirely (potentially doable this time)
Rik and I have made significant progress here and have a plan in place to be completely out of CC debt by the end of the year.

-Volunteer 10 times in 2009
1. 2/3 Harvesters distribution center
2. 2/21 Bridging the Gap recycling center
3. 3/25 Children's Mercy game night
4. 3/30-3/31 KCUR spring funding drive
5. 4/25 Bridging the Gap Arbor Day tree planting

Upcoming opportunities include the KCUR fall funding drive and some more shifts at Harvesters. Also hopefully a return visit to Children's Mercy. I wonder if the employer will sponsor a Habitat build this year... if so, I am there.

-Do RPM Challenge in February
Done! Get the record here.

-Do NaNoWriMo in November
signed up.

-Get involved in the KC Fringe Festival in some capacity
I think I have officially missed the volunteer training, so my involvement may just be "going to fringe fest". Alas.

-Paint the porch and deck
Nothing yet. This has fallen to a low priority.

-Install the new windows
Handyman Dave is going to help us out with this one, I think.

-Do at least one other home repair that improves my home repair knowledge
I think the complete bathroom remodel will more than suffice here, once it's done. Those are the magic words.

-Get more involved in public transit advocacy and improvements
I've talked at least one person at work into riding the bus. Does that count?

-Spend at least one entire month without driving to work
Nothing thus far.

-Read 20 books, courtesy of time spent on mass transit
1. Alan Weisman - The World Without Us
2. Banana Yoshimoto - Lizard
3. Chuck Klosterman - Downtown Owl
4. Neil Gaiman - Stardust
5. Dave Eggers - What is the What
6. Mark Kurlansky - Salt: A World History
7. John Updike - Trust Me: Short Stories
8. Maira Kalman - The Principles of Uncertainty
9. Dave Eggers - How We Are Hungry
10. Frank Schaeffer - Crazy for God
11. Alex Beam - A Great Idea at the Time
12. Haruki Murakami - What I talk about when I talk about running
13. Brent Runyon - The Burn Journals
14. Don Thompson - The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art
15. Neil Gaiman - Smoke and Mirrors
16. Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith - Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (in progress)
17. Remy Stern - But Wait! There's More!

-Run 5 races
1. Love 2 Run 2/14 (4 miles, 50:20)
2. Westport St. Patrick's Day Run 3/14 (4.15 miles, 47:00)
3. Olathe Marathon 4/4 (5K, 33:12)
4. Brew to Brew 4/5 (8 miles, ~90:00)
5. Trolley Run 4/26 (4 miles, 45:08)

-Participate in Carrot Mob
awaiting next Carrot Mob event / planning meeting. In touch with the carrot mob folks.

-Damn the man, save the empire
Man damned. Empire's future still in question.

So, I think I am doing ok so far. Must keep forging ahead! Etc.

I really am happy with how Stress Test is turning out. It still needs some tweaking to pass the car test, but it should be a good time when completed.