What Are You Working On (And How Are You Getting There)?

[Kestra]

I'm interested in hearing about what people are working on in their lives right now, and what they are doing to get there. It can be a huge, vague goal or something really specific like a project you want to get done this weekend. We're a nice little community and I like learning about the people here. Plus, it could be useful if someone needs motivation or wants to share some achievement or progress.

I'm currently working on a BA and hoping to finally finish this summer. I've had a lot of setbacks but this is going to happen. I'm also trying to learn how to better manage my money, since I haven't really been on my own with finances in a decade. If anyone has any really simple tips, I'd be happy to hear them.

Something more specific and short-term is my goal of finally sorting through the last of my boxes this weekend and getting everything organized in the closets. After I moved I found I had more storage space than I required, so I got a little lazy about being really efficient in terms of storage. I'm going to take care of that this weekend.

What are you working on?

[ElimParra]

Currently revising some linux syntax for a lab I have on Monday. Already got the first chapter written, and slowly working on the second now.

[trekkiedane]

I'm trying to figure out how my finances are and how to work those things now after I bought my flat... might take another couple of weeks, I've never had this complicated finances

On longer term things I'd like to finish my re-doing of the kitchen and get started with the living room and on an even longer term I would like to get rid of all the junk that's accumulated in the cellar.

[RoJoHen]

I took the last couple months off from working on anything. I go on vacation in about 3 weeks, so I don't really plan to work on any kind of goals until that's over with.

[trekkiedane]

Could it be said that you are working on having a great vacation?

That would take quite a bit of 'work' for me, you see

[RoJoHen]

Nope. My vacation is going to involve no work. Just lots of sitting around, looking at mountains, and drinking beer.

[trekkiedane]

Relaxation is the hardest work there is!

[RoJoHen]

trekkiedane wrote:

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Relaxation is the hardest work there is!

I think you're doing it wrong.

[trekkiedane]

Just switching off my phone gives me shivers! -yeah I'm no good at taking vacations.

[J. Allen]

I'm in the middle of writing another fanfiction. It's the third one in the series. I'm hoping to use the feedback I get from each story to help me hone my skills before I finally step over to my project and write my novel. I've already written two novel length fanfics, and this one will be the last one before I begin. The novel won't be related to the fanfics in any way, those are simply practice and a desire to tell a story using familiar settings.

[wissaboo]

I'm in the middle of a mid life career change. Hairdressing to general insurance. Took a course in the fall of 2011 and spent all of 2012 looking for an entry level job. Got one just days after my license exam expired so I spent Jan. studying to rewrite as well as doing a specific course on auto insurance. Passed both exams and am now learning my way around the office.

[CorporalClegg]

My most pressing concern, is to find a job. However, the career fair I went to a couple of weeks ago was really disheartening. It was in Santa Fe, so I got up at the crack of dawn and drove up there only to stand in line for almost five hours in the cold. When I finally got in, I was shuffled around from station to station where I had to fill-out some paper work (and more paper work). When I did finally get to talk to real people, it was for less than ten minutes. Then I was pushed out the door. Obviously, I've heard nothing back from anyone I talked to. I haven't given up, but it's sometimes hard to get motivated.

I set-out the year with the goal of finishing a novel. I've been mulling it for years now, and I really wanted to accomplish something this year. I had three ideas to start with--each having some bit of work done in the past--and I was hoping to make some progress with at least one. My goal was 8,000 words per month. And, yes, I'm already behind two months in.

My problem is I'm just not that strong a writer, and I'm also a perfectionist at the same time. So I tend to get caught-up on the minutia and fuss about wordage and syntax. Sometimes I scrutinize a single sentence for hours. The other problem is I'm a poet first--a fairly decent one, even. My free-style often clashes with traditional prose. I don't do succinct.

Though J.'s fanfic seems like a good idea. I've thought about starting there for practice. I do have a few ideas.

[Sigokat]

J. Allen wrote:

---

I'm in the middle of writing another fanfiction. It's the third one in the series. I'm hoping to use the feedback I get from each story to help me hone my skills before I finally step over to my project and write my novel. I've already written two novel length fanfics, and this one will be the last one before I begin. The novel won't be related to the fanfics in any way, those are simply practice and a desire to tell a story using familiar settings.

What are your fanfics about and are they posted on the internet?

I've written some fanfics as well and have some that are incomplete, but its hard fo rme to write now because I can't do it at work on the computer and all I have out here with me (I'm in the Army and deployed) is my new sony tablet and I don't know any good android apps that are like Word.

I would like to finish at least one of them though while I"m here if I can.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I have a goal to visit every ball park in the major leagues. I'm halfway through, right now.

Here are the teams I've already visited: Orioles, Yankees*, Red Sox, Rays, White Sox, Royals, Twins*, Braves, Marlins, Mets*, Phillies, Nationals, Cubs, Cardinals*

*this means I've seen the old stadium where they used to play, and the one they're at now. Meaning: both old and new Yankee Stadium; Busch Stadium II and III in St. Louis; Shea Stadium and Citi Field for the Mets; and the Metrodome and Target Field for the Twins

Ones I'm going to this year: Mariners, Diamondbacks, Angels, Dodgers, Athletics, Giants, Padres, Pirates

And those which I will have left: Blue Jays, Tigers, Rockies, Brewers, Rangers, Astros, Reds, Indians

How am I getting there? In some cases I take an organized tour, because there are some ballparks (like Dodger Stadium) where you have to drive to get there, and no way am I wasting my vacation time driving. Plus the thought of driving in California scares me - I know for a fact I'd get lost. But in cities like New York, Chicago and Boston, which have mass transit, I can go there alone.

Once I get all of these places visited, I can go back and revisit the ones I like the best. My favorite non-NY ballparks - the Yankees and Mets are my favorite teams so I am biased - are definitely Fenway Park (Red Sox) and Camden Yards (Orioles). I'll probably spend two weeks on those!

[Warp Coil]

2013: the year of making me happy

Steps to achieving this goal:
- 1. Move. Mission accomplished. Moved into a new apartment almost three weeks ago. So far, I am loving the new place.

- 2. Sell my old condo. This is a work in progress. Painting, cleaning, replacing the carpet. The hope is to have the place ready to sell in early March. (It was supposed to be end of February, but, well, that's not happening)

- 3. Vacation. Trip to England is planned and paid for. Happening in May.

- 4. New car? Dependent upon my financial situation after selling my condo in step 2. Would like to treat myself to a new ride this year but it's not my most pressing concern.

- 5. Dating. I just met someone new, and these past two weeks have been pretty amazing. I hope this person sticks around for a good, long while.

- 6. New job. This will be my focus in the second half of 2013. I frankly don't have time to devote to it due to everything else going on!