It’s one of those

It's been a while. It's really hard to say anything. I'm fairly certain I want to change the format of this blog or get rid of it altogether. It would not be the typical cheerless posts of ole, where I whine or moan, or posting about trying to find myself or other boring material, but something else entirely. Instead of a brief rundown of the mundane events of my life, I would rather focus on current thoughts, ideas, and accomplishments. I'll elaborate on this later. But first I'll start with an obligatory section about the New Year.

I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions, but it's hard not to set goals when "it's the thing to do". I accomplish cool things but don't set goals. That way, I can never be disappointed and only impressed with myself.

Here are some things I did in 2007 that I am proud of that I never intently planned on doing but am pleased with the result:

I learned to love beer. Not just drink beer, but to appreciate it. This goes against my hatred of the expression "to acquire a taste". I guess it's sort of like wine testing. You can tell what's good, and what's horrible. But I'm not super snooty about my beer.

If chopsticks are available, I will eat with chopsticks. I forget how this came about. I guess I just thought it was cool to do it. It also helps portion the size of my bite.

I learned CSS in a matter of a few days. I also learned why it was awesome. You have to understand, I used to build web pages in Microsoft FrontPage. Now I use Adobe Dreamweaver. Additionally, I'm learning PHP currently.

I became aware of the mighty power of Resolve Dual Power. I now advocate it for anyone who has parties where people typically spill things.

I purchased a new video camera and digital camera. A Canon HV20 and Canon S3 IS respectively. The video camera was something I had desired for a while. It allows me to shoot much higher quality video, and upload it directly in a digital format instead of capturing through an encoding method. The digital camera was to replace my previous one, on which the lens broke. But I really really really want a digital SLR. I really really really want one. Of course this costs money I don't have, but I'm saving for one. I also should start taking more photographs to justify a new camera. This is one of my non-goals for 2008. *cough*.

I became a person who likes to go fishing. Not to become confused with a fishing enthusiast. I can't wait to go again.

I expanded my attendance of the performance arts. Rather… I saw Wicked, and went to concerts for Weird Al, Def Leppard, Reo Speedwagon, Styx, and Poison. (All reverse chronologically.)

I moved to a house. It's so nice to have the freedom of a house now. I have the office/study/den/studio/workshop/man cave (as Mark calls it) that I've always wanted. I also have places for tools and a place work with my tools, and place my camping gear. In the house I have also had Thanksgiving away from Grove City for the first time. I have also hosted some cool parties. I have been both lame and awesome equally. I aim to be less lame at parties going forward.

To many, these "accomplishments" are quite small. Sure climbing a mountain, traveling to Tahiti, or writing book are all great examples of accomplishments, but to me, they are greater than you may know.

If you recall this statement earlier: "Instead of a brief rundown of the mundane events of my life, I would rather focus on current thoughts, ideas, and accomplishments. I'll elaborate on this later."
I will elaborate on that statement now.

A journal/diary can be a great record of your past. Even more so if one records every detail of their waking life. Most people don't. Looking back on previous years from this blog has opened my eyes. I'm tired of sitting around not recording, or acting on my ideas or ambitions. I look back at these past years as sort of waiting around… for something to happen to me, instead of me making something happen. Well my friends. No longer. I have no announcement of some pious journey backpacking through Europe or anything (even if it would lead to me falling in love with some guy named Phillipe). This is more of a reminder to myself… Wait. I'll write the rest of this post as if I was talking to myself… GO!

Hey Jared… big guy. How you doing? Did you see that episode of Family Guy tonight? It was pretty funny wasn't it? Yeah…. (awkward pause). So remember how you and I were talking about acting on ideas and accomplishing things? You do? Great. Well I know you can do anything you want if you just give your all. That's the spirit. Now get out there and earn some oats. [END SCENE]

Woah! That was entirely awkward (and fictitious since I don't sound anything like that when I think to myself). Anyways, to wind this post down. I'm going to leave it up to the trusty comment section to decide the fate of this blog. Keep in mind I still have WyomingJarbo.blog which will cater more to geek news or "look what I made" crowd. You tell me. Should I keep a blog about me? About what's going through this crazy place called my mind? It's a scary place, I'll warn you. But my ambition is not to be optimistic, but to better myself. That would be the new focus of A Jarbo Journal. How's that for a non-goal?

With oodles of dudeles,

Jared