I was amazed by all the empty lots and fields when I visited the farmers market in downtown Detroit. I wondered if you could see the difference in Google Maps.
I’m just amazed how green the map of Detroit is. Years and years of no new development, annual large-scale arson, and the scheduled demolition of 10,000 homes takes it’s toll.
Unlike most people, I didn’t find it sad or depressing but thought it was kind of beautiful to see this city slowly return to nature.
Heard some statistics recently.
37% of homes in the USA have a dog.
About 50% of those homes let their dog sleep in bed with them.
There are at least 56 million other people in the US who have a big, furry bed hog.
We survived. Actually, it was a really fun day.
Instead of trying to accomplish a lot of resolutions in a short period of time, I decided to break my resolutions up into reasonable chunks.
There are several reasons to break your resolutions up into pieces. First, self control only comes in limited quantities. Second, the momentum and management makes accomplishing your resolutions much easier. Leo Babauta at Zenhabits.net explained it much better.
The other habits would come later. Starting with just one habit accomplished four important things:
- It became much more manageable. One habit is doable — 15 habits are too hard.
- It gave me focus. I could pour all my energies into one thing. When you have too many habits you’re trying to change it diffuses your energies and you most often fail.
- It taught me how to change habits — and then I could apply that knowledge to the next habit change.
- It allowed me to succeed and then use that energy and enthusiasm to succeed at the next thing.
So, my list of resolutions for January was small but still contained some significant tasks.
1) Quit Smoking = Success
I actually stopped 1/7/2011 and have not had a cigarette once. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. This is the most important of all my resolutions.
2) Organize Electronics in Basement = Success
So, my basement is where old gadgets and electronics go to die. I have cleaned up all my cables and organized my electronics. I have put some of the items up on my garage sale site. I have a lot more to put up on the site and sell but organizing them is complete.
Haven’t done a lot with graphic design in a long time but I thought I would include a link to my online portfolio.
The portfolio consists mostly of club and party fliers I designed 10 or so years ago.
After viewing some inspiration on Lifehacker.com for a personal garage sale website, I decided to create one of my own; http://garagesalegr.tumblr.com/. Still working on adding products but you get the general idea.
Reasons to do this:
Currently, working on transforming my an old record player into a clock. Bought the record player from Goodwill several years ago for $5. Paid about $9 for a clock kit at Hobby Lobby today. Need to do a bit of dremling but I should have finished pics soon.