Goals for 2013

[urbpan]

I don't know that I have a specific project for this journal for 2013. I've tried to do that for the past 6 years with varying success, but I think I'll leave it alone for now. I do have several goals for my life in 2013, and checking in with those and doing the snapshots ought to fill up this journal nicely.

Goals for 2013:

• Lead an Urban Nature Walk each month (there's one planned for this Sunday--how that goes will determine whether I follow through on this goal).
• Make a batch of beer (I don't even own the equipment yet--this was one of my goals for immediately after moving to the Dedham House, and I chickened out of it) (Chickened out is a funny way of putting it because I chickened out of keeping hens for eggs until Alexis got involved and made things happen. Too bad she doensn't drink beer.)
• Learn to play one song on an instrument and sing and play it somewhere. (I've been pretending to do this with plastic electronic instruments for 5 years. If I had been playing a real drumkit/guitar/whatever I'd have at least one song down by now.)
• Expand our vegetable garden.
• Resume podcasting.
• Begin visiting livejournal friends in real life space.

Those are pretty personal and selfish but I'm at work on my lunchbreak so I can't think of the Good Works and Family goals at the moment. I appear to be going to serve another term as president of AAZK, and we may get a little more involved with our pit bull rescue agency (our current foster needs heart surgery and it's going to cost the rescue a pretty penny--more on that later when I post the next snapshot). My dad is going to start his first full year of retirement, and I'd like to hang out with him whenever I can. I haven't seen my in-laws in a long time, and it looks like dog issues are going to make it happen later rather than sooner. Also car troubles.

Comments

[audacian.livejournal.com]

Why did you chicken out of making beer? It's not hard or scary. It's a little tedious, if anything, but you have beer at the end.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I get overwhelmed with things. The idea of starting it up just seemed like too much. I love the idea of it but once I started thinking about what I needed to actually do it I couldn't follow through. Then I saw your post about doing it and thought "GodDAMN it if Katie is already doing it I have to get my shit together!"

[audacian.livejournal.com]

I know the feeling. It can be a bit overwhelming but it's really simple. You buy a kit and basically make a big, nasty smelling beer tea. Add some yeast, it sits in a bucket. Add some sugar, move it to another bucket, put it in bottles, and it sits some more. That's it. The kits have simple instructions and you can tackle more complex procedures as you learn what works.

Are any of these places near you? https://www.beerbrew.com/

I shop at the one in East Greenbush and they're super helpful.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'll probably go to their place in Cambridge when the time comes.

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

I understand. It's not hard to brew, but it's a time commitment that needs a couple of unencumbered hours and involves a lot of dish washing. plus, the beer doesn't happen for a few weeks. Still, worth it.

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

brewing beer is pretty easy, I encourage you to do it. And I would like to go on one of your nature walks, so keep publicising them here.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the encouragement! If you are on facebook there's this group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/68443835849/?fref=ts

But I'll try to remember to talk about them ahead of time here. There's a poll to decide whether on Sunday we're going to Millenium Park, Lost Pond, or Allendale woods.

are you a southpaw?

[dedhamoutdoors.livejournal.com]

i have a left handed acoustic guitar that makes a good doorstop, but i'd be happy to send it your way if it helps you meet your goals.

Re: are you a southpaw?

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

That's very kind! I'm a righty, so it's probably a difficulty level too far for me. Thanks Steph!

[ssorca19.livejournal.com]

who says your personal goals for the year aren't allowed to be petty and selfish?! those seem like perfectly acceptable goals to me!

(and if alexis doesnt like beer, maybe try your hand at making your own wine?)

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

She doesn't like wine either. We're not in the right hardiness zone for the relaxicant of her choice.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

lol!!

[ssorca19.livejournal.com]

Hahaha.... Growlights in the basement?

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

maybe that's what he meant by expanding the garden?? :)

[ssorca19.livejournal.com]

And if anyone asks, just tell them the lights help with your SAD ;)

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, make beer! You don't need much really. If you ask around I bet you'll get kegs from people who gave up brewing in the 70s. Then all you really need is a big bucket. If I still had a bit of space I'd be brewing. It's simple and the rewards are great. And some day you'll accidentally make the rocket fuel batch, and you'll have funny stories to tell us.

beer

[dedhamoutdoors.livejournal.com]

try this place - it's 2 visits, one to brew, another to bottle.
http://www.barleycorn.com/