Age: 32 – By This Time Next Year

Holy crap. I’m 31.  I’m officially past the age where people joke that they are constantly ‘29′ or ‘30′ forever.  If you double my age I’d be 62 and eligible for retirement in some companies.  Nards!

Last year, at age 30, it was slightly exciting – leaving a decade of life and starting a new one.  Now, I am simply “in my thirties” and moving slowly towards middle-age.  I refuse to admit that I might be middle-aged.  I think that officially starts at 40.

I am counting on the next year to be exciting with a lot of change for myself and family.  Here are some goals for the upcoming year:

By this time next year, I hope to:

• Be a homeowner again.  Renting an apartment was old three months after we moved to Arizona.  We miss our home in Indiana – the space, the pride of ownership, the fact that if we cleaned the carpets they were our carpets … all that stuff.  If we had planned on staying in Arizona, we could’ve purchased already… By this time next year, we better own a home.  That’s assuming the next goal has been achieved.
• Have moved from Arizona. We ask ourself the question, “Why do we want to leave Arizona?” quite a bit lately as snow storms, ice storms and cold winds sweep through the Midwest.  Why the hell would we want to move back there?  One thing we’ve learned over the course of the last 3.5+ years is that family and good friends can actually outweigh consistent sunshine and warmth.  As of writing this, I am waiting to hear back on a possible promotion/transfer to Indianapolis with AT&T.  We’re hoping that pans out.
• Continue to get healthier. I looked at pictures of my good friend’s (Jon Bassett) wedding that took place in August 2008.  Man was I a fatty and unhealthy.  I blame it on the amazing chocolate cupcakes Fresh & Easy sells that Stacey and I ate during pregnancy.  That and the daily syrup items at breakfast – pancakes, waffles, etc.Over the past year, from age 30 – 31, I’ve lost well over thirty pounds.  I never felt like I could lose that much because I never felt that big.  Now, I think I could easily lose another twenty.I’ve lost a lot the weight by running.  Stacey and I started training for a half marathon in April and the running was pretty consistent for about four months for me.  In June, Stacey broke her foot while we were enjoying a rare run together in Indiana.  It also became clear we weren’t going to be living in Indiana by the time the Half Marathon in Fort Wayne took place at the end of September – and the length of each run went to usually around three miles.  At my peak, I was able to run eight miles.So, for this next year, I want to continue to be healthier.  I want to continue to run as I have been – three or four times a week.  That brings me to two additional goals…
• Complete a half marathon. When I had a goal of  completing a half marathon, my runs meant a bit more.  I’d like to complete a Half Marathon with Stacey in Spring or Summer 2010.  I really want to do the La Jolla Half in April in La Jolla, California.  But, I think that geographically it won’t work.  Why the La Jolla Half?  Because according to my friend, Saira, there’s a free beer tent at the end with bands and fun.  Plus, it’s in beautiful La Jolla, California.
• Try to be a vegetarian for a month. As I educate myself on where food actually comes from and how animals are raised to feed me, I get more and more motivated to try a vegetarian lifestyle.  As I’ve said before, I love a medium-rare filet with a bleu cheese crust.  And I love, love, love cheeseburgers.  So, it would be difficult.  But, you never know until you try.
• Finish my Information Technology degree. It’s hard to believe I just started in May of this year.  But by next Fall, I should be finished with my second bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.

I think that’s a good set of personal goals for the year.  Of course, I want to continue to be a loving and awesome husband, father, son, brother and friend … but that goes without saying.

Cheers.  Here’s to 31!