dreadedmonkeygod . net

It's that time again. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and it's time to go through the annual ritual of looking at what worked, what didn't and what I'm going to do to make next year even better than this one.

So, last year's resolutions:

• Pay down my debt. [check!]
• Maintain my body weight below 175 lbs. [check!^*]
• Take at least one 4-day camping trip.
• Test for my orange belt in Krav Maga.
• Do fun stuff to stay in shape. [check!]
• See four big-ticket concerts this year. [check!]
• Draw regularly.
• Play music regularly.
• Buy only what I really need. [check!]

2009 was such a big year that understatement is the only way to go. It was big. My girlfriend and I took huge steps in our relationship, and we adopted our dog Henri.

So, like 2008, moving toward several huge life goals crowded out a few of the smaller things I'd hoped to accomplish. I'll swap a Krav Maga orange belt for a new car, a dog, and a fantastic girlfriend. Hell yes I will.

I had huge success managing my finances. I got my medical expenses under control with a Flexible Spending Account through my employer, and I swapped my Jetta for a Civic to stop the car repair treadmill. I stopped using my credit cards entirely, and automated biweekly payments through my bank. And we got medical insurance for Henri, which has already proven to be golden.

I've largely stuck to my resolution to buy only what I really need, and I took a break from Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. That's made a big difference in my monthly budget.

The net result is that I'm in my best financial shape in years. Hallelujah.

And I'm going to call my resolution to maintain my body weight below 175 lbs. a success. I currently weigh about 184 lbs, but I'm regularly biking at lunch, eating fewer deserts, and I'm slowly, steadily slimming down and getting into better shape. Rather than dieting to drop weight and then trying in vain to keep it off, I'm making across-the-board changes that are making me healthier. To me, that's better than my original resolution.

And my current score on the Clean Sweep life assessment quiz: 90.

So, this year's resolutions (drum roll, please!):

• Return all calls or email within 24 hours.
• Call all my friends at least once a week.
• Continue to pay down my debt.
• Do fun stuff to stay in shape.
• Don't eat so many cookies.
• Buy only what I really need.
• Put everything that needs to be done into my day planner.

If I do all that, I can keep moving in the right directions, and still leave room for some of the big stuff I'm working toward.