Is there such a thing as 'life off hold'? I've had to wonder after being in such a life backwater these past few years. Lifeonhold, my standard Username, seems to be very appropriate for the way my life has been, the way I've allowed it to become is more like it.
Starting a new blog is not a particularly effective way to get a life, but perhaps by declaring that Life is Off Hold I can bring changes that will broaden the dead end cul-de-sac I live in these days. Soooo, here is my 'Life Off Hold' Wish List for 2005:
The Life Off Hold Wish List for 2005
Find a Friend, and be a Friend - this is not that easy; I'm 53, forever single, intelligent, and limited by shyness, lack of outside activities, year-round asthma & allergy problems, and without much discretionary cash. Where does one find friends these days? I tend to be younger than people my own age in the realm of interests since I've never had a husband or kids. On the other hand, I'm more limited physically and financially than others my age. Life's interests have drifted to persuits that can be enjoyed in solitary and away from as many allergens as possible. Yet I wish for a friend to share events. I have cut out many interests because it just isn't fun, or occasionally it is painful, going it alone. Restaurants, community events, travel....all currently dormant.
Find an Outside Interest / Volunteer Activity - years ago, in a different part of my life, I was active in my Catholic Church and in related activities but the wave of inspiration came and went and I haven't found a local 'outlet' yet. My health wavers and so I never feel confident being in a position where people would rely upon my contribution to an organization and often I can't tolerate the meeting spaces due to allergens.
Help my sister get through our family financial tasks - my father and brother passed away this year and my sister is saddled with managing all the financial, tax, and personal property issues. I'll be trying to be a support and help for her in the tasks. Emotions are running high and making the list of tasks harder to confront and finish.
Lose the Weight, Get in Shape - ah, the oldie but goodie. 2004's health problems dictate that I do this. I've lost 7 pounds this Fall on a special diet for Asthma sufferers; I'm off it for the holidays but after the 12 Days of Christmas I'll be back on it.
Find a New and Better Job - I am fearful of this project and I've never sought a new position unless I was unemployed so it goes against everything I've ever done. I like my current job of nearly 7 years, but no in the company on has received a salary increase in over 4 years. It doesn't hurt to look, right?
Finish off the Following Digital Projects:
- Music Tapes, Albums & CDs to MP3 Digital Format - I spent 18 months on this and thought I was done until discovering one more box of tapes. Sigh!
- Scan all Family and My Photos to Digital Format - I inherited my family's photos and have converted most of them, and most of my own, to .JPEG digital photos. I have about 2 months more work to finish this off and burn data CDs for myself and my sisters.
- Convert my VCR tapes to DVD - I've worked on this the past 5 months and should be up to current very soon, perhaps before the end of 2004.
- Scan my paper Memorabilia to Digital Format - I haven't started this; it will be my major archiving project for 2005.
Web Housekeeping - Since Life has been On Hold I've devoted myself to the above archiving projects, a blog, a few web pages and posting on a few bulletin boards. I've created some web pages to host images I've used in these places and now these are a cluttered mess; the photos are not organized on these pages by subject and not indexed so I can find what I want. I intend to remedy this in 2005 which will require a tremendous amount of file movement and re-linking.
Computer Housekeeping - ditto, my desktop and laptop computers and my Favorite Links.
Blog - post more frequently and on a wider range of topics. Add in visuals. Be more interesting. Revive my Catholic-oriented blog.
Read Books - I've become a magazine reader...articles with lists. That's how far I've fallen. If it isn't bite-sized I don't get to it. As my major digital archiving projects wind down I plan to re-discover the joy of books.
Posted at 12/26/2004 6:32:40 pm by
lifeonhold
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