Remembering the Day

Had a lovely day in the beautiful weather today. Spent time with my mom, sis and niece. Turns out I did something similar last year.

From Facebook, "On the Day in 2010 .. Took a little walk around the block with three little pumpkins and their brand new babies. It was a fun adventure. :) The new babies are all girls and have been named Katelyn, Katie and Patrick. Trust me. "Patrick" is a much better choice than the little mommy's first name choice for her baby doll .. "Heatstroke." :)"

The mommies in question were my niece and two of her friends with their brand new baby dolls I had just bought them at the dollar store down the street. I met a neighbor of mine for the first time that day, too, while on the walk. The "mommies" surrounded him and his baby carriage, cooing at his baby and showing off theirs before taking off again down the street. This year there was only my niece over, and there was a more subdued feel to the day.

This morning my sis and niece watched some of the 9/11 ceremony on tv. At my house we talked about what we remembered of that day, how we found out about the planesand what we were thinking. We talked a bit about the sad things and more about the good things that came about .. people helping people, everyday heroes, survival stories, .. We wondered aloud if the teachers would discuss the day in class tomorrow, and my niece announced that when she got to school tomorrow, she would ask her teacher if they could write letters to the hero firemen in NYC thanking them for helping people. We told her we thought it was a good idea, and my sis mentioned that maybe, if her teacher liked the idea, that the class could also write to their local firemen and policemen thanking them for all they do for us every day. Then we explained a lot of people came from all over to help; maybe some of her local firemen did, too.

I wasn't online much back in 2001, except on the old SciFi (now SyFy) boards (the "Dom"), so I have no online reference anymore for that day. The old posts from the Dom are long gone now. I do have my memories, however, and it's strange how much I can remember about that whole weekend in addition to that day. and the days that follow. There are other events that are eternally tied together with that day in my mind now. My great aunt died that weekend, and now I'll always remember the date. I was just entering the online Farscape fandom and had been at creation's NY convention (the second convention I'd ever attended; the first was an XF con in Mass.); Ben and Claudia had been there, and I'd met a few Scapers, too. Tuesday morning before I left for work, I checked the Dom and read posts about the con. I even posted one myself saying I had a good time and thanking the people I'd met while I was there. Just a few posts later, the topics changed from the excited post-convention euphoria to the confusing, unfolding events of the day. I didn't read them until I'd gotten home from work later, but there were posts from all over the world, people gathering together offering support. There was one post asking the con goers to sign in; some NY Scapers offered up their homes to those who were stranded in the city. And so Farscape, Scapers and the online communities are all forever entwined with my memories of September 11, 2001.

I've been checking through my blog and LJ posts each year on this date and found only one which contemplated the events of September 11. More of a recollection than reflection: 9/11/2009

I find myself amazed that it's been ten years already, that so much time has passed. The uncertainty of the weeks that followed 9/11 has thankfully passed; at the time one could feel the uneasiness in the air, so strange. I hope that sense of togetherness, the spirit of working together, remains. Yes, there was shock, fear, anger on that day and the days that followed, but there was also something else, this wonderful feeling of unity and selflessness. I'd like to think some of that is still here, when the going gets tough, our citizens will do the right thing, lending a hand to those most in need. Never forget the lives lost and the families who remained, the survivors, the heroes, the sacrifices made, but also never forget that other feeling that surrounded us. The kindness and concern we extended to each other after; that's also what I'm also remembering today.

** cross-posted from LJ

It's 101: Take Three!

My last list is now a collection of failed goals. As time went along, I didn't spent much effort working on the list, but that's okay. If I was going to fail, I'm glad I failed gloriously.**

I've typed up my new list and have posted it here if you'd like to check it out. In choosing my goals this time I decided to mix it up a bit. There's a combination of "easier" one time goals (for example, #45) and longer, more complicated goals (for example, #100) throughout. Some goals are deceptively simple (like goal #27) but aren't as simple as they first appear (I haven't been to the movies since Mama Mia so there's no guarantee I'll accomplish #27 without some effort). I tried to make each goal realistic, and some are more challenging than others, but all should be fun to do in some way. I'm very excited by this new list. :)

Hopefully, I'll get myself in the habit of posting updates on my progress (success or failure).

new list
previous list
first list

Do you have your own list? What goals have you set for yourself? Do you have an opinion, some advice, or a question about something on my list? Feel free to share in the comments!

**Ben Browder (here and here)

**cross-posted to LJ

101 in 1001: List Three

from Day Zero (aka "101 in 1001 days")

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: Saturday, September 10, 2011
End Date: Saturday, June 7, 2014

* Completed tasks will be crossed out.
* Tasks in process will be in bold (so I can keep track of them easily).
* Incomplete tasks will be left as is.

My 101

1. Attend Dragon*Con.
2. Get my driver's permit.
3. Get my driver's license.
4. Take three continuing education or enrichment courses. (0/3)
5. Read 50 books. (4/50)
6. Start an IRA.
7. Try one new thing every month, no matter how small, for at least six months. (The months don’t have to be consecutive.) (6/6)
8. Take a cruise.
9. Complete the 2011 NaNoWriMo challenge. (Fail!)
10. Complete the 2012 NaNoWriMo challenge. (Fail!)
11. Complete the 2013 NaNoWriMo challenge.
12. Bring my laptop in for repair.
13. Submit one of my finished stories somewhere for publication.
14. Finish a WIP.
15. Make a short film.
16. Submit the film to at least three festivals. (0/3)
17. Participate in at least three projects/events in the local/New England film community. (0/3)
18. Organize Ella photos.
19. Finish the list of books I own.
20. Sell 10 items on ebay. (5/10)
21. Identify 100 things that make me happy.
22. Complete at least two things off my 43 Things list. (0/2)
23. Post the result of something inspired by The Soul Food Cafe.
24. Spend three days without once going online. (0/3)
25. Write 10 actual letters (not an email or a card). (10/10)
26. Go apple picking.
27. See five movies in the theater. (5/5)
28. From Learning to Love You More assignment #53: Give advice to yourself in the past.
29. From Learning to Love You More assignment #3: Make a documentary video about a small child.
30. Renew my passport.
31. Answer the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind."
32. Dye my hair.
33. Make a bucket list (100 things I want to do before I die).
34. Travel to Nova Scotia.
35. Participate in a charity event (other than/in addition to The Walk for Hunger)
36. Attend the Portuguese Festival in New Bedford.
37. Go on a day hike. (10/8/11)
38. Try 10 new (to me) flavored teas. These 10 tea flavors do not count toward goal #7. (1/10)
39. Participate (unofficially) in the Walk to Rivendell challenge.
40. Visit the Cloisters in NYC.
41. Visit Coney Island.
42. Re-certify in CPR.
43. Purchase a first aid kit for home.
44. List 25 new items in my etsy shop. (25/25)
45. Get my hair cut.
46. Make a little "movie" with my niece.
47. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum.
48. Visit Rockport again.
49. Visit Martha's Vineyard again.
50. Visit Nantucket.
51. Visit Newburyport.
52. Visit P-Town again.
53. Visit Georges Island again.
54. Participate in the 26 Things meme.
55. Write an article (on any topic) and submit to at least one publication of some sort (online or off). (0/2)
56. Take the MENSA test. (I'd say "join MENSA," but that assumes I'll automatically pass the test. haha)
57. Learn to cook something.
58. Go without caffeine for 30 days (doesn't have to be consecutive). (30/30)
59. Meet five new people. (4/5)
60. Go on 3 dates. (real dates, not these casual hanging out things I usually do) (3/3)
61. Attend a film festival.
62. Attend an author event of some sort.
63. Make an appointment with my PCP.
64. Start an art journal and work on it at least three times. (0/4)
65. Write in diary/journal at least ten times. (0/10)
66. Post at least 20 times in one of my blogs/online journals. A blog entry elsewhere (guest blogger, etc.) is fine, too. (20/20)
67. Participate in at least three online memes (LJ, writing memes, photo memes, art memes, etc.) Facebook-only memes do not count. (0/3)
68. Add 10 items to my zazzle stores. (3/10)
69. Watch a film I haven't seen before which has won Best Picture.
70. Finish "Who Killed Robert Prentice?" by Dennis Wheatley.
71. Put $10 into savings for every completed item on this list. (3/101)
72. Go to a concert.
73. Make a treasure map for my niece to follow.
74. Do a craft project with my niece.
75. Buy a pedometer for my niece.
76. Participate in Book Crossing at least once.
77. Participate in PostCrossing at least once.
78. Get a pen pal. (I used to have several!)
79. See a play or musical.
80. Get a book agent.
81. Do 10 random acts of kindness. (1/10)
82. Send 10 postcards to 10 different people.
83. Take a tour of the Day House.
84. Do a good deed.
85. Have lunch with an old or new friend. (12/30/11)
86. Complete 20 creative writing prompts from Toasted Cheese. (0/20)
87. Go to Castle Island.
88. Visit 5 places in New England I've never been to before. (0/5)
89. Go on a picnic. (4/16/12)
90. Do 30 continuous sit-ups.
91. Attend a live music performance.
92. Try contact lenses again.
93. Take my niece on a carriage ride.
94. Go on a harbor cruise or take a ferry ride somewhere.
95. Try a new place for breakfast (eating out).
96. Don't log into Facebook for a week.
97. Attend a barbecue.
98. Visit La Salette.
99. Explore Bird Park.
100. Complete all the items on this list.
101. Start another 101 things to do when the 1001 days near their end.

Days Left: 282
Tasks Remaining: 79

** previous lists:
list 2
list 1