2021 was a big year for Joe/Frank – finishing Uni, getting his first full time professional job and a whole bunch of other exciting adventures!

2021 review:
1. Find a full-time job
Mission accomplished! Somehow this was surprisingly easy.

2. Start looking at learning how to get “independent transport” (i.e. learning to ride a bike or drive)
No. Hoping to make progress here in 2022.

3. Cook dinner 7 times per month
No. Progress earlier in the year but derailed by new job + Covid

4. Do one social activity per month
Some Covid factors made it tough but progress was made here so….maybe?

5. Try a lesson/class to learn something new
Partially, drama class early in the year.

And for 2022:
1. Learn a form of independent transport
2. Make plans for a big holiday at some point in the year.
3. Make 12 new dishes this year.
4. Start participating in a form of sport/exercise activity.
5. Start making plans for independent living.

(me: that last item is a bit huge!)

♥

Joe/Frank’s previous not-resolutions:

2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

Coming to post this, I realise that Don appears to have not supplied any 2021 not-resolutions. Else he did and I failed to post them, but none to be found anywhere.

I mean, who even knows what year this is anymore? But let’s review those 2020 not-resolutions!

2020 review:
My comments

1. Play A grade (golf)
Not achieved!
(But now in A grade as of early 2022!)

2. Ride regularly (exercise bike)
This has varied between Achieved! and Not Achieved! over the past two years. Currently sitting at Not Achieved.

3. Play new courses (non-local)
Achieved! Despite covid and lockdowns, new courses were played.

4. Improve posture (stealing this one)
Not achieved! We are very slumpy people.

5. Read more fiction
Started very strong, but did not last – still this does actually qualify as “more”, so Achieved!?

And for 2022:
1. Eliminate Mortgage
2. Keep up the pilates
    (me: Don started Reformer in late December and is a super-fan)
3. H’cap of 10 or better
    (me: golf handicap, for the uninitiated)
4. Regular Cardio
5. Double (or better) the bankroll
    (me: mid-last year Don started dabbling in a small way in golf betting using some heavy duty statistical modelling, and has been moderately successful)

♥

Don’s previous not-resolutions:
2021 skipped
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

january 15 08:12pm

I’ve not been stellar with updating the 60 list consistently when items have been completed, so while I was reviewing it seemed a good time for a status update – and an visual overhaul because it was looking a little hideous.

I’ve now completed 14/60, or roughly 23% of the items on the list. I’m rather astonished it is that many – given how disengaged I’ve been with pretty much everything in last two years of pandemic times!

I feel quite motivated to tackle some more. I’m trying to change my relationship with work this year and I think it will help to keep the list top of mind!

♥

07. Make something from clay (50)
It took a long while to get there, but I finally stopped putting obstacles in my own way!

+ first class 1
+ first class 2
+ second class – hmmm, I wonder if that 4th small bowl is still there?

I also faced my fears (and terror) and completed 3 lessons (throw, trim, glaze) on the wheel at the pottery shed** in Surry Hills in December and January.

I’d originally booked these for July, but then lockdown happened and many, many months passed. The studio is wonderful and welcoming and everyone is delightful. As with most creative endeavours I have even more intense admiration for the professionals after I’ve had a crack! My small wobbly bowls should be ready to collect at the end of next week.

After the 3rd lesson, I grabbed a 10 session pass – these sessions are mostly self-directed, but lots of friendly help on hand to give advice. My plan is to take time off work and visit on weekdays.

I’m also considering signing up for slip casting in June.

I’m never going to be great at this, but I’m really enjoying the learning!

** neighbours to the most excellent James O’Brien, which is where I first became aware of it

♥

26. Grow my hair long(ish) one last time
I’m currently resembling Rapunzel, so I think we can consider this one complete.

+ 12 months
+ 22 months
+ 48 months

I have no intentions to go short again, but definitely need a trim.

♥

42. no fast fashion in 2020
This morphed into “buy no new clothes for a year”, but wasn’t updated on the list.

I did it, and I learned that I definitely had sufficient clothing, but almost 2 years later still have major regrets about not buying that gorgeous blue COS jumpsuit at day 81.

+ day 2
+ day 40
+ day 62
+ day 81
+ day 200

What I really learned that setting myself challenges to deprive myself are actually more a sign of much deeper issues that I would benefit from dealing with!

♥

47. Record all personal spending for a year
This was actually pretty useful on a number of levels. Excellent for tracking down oddly described bank transactions in the joint account. Also comforting to see that I wasn’t spending with too much wild abandon.

I kept it up for 14 months until I ran out pages in the excellent small journal I used.

The key to success (as with most things) was reducing friction – going analogue, having a good routine for recording, and somewhere with nice paper and a good layout to physically write it all up.

Am considering starting again, just for the sheer usefulness of it. Need to track down a similar small book.

♥

Much like the 50before50 list, the 60before60 list isn’t static. Everything is up for revision as my interests and circumstances change.

I last changed the list up in November 2019 in very different and much more innocent times!

The vibe is now less Stretch Goals and more chilled, low-key and, dare I say, achievable?

I do also need to update the list with the items I’ve crossed off. Given the past two years, I’m astonished there were any!

REPLACING

02. Learn to complete a cryptic crossword (50)
I really admire the type of clever and witty person does Cryptic Crosswords. I have accepted that I will never be this person and will be sticking with the Quicks.
Replaced by: Hire an e-bike and commute to work for 3-6 months

05. Cook something ridiculously complex (50)
Honestly, I could never actually define what I intended by complex.
Replaced by: Visit the AGSNW Member’s Lounge once per quarter 2022-2024
Thanks to Bessie for the Membership!

06. Go indoor climbing (50)
My injury-prone, slightly unfit, wobbly mid-50s body knows it is a very good idea to cull this one.
Replaced by: Join a choir

22. Take a camera class
I’ve now sold the insanely-heavy DSLR, and plan to keep to lightweight point and shoot cameras – or the phone.
Replaced by: Take a first aid class

35. Have a skiing lesson
See injury-prone, slightly unfit, wobbly mid-50s body.
Replaced by: See snow. Marvel at snow. Romp in snow.
For new players: I have never seen snow (apparently once when I was small, but I have no recollection)

37. Get back to running – 5km MAX.
This is the one I am having the hardest time letting go of. But injuries, and a less than cooperative body mean I need to say goodbye.
Replaced by: Make a set of drinking vessels

41. Learn to pick a lock
Sure, it seems like a cool party trick. Do I need a cool party trick though?
Replaced by: Short holiday in a van / campervan #vanlife

45. Do something momentous for each birthday
This one was inspired by spontaneously climbing Satan Mountain for my 50th.
These days I’m definitely more about the quiet, relaxed and restful. Maybe a quiet lunch somewhere nice?
Replaced by: Take a photo of the sky every day for a year

49. Cook one new recipe from each of our cookbooks + 10% of recipes I’ve bookmarked (currently 154 in bookmarks)
Have culled most bookmarks and quite a few cookbooks. I want to try new recipes when I’m inspired by them – not to some sort of insane regular schedule.
Replaced by: Learn to weave

56. learn to tie complicated knots
Another of those “why did I want to do this?”. I think it was just making up the numbers.
Replaced by: Get a tiny tattoo – this one is 99.97% certain not to make it through the next review!

♥

REVISED | CLARIFIED

30. Knit a hat for each member of the family
Make something special for each member of the family
The knitting vibe has left me. It may return, but I’m allowing myself some flexibility.

♥

I’m keeping the spontaneous holiday at #60, because who knows where the world will be in 2027?

Currently a covid shitshow here.

Numbers are increasing rapidly, people have been queuing for 8-10 hours for PCR tests and often being turned away. Results have been taking up to a week or more to get back.

Now there’s been a pivot away from formal PCR tests to self-administered Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) because the systems just can’t keep up. It used to be that if you had a positive RAT, you were required to have a PCR test to confirm and you’d be monitored by NSW Health. No longer – now you just kind of manage yourself. And positive cases from RATs aren’t currently recorded – though this will change next week.

eeep – numbers don’t include those self-administered tests

To add extra spice, there is a shortage of RATs – they sell out quickly and are almost impossible to locate. And when you do manage to find them, they cost quite a bit – 2 for AU$30 is probably the cheapest I’ve seen.

In NSW we’re required to use a government app to check in wherever we go. The app then alerts you if a positive case was in the same location so you can watch for symptoms or take other actions as directed. Given the current numbers, everywhere you go there’s a case, so checking in will be phased out at the end of the month.

when too many supermarkets are barely enough

Two guys in my team have now had it, both double-vaxxed super-fit gym bunnies – the first was wrecked and very, very ill; the second “luckily, not even in the top 20 worst colds of my life”. Most of Bessie’s boyfriend’s family tested positive during the week.

Surely only a matter of time before it visits us. Hopefully will be mild when it does.

Boosters have only just become widely available. Most people were not originally eligible because of the huge delay in rolling out the first vaccinations. Don had his booster yesterday, I have mine next Friday and the Babies in early February.

♥

Of course all this has started to impact supply chains and empty supermarket shelves are starting to reflect it. Surely a very bumpy January and February ahead.

Lots of “Ride the Wave” and “Let it rip” and “Live with the virus” rhetoric from the Federal and State leaders and not a teensy bit of planning or preparation to actually “live with it” – just kind of hoping it will all magically go away? Or that we will be distracted by lunatic tennis players?

There’s a point that you realise that those governing us have even less idea of what they’re doing than you could ever have conceived.

I definitely need to remove myself from the news for a bit.

♥

And next up in the family not-resolutions: Bessie!

2021 review:

1. Complete a difficult bake (i.e. trifle)
I don’t think I did a “difficult” bake this year because there was so many lockdowns and no one to feed. But did learn to a lot of Dairy Free baking, which has a learning curve to it

2. Take better care of my skin, teeth, and hair
My skin, yes. Have started a good skincare regime and I’ve been sticking to it. The other two I have had to do self manage more than I would like because of lockdowns but I think I’ve still been doing a good job .

3. Every 2 months do something I find challenging (cooking, creative, problem solving)
I have no idea whether I did this or not, I think starting a new job in lockdown, was the most challenging thing I did this year. And have had to do a lot of creative challenges in that.

4. Once a month do something creative that isn’t related to work
Probably not once a month, but definitely did creative work just for fun or as presents, especially since getting my iPad

5. Journal once a week
Definitely not.

And for 2022

1. Embrace Analog (take film photos, journal/scrapbook, crafting, etc)
2. Move apartments
3. Go on a holiday that’s longer than a weekend (I haven’t had one since 2017)
4. Learn some more dairy free baking recipes
5. Actually go to the doctor about different issues I’m having instead of just dealing with it

♥

Bessie’s previous not-resolutions:
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

It wouldn’t be January without the Family Not-resolutions! Now in Year 12!

Explainer: At the beginning of each year, I coerce everyone into nominating 5 things they’d possibly, maybe like to accomplish in the coming year – no pressure.

Some of the family are ever-so-slightly more willing to participate in this than others, but we get there in the end.

♥

First up – it’s Joan!

now a mrs

Maybe we will get to finally see her in 2022? But who knows in these uncertain times?

Hopefully it’s not another 3.5 years!

♥

2021 review:

1. Add five new dishes to my cooking repertoire
I think I did this, there are some new meals in my repertoire. I made my first potato gratin and pumpkin soup last month!

2. Do some sort of physical activity at least every second day
Erm, depends on how you define physical activity

3. Earn some money, somehow
I think I get about A$6 of interest from bank accounts each month so I’m kind of rolling in it

4. Sort out my photo library
This was a complete fail

5. Go to Australia at some point
Hahahaha

And for 2022

1. Become a cat mum
2. Reach B1 level in German
3. Find a job
4. Take a nice trip for my first anniversary in August
5. Sort out my photo library

♥

Joan’s previous not-resolutions:
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

january 03: 8:53am – spot the tiny plane

I’ve been spending a little time ruminating about what I want from this year.

I touched on this last year, but I’m kind of over my very internal harsh task master – depriving myself of things and KPIing my life. I want more ease and joy.

With that in mind – 22 small and simple things I want to do in the coming year.

01.   Use the things!
        The crystal, the china, the stuff I’ve made – don’t save things for best.
02.   Put my feet in the sea
        I’ve been wanting to do this for over a year.
03.   Buy more indoor plants
        For a long while I was an indoor plant hater, now I’m not.
04.   30 days of Yoga With Adrienne in January
        Non-culty and joyful.
05.   Achieve Big Financial Goal
        Mortgage milestone in August / September – keep eyes on that prize!
06.   Use my dremel.
        Don bought this for me over 15 years ago.
        Don has used it, Joan has used it, I’ve never used it.
07.   Choose the loving action.
        Resist my inclination to deprive myself in the name of self-improvement.
        Quell that negative and extremely critical inner voice.
08.   Try/learn one new skill each month
        Can be big, can be tiny. Definitely can’t be work-related!
09.   More music through speakers in ThePalace(OLove) on working days.
        I’m so over wearing headphones!
        I love music, I don’t listen anywhere near enough.
10.   Show support financially to creators I believe in
        via patreon or paid newsletters or buying music on bandcamp.
        I want to live in a world where creative endeavours are supported!
11.   Take myself on an adventure in the goget (car share).
        I signed up at the beginning of 2021 to get out and about when Don has the car.
        Didn’t get out and about. This year I will make it so.
12.   Attend another sound bath
        I finally did this in late December after wanting to for ages.
        It was quite a ride.
13.   Take a photo of the sky every day.
14.   Stay in the country for a weekend.
15.   Update supportive footwear.
        Part of my quest to regain physical health. That ankle needs all the help it can get.
16.   Have a serious crack at meditation.
17.   Go for a morning swim in the local pool
        I’ve lived within walking distance for almost 10 years and have never been.
        Just one swim is fine.
18.   Have a Reiki session.
        Because why not?
19.   Disrupt the daily routine at least once a week.
        While there is comfort in it, it becomes boring and I feel stuck.
20.   Cultivate a healthier relationship with work
        Work takes up way, way too much of my non-work brain-space.
21.   Get a haircut/trim
        As much as I want to see how long it will get, it’s becoming pretty unwieldy.
22.   Experiment! Tiny experiments with all sorts of things!

I’ve a mind to take a daily photograph of the sky this year.

january 01: 7:04am

As with many projects, this may not last.

♥

Well here we are, 2022.

2021 really was a bit of a blur – obviously this was not because of the action-packed, rock-and-roll lifestyle I led, but more because one day was very much like another. Especially those 110(ish) days in lockdown.

If (when?) we’re locked down again, I hope to come at it with a more intention – embracing more nurturing activities like reading fiction and crafting, rather than numbing myself with endless doom scrolling and hate reading.

The break so far has been quite peaceful and restorative – unfortunately there’s been a distinct absence of naps though, which obviously needs remedying.

My first experiments in concreting left me with a bunch of lessons learned, much room for improvement – and some actually useful items!

Using cling wrap was a disaster – it was far too delicate and got quite stuck into the concrete and then took an age to remove. Next time I’ll use thicker plastic, oil up the interior pieces or use items I’m happy to throw away.

On with the reveal …

Reasonably successful:

I’m quite pleased with the tealight holders – they are a little more organic than I was anticipating, but I kind of like it. Had to go hard with the sandpaper because of the cling wrap, but will definitely make another set.

I love the bases and am plotting how I can make these the tops.

♥

The house! I really love it. Again I thought I wanted sharp, clean edges, but I kind of dig the imperfections.

And I absolutely adore that completely unintended line separating the roof!

I’m planning to keep it in this ikea cloche for a bit and gaze at it.

Ooooh – seeing it like this makes me think I could surround it with wee lights!

Wait here …

yes! though possibly needs twinkling lights

♥

And the less successful:

I love the pink swirl in this one. I also love the exterior shape. The inside, however, was a complete disaster. I used a toilet roll insert wrapped in cling wrap, the cling wrap didn’t hold tight and the cardboard cylinder pierced the base and is still half embedded and impossible to remove.

I’ve been wondering what to do with those too large bangles from my resin class – they could top a concrete pink swirly vase pretty nicely I think. I’ll be experimenting to take this idea a bit further!

I thought I’d love the shape of this next one (right of the right image), but I really don’t.

Wrapping the candle in bubble wrap and cling wrap was much less successful than I had hoped. Despite my efforts at wrapping, water seeped in and damaged the candle I was using to shape the hole. And the bubble wrap left it pretty misshapen.

I do like the shiny exterior though.

♥

Lessons for next time:
+ do not use cling wrap!
+ do not use objects that could be damaged by moisture for the hole shape!
+ experiment with shiny tops
+ more pink swirls
+ tape totally works to hold milk cartons together
+ you like organic shapes than you think you do

♥

Onward to experiments #2 …