When I make lists, I sometimes like to include things I’ve recently accomplished, so I can have some items already crossed off the list to start. If I do that, I’m at least a little more likely to accomplish what makes up the rest of the list. Except that there will almost always be one or two things that end up uncompleted, because there’s something about finishing everything that kinda freaks me out and leaves me wondering if I’ll end up in trouble for being too efficient.

So – to that end – he’s my list for the new year, in no particular order. Resolutions, things to accomplish, wishes, self-absorbed thoughts – whatever you want to call them, I don’t care. In the end, it’s just a list (with a few things crossed off and a couple things that can safely remain undone, for good measure)…
Become a *True *Security Geek – like in an “I grok security” kind of way. Involves certifications and some formal training as well as a demonstrated bloggarific slant toward this area. I have the title, and I have some good experience to apply, now it’s time to really, really fit the bill.- Dump Dish Network and flush them down the toilet – I am all about HDTV now, and even though I recently acquired Dish Network's HD-PVR receiver, and it’s better than the older receivers in some ways, Dish has regularly screwed its customers with promised made and not kept. For example, in mid-2004 they promised the receiver I just bought would support record-by-name in a future software update, by the end of 2004. Then right after I bought mine they announced it would not be supported. So much for the single reason I bought this receiver. Plus their HD channels are way too few. VOOM is my best guess at where I’ll end up moving (no cable TV out here in The Middle of Nowhere), but not until something, somewhere becomes truly viable for the rural TV watcher in HD mode. Dish Network doesn’t keep its resolutions, so I am making one to dump them straight on their asses, unless something drastically changes.
Media-Center the crap out of my house – This ties into the Dump Dish Network line item… I - Buy a Mac – I have written about this before, and more and more I am still leaning that direction… Probably a notebook model, but we’ll see. It’s the cash outlay that’s held me back thus far, and the possibility of a headless desktop model is intriguing. Besides, my mom just told me that they plan to buy one for Jack, her husband, so (she tells me) I “really need to get one” so I can support theirs. Hmmm, something a bit sideways about this thought process… Haha…

  • Pod-/Audio-/Video-Cast stuff that matters – In keeping with the rest of my multimedia resolutions, I will blog in forms other than (but not in place of) the written word.
  • Get Married – Because I have to have at least one completely unrealistic (yet on my list of things I would like to have happen in life) thing remain unaccomplished at the end of the year. Heh.
  • Take care of my back – I ended 2004 with lower back surgery and a subsequent recovery that became extremely painful a few days after the surgery. I’ve dealt with this pain for so long, I am willing to do almost anything to make sure it goes away and stays away.
    Remember My Friends (ongoing, done once so far - not bad for the first day!) – I have experienced so many great examples in 2004 of how terrific my friends are. From the two friends who just stayed at home with me 24/7 after my surgery and an unexpectedly painful recovery to my terrific neighbors - who can only be accurately described as a God-send, as well as a bunch of others from work, church and elsewhere who make my day on a regular basis, I have so much to be grateful for, and so much to give back.Update the Cops on Top Web Site (done, woo-hoo!) – so it works the way its supposed to and doesn’t rely on broken java menus. Cops on Top is a non-profit organization of volunteers, mostly law enforcement officers, who undertake mountaineering expeditions to the most respected and greatest mountains in the world, with each expedition made in the memory of an officer killed in the line of duty. It’s an amazing organization that I have had the privilege of serving for the past few years, and I now serve on the board of directors of the non-profit corporation. I’m also resolving to improve the site and its ability to be easily updated by climbers in the field via text message, camera/mobile phone, email, or satellite telephone. Can anyone say “blog?” Yeah, man.- Climb a Mountain – I hope to climb Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, as part of a team with Cops on Top that is mounting an expedition in late summer 2005. I used to work as a cop, back in the day, and while I have worked with the organization for some time, I have never participated in an expedition with them. Once my back is healed I hope to be able to do this.
    Help Others (done, but not finished) – ‘Tis better to give than to receive… and I will continue to do my part to support organizations and people in need, and to encourage others to do the same. I put it on this list only because I hope that one other person will also makes this resolution.