@Uncle:
Probably my most successful resolution. I've been working out five days a week for the past several months and have made definitive progress getting stronger. Starting out, I could only bench with two 25's on each side (pathetically weak) but now I bench with 55's on each side and at a decline (and could bench more if I wanted to). I started out doing dumbbell benches with 40 lbs. I've since peaked at 70 lbs. Wanna get up to 80's by the end of the year if possible.
At the start, working out for over an hour I literally felt like passing out and had to retire on at least three occassions. Now my endurance is superb. I've also been taking supplements for my work out goals: protein, lechithen, l-carnitine and megavitamins. So I'd say my health is above average at this point. In the gym, I'd say I'm in the top 20 most likely.
Failed this one miserably recently. I honestly forgot it was a resolution but luckily, since then, I've resolved to be a more positive person. If nothing else, I'll keep this one in mind for the rest of the year.
- Write at least 10 chapters of TB
… Still at zero. Though I've resolved to write a new chapter(ish) by the end of this month. I'm probably not going to succeed at this resolution but I want to at least attempt it.
- Get paid for at least 1 article
Also still a bust. Though this one is notably easier than the previous resolution on my list so I'm pretty confident I'll get it done before the end of the year.
- Improve the fuck out of Smash Con
In my previous post I said that I had a falling out with the owner (and main organizer) of Smash Con. We've since then patched things up and are on relatively good terms again. So… I've yet to actually do much in order to improve the con. But we've both agreed for me to completely take over the online community (which doesn't exist at this moment in time) and I'm planning on upgrading the forums to vBulletin (the same server this forum is hosted on) as well as paying for online advertisements ala Google Ads and such.
Despite my absence, though, Smash Con has grown to be one of the largest conventions in the South and is expected to become the largest in the near future. Right now it takes in profits of about $6,000 a year but is projected (through expansions and raising prices) that it will begin making $32,000 a year. And this is without factoring in the effects of having an online community.
So I do intend to see those projections come to pass AND surpass expectations.
- Become a better player at 64 Smash
Double check. I've been ranked third best in Louisiana for some time now but recently I've been having the edge over the second best and have begun serious training to take on world tier players. I can beat all of the second best's high-tier characters and have a very decent win-loss ratio with the best player. We're all intending to fight and train with Moogle (a professional that has fought Isai, the world champion, on multiple occassions) and taking our Smash prowess to a new level.
We're also intending on going to Apex in New Jersey, which is one of the largest smash conventions in the United States. Most of the well-known world tier professionals are going to be there, including Isai and superboom (second best in the world).
- Move into an apartment either alone or with someone
Better than that, I may be moving into a house soon. Not sure yet if I'll be alone or have a roommate but I'm looking at two foreclosed houses right now: one is $22,000 and is a 4-bedroom house worth $100,000 and the other is a $10,000 house (though I'm not sure of all the specs of that one).
In any case, I expect this resolution to be acheived by the end of the year.
- Get started on clearing my debt
Haven't made much progress on this one since my last post since I've freezed making payments on my debt. Whenever I get called off-shore, I'll resume payments again and try to make up for time lost. Although, I have gotten started on clearing it so I suppose this one is a check.
- Get a job or make money some way
Found employment with Sonic at the beginning of the year and worked there for seven months. Now I'm employed by ESS Support Services Worldwide (a cattering company) and should be making around $1,800 every three weeks whenever I get called for a hitch.
A friend of mine that works in crabbing has also told me that several Mexican workers are planning on quitting in December so jobs will open up there. The pay starts out at around $650 per week but my friend is making $1,000 a week now after only a month of working there. I was thinking about working there seasonally (in between hitches) or possibly full-time if I don't get called off-shore soon.
I was also attached to a temp agency for a while that would frequently call me about available jobs. All of them are 12-hour jobs and pay $120 a day before taxes. Was thinking of calling them up again while I'm waiting around.
- Work towards not being such a lazy asshole
I've been keeping my resolutions in mind all year long and have resolved to do more with my life and aspire to do more. I want to accomplish all of my resolutions and keep up the momentum for the future.