Date: 7-17-2014

Due Date: 7-17-2015

Resolution: As a crazy person I've always been interested in techniques created to manipulate the mind. Whether it's drugs and alcohol, meditation, or hypnosis I'm interested in anything that promises to shift reality.

So far drugs and alcohol seem to be the only tool that works for me.

As you can see from my lack of updates of Resolution #44, I've yet to figure out meditation. I think the problem is that the goal of meditation is to shut down the mind and find inner peace in the silence. My head is far too active for this.

I have no plans to give up on meditation but I think it's time to figure out another approach. I like the idea of using self-hypnosis as a form of meditation because it's an active technique. Rather than silencing your thoughts, self-hypnosis is an attempt to control your own thoughts.

I don't know if hypnotism actually works. I'm skeptical but interested. At one point in my life, I went to a hypnotherapist. It was nice, but all it felt like was a regular therapy session with my eyes closed. I never felt anything magical so I never returned.

I have my doubts that anything will come from this, but I'm hoping to stumble into a meditation technique that works for me in the process.

We'll see what happens.

Date: 7-18-2014

Due Date: 7-18-2015

Resolution: A couple of years ago I discovered the documentary We the Tiny House People. I've obsessed over the idea of living in one of these humble abodes ever since. I currently live in a tiny apartment and feel it's all the space I need. Hell, I don't even use the bedroom.

I think my fascination started when I was in middle school. I took over the family garage as my bedroom. I had a paper route at the time so I could afford to turn it into my own studio apartment of sorts.

I guess I must be trying to recapture this tiny sanctuary because I've gone on to live in garages multiple times in my life. Either that or roommate situations where I had everything I needed in a tiny bedroom within a big house. Granted I partied in the shared spaces, but I could have easily gotten by living in my room.

Then I lived in a two-bedroom place all by myself. Though I loved the living situation I never figured out what to do with all the space.

At first, I set up the whole place; a living room, bedroom, and office. I found myself living in the office and neglecting the rest of the space. I eventually moved the office into the living room to recreate that studio feel. The rest of the place did nothing but collected laundry and garbage.

It turns out, I desire tiny simple places and now that I'm learning to draw I think it's time to depict my perfect home on paper.

Date: 7-19-2014

Due Date: 7-19-2015

Resolution: I've been reading at least a half-hour a day for the past several months. I always liked the idea of reading but I'm so slow because of my dyslexic head. It seems that I've gotten better at coping with the disorder through my years of writing, but I'm still slow.

Over the next year I will test one speed reading book, one speed reading video, and speed reading software to see if any of these will have a technique to quench my need... my need for speed... for speed when I read.

Alright, I'm just rambling now.

Date: 7-20-2014

Due Date: 7-20-2015

Resolution: When I was a kid I was fascinated with the idea that you could start a fire by rubbing two sticks together. I would often try by grabbing two random sticks, holding them like a crucifix, and rubbing them together like a mental patient.

I never even got a spark.

I thought this crucifix technique was a common convention in cartoons. Yet, when I went to find an image for this post all I could find were images of this spinning technique.

That must be what I was doing wrong.

Either way, my goal for the year is to start a fire naturally without the use of a lighter or a match just so that I'll know that I can.

Date: 7-21-2014

Due Date: 7-21-2015

Resolution: My job has an incentive program where you earn points by tracking your fitness. These points can be turned in for store credits. The maximum you can earn is $150 and I plan to do so within a year by continuing to work on my health through these resolutions.

Date: 7-22-2014

Due Date: 7-22-2015

Resolution: Now that I'm learning to draw as part of Resolution #173 I know that I'm eventually going to want to add a little color to my work. The biggest thing I've noticed is just how important shading is to make an image pop. I can only imagine what my sketches will look like with both shading AND color.

I guess I can do more than only imagine.

And that's why I'm here.

I figure rather than ruin any of my masterpieces, during this period of learning and experimentation, I'd wet my whistle by ruining someone else's art.

Actually, I'm going to try my hardest to make these published images look their best as I research and practice staying within the lines with a steady hand and some style.

Mainly I just want an excuse to color and play in an activity/coloring book for adults.

Date: 7-23-2014

Due Date: 7-23-2015

Resolution: Now that I've been playing chess on a daily basis as part of Resolution #188 I figure is time to actually learn how to play the game with a strategy in mind. My current method of play is nothing more than trial and error.

This method of play has led me to a record of 4-9-3.

Since I have at least 349 games to go to fulfill Resolution #188, I may as well start actually learning the game sooner rather than later. Being that I am new to the game I figure why not start with a lesson designed for children.

Actually, I went to Amazon.com to find a mature chess tutorial program and was drawn to the Fritz and Chesster program that promises to teach winning strategies through chess-themed carnival games.

And here we are today.

Date: 7-24-2014

Due Date: 7-24-2015

Resolution: I think the title of this resolution says it all.

Now that I have growing confidence in my ability to draw, I need a project to put this new skill to work. Being that I'm also interested in animation, I figure creating a flipbook would be a perfect project to start with.

Date: 7-25-2014

Due Date: 7-25-2015

Resolution: A couple of years ago, I bought a rudimentary silk screening kit. I had an idea for a shirt I wanted to make to promote a project I was working on. Said project got back burnered as did my interest in shirt designing.

I don't necessarily have an idea for a shirt right now but who knows?

I figure since I'm getting more and more into visual arts, I'm bound to come up with something that's t-shirt worthy. Better yet, something that's hoodie worthy.

Maybe someday I'll get good enough to become another a-hole with an online t-shirt shop.

Date: 7-26-2014

Due Date: 7-26-2015

Resolution: I don't dream all that often. When I do, just like everyone else, I awake thinking, "Damn, that would make a great story." I'm then able to run through the events of the dream one last time before it disappears into the ether.

Date: 7-27-2014

Due Date: 7-27-2015

Resolution: I took electronics as an elective back in high school. It was one of the few classes I did really well in. In fact, I aced it. Our grade was based on our top four out of five tests. Being that I got 100% on the first four, I didn't even have to take the final exam.

Unfortunately, I never had any guidance in my life and never even thought of going into electrical engineering. I just wanted to get out of school so I took the A+ and never touched a soldering iron again.

That is until last night when I built my very own Useless Box.

In Resolution #70 I vowed to build a personalized Useless Box. Now I just need to figure out what I want the box to do and how I can make that happen.

Rather than going to some boring book to refresh my knowledge of electronics, I figured I'd buy this toy and put together all 300 projects. I'm hoping this will not only get me back into thinking about how circuitry works but that it'll also trigger ideas for features to add to my Useless Box.

Date: 7-28-2014

Due Date: 7-28-2015

Resolution: I've never been all that interested in crime. I have, however, always had some interest in learning how to pick locks. I think the fantasy to pick locks stems from a desire for freedom by any means and not to have a tool to acquire undeserved goods. Plus it would be cool to be the guy who's, "Got this," in the case of a legitimate lockout.

Within the next year, I plan to learn to pick at least three kinds of locks… a pad-lock… a door-knob… and a pair of handcuffs.

Date: 7-29-2014

Due Date: 7-29-2015

Resolution: In general I'm of the school of thought that there's no real need to make your bed on a daily basis. You're just going to mess it up when you go to bed. I developed this logic when my bed was located in a bedroom.

Sure I'd make it when I thought there might be a chance I'd have a visitor but for the most part, both I and my bed were left undone.

My bed is currently in the living room because I prefer to live in a studio with an art room than a boring one-bedroom apartment with a bedroom.

Since I started cleaning my apartment on a weekly basis, as part of Resolution #46, I've become somewhat of a tidy person. I wouldn't go eating anything off my floors, but I no longer let my place get to the point where I am as overwhelmed by the clutter.

The first thing I do every Sunday is to make my bed. That alone is usually enough to make it look like my job is almost done. Once the bed is made it's just a matter of picking up laundry, doing the dishes, wiping down the flat surfaces, and vacuuming.

As a baby step to get to the point where my apartment is tidy all the time, I'm going to start by making my bed on a daily basis or at least try not to mess it up nightly basis in my sleep.

Date: 7-30-2014

Due Date: 7-0-2015

Resolution: I currently brush on a daily basis but only floss randomly or if something is irritating my teeth. I've never been all that good at sticking to healthy habits but I've been finding this resolution stunt has been a very effective tool.

Starting today I will use this site as a tool to get me to start taking better care of my teeth. Though I doubt there will be many updates, the checklist that's part of my Daily Breaker page will be enough pressure to keep me going.

Date: 7-31-2014

Due Date: 7-31-2015

Resolution: Being that I work retail my days off vary quite a bit. Most of the time "My Sunday" is a Tuesday and sometimes it's an actual Sunday. Back when I worked office jobs with more time for computer slacking I became a fan of crossword puzzles.

I haven't had an office job or completed a crossword puzzle in years.

This will be the year that I revisit one of my favorite procrastinating past times by turning it into a hobby. Every time I have two days off in a row, I will hunt down a Sunday crossword puzzle to complete on "my Sunday."

Date: 8-1-2014

Due Date: 8-1-2015

Resolution: For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, how? How could you not know what I'm talking about? When I was a kid, The Kid 'n Play jump through your own leg move was the most amazing thing on the planet.

It had to have withstood the test of time.

For those of you who still don't know what I'm talking about. This is a dance move where you grab your foot with your hand. This creates a hoop with your arm and your leg. You then jump through the hoop with your other leg.

I have a couple of friends who can pull this off, but the closest I've ever come was for comedic effect. I'd grab my foot with my hand, then instead of jumping through the created hoop, I'd release my foot and quickly bring it to the back and grab it again to give the illusion that I pulled off the stunt.

Well, I'm tired of pretending.

This is going to be the year that I finally pull off the real Kid n' Play jump through your own leg move.

Date: 8-2-2014

Due Date 8-2-2015

Resolution: At some point within the year I'm going to buy an all-access weekend pass to ride as many forms of public transportation Seattle has to offer.

I will then walk out of my apartment and hop on the first bus I see.

To keep it random I will never give out my location but ask questions like; Right or Left? How many stops before I get off the bus? Should I get on an odd or even-numbered bus? And so forth and so on until I end up in the middle of Timbuktu.

Though I will be silent and secretive on the day, I'll be sure to take plenty of notes and pictures to share upon my return.

Date: 8-3-2014

Due Date: 8-3-2015

Resolution: I currently have two lessons left from You Can Draw in 30 Days, the book I'm using to learn to draw as part of Resolution #173.

It turns out, I really love to draw.

I'm still not that good at it, so I plan to always have a how-to-draw resolution until I figure it out.

My next how-to book will be Why Measure? The 10 Day Portrait Drawing Crash Course.

Date: 8-4-2014

Due Date: 8-4-2015

Resolution: As part of Resolution #50 I've been watching the Top 100 Movies of All Time according to the American Film Institute. Though I think it's valid when it comes to the history of film, I'm personally not a fan of most of the films that make up the list.

That's why I decided to make up a list of my own.

One year from today I will reveal my list of the Top 100 Movies of All Time.

Be prepared to disagree with a lot of my choices.

Date: 8-5-2014

Due Date: 8-5-2015

Resolution: So I've found that I really enjoy drawing. It's still new to me so I'm going to need some more practice. I've also found that I'm really good at sticking to a daily routine when I turn it into a resolution. Therefore, I'm going to resolve to draw a picture a day for an entire year to guarantee I'll practice.