Another f*cking Red Eye

Two weeks in a row. I'm beat.

#4: Choose my battles

While I think I've done a pretty good job of this at work, home with my boyfriend is another story.

Take for instance today. I had scheduled our dog trainer to come back for a follow up session. I asked Scott (said boyfriend) for his preferred date, and confirmed it once set. As recently as last week he told me he wanted the trainer to come back and refresh us, and I reminded him Tom the trainer was coming this Friday.

"Good", he said.

Today, Scott tells me he has to go up to the lake to pick up his new toy--a jet ski--and that he might not make it back for training. Given his request, the confirmation, the fact that he is less consistent with the training, and is in general more annoyed at our puppy's behavior than I, was a little put off by this. OK, a lot.

I told him this behavior frustrated me and that I was disappointed. He told me he was frustrated because he wanted to have "fun". Seriously.

Was I wrong to be angry, I don't know. But these situations are so frequent, and I try my hardest to just be patient, but at the same time know that I don't say anything it will continue. Thus, battle picking is NOT my strength.

I know you can't change a man (and for any of you ladies thinking otherwise, think again), but c'mon. I want to have fun?

And I want a ring.

#7: Eat Healthier

I've been doing this. Really. Having Fiber One for breakfast, and then yogurt and fruit for lunch or a protein shake (after I condemned Scott for taking the guy at GNC seriously--I eat my words, sorry honey). In the evenings, I try to make a healthy meal, typically with no carbs.

I am counting calories--and I am not the type of person who considers this a practical exercise. But it is truly amazing how many calories are in each meal. Things you think are healthy--not so much.

Unfortunately, booze pack on those pounds, thus I've also cut out the drinking. At least for a week. This is quite possibly the most difficult part of this entire exercise. That, and the fact that I love to eat out.

Balance must be achieved.

#19: Cut down on travel for work

Seeing as I am sitting in the Crown Room in Seattle awaiting a red eye back to Atlanta--this is so not happening. Yes, I'd rather sleep next to a stranger on a 6-hour flight than spend the night in a hotel and lose an ENTIRE DAY of year 31.

This is one of those down right ridiculous goals. I know I have to travel for work. But I'd like to learn to start saying no a little more often. Some of these trips are frivilous fire drills, and you can only "explore" the same city so many times before you decide hotel pay per view movies are the best way to chilax.

Travel for work is a good example of things you think are glamorous until you get what you ask for.

Like a career in advertising.

31 Things to Do Before 32

Let's start with #32 (it doesn't really count): Start a blog about this list (thank you Karin).

Being a natural, if not neurotic, list maker, below are action items for the year 2008. Some of these so called goals are quite attainable, others very lofty, and some down right ridiculous.

A wise man once told me "no one ever plans to fail, they only fail to plan". Consider this my strategic roadmap to bliss at 32.

1) Keep going to the gym

2) Maintain stable frame of mind

3) Keep in touch with friends & family

4) Choose my battles

5) Save more money

6) Commit to using eye cream (UPDATE-DONE!)

7) Eat healthier (UPDATE: Progress, progress...)

8) Thus, stop eating out so much

9) Potty train Gizmo (UPDATE: Sooo CLOSE!)

10) Relax

11) Explore the possibilities

12) Start my book

13) Remember everyone's birthday (UPDATE: So far so good)

14) Remember everyone's anniversary

15) Stop paying for convenience

16) Do my own taxes (UPDATE-DONE!)

17) Plant flowers in the springtime (UPDATE-DONE!)

18) Read at least 15 books

19) Cut down on travel for work (NOT GOING TO HAPPEN)

20) See a dermatologist

21) Find a better dentist

22) Try not to be sick

23) Have more girl time (ACCOMPLISHED--at least through April!)

24) Learn to make a mean vodka sauce

25) Get engaged (or become single)

26) Master the social networks

27) Celebrate my sister's wedding

28) Have more me time

29) Stop biting my nails (UPDATE: DONE!)

30) Buy a house (UPDATE: SCOTT SAYS NO)

31) Understand and embrace how fortunate I really am.