things i want to do in 2013

Already, some of you lovely folks have offered to help out with some of the things on my list. I will most definitely be taking you up on those offers, many times over.

In that spirit, one of the primary places I could use some buddies is in the theater-going habit. Perhaps it seems silly to create a goal pertaining to how many movies I will go see in the theater, but I like it. Going to the movies the old-fashioned way is something that easily slips through the cracks, something that I seem to let slide and won’t do for months at a time. However, I also know that when I finally get there, it is good for my soul.

It was first at movie theaters as a kid where I fell in love with movies to begin with. There is a magic in sitting in community (especially when one is fortunate enough to be graced with a great co-audience), as the lights go down and the previews roll that cannot be recreated in the living room, no matter how great the home entertainment system. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Little Mermaid, Jurassic Park, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights are among my early theater memories, adding extra power to the movie-watching experience. As far as audiences go, I know there are films I enjoyed more because of how great the folks in the theater with me were. It’s pretty great when you find yourself watching a movie with a few hundred other people who get the same subtle jokes and love the same moments. Wonderful.

Anyway, it’s a lot harder to get myself to the theater when I have to do it alone. I’m way behind the needed pace to see the 36 movies I aim to see. I’m not against going to the movies alone, but it is far easier to get my ass to the theater if I have partners in crime.  

So, are there able-minded folks out there willing to join me in some movie joy?

Here are ten movies coming up in April and May that I want to catch in the theater (not including films that came out before this weekend):

1. Trance
   
2. Upstream Color
3. 42 
4. To The Wonder
5. Oblivion
6. Mud 
7. Iron Man 3 
8. The Great Gatsby 
9. Star Trek Into Darkness 
10. Before Midnight 

I suppose April is a bit late to start sharing the stuff I want to do in 2013. Better late than never? Every year I make a list of stuff I want to try to do over the course of the year, that way I can look at it from time to time to offer me some motivation to get cracking on my goals as the months pass by.

Some are purely story based, i.e. movie or book related. Some are more concrete and harder to accomplish. They aren’t vague resolutions, like “Get In Shape!” Instead, they are specific, like “Run a 10k” and “Run a 24 Minute 5k.”

I’ve decided to share the list with you, because that will add a bit of added impetus to get this stuff done. Some are personal, but whatever, here’s to throwing caution to the wind! I think I’ll offer more specific updates eventually, and go a bit deeper into a few, but for now, here is the list so far:

1. Read 52 Books [As of this writing, I’ve read 14.]
2. Finish My Integrative Project
3. Complete My MDiv
4. Watch 250 Movies [I’m behind on this one, 62 as of this writing.]
5. Find a Way to Afford Therapy Again
6. Start Blogging Consistently Again [Check!]
7. Finish ‘Trigger Fiction’
8. Run a 24 Minute 5K
9. Run a 10K [Did this for the first time last week.]
10. Try to Publish Something
11. Finish Writing a Novel
12. Organize The Basement [It was in rough shape, but I’ve made really great progress so far!]
13. Come Up with a Legit Halloween Costume, Also, Attend or Host a Big Halloween Party
14. See 36 Movies in the Theater
15. Actively Work to Get Medicated [In process, but there’s definitely been an improvement!]
16. Attempt Karaoke
17. Get Weight Back Into the 160’s
18. Buy a New Suit
19. Master Five Cocktails, Along With Their Common Variations
20. Run An Officially Timed 5K
21. Work Full-Time [Conventionally or Unconventionally]
22. Complete Two+ DIY Projects
23. Host Six Parties and Six Dinners
24. Leave the Continent [We’re going to Scotland and England with Em’s family in July.]
25. Finish Patronizing All Downtown Ballard Restaurants

There are a few things I want to add, things related to concerts and whatnot, but for now, there is the 2013 To Do List. I also made one for my 30’s for my birthday last year, so I’ll share that one soon, too.