November gets me over the halfway mark with only 3.5 months left. So there is a lot to accomplish in a short span of time. I might be coming to some of you guys for help with getting the rest accomplished and/or substituting out certain items. That, or I could just procrastinate until March, and then cram like I used to do for all my English papers in undergrad.
30. attend a writing class/workshop
I looked up all kinds of online writing classes because I figured such a format would fit both the schedule and the budget. And somehow, every single class I found proved to be anything but conducive to either.
So I made this item on my list work by watching a few TED Talks on writing poetry. It's a genre I dabble in and enjoy reading when I want experience someone else's profound way of thinking in shortened verse. But what I really want to learn is how to write a full book and get it published. Preferably non-fiction, if I'm being honest. Where exactly does one start their research on getting published when writing a book is a life goal?
I don't know. Maybe I'll just write the book first and then ask around. In response to the TED Talk videos I watched, I ended up writing another poem. It's called Tuesday flannel, and it's the post previous to this one. It's about my grandfather who passed away last year. I've been missing him a lot recently.
37. have boudoir photos taken
You're just going to have to trust that I did this one. The viewing of such photos was reserved for VIPs only. But I will proudly say that I rigged the whole sesh myself because I could not justify spending $3K+ on photos of me in discount undies.
So yeah. I found myself a great outdoor location, mounted my iPhone on one of those ring lights every social media influencer uses for promoting seasonal clothing or drinks at Starbucks, and put I myself in poses I found via Pinterest. I didn't spend any money on filters, either. I allowed Instagram to help me in that department, and then I told the app to save my pics without actually sharing them. (Thankful for THAT function!) And having spent some time as a photographer several years ago, the pics turned out far from shitty.
I love the pics. Probably going to put them in a small album and look back on them when I'm gray and my tattoos are wrinkly, and I'll think, "Just look at that badass in her Timberlands."
You're just going to have to trust me on this one. ;)
38. run a trail 5K race
I'd like to say that I trained for weeks in preparation for this. But I didn't even come close. Sure, I run when I can. I just typically allow myself to tap out before the second mile because my right knee hurts or a neighborhood cat stared me down.
So I literally decided on the last day of November that I was just going to do it: run 5 full kilometers at UGA's Intramural Fields where most of the folks out practicing soccer or running the trails themselves were half my age. With it being late fall, the trails were a bit slippery from the fallen leaves. But there was some remaining color on the trees, and the lake there was so serene. It made for a very peaceful run despite my knees telling me to kindly fuck off with this sudden act of aggression.
While I had registered for a virtual run called the Friendsgiving 5K where proceeds went to St. Jude's (and toward getting a very cool sweatshirt and medal), I missed the window for registering my completion time on their website. Whatever. I took a photo of my Apple Watch to prove I did it in under 40 minutes.
There were no stare-downs from cats. There was a squirrel, though, who scared me to the point of nearly falling in the lake. And I only got off the trail once. It was fine. I found it again. And then I celebrated with a couple of Advil and a cookie.
Bonus items:
49. I hiked a BUNCH
I was getting rather depressed over my lack of time on trails. It was as if my trailmate, Brandy, could read my thoughts from her house because she asked if I would accompany her for one last hike on her old hip before she had it replaced. Wasn't hard to rearrange my weekend to make that a reality for us. We hiked as a group of her closest girlfriends to the top of Sawnee Mountain, encouraging her all along the way. Next year, we'll get her out on her shiny, new hip once she gets it broken in.
On another weekend, I had the need to go solo on a trail. This is something I did a ton when I was separated because it seemed healthier than getting addicted to something like shopping or heroin. It was also the last weekend with my hair purple, so it sort of felt like an appropriate way to commemorate the end. I drove my ass to Black Rock Mountain State Park, hiked the Tennessee Rock loop, followed by the lake loop. And then I celebrated with Italian food and an Old Fashioned in Clayton.
The final hike of the month was a big one. My daughter and I have a standing tradition to hike on Black Friday instead of getting pummeled by crowds of shoppers looking to buy a TV for their pit bull. We took this year's hike to Blood Mountain, which is the tallest point on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail. It was a gorgeous hike. And as a bonus for my child, she got to use the privy when we reached the top. She thought it was going to be life-changing because it was a step up from having to squat in the woods. Instead, she was yelling, "Is that POOP?!?!" while I was trying to hold the plywood doors closed in front of her because she clearly forgot how composting toilets function. Naturally, I was laughing my ass off through the whole experience. At least the view from the privy platform was a good one.
The hikes were so good for my soul, smelly privy and all.
Stats:
21 items down
19 items to go
And 9 bonus items!
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