Empty Notebook

A review of the 2007 New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Exercise more / eat right: I started off strong and crapped out about halfway through. It’s something that is going to stay on this list for a long time. I’ve struggled most of my life with this stuff, but I’m staying positive and I’m going to make a better effort in 2008. Specifically I’m going to exercise more and overall eat less.

2. Clean out the house: Talk about making a huge dent in the project. This can fall into an ongoing list now, as there’s always a little bit of cleanup to do, but overall I’d say my goal was achieved. The paperwork is much more organized now, the closets are cleaned out, and there is generally less clutter around the house.

3. Grow ScalpEm.com’s writing base and readership: Well, I grew the readership and the advertising base, but I’ve still had no luck growing my contributors in the sense of contributing articles. However, I did get more contributions in the comments section, which means A) there are more readers and B) they are contributing that way. Mission accomplished.

So where do I head from here? 2008 New Year’s Resolutions

1. Healthy Living: It remains #1 on my list for 2008. Specifically, I’m going to exercise at least 3 times per week for 30 minutes. Eat a vegetable at least 5 times per week, and I’m going to work on ways to relieve stress, either through Zen meditation, sports… whatever works.

2. Invest some money. By the end of the year I would like to invest in either a mutual fund, an IRA (which would be a mutual fund) or a combination of both. I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to save, nor am I sure what the best combination of tax benefits and flexibility of getting the money is at the moment, but I have the early part of 2008 to figure that out.

3. Push ScalpEm.com into the Top 100,000 Alexa Websites: To do this, my writing is going to have to be much, much better. Specifically, I’m going to stick to a regular posting schedule with regular features. I’m also opening a message board at TailgatingForNoReason.com.

1. Healthier Living - I’m back on track, and still not at my best eating habits. I’ll continue to improve the rest of the month. It should be easy, I’ll be laying low on the greaseball food for a while.

2. Cleanup - I didn’t do a lot on this front, although I did find a brand new Tumi wallet in my closet to replace my busted 7+ year old on. Wohoo!

3. Website Growth - April is at a higher pace than March so far, with minimal updates. Anyone interested in purchasing the website from me?

1. Healthier Living - Draw. April is rededication month. It’ll work out.

2. Cleanup - I did some more damage to my closet.

3. Website Growth - March saw additional pageviews and visitors.

Week 12 Update

1. Healthier Living - Draw. I caught up on rest, but ate like crap and didn’t exercise like I should have. This week I’ll do better to finish out March strong.

2. Cleanup - I did some more damage to my closet. I fear the paperwork that I have to sort through down the road though.

3. Website Growth - March is going well so far, boosted by the addition of photo galleries. I started an article about the Lee vs. Weatherford thing to try and drum up some new traffic.

Week 11 Update

1. Healthier Living - Draw. I had some sort of bronchitis / walking pneumonia all week. I’m finally able to breathe again. Yay!

2. Cleanup - I did serious damage to my walk-in closet. There’s lots more to do, but it’s a start.

3. Website Growth - March is going well so far, boosted by the addition of photo galleries. I will covering some more controversial opinions in the future, to stir up some traffic.

Week 10 Update

1. Healthier Living - Draw. It’s motivation for this week. ‘Nuff said.

2. Cleanup - I spend the weekend watching baseball and softball, instead of being productive. Oh well.

3. Website Growth - March is going well so far, boosted by the addition of photo galleries.

Week 9 Update

1. Healthier Living - This week, a small victory. But, I was sick for most of the week and couldn’t exercise like I wanted to exercise. I’ll make up for it this week with the beginning of softball season and by paying more attention to what I eat. Girl Scout Cookies be damned, they’ll have to sit in the fridge for a while. I’m going to start working the mountain bike into the routine more once Daylight Savings Time comes around next weekend.

2. Cleanup - This is on hold for the main project, but I did manage to cut back the Crape Myrtle in the front yard. I hate that tree with a passion. I almost hate it as much as the fruit trees in the backyard that rot no matter what I try to keep the fruit healthy. Hopefully I can put some Magnolias in this spring.

3. Website Growth - Pageviews were up for February. Everything else was steady.

Week 7 Update

1. Healthier Living - The scale fought hard, but it lost the round, again. I remain undefeated. Mwahahahahahaha. I might not quite make the goal for opening day of softball season, but if I don’t it should only miss by a pound or two. The reality is that some muscle gain is occurring with the weight loss, which is affecting my overall loss number. That’s fine with me, I’m less worried about the actual weight number in the end, than a good number for body fat on the scale.

2. Cleanup - I still need to get to Goodwill. I will soon enough. Other than that, it’s just getting rid of tons of old paperwork.

3. Website Growth - February looks to be leveling off just under January’s numbers. But, there’s time left, so we’ll see.

Bonus - If I accomplish any one or more of these by my birthday in July, I’ll be making an interim resolution on my birthday.

Week 6 Update

1. Healthier Living - Just like I said I would, I came out strong for Week 6 and the scale took a bunch of shots to the ribs. Mwahahahhaha! It looks like my preseason softball goal will be hit by the start of the season. The full goal should be reached long before my 28th birthday in July. I’ve always thought that if I put my mind to something I can achieve it. Eating habits and exercise have always been tough for me to focus on, but having to answer to myself and this blog seems to be working, whether or not anyone else is listening.

2. Cleanup - Major inroads were made, since I threw a party and had to clean the hell out of the house. Now I just have to start taking it a drawer at a time, and soon the small amount of paperwork that I have to sort through will be gone. The sooner the better, because then I can focus on doing some things for the house!

3. Website Growth - Softball season has arrived, which means lots of pictures for the website. I think growth is pretty much capped off until August, when football traffic starts to roll in again, but we’ll see. I’ve certainly had some good feedback lately, which helps to keep me motivated. Although, ScalpEm.com did get hosed…

Week 5 Update

1. Healthier Living - Well, the Super Bowl / Opening Baseball weekend for FSU sabotaged any real loss, however the scale remains defeated after going to the cards. Not by much, but the early part of the round was such a success, that the scales late flurries didn’t win it the round. I’ll be coming out strong for Round 6, mark my words.

2. Cleanup - It’s slowly starting. I’m going to try to get a couple of items to Goodwill this week too.

3. Website Growth - I don’t expect as much growth this month as last, when ScalpEm more than doubled its visitors. However, the stats haven’t retreated at all, and that is exciting. All in all it was a good week for the Resolutions. Having to answer to the blog helps a lot in keeping them.