Age ain't nothing but a number, right?

I am now into my fourth semester since deciding to go back to school two years ago for journalism. Writing and being a journalist has been a life long goal of mine, starting when I was quite young, and obsessed with reading the paper (remember those?) everyday. Writing has always come fairly easy to me, and it's been a somewhat smooth transition from occasional blog writer to actual reporter. I'm confident in my ability, and I produce decent work within my deadlines. To be clear, I am currently writing for the college paper. It's a paid position, and a chance to get experience. Aside from the bleak forecast on the future of journalism (I think it's a bit overblown, but still...), my main concern is my age. I'm easily the oldest person writing for the paper, and usually the oldest person in my journalism classes (I luck out with electives, I'm middle of the pack in those). I struggle with it almost everyday. I find it ridiculous at its base, but here I am, describing it to you. Clearly, my age provides many advantages, in terms of life experience and ability to work hard. The drawbacks are based on vague assumptions of what may happen in the future. Silly, right? Anyway, it's not going away. Thoughts, dear friends?

Low-hanging fruit in a dense thicket of distraction

Gentlemen,

I am reclaiming my duty to act. For too long I've been a captive of my imagination. I've never stopped dreaming, never stopped creating wonderful scenarios in my minds eye. Despite, or perhaps because of, this propensity for dreaming, I've been hit with a jab enough times that I'm reluctant to let down my guard and fire a body shot once in a while. I'd forgotten how, exactly, to punch... how to set goals. The process of setting performance-based goals was liberating, but it doesn't free me from responsibility. It compels me to work diligently.

I've got to regain focus. Distractions abound. Goals can only be accomplished through effort and dedication. I can either be dedicated to the internet and its seductive tangential logic or I can be dedicated to my own course of self-improvement.

• As I'm writing this, I quit Facebook. Time to get real.
• Been eating better. Making food at home. Had a physical recently and while other vital signs are good, my blood pressure is not so hot. This could attributed to several factors, to genetics, but it could also be lifestyle based. Stress and laziness could also be culprits. Eating out constantly probably shoots my DRV of sodium by quite a bit. I need to cook for myself more, & monitor my salt intake. It's really not a good thing when your own laziness imperils your health. Eating out for me has been a matter of convenience, but it's not very convenient to have high blood pressure at 29.
• I'm trying to move to NYC. Monday morning I sent an email to the head of Human Resources at NYU Wagner School of Public Policy. (I should note this was not done in a vacuum. My girlfriend, Grisel, was instrumental in laying the groundwork for this.)
• Come payday, I know exactly which bike tools I'm going to buy to enable me to work on my own bike. For years, I've wanted the proper equipment to at least attempt my own repairs. Trying to fix your brakes while the bike is leaning up against the wall, moving every time you apply the slightest bit of torque with what is, inevitably not the correct wrench, is not fun. It is actually awful. A stand and a proper toolkit are what the bike doctor prescribes.
• Don Quixote is on order.

I look forward to being in your corner. The bell has rung, and it's time to kick out the stool of complacency and fire back in combination.

The First Steps

"A journey of ten thousand miles begins with a single step." - Chinese proverb

Despite a relentless New England winter and the general chaos involved in a 3-week bathroom renovation (the only bathroom in our house), I'm feeling optimistic about some initial progress toward my goals.

I've run nine miles now...491 to go, in 49 weeks. That means I will need to average ten miles per week, for the rest of the year. It's certainly doable, but only if I'm incredibly persistent in my efforts. An occasional week off would set me back hugely. Consistency is key, so I'll keep at it. For now, though, I'll have to rest for a day or two because of an enormous blister on the sole of my right foot. So far all running has been on a treadmill (snowy streets have been prohibitive), but I can't wait to be running outdoors again. I thrive in the fresh air and changing scenery.

I'm also making great progress in studying Japanese. In just the past week, I've doubled my vocabulary from roughly 15 to 30 words, and grappled with the grammar of basic, simple sentence and question structure. I've learned most of the Hiragana syllabary (48 characters total). I'm giving myself through February to cram as much vocab and basic phrases into my head as possible, then plan to start real conversation practice March 1, through online language exchange sites using Skype. I'm nervous about it, but also excited. I can hardly remember when I began studying Chinese and was incapable of any real communication with it, but I clearly recall the first few times I had genuine interactions in the language, and I'm eagerly looking forward to those breakthroughs with Japanese.

I'm already concerned with my altruistic pursuits. The end of the month is near, and I need to make a Kiva donation. I will get it done this week, but it won't be easy; cash is tight, due to the renovation costs and two tuition bills for this semester. I should rest assured, of course, that the small percentage of a paycheck that I'm donating carries tremendous purchasing power for a motivated entrepreneur who doesn't spend in USD. It could be enough to launch their business, and provide vital services to their local community. They need it more than I.

How has your week been? Can you report on any concrete steps you've taken toward your goals? How about any frustrations; what has prevented you from moving forward?

Please share in comments, and post your own report!