Update 4: 400 B4 40

Whew! So it's been a while. Lots happened, including my awesome trip to SF, which I will write about later. In the meantime, though, here's an update on what I've been doing.

Forty Playlists:

I'm falling behind on these because they are really hard! I'm almost done with 1987-1990, which will bring me right into adolescence and grunge music, so that should be a breeze, right?!?!

Year 0: 1977
Year 1: 1978
Year 2: 1979
Year 3: 1980
Year 4: 1981
Year 5: 1982
Year 6: 1983
Year 7: 1984
Year 8: 1985
Year 9: 1986

Forty-ish Films:

1 (100): Ben-Hur
2 (99): Toy Story
3 (98): Yankee Doodle Dandy
4 (97): The Last Picture Show
5 (96): Do the Right Thing
6 (95): The Last Picture Show
7 (94): Pulp Fiction
8 (93): The French Connection
9 (92): Goodfellas

Forty Defining Experiences:

I have created a list of 21 experiences so far!

Forty Chores:

1 - repair paint on carl
2 - get NC license plate
3 - get ivy from trees
4 - remove dead weeds from walkway [I feel like I've done this a million times and they keep coming back. I think that's the nature of weeds, which makes me wonder if I should take this off the list...]
5 - trim azalea
6 - file all paperwork
7 - update blog background
8 - replace filter on cat fountain
9 - do something about the doors
10 - plant something?
11 - get a new passport (need to wait until after July)
12 - go to the eye doctor
13 - go to the lady doctor
14 - go to the dentist
15 - go to the dermatologist?
16 - find a real doctor
17 - cancel Foreign Affairs subscription
18 - update address at SFFCU and get new debit card
19 - hang plants from ceiling
20 - hang intentions board
21 - edit video footage of Louis from 2015
22 - edit video footage of Collin from 2016
23 - edit video footage of Devon from 2017
24 - renew library books and return books that can't be renewed anymore
25 - fix slow draining shower!!!
26 - Write May Minimalism Challenge blog entry
27 - edit video footage of Greer's wedding from 2017
28 - finish year 1 (SF) photo book! :-)
29 - photobook for Greer!
30 - take donations away from the house!
31 - oil change for Carl
32 - curtains for the bathroom
33 - make shed lockable

Forty Unbroken Chains:

I have been steadily accumulating stuff and feel certain I will be able to accumulate more.

Forty Letters:

Honestly I'm reconsidering writing these. I'll think about it more and if I change my mind I will explain why.

Forty Acts of Self-Love:

1 - 14 - I started doing Richard Hittleman's Yoga: 28 Day Exercise Plan. I'm on day 14, so I'm counting it as 14. :-)
15 - another sweet half hour in the massage chair while Collin got another haircut
16 - visited some of my wonderful friends in SF
17 - mani-pedi in SF!
18 - shiatsu massage with communal bathing at Kabuki Springs & Spa, which should really count as 50 self-care acts because it was so amazing and I'm so glad I didn't find it when we lived in SF or I would have spent all of my money there, which actually may not have been such a bad thing come to think of it :-)
19 - signed up for regular facials
20 - massage and facial at Massage Envy
21 - lots of foot soaking!
22 - facial steam
23 - haircut
24 - rainbow mani-pedi
25 - massage chair at Collin's haircut
26 - lying out in the sun on the porch reading Borne

Forty Job Applications:

I am currently working part-time as a companion and just finished my application to be a Lyft driver. I'm also in talks to finalize another part-time job opportunity, so I'm feeling slightly optimistic. I'm very thankful for the opportunity I've had to really focus on finding work that makes me happy, while also taking some time to get settled into our new life in Durham. I'm ready to be at work full-time, though. This gig economy is exhausting for real.

Forty Photos:

1983? (age 6?): I love this photo of me with my dear grandma Helen reading The Value of Understanding: the Story of Margaret Mead, which may have been responsible for me deciding to be a sociologist, not to be dramatic about it or anything...

I gave a print of this to my mom one Mother's Day and this year I got a print for myself too. It's hanging beside my computer screen so I see it whenever I am in my office and often look at it when I take my "space-out breaks" (not sure what they are actually called but I'm sure you know what I mean). It's very special to me.

Forty Haiku:

Five:

my motto of late:
suck it up and suck it in!
(not sure it's helping)

Six:

seagulls gathering -
in the twilight they sort through
abandoned memories.