Bill Turner

It worked out pretty well. The recipe was perfect and super easy. We made 4 small-ish pizzas from the dough for all of us. Different toppings on each. Yum!

I’m going to make some of my own pizza dough today, from a recipe in this book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0061812668/

WAsn’t able to make it this year. Here’s to NEXT year!

With my kids’ help I sewed a couple of little “dolls” which they named “Rose” and “Dinosaury.” They’re not that well put together, but I’ll take it as an okay start.

1. Two months ago or so, we bought a decent Singer sewing machine – not a super high-end one, but a good starter.
2. Just before Halloween I helped hem my daughter’s Princess Leia halloween costume. I hemmed one of the sleeves and the bottom of the dress, after my wife showed me how.
3. Last night, I made my first purchase at JoAnn fabrics, including some basic supplies that we didn’t have (some basic buttons, decent scissors, etc) and a couple of yards of four different fabrics to make little dolls and things with the kids.

We’ll see how this goes!

In the few short weeks that I’ve been using the library, I’ve already picked up and read 6 graphic novels that I’ve either 1) been wanting to read, or 2) am familiar with the artist. The main branch of the Pgh library has a huge graphic novel collection and I’ve been picking a couple up each time I go there. Here’s what I’ve read so far (minus Blankets which I read a while back).

I had initially made this goal to be to ride my bike at least three times a week, but that’s pretty difficult to manage. However, I often do ride three times a week, but just as often I’ve ridden twice a week.

Last month I rode my bike just shy of 100 miles. 100 miles! So far this month I’ve just crossed the 40 miles ridden mark. I’m enjoying my bike rides and exploring the city along the way. Oh yeah, it’s helping me lose some weight, too! :)

A couple of weeks ago I used the Library’s website to look for books that happen to be in the system, that are also on my Amazon wish list. Of course, I found quite a few, but most were already checked out.

If you enter your library card ID you can reserve books that are checked out, so I put a couple on my list (one still has a looong way to go before I get it). The other day I received my first email letting me know that one of the books I reserved had been checked in.

So, today, I rode my bike downtown to pick it up. So, I’ve now used the library, after many, many years of not doing so.

I had to resurrect this goal from my “give up” pile because I finally did build something. In fact, I built two somethings! :)

Borrowing some tools from a friend of the family, I built a stand/table for a cutting board for use in the basement of my mother-in-law’s house:

I also built some shelving for storage in the basement as well:

The good thing is that from these photos, you can’t see the uneven edges, the cracked wood from using the wrong kinds of screws in some places, and all the other little mess ups. But, they both work like they should, ugly or not.

I have to admit that it was quite fun putting these two things together – without instructions, I might add – and once we buy our own house, I plan on trying my hand at more projects.

I’d like to re-edit some of the photos I took, and maybe write up a long weblog post about this, but it’s pretty much done. This last weekend we bottled the wine.

All the photos I’ve posted so far are here on Flickr.

Unlike the drawing class I signed up for which was then cancelled, this watercolor class will take place. I won’t close this goal off until the last class, but it’ll be good to mark it off when I’m done. It’s been too long.

I thought I was just giving up on the “dare.” I will weigh less than 200 pounds again, dammit!

Last night I finally stopped complaining about the button on my shirt being gone, and sewed the extra button where it belongs. It took only 15 minutes, but it’s something I let slide for YEARS. How pathetic is that?

Now, what ELSE can I sew?!

The drawing class I signed up for was cancelled, or postponed, until a later date. Apparently not enough other folks signed up to make it worthwhile for the instructor.

He’ll let me know when it’ll be offered again, but nothing for the time being. :(

So, I’m going to sign up for a painting class in the meantime! :)

I came very close, but I have to consider this as a failure. BUT I don’t think I’ll punish myself for it. :)

This morning I weighed 204, which, yes, is more than 200 pounds, but that’s not that bad. Just a year ago I weighed 20 pounds more. I think my highest weight was around 228. I can notice the difference, and that’s all that matters for me.

So, this goal has failed, but overall I think it’s a success.

Up and online at: http://bluemonkcreative.com/

I need to add more real content, and fill out better my portfolio pages, but it’s done for now.

I had to get something up because one of the sites I put up is a website for a documentary film that’s been nominated for a IFC Independent Spirit award. Cool!

I’ve signed up for a small (and free!) drawing class that’s held at a local gallery/museum here. It’s three, three-hour classes. Looks like it should be good, and, hey, like I said: it’s free! :)

This is going on the backburner, too. I still have the idea, but no time to implement.

I’ve been reading some of the books, but I think this goal is just cluttering up my goal list. I track this progress over here anyway.

This is going to roll into another goal.