Resolved

After a particularly turbulent year in 2007, I made (for the first time) some "proper" new years resolutions. These were, in summary:

Play -

• gain a level 1 canoe coaching qualification - YEP
  
• gain consistency with my eskimo roll - NOPE
  
• complete at least one multiday canoe tour - NOPE
  
• do more caving, climbing and cycling - NOPE
  
• take more photographs -YEP.

Work -

• get some more employment as an outdoor instructor - YEP
  
• continue with the RSPB - YEP
  
• work with a more realistic perspective, assertiveness, calmness and control - YEP.

Home -

• Throw out items of junk - YEP.
• Keep rooms tidy - YEP (SEE ABOVE).
• Repair broken things - YEP.

Study -

• continue to average 2:1 in my Wildlife and Countryside degree - YEP (BUT BY THE SKIN OF MY TEETH AT TIMES).

Relationships -

• be happy in future relationships - BIGGEST YEP
  
• stay friends with one I'm leaving behind - 2nd BIGGEST YEP
  
• reconnect with those I've neglected over the years - YEP (TO SOME DEGREE).

So, other than in the area of play, most of my resolutions have been well and truly resolved and in that respect it's been a good year but, in others, one of very low, "lows" and high "highs" (which I'll keep to myself). Success in some areas has been at the expense of others though I wouldn't have missed the relationship "successes" for anything. On occasion, the ups and downs have taken my focus away from my goals. Life is full of surprises and I never expected my social life to take such a fun turn or to secure such an interesting line of work in the outdoor sector.

Given the success of last year's resolutions, I'll set some new ones

Play -

• gain consistency with my eskimo roll
  
• improve my river paddling skills
• attend a kayak skills course
  
• complete at least one multiday canoe tour
  
• do more outdoor activities
• continue to take photographs
• submit my birdwatching records to BOG each month
  
• lose 1/2 a stone and get fitter
  

Work -

• continue employment as an outdoor instructor and with the RSPB
• continue to work with calm control, perspective and independence
• investigate options for more work in environmental and outdoor education
  

Home -

• continue to filter out items of junk and keep the house tidy
• recycle more consistently and reduce waste of food and fuel
  
• make good decorations following re-wiring
  
• refurbish the kitchen
• tidy outdoor spaces following pointing work and fix the shed doors
• eat breakfast, prepare packed lunches and cook an evening meal more often

Study -

• finish my Wildlife and Countryside degree course with at least a 2:1 average
  

Relationships -

• continue to nurture my friendships
• get to know my niece and nephew better
• keep in more regular touch with my family

Will see how it goes this time next year.

They keep on coming

I'm now a Level One Paddlesport Coach

From a course I did in the summer.

More c'tificates

On a recent weekend away with colleagues from work, me and a friend completed the Go Ape high ropes course at Grizedale Forest. For this I received...you guessed it...a c'tificate.

Signed by the Chief Gorilla himself, though I suppose he gets one of his minions to do it.

On a more serious note, I also attended a White Water Safety and Rescue course, delivered by Leo Hoare of getafix.com. This involved swimming in the cold and murky River Calder, practising defensive and aggressive swimming and rescues of bodies and boats but also safe river running and communication. Useful stuff and another certificate for the collection.