1.01.09 I'm the first one awake today at Casa Coleman. I'm getting old. Even though I didn't drink much last night, it still affected my sleep patterns. I don't sleep as well or for as long. Maybe it's always been this way, but when I was younger I didn't mind as much.

I think I'm ready to go home and get back into whatever routines I decide to establish. I'm not entirely sure what they'll be yet. I do have goals for 2009, I don't do resolutions.

For example, my father-in-law has challenged us to do a 20-mile hike over several high peaks in the Adirondacks at the beginning of August, so we'll have to spend more time training for that and finding local hikes to prepare us.

I'm reading only books I already have (as of today, that are in my possession or in my house). That sounds pretty noble but I will come clean and admit that I visited several independent bookstores in Madison, WI (where they are thick on the ground, yo) and laid in stores. I also prioritized a path through the book stacks in the house in terms of interest and importance, although I reserve the right to jump into a novel whenever I feel like it.

When I'm back home I'll post my reading list for 2008 - I ended up at 127 books read for the year, which exceeded my goal of 100 nicely. I'll shoot again for 100 in 2009.

Professional (ha) goals include getting into a masters program for library science and getting my water aerobics certification (after 12 years!).

We spent a quiet New Year's Eve with good friends. The conversation was lively and fluid, and chock full of interesting ideas and comfortable digressions.

We all hope for better things in 2009. Peace and prosperity and hope.

I also want to eat, sleep, read, write, hike, and spend time with the excellent man I married.

And maybe be transported by music or fiction a time or two.
  ¶ 7:13 AM