Another year, another set of extra bold proclamations to get after in the coming year. This is the 15th Annual version, so obviously it must include amazing content each year, or why would it keep happening? WHY?!?
Don’t answer that. Simply embrace the boldness until it melts and creates a hot mess. Ick.
Wipe that nonsense off, and proceed to witness the shenanigans that will probably happen in 2024. LFG!
…read/listen to 60 books/audiobooks. The last couple years I’ve slowed down on reading, mostly due to other bold predications I made (watch 150 new movies in 2022 and watch new TV shows in 2023). So I need to re-focus on books! Reading is fundamental.
…cook 10 new dishes. I’m not much of a home chef, I like to eat out and often I just want something easy like a frozen meal. This is my chance to try some cooking for a change. If you have a dinner recipe you can’t wait to share with someone, share it with me.
…visit five (new to me) museums or gardens in the DC area. I’ll repeat this one from last year, as there are still plenty to visit!
…start a Threads account. I suppose Twitter is going to die (though not planning on quitting before that), so I’ll take a chance on this new Meta tool connected to Instagram and see how it works.
…eat/drink at 10 (new to me) restaurants/bars on H Street NE. There’s a trend in local media to say that H Street is dying. It’s not, and I’ll be there to support the local businesses. And there are still plenty I haven’t visited yet.
…visit a (new to me) National Park. Adding this one every year.
…walk 10,000 steps for at least 275 days in 2024. This is 41 more days than I reached 10,000 steps in 2023!
…reach 15,000 points in Capital Bikeshare’s Bike Angels program this year. Bike Angels is a program for users to get points moving the bikes in a way that helps re-distribute them more effectively per the Bike Angels’ algorithm. Last year I got about 12,500 points, so this is cake! Right?
…write more. I’ve let my personal blog languish, and I’ve done less posting on my blog about DC (A DC Journey), so let’s get back to business. It’s business time.
…visit a new (to me) country. It’s been so long since I went to a new country, I was probably still in diapers! Let’s crush some travel.
Have a wondrous 2024, if you dare!
Let’s see how I fared from last year!
Bold Predictions for 2023
Success rate: 6/10
…hike 200 miles. Hmmm, you say, that’s not so bold, certainly not so many miles as to get all worked up about! I say, Lo! Look here! I didn’t hike hardly at all in 2022, so I need to get back into the flow, yo. You say, Not buying it, you can do more. I say, Maybe I will! But I’m still not changing the number. Result: Whoops! I didn’t quite get there. I did a few hikes, but not like I wanted.
…run a 5K race. Does that help? If I promise to hike AND run? There’s just no pleasing you, is there? Result: No dice!
…travel to Costa Rica. I have my ticket, so it’s a go! Result: So much success, I’m going back in January 2024!
…eat at 25 (new to me) restaurants in DC. Support local businesses. Eat food. Two good things. Result: Yes, I did this in spades. Made it to 32 new restaurants.
…start 10 new TV shows and finish 10 TV shows already started. I’ve gained a solid list of shows I’d like to watch, but haven’t had time for. And there are a few shows that I only have one season left to watch. I did movies in 2022, so 2023 is TV! Result: Completed. Although, I probably watched more new TV shows than I needed to!
…visit a (new to me) National Park .Seems like a good goal to have every year! Result: Great success! I went to Pinnacles National Park in California. It’s newer and not that big, but I recommend it.
…visit five (new to me) museums or gardens in DC. Hard to believe, but I haven’t been to every museum or publicly accessible garden in the city. Result: I’m giving this to myself! I went to Brookside Gardens, Fort Reno for a concert, Riverbend Regional Park, Hillwood Estate, and Fort Belvoir to play softball.
…read 11 (new to me) Hugo Winning books for Best Science Fiction Novel. I did 10 last year, obviously I can do 11 this year! And fun fact, I bought a robust stack of Hugo winning books in late 2021 and never once cracked them open in 2022, so I need to read those anyway. Result: Ah, so close, yet so far. I only got to 8-1/2 this year. Sad.
…reach 1,000 Instagram followers. Only 180+ to go! If I’m all about that clout, help me out. I post more to Instagram than other social media platforms, and a majority are photos of exploring the city of Washington, DC. Follow @adcjourney. Result: I added about 130, but didn’t manage to reach 1,000! That’s what 2024 if for.
…attend two road games of any combination of Seattle sports teams. Thinking about mini road trips to catch the Kraken or the Mariners. Road games in Baltimore or DC don’t count. Also, I definitely need to attend a University of Washington Huskies football game! At Stanford anyone? Do it! Result: Win! I lied, I will count road games in Baltimore and DC. I went to a Seahawks @ Ravens game, a Mariners @ Orioles game, and flew out to California for the UW @ Stanford game.