Short term goals for 2011

Is it just me or does 2011 just not sound right? I guess as South Africans we were overloaded with 2010 everywhere for so long that 2011 in comparison was always going to be 'just another year'. Actually since the Indians are hosting the Cricket World Cup in 2011, and soccer in the Indian community was only big with the girl from "Bend it Like Beckham", I wonder whether 2011 for the Indians would be like what 2010 was for us. If that is the case then I suppose the Brazilians who will completely forget 2015 since it will fall between the Soccer World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016.

I don't generally make resolutions because they never seem to last' prefering to make rather set myself short term goals for the year. These often don't materialise either, but at least there's a plan. Right? In any case my goals for this year are:

1) To write more

I started the blog last year and it proved to be really cathartic. It gave me a chance to express myself and pour some of my thoughts into a public forum. Although the readership has been great (and shocking), I wold have appreciated more comments thereby starting a conversation/ discussion which would be awesome. It also got me noticed and I started writing for Durban Live and will this year start writing for two additional websites ( www.izimvo.com and www.safindit.co.za ). I hope to branch out a bit and cover more live events and experiences but food remains my passion so I will continue to talk to some of Durban's great chefs and visit a lot of restaurants. 

My blog will remain my opinion page but I am thinking of seperating some of the content i.e. things relating to parenting will be posted on the page "In the Knight's Garden". If you have no idea what I am talking about then it is very likely that posts appearing on that page will have no relevance to you. Similarly, material that is humorous will be on the page " On a Knighter Note". Any further pages will be dependent on whether I can think of other ways to include the word Knight into popular phrases.

2) To build my Man-Cave

Superman had the Fortress of Solitude, Batman had the Bat-Cave so I think I am in good company here for thinking I need this personal space. Since my father is not the ruler of Krypton (on most days) and I do not have access to the Wayne Billions I am going to settle for a 3.5 m x 4 m room in my outbuilding for now. I don't plan to make it exclusive i.e. my girls being 8 months, 4 years and 32 years are not going to understand my need for this space that only I am allowed into. I just want it to be designed by me, to my taste and to be void of any Barney toys. I will post pics when completed but essentially I just need a desk , a comfy place to relax/ read and space for my books. You're thinking why does this sound like an office. You would be correct. It is, but telling guys you have a man cave sounds cooler and the construction expenses will be used as a legitimate tax deduction.

3) To maintain my body weight and Shape

I am being sensible here and not setting outlandish targets like I will lose 2 kg this year. I will be content to maintain my current fitness level and body shape ( which is presently not good). I will be happy to lose some weight and get fitter but I am definitely not ready to start buying XL T-shirts or go up another pants size. This has nothing to do with vanity, I just want to look good when I meet old friends from my past! If I was losing my hair at a more rapid pace I would seriously be considering a red sport's car.

4) I need to learn to speak and understand Zulu

I am extremely embarassed by the fact that I cannot speak Zulu yet and have decided that I have put this off for too long. Especially if I consider being more involved in social organizations or disaster management in the coming years, I think it is imperative that I am able to understand first hand what is being communicated. I am going to start by purchasing a guide (not a person, a book with an accompanying CD) to start and maybe consider lessons from there.

So these are my goals for this year. I hope God grants me the strength to achieve them whilst remaining a loving Husband and awesome Dad. 2011 suddenly seems full with possibility, yet it still refuses to roll of the tongue. Bring on 2012 (on the proviso that the Mayans were high when making predictions regarding the end of the world).