Reflections on the past year

Things I learned from 2008:

-haggling with a car dealership and threatening to go to the competition does work in getting a lower interest/monthly rate.
-procrastinating to go to the doctor is a stupid thing to do because things can only get worse if not taken care of.
-plastic lenses are not as good as glass, even though they may weigh less and be more shatter resistant, you sacrifice better optics.
-putting work above all other things all the time is not only stupid, but tiresome and health-threatening.
-be thankful for those who are in your inner circle and show them that you care by buying them pizza and Mexican food (to start).
-take care of those who take care of you, and for those that don’t, give them one more chance, but then get rid of them if they fail you because they’re just dead weight in your quest for fulfillment.
-money may be the root of all evil, but damn it feels good to know that you can buy almost anything you want at any time. Plus, a fat wad in your pocket looks/feels cool too.
-waiting to move when you find out you have mold in your apt and the landlord doesn’t give a shit is a stupid thing to do, but I did hold out for a pretty sweet place, even though moving in January really sucks.
-getting away from enjoying the things you love in life (music & movies in my case) makes you a tired and angry person.
-don’t leave your checkbook out where pesky hands can take it—I still have the honey and ants ready for that asshole!
-because of my exhaustion and lack of motivation, I may need to get an anti-depressant script from my primary doctor, but I’ll try a little R&R, exercise, and cutting back on work first.
-growing a long goatee is only cool to those who like long goatees, and everyone else absolutely hates it, but it’s hard to part with something I’ve invested so much time in.
-I’m not gaining back any of the hair I’ve lost over the years, but still growing more in places less visible to the general public.

Things I didn’t accomplish in 2008:

-working less, spending more time with friends, and watching more movies.
-getting a car I love as much as my trusty Cavalier—had the Chevy dealer had more selection and treated me better, I may have been driving a Pontiac G6 or Malibu. Had Honda Civic’s been more plentiful when I was ready to buy, and had black interior, I might have been sporting one of those. But, I’ve settled for the gray squirrel instead.
-standing up for the things I believe in—I was lackadaisical and a push-over this year. It was easier to just say F- it, then actually deal with life’s problems. But, the old Kris is sure to come back soon, love him or hate him.
-getting movie reviews posted for those who sent me movie screeners—I haven’t given up yet on getting those posted, they’ll just be a year or so late, I know, I suck.
-showing gratitude for things people did for me and apologizing for the bullshit I put them through.

Things I hope to do in 2009:

-find another place to live (Done!! And I’m in the process of moving now).
-work as a video buyer for my company or as a sales rep for an independent studio—this may not actually happen this year, but my interests will be known and networking will continue in order to make this happen.
-spend more time with friends, family, and away from my job, oh yeah, and get more sleep.
-be more efficient at my job in order to work less hours, hold people accountable for their job functions, and tell them to contact me by phone, not text, if they need help (but only after they’ve utilized all other parties that are capable first).
-exercise some, and be more active in sport-related activities (basketball, racquetball, softball, and sex are great).
-get a pair of glasses I like, not ones that make me want to stomp them. Be less anal about my glasses…is that really possible??
-make it to Australia to see my bro???
-go to Chicago in March for Fangoria’s Horror Convention and then to Dallas in May for my 3rd Texas Frightmare weekend.
-spend less money on porno and sell some of the stuff I’ve been sitting on for years. Sorry, Mom, that you had to find out how much of a perv your son is.
-transform back into the Kris that moved to Hutch 7 years ago. Ask Heather if you need particulars on how I was different then.
-love myself, and quit beating myself up over stupid shit that doesn’t really matter in greater scheme of things.
-give more shit away—realistically, I can only watch so many movies and listen to so much music in this lifetime.
-trash stuff I’ve been toting around for 10 years which haven’t seen the light of day since the 90’s.
-sell some of the crap I don’t use, won’t use, or keep asking myself why the hell I bought it.
-by an HD TV no smaller than 42”, which I’m sure Lukas will help me pick out.

So CHEERS to 2009!!!