One year ago in this space I attempted to start a new tradition for myself. While I rarely bothered in the past, mostly as an excuse to write a post, I jumped on the bandwagon and composed a set of resolutions for 2011. Now, in the waning hours of 2011, I wanted to take some time to review my resolutions and update them for 2012. Let’s take them from the top.

Spend more time with my daughter.

That should now read daughters, plural. In June we welcomed our second child, Brenna Rose, into the world. I’d like to think I’ve done well on this resolution. I spend every day looking forward to getting home to see my girls.

Read more.

I added this to the list because every year I would read a little less than the year before. I’ve managed to reverse this trend. Sure, I’ve added feeds to Google Reader, but I’ve removed a few as well. I’ve also opted to read actual books in my free time, reducing the amount of television I watch to a mere couple hours per week. I’ve read through two James Herriot books so far, with one remaining. I received a Barnes & Noble Nook for Christmas and purchased my first book for it on Thursday, The Ghosts of Belfast, which I’ve been rapidly devouring.

Write more.

While I frequently sat in front of my computer, pondering topics about which to write, I rarely found the necessary inspiration to put metaphorical pen to paper. Over the last 12 months, I composed a mere 16 posts. Four of those, a quarter of them, were about OSCON, which is far fewer than in years past when I would write an individual post for each session I attended. In addition, there are four drafts I never got around to completing. Looking them over, it appears that at least three of them are mostly done. I just need to give them a quick edit and post. Sadly, one of them is about Kaylee’s summer camp, so it’s a bit stale at this point.

Having read several blogs over the last year, I’ve developed a desire to be a more prolific writer. Not only personal posts, like this one, but anything that comes to mind. I can write about my programming work or even short fiction. I probably won’t delve into the realm of political commentary, but only because I lack any real desire to study the issues in enough depth to do them justice.

Be more Paleo.

More of the same here. I can count on one hand the number of bites of grains I had during the year. While my sweet tooth has been difficult to suppress, I really don’t eat very much sugar. One beer per week, to end Friday on a high note, is all I indulge in anymore. I managed to get my weight down to 158 pounds, which hasn’t budged in a few months. I would like to drop a few more pounds of body fat, so perhaps that is where I’ll focus my efforts for 2012.

Join a CrossFit Box.

I thought about it a few times, but never bothered. I have been going to the gym at work regularly and have been making decent strength gains. I’m mostly pleased with my progress on fitness and even earned my third degree black belt this year, so not accomplishing this particular resolution isn’t bothering me very much.

Get into MovNat.

The closest I got to this was our recent trip to Grape Day Park in Escondido. As a fitness program, it’s still something I want to do.

Actually use Facebook.

I added this one as a joke, but somehow I ended up using it. Sort of. I rarely post anything on Facebook, preferring Twitter and Google Plus, but I do try to keep tabs on what my friends are doing.

Looking Ahead to 2012

Aside from the above, what else should I look forward to doing in 2012?

I’ve recently been putting an emphasis on being more organized and getting things done in a more timely fashion. I’d like to keep this going into the new year, particularly with respect to the things that need doing around the house.

Segueing from organization into preparation, the recent power outage in San Diego made me take a serious look at our disaster preparations. My wife pokes fun at me for treating the entire situation as preparation for the zombie apocalypse, but I find it a fun way to stay motivated. Besides, when zombies show up and start eating people, who will be laughing then?

So that’s my theme for 2012: organization and preparation.