So far, 2006 is a year of getting both wider and thinner, all at the same time.  Howzat you ask?

Wider - in the sense of seeing 40 on the horizon (still over a year away, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t cross my mind now and then), and not wanting to hit 40 mostly the same person I was at 30. 

I want to continually acquire new skills and interests, mostly to ensure that I don’t forget how to learn.  I’ve met people who get to a certain age and pretty much stop there, staying with the same basic job type, hobbies and skills and for me, that starts to look just a bit like death.  Also being a homeschooling family, I want my kids to see that the love of learning isn’t just for kids, and doesn’t have to go away when you get old (er).

So to that end this year I put together a big duffle bag of sporting goods—tennis rackets and balls, a softball, bat and glove, soccer ball and basketball, and the kids and I have made several trips to a local park where we take turns playing the different sports. 

If you know me at all, you know what a stretch this is—I’ve posted before about my “sports illiteracy”.  I grew up a total gym class loser and don’t know the first thing about how to play any of these games with any kind of coordination, but it’s still fun to just noodle around, hitting balls and being able to cheer my kids on when they make a catch.

I’m also having some trouble typing this, because last night I sat in the living room with a brand-spanking new $88 electric guitar in my hands, trying to follow a guy on a DVD as he showed some basic chords.  I’ve had thoughts of learning the guitar for a couple years now and finally decided to take the leap.  I’m often looking for something to do after supper - I get tired of reading after being online all day and TV seems especially lame lately, so I’m hoping to fill a bit of that time learning to play.  Now if those callouses on the left fingertips would just hurry up and develop...

And thinner?  That’s in a more literal sense.  Between issues like high blood pressure and being generally out of shape (a casualty of working from home) I needed to start exercising more.  Starting the 1st of the year I’ve been getting out daily (mostly, anyway) starting with walking and slowly moving to running.  I’m still not doing more than a mile a day, but along with trying to eat less, drink less coffee and more water I’ve been able to drop 17 pounds and get my blood pressure under control without meds.

I was a really skinny kid growing up, so it’s a bit strange to even have to deal with weight issues—but it has been nice getting a couple of “hey, have you lost weight?” comments.

Wider and thinner - that’s my 2006 strategy.  What’s yours?