Yeah, yeah. I know that title is shite.

In many ways, creating goals and aims in the new year is a bit arbitrary: you can create a goal at any time, and there are better times to start formulating new plans than during the holiday period when you’re most likely drunk.

But that new year, new start mentality really gets under our skin. I know I really feel like no is the time to look back on what went well from the year gone by and look forward to the next year with a sense of how I want to shape it to my will.

2009 has kicked ass. I hesitate to say this, but I think it was actually the best year of my life, so far. We survived our first year of marriage more in wuv than ever (awwwww), we travelled to 18 countries, attended Wacken Open Air, saw some of our favorite bands perform. I managed to get not one, but two major publishers interested in my work. I started both my websites, and CDH finished building his drumkit. We moved into this amazing house, and we decided together on the kind of future we want.

So this year I have several goals: some big, some small. Some will be fun, some will be a buttload of hard-work.

1. Learn German

Part of our dream involves going back to Germany to live, at least for a few years, probably forever. We’ve absolutely fallen head-over-heels in love with the place. But in order to live there, we need to learn zee Deutsch, and learn it well. There’s a community class starting in Feb, so CDH and I will be signing up.

2. Be in a Modelling Shoot

I must confess a little secret: I’ve always wondered what it would be like to model. People say it’s very boring, but it looks like so much fun. I mean, you get to dress up in awesome clothes you could never wear anywhere else, someone fusses over your hair and makeup and you emerge, stunning, at a fantasy location to have a professional take some kick ass photos of you. Gee, that sounds like fun to me. Luckily, a friend has asked me to be part of an elvish shoot for her makeup business in January, so I shall let you know how that goes.

3. Learn the Tin Whistle good enough to be in a Band

I love this instrument, more than I’ve ever loved playing anything before. And after listening to Svartsot, I see what I want to do – play Tin Whistle in a melodic death metal band. But before I can play the whistle in a melodic death metal band, I must be able to play this whistle. Cue many hours of practise.

4. Travel somewhere I’ve never been

I’d like to see a different area of New Zealand – somewhere I haven’t been before. Even if I hate it, I need to go and experience it.

5. Get a Publishing Contract

I’m so close, but I need to concentrate and write and edit and send away and the magic will happen. I just have to put the work in.

6. Launch Steff Metal products

I have some kreig designs in the works, and a few surprises, but it’s taking more work than I expected to get things ready for sale. But I shall prevail. It is 2010, after all.

7. Learn the fine art of preserving

I’m taking a class in the first half of the year, but I have to continue the practise at home. I want to give my family and friends homemade preserves for Christmas this year.

8. Brew a batch of homemade alcohol.

I just think this sounds like fun. I want to make elderberry cider, but this first requires sourcing some elderberries.

9. Concentrate on preparing financially to leave NZ

This means staying clear of debt, and putting untouchable money away to prepare for whatever it is we decide to do. This also means kicking CDH’s money habits into shape, a nigh-impossible task.

10. Become a more considerate, caring person.

Sometimes I feel like I am concentrating so hard on doing all the things I love, that I’m neglecting those people I love most, the people who make my life so wonderful. So, family and friends, 2010 is the year I intend to pay forward the kindnesses that you’ve awarded me. 2010 is the year I try to become the friend you deserve.

11. Stay Metal

Listen to more music, write more reviews, interview more bands, and generally embrace the subculture I love. Because I’ve chosen this life: heavy metal, or not metal at all (Wimps and Posers, leave the hall).

What of you, dear readers? What say you to the new year and new challenges and goals and crises to come? How did you go on your old-years resolutions? I just finished my last one today, as I’ve planted the start of my garden!

See You in 2010
Steff Metal