12 New Things for 2012

2 friends, 12 new things, 1 year to try them all!

posted by Melissa Baumgart & Amy Baranski

A new year begins today!

Over the course of this past year we unintentionally discovered that the motivating force driving the blog has shifted from finding that one passion to opening ourselves to new experiences and challenges.

In the words of octogenarian protester Dorli Rainey's hero: "Whatever you do, take one more step out of your comfort zone."

You're Invited 

One of the best parts of blog has been reader participation: from your comments to your suggestions, and your cheerleading, we love it all. As Melissa chants: I like it! I love it! I want more of it!

Each month this year we will post a poll where you can pledge to join the month's new thing. Think of it as a symbolic act  among our blog community to inspire all of us to keep stepping out of our comfort zones.

How many of these 12 new things would you take on?

• February: Read a Book a Week (Amy)
• March: Water Aerobics (Amy - suggested by Ann)
• April: DIY Home (Melissa)
• May: Fishing (Melissa)
• June: Teach Your Husband How to Cook (Amy - Suggested by Jamie)
• July: Paint a Mural (Voted by the readers! Suggested by Cassandra)
• August: Photography (Melissa)
• September: Tennis (Amy)
• October: Sign Language (Melissa)
• November: Hanging Out in Cemeteries (Melissa)
• December: Stand-up Comedy (Melissa - suggested by Natalie and Sarah)
• January: Walk-a-thon (Amy)

Readers' Choice: you pick 1 of my new things

By Amy Baranski

It's that time of year, mid-January, when Melissa and I prepare to reveal our list of 12 new things that we will set out to accomplish for the rest of 2012.

This time around, I'm changing it up. I'd love your help. I'd like to give one of my choices up to you--the readers!

Care to decide my fate for one month in 2012?

I'm already using a reader's suggestion (from a comment thread in October) for this year. And I'd like to open up one other spot on my list of six things to try, not only to your suggestions, but to your vote.

So, what are your suggestions? What should it be?

Here's how you can play along:

1) Suggest something by January 18.
2) Write your idea in the comments of this post, or on Facebook. (Suggestions must be made publicly).
3) I'll select three, at my own discretion, and put up a poll on the blog for you to vote.
4) Whatever suggestion gets the highest votes will be placed on my list.
5) If there's a tie we'll flip a coin.

Sound fair? Sounds totally disastrous to me, so let's do it!

For reference, here's the list we made for 2011.

Of course in deciding these new things here is what I ask you to consider:

• Is it exciting?
• Is it reasonable, for a 30 days?
• Is it a small thing with big impact or a big thing with small impact?
• Cost.
• Location - can I do it in Seattle?
• Would it make a good blog post?
• Does it lend itself to a good photo shoot opportunity?

Okay - have fun, suggest away!

(gulp).