Date:  2023-01-14
Time:  17:36:32 UTC
Title: New Year's Resolutions for 2023
Why post new year's resolutions so late in January? Why, to show how much
progress you've made meeting them, of course!

1. Apply for a new job in computational biology: there's definitely already
progress on this front. I'm applying for a fellowship at the local National
Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop cancer genome
benchmarking standards, amongst other projects. This is not only purely
computational/bioinformatic but also has the potential for some seriously high
impact papers! Already I have most of the research proposal and several other
sections of the application complete.

2. Bike over 3000 miles in 2023: Just two weeks into the year, I've hit 137
miles! I'm trying to bike at least 10 miles per day, if not 15, finding new
routes around work in Bethesda. What's incidentally formed in my mind since
starting this challenge is a mental map of safe, quick cycling routes through
the transportation hellscape of wealthy suburban Washington, which certainly
could be helpful to others as well. I imagine all types of loops, but mainly
safe crosstown routes at regular intervals. I made great progress last month
and if the current trend holds I will bike 3562 miles by the end of the year.
Once I pass 5000 miles, I will "gift" (well, trade) myself a proper chromoly,
lightweight steel road bike. On that note, I still have a low-end hi-tensile
steel road bike with chrome rims I need to sell...

3. Publish a paper this year: this was not hard to achieve. I had a paper
accepted shortly after new year's. I think it was January 4th I received the
acceptance letter. Right now I am looking at the article proofs before final
publication.

4. Make regular YouTube videos on computers and bicycles: I still have to
fulfill this resolution. I need to find the time to record at least one video
per week. This will be easier once my NRC/NIST fellowship application (see #1)
is complete.

5. Regularly updating my phlog: while I certainly want to publish more writing
to my phlog, I have made decent progress by posting weekly an intro to my radio
show, the copacetic music hour, and I seem to be drawing a good bit of
readership if mastodon is any indication. However, in the future, it would be
great to regularly share thoughts on computing, science, cycling, and urban
planning, amongst other topics. If anything, I want to share regular reports
about my bike rides, both to improve my writing skills and to convey the
emotions, sights, sounds, and sweaty grunts of the rides in words. Cycling may
work my leg muscles and improve my coordination, but only regular reading and
writing will strengthen my brain muscles.