Update

It's been quite awhile! Last time I was in I was working on achieving 27 goals by 28 (27by28). In July I'll be 29. Many of these things I achieved didn't happen until after I turned 28, but I'm still pleased to share my progress with you.

1. See a musician (I am absolutely geeked about) live

This one nearly didn't happen. I bought tickets to go to Lollapalooza with my sister but she quickly realized she couldn't financially make it. Hearing this, a good friend offered to host me along with his girlfriend and family in Chicago's suburbs, but I couldn't see being the 7th wheel. While stalking Facebook one day, I noticed a film school friend had gone to Pitchfork Fest. She accepted my extra wristband as pay for staying at her apartment, airBnB style. 

I kind of fell in love with Chicago.  My friend lives near Lincoln Park in Lakeview. She is literally blocks walking distance from $2 sangrias, Trader Joe's and this view on a rocky beachfront ridge:

The Art Institute of Chicago was exhibiting Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective, which I saw on Friday, before heading to Lollapalooza. Both were great.

Some highlights:

The Black Keys

Neon Indian's set cut short by a storm that lasted for hours of Saturday's sets

Bloc Party after the storm

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Santigold

 

Sigur Ros

the grounds just after Sigur Ros

At The Drive In

I also saw Saul Williams and Matthew Dear at The Blind Pig later in the fall. They're both amazing.

2. Complete a round of The Whole30 - ATTEMPTED

Nope! I tried again in January 2013. Lasted a few days and then caved to post-holiday delights. My takeaway is that I need to be more consistent day-to-day with my eating habits than worry about perfection at this time.

3. Wear a ring in my nostril piercing

Tried one out at home. My nose is still the same shape it was when I last tried this experiment. Not for public.

4. TBA 

Last July I rode through a cloud in the mountains in Colorado.

5. Volunteer

Worked for a non-profit last summer, continued as a volunteer over the winter. Next time, I would make this goal more specific, like "Volunteer 2 hours a week" or something.

6. TBA

Drove through (down) the mountains of Colorado! Major accomplishment for me as I have always doubted my driving skills. Since then, daily Michigan driving has felt much less threatening.

7. See 27 movies

Yes!

8. Perform a song on an instrument - IN PROGRESS

I'm working on "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" on piano.  It feels great to get back on the keys. Still working out the fingerings. Get a copy of the sheet music here: https://mega.co.nz/#!UI1kRASD!eDauUBpPx4EX8TzUB40atG_S1jkcnjMEXRorDkEtJY8

9. Read Twilight ("Crepusulo") in Spanish - FAIL

Nope.

10. Train for and run a 5k - FAIL

Nope. This is not even a goal I would set for myself now. Running is gross. I am planning to run a 1 Mile Cupid's Run next Valentine's Day. Goals!

11. Live somewhere new - FAIL

Nope. Damn. 

12. Try something made with offal - FAIL

Still on my To Do!

13. Visit 3 cities outside of the state

Chicago for St. Patrick's Day 2012 

Chicago (and Lakeview) for Lollapalooza

 Denver and Boulder, Colorado

Estes Park, Colorado & the Rockies

I wish New York or Boston had made the list... 

14. Flaunt a rocking bathing suit

This is mine: 

My long-haired twin!

15. Take a class

I started several Coursera courses: Pre-Calculus, Engineering Mechanics, Principles of Public Health 101, Sports and Society, and some writing courses. I put the most effort into the Engineering and Public Health ones, but chose to not finish Public Health and narrowly completed Engineering. Public Health was too basic to bother. Engineering took up a lot of time and I didn't schedule it into my life. 

16. Make an unofficial "tribute" music video & post online - FAIL

17. Do a 100-day burpee challenge - FAIL

18. Get a massage

Groupon helped here. I paid for 2 sessions but only went once. All of my muscles ached the week following and I wondered if I was experiencing rhabdo.

19. Get suspicious moles removed - FAIL

20. Drive through a drive-in car wash

21. Make an animation & post online - FAIL

22. Try fish from a can (tuna, anchovies, sardines, whatever)

Kippers are delicious, anchovies are good in paste, sardines are not, tuna is great in this salad: 

http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2011/02/09/youre-the-top-tuna-salad/

23. "Cherub Rock" - FAIL 

My special project remains on the shelf. 

24. Read 27 books (1/27 read) - ATTEMPTED

Eleven read. I recommend these ones: 

Chorus

Kabul Beauty School

It Starts With Food

Primal Body, Primal Mind: Beyond the Paleo Diet for Total Health and a Longer Life

25. Prepare & join CrossFit, MovNat, parkour, or another functional-based movement program

Joined the local crossfit box last October. Love the weightlifting, feel way out of my league during the WODs. Before joining, I imagined I'd be so fit after 7 months. I've made improvements, but ultimately need to make attendance a weekly priority. 

Front Squattin' 55?

26. Get a short haircut - FAIL

Missed. I found a new hairdresser, though :)

27. Blog 1-3x weekly from July 5, 2011 - July 5, 2012 - FAIL

Obviously not. 

27by28 Summary: 

11 failed

 3 attempted

13 successes

Overall, a win! I'm delighted with the results and recognize that putting these goals in my mind I was more likely to achieve them.