Rating for 9/16: 3

I'd like to articulate three principles that I plan to use for my ratings. The first is that my scores will be a function of how well I applied my will, without regard to the outcome. So, for example, if I decide to research possible internet providers, and I spend the day looking without finding anything useful, I'll still rate the day well, because I did what I was capapable of doing, namely, researching instead of sitting around, and the fact that I didn't end up finding anything won't affect the score. Or, if I bike to the library to return a book, and when I arrive it's closed due to some freak accident, I won't penalize myself for returning a book late. Those examples sucked, but I think they made the point. The second principle is that, in almost every instance my scores won't consider whether or not my goals were well formed. So, for example, if I were still looking for a job, and I decided that it would be a good idea to create a profile on a job search website, and spent the time uploading my resume, and then I found out that the site sucked and no one ever finds jobs by using it, I'd still reward my initiative for creating the profile, even if it turned out to be useless. I will penalize myself, however, if I fail to utilize the knowledge that I gain in future situations. So in the future if I used that website again (I don't know why I would), I would penalize myself for wasting time. Again, bad example, but I think I made my point. The reason for that one is that I can't be expected to know everything a-priori--I'll make mistakes, and hopefully learn from them, but I interpret the rating system as only taking into account how well you use the resources that you have on hand, and at the time, i.e., energy, knowledge, money, time, etc. The third principle is that my rating will reflect how well I did what I was trying to do, not how much work I did per se. This brings me to yesterday's rating. Yesterday was meant to be a day of rest, so I'm not penalizing myself for not working, since I wasn't supposed to. However, I do think it's possible to do better or worse when relaxing. For example, I find reading and playing video games equally relaxing, but the former is obviously more beneficial, so I'd rate myself higher if I relaxed all day by reading instead of playing games. Well, yesterday I did both, more on the side of virtue than vice, but only barely, hence the three.

Rating for 9/15: 4

Yesterday I performed well at work, while continuing to take in a lot of new information. Right after work I went to the gym and lifted weights for an hour. After that I went home and made dinner for the house. Following that I thourougly cleaned the kitchen, listened to some Debussy, and read the final couple of pages in Franklin's autobiography. The only thing that prevents yesterday from being a 5 was that I was lazy in morning and didn't get off to a proper start (i.e., snoozed past my wake up time and skipped breakfast).

Rating for 9/12: 4

There isn't any good reason why I haven't been posting--I just haven't gone to the library in the last few days. Even though my neglect in that respect has been shameful, I had an excellent day yesterday. Before I start, I wanted to say that I'm pleased to see what looks like an increase in everyone's average scores. Points for my day yesterday:

* I started training at Cafe Normandy, a French restaurant on Main Street in Annapolis. Even though I don't have any prior restaurant experience with which to compare my experience there, the job seems like it'll be great. Good pay, flexible hours, nice environment, and all the staff that I've met so far have made a favorable impression on me. I did well during my training and took in a lot of information. I even took two table, both of which were fine.

* I had my built in point-scorer--my bike. Simply by riding from home to work and back again, I got a good work out and enjoyed a beautiful day.

* When I got home from work, I resisted a powerful impulse to sleep, and instead, I took care of some petty business stuff and worked on dinner for the house. Although I only made pasta, sauce, and some vegetables, none of which required much time or skill, the meal turned out well.

* After dinner I finished part three and began part four of Franklin's Autobiography. Being at part four means that I'm about 98% done with the book. As it did the first time, reading that book has motivated and inspired me. Definitely on my favorites list.

Negatives:

* I was a few minutes late for my first day of work, which was only partially my fault. The Compromise Street Bridge was raising just as I got to it, so I had to wait about five minutes for the boats to pass before I could continue biking to work. I should have left earlier, in order to anticipate the possibility of the bridge being drawn, but at least I'll know for the future to plan for that. Management didn't even notice though, (I don't think), and my day went well notwithstanding my tardiness.

* I mislead my housemates later in the day when I want to watch the Eagles game. The details are insignificant, but the upshot is that I should have been more clear with them about my plans, because I left them waiting due to a misunderstanding. I also didn't plan well for getting home, but I ended up finding a way.