10 Things For 2013

Considering I did just one thing on my list of goals for 2012, I can't really expect that writing this down carries much weight. But I'm going to do it anyway.

1. Finish new EP/Full Length Album
Just like last year, this list kicks off with my hope to complete an album next year. This is the one goal I managed to do last year, so I have hope for this one. And I'm already two songs into the recording of the EP and three songs into the arrangements for the full-length, so I feel good about this goal. EP should be done by late spring/early summer. I would like to have the full-length done by the end of the year, but money is always a factor with that one. So, at the very least, I'd like to be very far into the process.

2. Get More Music Gear
I need: An amp, a pick-up for my tenor guitar so I can play it out, and a new electric guitar. This was on my list for last year and I did not get these things mainly due to money. But, I got a Music-Go-Round gift card for Christmas and I should be able to - at the very least - get the pick-up for the tenor with it. So that's something. In fact, I think I planned to go there today to get it...

3. Lose Weight
Seriously, I could just cut and paste last year's list for this one since I DID NOTHING. But, whatever. I need to lose weight. I'd like to lose 20 pounds. Which should be easy since I'm pretty sure that's what I put on over the holidays and that usually comes off pretty easy once the new year starts and I get back into a routine. So, really, I should say 40 pounds. But, good lord, that's a lot.

4. Be Happy With Wherever Home Is
There's a chance we might not be living where we are living right now next year. And that makes me incredibly sad. BUT, I need to remember that as long as I have The Husband and, now, Robbie, home is where we are and all of that cliche stuff.

5. Treat Myself to Something Once a Month
Okay. So, making a goal to spoil myself seems ridiculously selfish. BUT, I think it's important to treat yourself and I'm not talking about extravagances. But if I see a $30 pair of shoes at Target that I want, I would like to think: I can get these as my treat to myself and it's okay. Or maybe it will just be one day of doing nothing on the couch (that I hope to buy soon). It can be anything. But it's important to take care of yourself. With that said...

6. Be More Charitable
I have always wanted to donate my time/money to causes more. I would like to donate to the rescue that has now given us two amazing dogs. I would like to donate my time at shelters. I just want to help. Sadly, I can be very lazy. And with that being said...

7. Stop Overextending Myself
I do not have to take every show offered to me. I do not have to go to every show that is happening. I do not have to constantly be doing something. I need to have some me time. Although, I did nothing all day this past Saturday and had plans to do something Saturday night and - because I did nothing all day - I could not drag myself out of the house that night. I can turn into a sloth very easily.

8. Read More
I don't think I read a single book in 2012 and that's sad. Wait. I just finished Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (aka The Bloggess). Big post coming up about that soon. But that was the only book I read this year. I need to fix that for 2013. Even if I just promise myself one book a month.

9. Be More Proactive
I am a reactor. I sit and I wait for something bad to happen and when it does, I react. Badly. Even though there was plenty of opportunity to change the course. If I see something heading towards the wrong path, I need to stop it from happening if and when I can so my little world is not filled with so much devastation.

10. Take Control
This goes with number 9 up there. I need to take control of my life and not let things get so insane. I need to be more assertive. More self-assured. I need to plan. I need to budget. I need to think things through. For someone who is such a worrier and pessimist, I am way too flighty and tend to jump the gun and say yes to EVERYTHING. Sometimes saying yes isn't the best thing to do. I need to know that.

So, here's to 2013. May it be ever so much better than 2012. I've been hearing across the social medias that 2012 was a pretty shitty year for most everyone. I hope your 2013 is everything you want it to be.

Have a wonderful - AND SAFE - New Year's Eve!

2012 In Pictures, Part 2

Us again.

Technically, I did not take this picture. But my camera did. And I love it.

State Fair ride.

 Ani Difranco. First Avenue. 

 Snagged a set list from Ani's show. I've always wanted to get one.

A Cannonball mission. Cornfield maze.

My team won Cannonball this year. These were our prizes. Plus the bragging rights.

Met Amanda Palmer before her show.

Amanda Palmer at First Avenue.

More new song lyrics.

EP recording.

Duluth views.

Picking songs for my Duluth set list.

Equal love for ALL.

Election Day!

Robbie joins the family.

P.O.S. Get well soon.

Backstage at The Cedar.

Roe Family Singers and Prairie Fire Lady Choir soundchecking.

On the way to Robbie's first vet visit (with us).

Looking out the window is his favorite.

NE art studio birthday parties.

Prissy Clerks record release show at 7th Street Entry.

Sleeping puppy.

 Cold bus rides.

Wink and me.

Waiting for Zoo Animal at The Cedar.

 Robbie's favorite toy.

Cuddle time.

 More EP recording.

The best thing to happy to me all year. 

2012 In Pictures, Part 1

My boots. Had to throw them away later in the year.

 This became the pic that I use for all things niki becker music.

Rainbow off West Seventh.

 331 Club during Art-A-Whirl. One of my favorite times of any year.

 Waiting to go on at Honey.

This brought no luck this year.

The first of many pictures of alcohol I took this year once I started using Instagram.

New boots to replace the old boots. These are almost ready for the garbage, too.

Last salon haircut I got. Need my bangs back.

The Husband fixing his bicycle.

Watching Soccer outside at Brits.

Homer.

Hanging out in the studio with a friend who was recording.

One of the houses I grew up in.

One of the towns I grew up in - and the last town my mom lived in.

Watching The Husband's Soccer game. 

Cocoa.

 My new album, Sea Salt.

The first time my song was played on 89.3 The Current. I just about died.

CD Release show window. Aug. 4, 2012.

El le Faunt & His Traveling Circus playing my CD release show.

Downtown St. Paul/Mississippi River views from our houseboat hotel room post CD release show.

  The shores of Lake Superior.

Us.

New song lyrics.

Lamp Frog watches over us.

Just Amanda Palmer and me on some CMJ lists.

The Flaming Lips. One of the most amazing shows I've ever seen. Ever.

Vote no.

 A girl turns 33.