As an educator, I have my summers off. While it's a perk that most don't get to have, I particularly don't enjoy it all that much. In essence, I get bored pretty quickly. During any academic year, between teaching, coaching and writing, I usually put in about 60 hours per week. (Sure, writing for this website is a hobby that a I enjoy, but it is work.) The truth is, though, I need the time off. My brain is sharper than ever, but my body? Not so much.

To keep myself occupied, I created a list of goals last month to keep myself occupied. Without further ado, here it is:

Become a better guitar player.
I've played the guitar off and on now for about 10 years. I'm mediocre at best, but would like to get to the level that I could play some acoustic gigs if I wanted to. Not that I want to, but it would be cool knowing that I could if I wanted to.

Learn how to play the harmonica.
The harmonica is awesome. And it would be really cool for those acoustic gigs...

Write some letters.
In the past two months, I have read Taking the Hill: From Philly to Baghad to the United States Congress, by Congressman Patrick J. Murphy and Don't Call Me Coach: A Lesson Plan for Life by Phil Martelli, head basketball coach at Saint Joseph's University. Both books are excellent, and both authors deserve a letter from yours truly. That probably sounds arrogant, but both individuals have impacted my life significantly even though I have never actually met them.

Read more.
Next on my list is World Without End, by Ken Follett, followed byMy Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey, by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D.

Listen to Fresh Air as often as possible.
Since the show starts at 3 p.m. I don't get to hear it all that often during the academic year. It's definitely the best show on radio.

Back up all of the music on my iPod.
I lost my iPod and all 10,000 songs about one month ago at the Fire on the Farm, and guess what boys? I just found it! It's time to back up everything up, because the last month has been hell.

So, that's it. I'll let you know what I'll be doing with myself when I finish the list by August.