88. Learn the meaning of 5 random words in the dictionary and begin using them on a regular basis

I am a firm believer in the idea that if you use big words, you can get away with anything. As such, I would like to enhance my oratory skills through the addition of 5 smart-sounding words.

To find the first of my 5 words that I am going to introduce into my vocabulary, I was on an online dictionary today looking to translate something into French and I came across the word of the day: skulduggery. Here is a brief definition/explanation of the word, just so I don't catch anyone completely off guard with my new expansive repetoire.

skulduggery

\skul-DUG-uh-ree\ , noun;

1.Devious, dishonest, or unscrupulous behavior or activity; also: an instance thereof.

Quotes:
And then the inquests, and the coroner's reports, and the hints of diplomatic cover-ups, and skulduggery in high places.
-- Hilary Mantel, Eight Months on Ghazzah Street

Laptop theft was the third most common electronic skulduggery, behind viruses (84 percent) and unauthorized employee use of computers and software (78 percent), according to the survey by the Computer Security Institute in San Francisco.
-- Michael Cooper, "Low Tech Joins the Fight Against High-Tech Theft", New York Times, April 23, 1998

For instance, the Federal Trade Commission already goes after some kindsof Internet skulduggery, like selling products that promise more than they deliver.
-- David Stout, "New Internet Anti-Fraud Center Announced by Attorney General", New York Times, May 8, 2000

Origin:
The origin of skulduggery is unknown.

61. Make a friend in a random city/county

I had a penpal in highschool. Her name was Mélanie Y********* (I cannot believe that I remember her name) and she was from Paris, France. I always thought it was cool to talk to someone that lived in a different country than me, so I signed up for a penpal last week. It did not go very well for me.

A few days ago, I got a reply from this guy in Ethiopia. At first I thought, neat, Ethiopia is cool, they call samosas 'sambosa' and wear really loud clothes. I replied to him using my old email address just in case he turned out to be a creepo, and it's a good thing I did!

The first thing that I noticed was that he mispelled my name. I have a problem with this, especially since I had written what my name was in the message that he replied to. You want to be my friend? You gotta know my name. I probably would have let it slide if the next thing that he wrote was not: (actual exerpt from email)

"now i have a friend i'm happy to know you could you tell me your visit how do u find NY (I had mentioned my trip in my email) do you have a plan to vosit Africa as weel see you soon and i would be happy if we chat"

No, I will not be seeing you soon. I did not sign up for a pen pal in order to find a boyfriend on the other side of the world. Delete.

So if anyone out there knows someone who wants a pen pal, hopefully one that has no desire to meet me, give me their name. Until then, my quest continues.

74. Disconnect from technology for a whole weekend

I thought that I could complete this task while I was in NYC since I didn't want ridiculous roaming charges, and that I could probably stay away from a computer, and maybe my Ipod. Simple enough in theory.

I was sucessful with my cell phone. I just left it in the car and forgot about it. I didn't really need it since I just made sure never to wander off on my own. But, as for the rest, I wasn't able to stay away from. I didn't check my email but I did check twitter when I went to the Apple Store on 5th avenue and from my brother's IPod. And I was listening to music for the whole drive. So, I think that my attempt at this goal failed, but I still have 150 weekends to do it properly. I will probably try it the next time I go camping, since I am pretty much forced into technological seclusion.

I completed/began a few other goals, but I will update later.

92. Finish 5 crossword puzzles completely, without cheating

Well, I finished 1 out of 5. I like doing crosswords, but I usually end up not being about to find the last few words. This was on level easy, it is the only one that I am going to allow myself on easy. The rest have to be medium skill or hard.