Snowshoes in the Sand

Here is the List.  The things I would like to do with my life.  Taken largely from a post, the List will have a permanent home on this page.  It will be added to, updated, refined and edited but will remain at it’s core the same; a reminder of what I hope to accomplish and a motivator against the humiliation of failure.  In no particular order:

• Create a website- My goal is to create a functioning website and through that process learn about web design and publishing.   This is the first step.
• Get my motorcycle license – I don’t want to get a motorcycle to drive, I just want to know how to ride one.  Who knows, with the way gas prices are going maybe I’ll end up with a scooter anyways.
• Learn to play the guitar - I would be happy with being able to play old favourites to sign around the fire or on the front porch while the world goes by.  This is something I have begun but haven’t got past some very basic chords due to my lack of commitment and practice.
• Learn a second language I will actually use - The French I learned in college has been used exactly once since then.  However, my new found love of Mexican food has prompted me to want to learn Spanish.  Besides, I feel this will help with the next two items.
• Travel extensively- This would include seeing Machu Pichu, the Pyramids, the ruins of Greece, a safari in Africa, Iceland, China, and India.  Edit: I would like to add that I would also like to visit at least two areas of the world where tourists do not normally venture and I would like to have the opportunity to have an authentic local expericence.  This could be as simple as having dinner with a family or as complicated as getting involved in the local politics.
• Running of the Bulls - I want to do this and then watch a bullfight.  I am fascinated by the tragedy of a bullfight and feel that this will be a real visceral experience.
• Ride in a helicopter – I have a fear of heights and even flying in planes isn’t much fun for me.  However, I want to fly in a helicopter.
• Spend time north of the Arctic Circle- I would like to visit places north of the arctic circle either in Canada or Alaska.  I want to see both the untameable environment and the people who somehow eek out a living there.
• Learn how to shoot guns – I’d like to go to a firing range and learn about different types of guns and how to operate them.  I can’t think of anything more manly than firing off a couple rounds from a .44 Magnum.
• Surf – I’ve done this a few times but not enough to be any good at it.  I would like for this to become a part of my life and what I do on a regular basis.
• Lose weight - My goal is to get my Body Mass Index down to about 12% body fat.  Currently, I’m around 22%.  It’s not horrible but it’s not good either.
• Take singing lessons – I have a horrible voice but I love to sing.  I feel bad for those around me who are forced to listen to me.  I would like to make it up to them.
• Finish reading Ulysses by James Joyce - This is the most daunting book I have ever come across (granted: I haven’t read ‘War and Peace’).  I am 100 pages into this thousand page tome and have been for almost a year.  It is my bane.
• Do the splits - Honestly.  For some reason I’ve had this recurring dream where I’m able to do the splits.  It’s an amazing feeling of peace and accomplishment and for about 5 seconds after I wake up I still have that feeling.  Then it fades and I’m left with barely being able to touch my toes.  I have a ways to go.
• Change the oil in a car - I have no idea how to do this but the good people at Jiffylube can do it in 10 minutes so I should reasonably be able to learn how to do this in an hour.  Now, all I need is a car to practice on.

This is my List for now.  I’m sure that there are people who will feel that there are other things I should be putting on my list, things that apparently everyone should aspire to do, but this is my List and as such reflects the direction I would like to travel.  I’d be happy to hear suggestions and I would make one suggestion of my own, try making your own list.  See where you’re at in life and if there are things you’d rather be doing.  Then go do them.

~kbshea