These Digits

I've been working on my life list a lot lately. It isn't something I've ever really shared with anyone beyond the verbal "oh that is on my life list." But I'm off to Camp Mighty later this year and so perhaps its time to take my list to the world of blogs. It is not complete as of yet, plus I'm already crossing items off, but I view this list as an ever changing horizon of things to look forward to, to things to work towards, and things to dream of.

I am going to start documenting each item as I cross them off the list. Hopefully sharing these experiences will inspire someone, at the very least they will be a wonderful way for me to cherish the things I have done.

Without further adu. My life list:

Travel to all seven continents
Make a quilt for each of my siblings and my parents
Visit all of the major National Parks
Make the perfect oooy gooooogy chocolate cake
Knit myself a sweater
Actually read Pride and Prejudice all the way through
Become comfortable playing the piano
Go on a trip with only my siblings (no spouses, no parents, no children)
Make and maintain a garden all spring summer fall long
See the Northern Lights
Complete a triathlon
Take a trip by myself (more than 3 days)
~~Learn to Ski –~~ Visited Dona and Dough in Salt Lake City for a week in February 2012. Doug took me to Alta after it snowed several feet. We skied the bunny slope three times. I thought my legs would fall off by the end of it. Pretty exhilarating though. Only fell once, but boy is it humbling to be rescued by a 60+ year old!
Learn to Surf
Do a handstand, a set of 12 pull ups and 25 pushups in one day
Make cheese
Juggle a soccer ball 50 times in a row
Spend a full day in all 50 states
Reupholster a couch
Build myself a piece of furniture from wood
Complete a 30/30 wardrobe challenge
Compile a list of 100 movies I’ve never seen and must see. (and see em)
Make a list of 100 books I should read. (and read em)
Spend a week without phone, internet, computers, etc.
Make a lemon meringue pie just like Grandma’s (with the perfectly golden swirlytop)
Paint a self portrait
Get a coffee for a stranger who looks like the could use it
Learn 100 new words – or clarify words I’m murky on, must be used correctly in every day conversation
Scan all family slides and photos. Help mom and dad to actual document them – In 2011 I scanned all of the photos from Mom and Dad’s collection. I was able to scan them all in time for Dan and Will’s weddings, but need to organize and date them as best as possible. Still need to scan all the photos. Also need to get Grandma’s photos.
Go to a Skins, Wizards, Caps, DC United, O’s, and ~~Nat’s~~ game
Visit Monticello – went in 2011 for work, but got to play around throughout the house after it was closed off to the public, so I’m half counting it.
Go on a real backpacking trip
Ride on a motorcycle – in 2011 while visiting Bri and Ryan we took a ride out to the country for brunch (Bri and I in her mini, Ryan on his motorcycle). On the way back I rode with Ryan for a little bit. My whole body was tense and exhausted from it (that is what being at attention, gripped with fear for 30 minutes does to you, same feeling applied to skiing). Definitely a thrilling experience. I think scooters might be more my speed.
Learn how to take a blood pressure/pulse and what it means.
Fly (carryon) with only one book and slippers (and ID, wallet, etc).
Collect and hang 30 pieces of art
Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
~~Learn how to do/book steak justice~~ – in 2012 I purchased a really nice steak from a fancy pants store in Rockville. I was at meat counter and was hemming and hawing about the cost and if I should get it when the gentleman helping me out winks, lifted up the steak and pressed a button, sending me out the door with “less” meat than I had. When I got home I did some research only to find that all I needed was salt, pepper and a hot grill. I watched the clock like a hawk and followed the directions to the T and nailed it. My steak was finger licking good (yup, actually legit licked my fingers) and has definitely made me more confident about cooking different meat cuts.
Build an amazing studio – with a dark room, a wheel, sewing area, paper arts, etc.
Learn how to dance, starting with swing
Cut down my own Christmas tree
Learn how to change my car’s oil and other basic car stuff
Visit every Smithsonian in DC
Go to a Buddest/zen retreat where you don’t speak for a week
Build a tree house
Take a trip with my mom
Go to an Olympic Game/event
Ride the Ferris wheel with my sweetheart
Through the most kickass birthday party for someone else
Learn at least one Ceili dance for my mom
Make a time capsule
Attend a real gala in a gorgeous gown
Live in a room with a glass ceiling so I can watch the stars at night
Design and build my own home
Take portraits of all the important people in my life
Ride elephants in a foreign land
Find an amazing historic building in need of TLC and give it TLC
Learn to whistle with my fingers
Throw a proper British high tea party
Master a British accent
Take a calligraphy class
Shake the President’s hand
Take archery lessons
Write down my parents histories and stories
Have a kickass Halloween costume
Visit the major sites of the Revolutionary War
Speak in front of a crowd (as a sane, understandable person)
Learn the basics of physics
Restore a car
Dance around a May Pole
Play a serious game of capture the flag
Wake up outside 1000 times
See Circe De Soleil show
Dance naked under a full moon (@ equinox?)
Pet a dolphin, swim with if possible
Teach a class
Make jam from fruit I’ve grown
Front row tickets to a show I really want to see
Fly first class
Have a cool collection and document it
Go to a party where nobody speaks English
Replace all IKEA furniture in my home
Write the story of my life down
Learn about the constellations
Learn to play the Banjo
Open my own shop or craft table
Take a luxurious bath in a giant claw footed bathtub
Ride in a helicopter (for fun)
Visit all of the National Trust for Historic Preservation locations

I'm getting close to my goal of 100. Once I get there I plan to add something new every time I cross something off. Next up: doing a triathlon. Ready or not, I will be jumping in the potomac this coming Sunday morning. I will swim that mile, bike 25 and run a 10k and then we'll see if I ever feel like doing it again.

I am terrible at resolutions. I do not keep them. As a result I've never ever gone on a diet, or saved for something specific. If I made the rule then I can break the rule.

But I've gone an done something that will change that-ish. I signed up for a triathlon. This is going to require a sharp change in accountability to myself, which I need. This morning was day one of pre training. I got out of bed early and went for a walk with my roomie. We are establishing the routine. Pretty soon I have to start running instead of walking, till then it's lovely to have the company.

As part of this whole accountable to myself thing I am also going to bring my lunch to work always. I have prepackaged my foods and am ready to take on week one.

The goal is optimizing health. I will get there!