This is a much more personal post than other things I’ve been putting on this blog so far, and because of that, the likelihood of people other than myself caring about this is small. But in the nature of “personal” things (or so far as that term really works in the context of a publicly viewable blog) I am putting it here anyways to serve as a guide; a record book or log, of sorts. Moving on…
MTV has been running a show since early 2010 called ‘The Buried Life’ which follows a group of four guys as they travel around the country and tick things off their list of “100 Things To Do Before You Die”. When I first heard about the show I was really quite excited and got a hold of a few episodes to check out. It was cool, and well executed, but still left me disappointed because it wasn’t what I had been expecting. While very entertaining, list items like “Ask Out the Girl of Your Dreams” or “Attend a Party at the Playboy Mansion” wouldn’t really do much for me in the way of fulfillment or satisfaction.
SO. What follows is a list of things that I intend to do before I depart from this world. Not all of these things are epic, and none are unachievable. None of these things have intense restrictions or prerequisites like money, job position or social status. These things are, simply put, things that I want need to do in my lifetime. My publishing this is a binding agreement with myself that these things will happen. This will be a living document, with additions noted, and dates mentioned when things are completed, with links to posts that talk more in depth about the experiences. Here we go…
In no particular order other than when I thought of them:
Become a licensed skydiver.
Everybody wants to skydive. But I need to go further in order to do other things on this list. This is perfectly feasible. Based on prices for a Vermont-based school, I can become a licensed diver for about $1500. Worth it. I’ll be starting with the first of seven training classes this spring/summer.
- Licensed: No
- Jumps: 0
Added 2/17/2011
Basejumping / Wingsuit Basejumping
This is the reason I need to become a licensed skydiver. Most resources I’ve read recommend at least 150 dives from an airplane before you move on to taking a First Jump Course (FJC) for base jumping. Some base jumping schools require that number (or more) of dives from an airplane before you can even do a FJC. More details to follow, but this is definitely down the road a bit.
- Basejumped?: No
- Wingsuit Basejumped?: No
Added 2/17/2011
Five Continents
This is based on the more updated thinking which includes six total continents: Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Eurasia, North America, and South America. Which five is yet to be seen. At the time of this writing (February 8th, 2011) I have not left North America. Unfortunate, I know. Let’s change that.
- North America: Yes
- South America: No
- Eurasia: No (Trip to England scheduled for May!)
- Australia: No
- Antarctica: No
- Africa: No
** Bonus points for rock climbing on each of those five continents
Added 2/17/2011
Walk the Appalachian Trail
Last summer gave me a taste of the trail before my knees failed me. The result, of course, being that I now have some sort of obligation to myself to go back and prove it wrong. This one is going to take some planning, but it needs to happen, whether I just do it in sections or straight-through, we will see.
- Walked It?: No
Added 2/17/2011
Learn to write with my right hand
I’ve always been weird in the sense that my dominant hand/foot differs between types of activities. I write and draw left-handed. I throw baseballs and generally play sports right-handed. I can kick soccer balls quite well with either foot, though strongest with my right. In any case, I’m no longer OK with my right hand not being able to do coordinated activities like writing or drawing, so I’m going to change that.
- Fluent Writing with Right Hand?: No
Added 3/4/2011
As previously stated, this will be a living post, updated as things are completed or as I decide to add to the list.
I’d love to hear from any readers about similar things that they have a real desire and passion to get done in their lifetimes. Shoot me an email at living@withawe.com
(photo for the Life List banner courtesy of Flickr user Vinoth Chander)
