Monday, October 20, 2008

90 Til 30: Why Inauguration Day Is Bigger Than Politics.

Just three months from today, while much of the United States is trapped amidst a bleak and gray winter, a bright and warm moment will bring the World together as one to celebrate the passing of one age into an entirely new one. Regardless of whom they've supported in the past, or the cumbersome worries they may carry into the future, the World will unite and look beyond what we've known these past few years. Partisan politics will be forgotten (if just for a brief time) and the World will finally turn the page to move ahead with hope and optimism. Men will weep. Women will cheer. Songs will be sung. Bibles will be sworn upon. Children will be forced to pretend they care.

January 20, 2009. My 30th birthday. It also happens to be Inauguration Day. Either way, seems like it's worth celebrating.

Before all that happens, I feel as though there are still a great many things I should do, experience, and accomplish before I exit my twenties. Moreover, I'm interested in your thoughts and advice as to what you might recommend I do within the next 90 days. They can be big things or little things, as long as they are achievable things (its doubtful that I can win an Olympic medal between now and January).

Give me advice. Tell me one of your favorite accomplishments or destinations. Tell me something you've always wanted to do and why. Just make a suggestion. It could be to learn your favorite birdcall or to visit a favorite locale. It could be to play chess in a park or to learn to drive a motorcycle. Share something. Teach something. Plus, you get super triple extra bonus points if you go so far as to help with a direction or recommendation for HOW to go about doing whatever it is you suggest.

Here are a few random uncompleted items off of my Life List that might spark your thinking. I won't get through them all yet, but I'll cross a few of these off in the next 90 days (and some others, too).

16. Buy an ice cream cone for a stranger.
20. Commission a work of art.
31. Write a story for mom.
47. Speak at TED.
48. Swim with a manatee.
49. Learn to surf.
63. Drive the entire PCH.
66. Beat Super Mario Brothers.
67. Get ink.
74. Learn how to sew on buttons.
95. Travel to make a difference, not just for business and for vacation.

You will, of course, be updated about progress, especially concerning any recommendations or advice you might give.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

117. Start a blog. (Ok, not that funny, but just deal with it)

138. Wash city windows sitting in one of those harnesses.

184. Make a Jimmy John's sandwich in less than 30 seconds.

196. Skateboard in a drained pool.

197. Shoot a moose.

Unknown said...

To Do Today:
5). Track down a friend you haven't spoken with since H.S. and check in
4). Spend 30 minutes with your oldest living relative
3). Pull someone in your office today and tell them how you're going to help them meet their career goals
2). During lunch, spend 10 minutes picking up trash outside your office building
1). Go the entire day without expressing a "negative" thought.

| m | said...

117b. COMMIT to regular blogging (that's the part I struggle with!)

Admin said...

Directions on how to accomplish certain listed items:
COMMISSION ART: http://www.erichelvie.com/
his amazing portraits are going to be legend. SOON. Gotta get a self portrait from this dude.

INK: Highly recommend getting ink ASAP. Go big or go home. Art get's old. Go classic. Something that would still be B-A on a 80 yr. old man! :) Life Force Studios in Marion is affordable, clean and impressive. (*my left forearm) or Hank's Tattoo in Warsaw (*right forearm)

Also, learn to play an instrument that not many people know. I would recommend the sitar.