Tuesday, March 27, 2007

40 Things

When my friend, Melissa, turned 40 a couple of years ago, she set a goal to do 40 things she'd never done before and do them before turning 41. I thought it was such a cool idea, I've decided to do it, too.

Making the list has been interesting and more difficult than I thought it would be. Everything seems to be falling into one of four categories:

1. things that go on the list;
2. things that can't go on the list because I've already done it (I've done way more things than I thought!);
3. things that won't go on the list because there's just no way in hell I would ever do it (i.e., I'm not jumping out of a plane); and
4. things that can't go on the list because it's just not possible to do in the next year (Pompeii's going to have to wait).

So here I am, two weeks past my birthday, and I still don't have 40 things on my list. So I'm soliciting suggestions.

Here's my list so far:

1. go to Canada
2. audition for an amateur symphony
3. throw a Texas Independence Day party
4. start a novel
5. learn to blow glass
6. go sailing
7. go snow skiing
8. meet Marinda
9. find an on-line photo group and post a new photo once a week
10. go camping in a tent
11. learn to make croissants
12. learn to knit
13. go to kentucky
14. take a dance class with Jamie
15. take a cooking class
16. perform random acts of kindness once a week
17. learn to make one spectacular meal that would be appropriate if
Jamie brings Mr. Tate and some clients home for dinner
18. serve it at a grown up dinner party
19. go to Iowa
20. go to Wisconsin
21. go to Minnesota (I don't want to, but I *need* items!)
22. learn a song on the guitar
23. cook a real meal on a campfire
24. attend a greek orthodox liturgy

So, all my home slices out there (I can pass for 21, can't I?!?)! Send me suggestions, please!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

How about drink a bottle of $100 wine or some Dom Perignon? Is there a financial limit?

LeahC said...

love it...i can help with a few.

6.....i know some sailors in Chicago or if you are up for a trip to the bahamas my dad likes company :-)

9. I stalk this site all the time : http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/

they have assigments on there which are fun to play with

12. i know how to knit and actually have a scarf 1/2 way done if you want to take over :-) (i don't have the patience)

other items....

....run a 1/2 marathon (or whatever distance...the indy mini is a *great* race with tons (!) of people) (imagine that my sugguestion would involve running ;-) )

Jason said...

How about "see a Cubs game", conveniently also checking off "visit in-laws in chicago".

While you're there, "Eat greatest caramel popcorn known to man" can be taken care off at Garretts.

Susanne said...

Jana, sadly, there is a financial limit, but I can do *something* with alcohol. That's a good idea!

i know some sailors in Chicago

Leah!!! :)

Thanks for the photography site and I'm going to take you up on the scarf thing! Running in anything isn't a this-year thing, though.

Cubs game, visiting Chicago in-laws and caramel popcorn are all on the list!

Thanks, home slices!

Anonymous said...

-"Finally meet Jamie's cool-ass friends Adam and Melissa"

-Have you ever been indoor rock climbing? Easy, affordable, and fun in Indy.

-I was going to say "shoot a gun" (that was one of my "do this before I die" things recently, and wouldn't have happened were my father not a hunter, but seeing as you're from Texas, I'm guessing you've got it covered).

-will let you know if I have any other brilliant ideas.

Susanne said...

Ok, meeting Jamie's cool-ass friends, Adam and Melissa, and their adorable baby, too--on the list!!

So there's a misperception about Texans and guns, I see! That's interesting! :) I've never shot a gun and most of the Texans I know haven't, either. I don't like guns or concealed weapon laws and to be honest, they scare me, so I couldn't possible actually shoot one!

This reminds me of one of my favorite Ann Richards quotes. After she vetoed a right-to-carry law around 1994, the NRA tried to convince her that Texas women would feel a lot safer if they could carry guns in their purses. Ann said, "Well, you know that I am not a sexist, but there is not a woman in this state who could find a gun in her handbag."