One-hundred things

One-hundred things, with the things I’ve done in bold, and my comments in italics.

1. Started your own blog. Obviously.
2. Slept under the stars. In a tent is the closest I’ve come.
3. Played in a band. This was a fun but short-lived experience in high-school. I still have the bass under my bed and the amp in my closet.
4. Visited Hawaii. I’d like to go to see the Keck Observatory, but I don’t expect the public is allowed to really check it out.
5. Watched a meteor shower. More than a few times. It’s a wonderful experience.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland. I’m not interested, but I’d go in a New York minute if I had kids.
8. Climbed a mountain. Not many of them around here.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. I wouldn’t subject anyone to this. It would be mean.
11. Bungee jumped. With my back? I think it’d be unwise.
12. Visited Paris. Paris Ontario, but I don’t think this is what they mean.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. I started taking pictures when I was thirteen and my first formal instruction was in college. This is close enough to ‘self-taught’ for me.
15. Adopted a child. Not by myself.
16. Had food poisoning. Subway, many years ago. I’m not sure I’ve been back since.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty. It was closed for repairs and covered in scaffolding when I was there. I would have, but couldn’t.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train. Would love to do this someday, perhaps with a special someone.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch-hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. If you say you haven’t, I don’t believe you.
24. Built a snow fort. Interestingly, I’ve only done this as an adult.
25. Held a lamb. I’ve seen plenty, but never picked one up.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a Marathon. I wonder…
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice. Someday, with a special someone, except that the gondolier is standing there looking at us like some kind of creepy voyeur.
29. Seen a total eclipse. Many lunar eclipses, but the solar eclipses have always been obscured by clouds.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. More than a few, but I want to see many more.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise. It’s on my list.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person. I used to drive past it on my way to work.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors. When I was six.
35. Seen an Amish community. Not outside of Witness.
36. Taught yourself a new language. If HTML counts.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. It doesn’t buy happiness…but I’ve learned that when you’re unhappy, you think it would.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person. Crooked old tower. No big.
39. Gone rock climbing. Just last year for the first time! Whoop! Thank you, Brad.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David. Would love to.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt. Meh.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa. I’d like to climb Kilimanjaro but the rest of Africa isn’t high on my list.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight. Someday, with a special someone.
46. Been transported in an ambulance. Kidney stones. I panicked when I realized it could’ve been my appendix. There’s no way I could’ve driven myself, and it was 4 a.m. so who would I call?
47. Had your portrait painted. This would be weird.
48. Gone deep sea fishing. Not really interested. I’d rather just enjoy being on the boat than fool with a fishing rod.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person. Would love to.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain. Someday, with a special someone.
53. Played in the mud. Surely off-roading counts.
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre. Just last year for the first time! Whoop! Thank you, Lori.
55. Been in a movie. If you take a Film Production program, this is hard to avoid.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business. I don’t think that lemonade stand counts.
58. Taken a martial arts class. I have been thinking about this as a possibility.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies. I’d rather buy them, and then eat them!
62. Gone whale watching. I’ve seen dolphins. Does that count?
63. Got flowers for no reason. Once.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma. Have I really not done this?!
65. Gone sky diving. This is a possibility for the future.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a cheque. Once.
68. Flown in a helicopter. Only in a flight simulator, and what a disaster it was!
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy. I’ve still got my Lego.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job. I’ve been laid off once, but never fired.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London. Would love to go to London, but this doesn’t rank high among the things to do.
77. Broken a bone. A chicken bone, but not one of mine.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle. I was a passenger on my uncle’s when I was six, but we just went around the parking lot. No speeding.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican. Would love to.
82. Bought a brand new car. Yes.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper. Name, but not picture…I don’t think.
85. Read the entire Bible. I’ve thought about it, but it’s not an easy read.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox. And I’ve got the divots to prove it!
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury. Always wanted to, but now I’m thinking it would be such an inconvenience. I’ve got stuff to do, you know?
91. Met someone famous. Not in person. My brushes with fame have been via e‑mail.
92. Joined a book club. All the book clubs I know are women-only.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby. Not likely, because you know, I’m a guy and all.
95. Seen the Alamo in person. I’m sure it means a lot to many people, but I’m not among them.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit. Was served, but it never made it to court. Don’t ask…I’ve never told anyone about this before.
98. Owned a cell phone. Since September!
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day. Many times. The first when I was eleven.

Hat tip to Kevin.