I’m writing this post early so that I can concentrate today. Stop laughing, I’m trying to get better…
The (Not So) Big Reveal
Yesterday I made mention of publishing a Bucket List, I’ll call it more of a “Things I Want To Do” List:
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The Bucket List — To Be Completed Before I Die
- Sleep at least one night in all fifty US states, as well as Washington DC.
(I’ve struck through all of those I’ve already slept in during my adult life)
Alabama, Alaska,Arizona, ArkansasCalifornia,Colorado,Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,Florida,Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho,Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,Massachusetts,Michigan,Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska,Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico,New York,North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,South Carolina, South Dakota,Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont,Virginia,Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming - Take a ride in a hot air balloon (may not seem like much to you, but I’m very afraid of heights)
- Spend at least one month of my life touring Ireland and/or Europe
- Quit my job (some would also call this “retiring”)
- Learn Sign Language
- Sell my current house and either move into a proper loft, tiny house, or nothing
- Take a long train trip (better do this soon since I don’t see many trail rails being installed these days)
- Have a photograph published in a national print magazine
- Visit, and photograph, Mount Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, the St Louis Arch (I’m sure there are more that I can’t think of at the moment)
- Plan and execute a multi-day bicycle trip
These are just the first ten of what will be an ever-evolving list. Now I need to figure out where to post this for future reference.
If You Cancel Trivia, Will They Come?
The answer to this is “Perhaps.” I wound up meeting friends for trivia dinner at F.R.O.G.S. in midtown. As could be imagined, the main topic of conversation was where the team would gather for future trivia outings.
As for F.R.O.G.S. it was my first, and most-likely last trip to the restaurant. The service we received was incredibly sub-standard, the menu didn’t really appeal to me, and the “Loco Nachos” that I ordered last night were not really to my liking. To be fair, F.R.O.G.S. has existed for a long time without me, so I’m sure they’ll do fine without any future patronage from me.
ITP Flickr Pic
One of the things I love about my camera, when I finally get around to using it, is its ability to fire at high shutter speeds.
Obviously taken at last Friday’s Chattanooga Lookouts game.
Bummer, The Jackmobile Can’t Get Humped
Ignoring the mechanical issues the Jackmobile has had in recent months, it has provided me will all I’ve needed. The other day I found one more shortcoming.
On my recent trip to Nashville I started thinking about buying a Yakima storage box for my bike rack. With such a device I could pack it full of stuff and do something crazy like take a long car trip.
The problem I have is that because the Jackmobile is a two-door car the position of the bike rack’s crossbars is too close to accept the connection mechanism of the storage boxes. Dangen! I’m sure that I can eventually cobble something together, or perhaps purchase a larger vehicle.
Happy, Um Belated, Birthday
I hate missing birthdays for people I call friends. When I looked at the calendar last night all I could do is smack myself on the head and sigh.
Tuesday was the birthday of one of my long-time friends, and ITP-Reader Lisa (Cheese). It doesn’t seem all that long ago when a group of poor-singing hashers joined together to serenade her on her thirtieth birthday…
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – fair, but I’m really not motivated today
Current Music – listening to yesterday’s “Buzz Out Loud” podcast from c|net
Website Of The Day – Tumbleweed Tiny House Company makes some really compelling (for me) plans for small houses.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – 201 pounds
Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~6 miles, Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 4 (19)
Vegetarian Days – 2, Carnivorous Days – 28
Marta Rides – 0
July Goals
– Regain interest in my life
– Not get fired from my job
– Plan and lay a successful Black Sheep hash on July 19th
2009 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 190 pounds (today’s weight was 199.5 pounds)
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
РEarn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Jalape̱o Beach SmugMug account I opened the other day.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C (iPhone development) and Ruby on Rails (Black Sheep web page concept)
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
10. Plan and execute a multi-day bicycle trip: Could this mean something organized, like BRAG, or something where you carry all your gear with you? I’m not into the touring idea, I can’t imagine adding that much extra weight to the bike. I’m bad enough at climbing.
7. I don’t think the trains are going away (well, at least not freight trains, and if they do, I’ll need to start looking for a new job). I think Amtrak will stay subsidized for a while. I’d like to take the train out west. I think you have to leave from Chicago to do that, I think going thru some of the canyons would be so cool by train.
I know a little ASL, I learned it when I was younger, I can still do my ABC and a few simple words but I’m sure my ‘accent’ is pretty thick. It seems like it would to be much easier to learn than another language.
We did a multi-day bike/wine tour last year. That was a good time.
You could combine 3, 7 & 10 (maybe even 2) for one, big, awesome trip.
oh yeah – I really want to do a hot air ballon ride too (and go hang gliding)
Yes to #10, do BRAG next year Paulie. I hear rumors of a day spa stop during the ride too.
We sang for Lisa when she turned 30? Boy, that was a long time ago. She must be getting really old. 😉
Happy Birthday Lisa.
A friend and I attempted a hot air balloon ride once but it had to be cancelled due to weather. I’ve taken short train trips, but nothing multi-day.
I had a great opportunity to take a picture of the arch once as I flew into St. Louis- with a game on in Busch stadium- and the camera securely stashed at my feet. FAIL!
-FP
Hey all, I finally made it in to the office. 😉
I’ll preface this comment with the acknowledgment “Yes, I have lost my mind.”
– BRAG is a possibility. I am thinking of some sort of unsupported multi-day trip. In either case I really need to start riding/training. Guess what I start doing next week?
– Barb, depending on timing we could go up in a balloon in Colorado next year.
– Yes, Lisa is old. And thankfully she lives a few states away so she can’t punch me (and hopefully she’s old enough to forget this comment by the next time we meet.)
– I’m thinking the Chicago->US West, the Cross-Canadian, or something in Europe should satisfy my desire for a train trip. In fact I just remembered that as a child we took Amtrak from NY to Florida — when that route existed.
And if you think I’m crazy then check out what this guy Nathan is doing
http://beerrunner.draftmag.com/2009/07/28/nathans-4000-mile-journey-of-bikes-and-brews/
Yes, I am completely envious.
I am now following that dude on Twitter. I just wish I had the cajones to do something like that. Quit my job and travel for 2 months would be awesome.
Bob – Laura isn’t gonna let that happen 😉
Drink local… words to live by.
-FP
Yeah, maybe when Travis goes to college. I’ll be the old gray dude travelling around drinking local beer.
Bob, there are few times when being unable to hook up proves to be beneficial. 😉
If I can figure out how to get paid to do something along those lines I’d be old man Paulie on the road starting next year.
Paulie, you just have to hook up with someone with the same, crazy ideas…it seems to be working well for me.
I did the ‘take the summer off, travel Europe’ thing years ago, I have no idea how I did it? I guess when you don’t think about the bills or responsibilites you have its a lot eaiser. Wish I had did things a little different but it was still fun.
So I tried to post yesterday, it never showed up…my only guess is I used a word, that starts with Via and ends in gra that got caught in a spam filter.
I can help with #’s 2 & 5.
2) Half planning to go to this if you want to come with! http://www.natchezballoonrace.com/
5) You already know Sign was my foreign language. If you want to set up weekly/bi-weekly lessons, I’ll teach you.
I’ll do the hot air balloon with you! please? 🙂
Maigh, I’ll be happy to go to Natchez.
Stacy and Barb, I’ll be happy to ride in a balloon with you too.