Goals

On the drive to Northern Michigan University, going 90 mph, Dad recommended that I make a list of personal goals.  100 items.  Were were driving from Detroit to Marquette, MI in the UP.  Long drive.

Dad sure is a funny guy.  I sorta remember listening to an audio recording of some classic poet (Dylan Thomas?) while hydroplaning in route.  Or simply, Dad was a rad, fast driver who mediated on poetry while cruising.  We were in a Merkur like the one in the photo (almost exactly) and it was fast.  This is totally off topic.  I have some other stories about the Merkur that are great.

Anyhow, I made a list.  It was 1987.  I was going to college.  Life was blossoming and I hadn’t the slightest idea.  Dad suggested I make a list.

Eleven years later, I read a story in THe Washington Post about the owner of the Washington Capitols, Ted Leonosis.  He was an AOL-ionnairre.  He had a list too.  It included owning a hockey team.  So he crossed that off his list in 1998.  Again I re-wrote my list.

Disclaimer:  I think I might refresh this list once and awhile.  Why?  1. It’s my list, 2. My goals change, 3. I keep thinking of new ones.  I will not subtract items from the list without the right reasons.  The “right reason” would be that I have lost interest.  I will NOT remove stuff from the list due to stupid fears of incompetency.  I can do all this shit.

That noted, here is a beginning to the list.  It will not be limited in terms of line items.  It will grow exponentially faster rate than it will shrink.  I’ll note the dates that things got added.  I will cross off (and timestamp) that’s got done:

Wait, one more thing.  If YOU can help me achieve any of these goals, please do.  There is absolutely no way I can do this stuff alone.  I will need assistance in terms of coaching, cash and confidence.  So don’t get all shy about this.  I will call on you if needed.

Oh, also, I have to do a few of these things pretty soon due to potential aging of my body.

1. One Hundred and One Bikram Yoga Classes in 101 days. {Added March 2010} {COMPLETED June 2010}
2. Do a kick flip on a skateboard {from 1999 List}
3. Run a Marathon {from 1999 List} {COMPLETED February 2005}
4. Write a book with one or several people on a topic that we simply enjoy discussing {from 1999 List}
5. Start a business {from 1999 List} {Completed in 2009} Note: start and end time took very little time.
6. Run a sub-6 minute mile {Added June 2010}
7. Do a standing backflip on the ground {from 1999 List}
8. Do a handstand for 1 minute {Added June 2010}
9. Hold my breath under water for two minutes {Added June 2010}
10. See a MLB home game at all existing stadiums for all existing MLB teams {from 1999 List}
11. Plant a “state” quarter (and state tree) on the lawn of every associated State Capital and while I am there, visit the building {Added June 2010}
12. Do “it” on the coast of all of the five Great Lakes {from 1987 List}
13. Enduro across in AK {from 2001 List}
14. Do a full spin, straight arm, 360º, around a monkey bar or a metal bar or whatever {June 2010}
15. Sing a song live and get it etched on a JBe Six Gun Lover labeled vinyl {June 2010}