Recently, I was having a very serious conversation with a friend, the “what’s on your list of things to do before you die” kind of conversation. I can’t say that I’ve ever had a formal list, but if I did, here would be some of the things on it. Things that I’ve accomplished are in bold.
1. Live abroad.
This used to be “live abroad for a semester,” but the grownup world doesn’t operate in semesters.
2. Start a business.
Pilates & yoga studio in 2003, and full-time freelancing, launched twice (1998 and 2007).
3. Learn to grow roses.
This seemed like a challenge when I grew up in Philly. Out here in California, they grow beautifully with no effort. Checking this one off the list almost feels like cheating.
4. Visit Pompeii.
Amazing. I would have preferred to wander on my own than with the tour group, but it was still very cool.
5. Take a train trip involving a sleeper compartment.
I took the Amtrak Coast Starlight from San Jose to Portland and it was fantastic. Don’t do it if you’re in a hurry to get somewhere, but it was a great experience.
6. Backpack through Europe.
I’ve been to Europe with a backpack. Does that count? No, didn’t think so.
7. Visit Russia.
I’ll get there someday, preferably not in the winter.
8. See the Mona Lisa.
She’s startlingly small, isn’t she?
9. See the Sistine Chapel.
Quite lovely. The trick is to get there early on your first day, when you’re up at the crack of dawn. When the doors open, go directly to the Chapel and you’ll have the place all to yourselves.
10. Climb Half Dome.
Seeing how I get vertigo when I’m up high, this is probably completely stupid and ill-advised.
11. Be regarded as an expert at something.
I’m not sure how to measure this. Will I have to be a guest speaker somewhere, or quoted in a publication?
12. Learn to rock climb.
Just because it looks cool. I don’t think I’d have the same problems as with climbing Half Dome, since I’d be tethered and unable to fall.
13. Learn to cook.
I did not inherit any sort of cooking skills, but I’ve done pretty well on my own. I make a great chili and a kick-ass bolognese sauce.
14. Write a novel.
Fortunately, this wasn’t “publish a novel.” I’ve got four written thanks to NaNoWriMo, but none published.
15. Run a half-marathon.
I’ve completed two, but I don’t know if you could call my stride actually “running” in the strictest sense of the word.
16. Learn to ride a horse.
17. Learn to drive stick.
Thanks to my husband for teaching me so many years ago.
18. Visit Australia.
As a child, Australia seemed so far away and so exotic that it might as well have been Mars.
19. Visit Alaska.
I spent my 30th birthday in Fairbanks at a midnight baseball game played without lights. I caught a 36-pound salmon outside Anchorage.
20. Drive the Autobahn. In a good car.
The Germans know how to design cars and roads. Absolutely fantastic, once I got over the psychological block of watching for highway patrol officers to nail me for driving my rental Mercedes at 100+ MPH.
21. Watch a shuttle launch.
I’m running out of time on that one.
22. Get a tan.
Impossible. I’m just saying. I might as well replace this one with another right now.
23. Own a red car.
2002 Audi A4. Beautiful car, great performance… when it wasn’t in the shop.
24. Own one ridiculously expensive piece of clothing that fits like it was made for me.
I still can’t justify it.
25. Make enough money to establish a charitable foundation.
I’m no Bill Gates. This one seems doubtful, but I like it anyway.