The List

Before I turned 35, a web cartoonist I read mentioned something on Twitter about achieving one of his 30 before 30 goals.  Realizing I was a few years late to that train, I realized I needed something more ambitious.

So, I spent six months coming up with a list of 40 things I wanted to do before I turned 40.  Some things are really simple, some are not, but they're all worthwhile achievements.

Then, about six months ago, I heard about a podcast where two guys who are in their mid-twenties are working on purchasing Lamborghinis.  They're broadcasting, step by step, everything they're doing to get there.  They're already a little bit into the game, (they make about six figures a year now,) but they're talking about where they started, and what they have to do and change about their lives to make this possible.

Being an older guy, I realized I could also contribute something to society, (for free,) by explaining what I've done to achieve the goals I have, and show you the steps towards the goals I've achieved, and also show you what I'm doing to achieve the goals I haven't.

So, without further ado, here is the list:

1.  Make a solid piece of furniture by hand.  
2.  Run a marathon.
3.  Run a six-minute mile.
4.  Own a new car I really like.
5.  Read Appendix N, or an updated version.
6.  Learn to sketch.
7.  Find something I have in common with Alexander.
8.  Find something I have in common with Gabe.
9.  Write something that gets published.
10.  Find something I have in common with Andrea.
11.  Plan a killer 40th birthday party.
12.  Take Andrea to a ballet, a play, a musical, and a symphony.
13.  Learn to pick locks well.
14.  Become fluent in a foreign language.
15.  Drive to the west coast, or up and down the west coast.
16. Become proficient at a martial art.  
17.  Learn to fly a plane.
18.  Learn to ride a motorcycle.
19.  Coach a team.
20.  Volunteer on a regular basis somewhere.
21.  Become known to the members of a charitable organization.
22.  Make a will.
23.  Become proficient in an instrument.
24.  Plan a Disney vacation.
25.  Six-pack abs.
26.  Start work on 60 things to do before I turn 60, (focus on locations.)
27.  Triathlon.
28.  Figure out your career.
29.  Take Andrea to New England for the leaves.
30.  Read some Kurt Vonnegut.
31.  Read some Hemingway.
32.  Read that book by Proust.
33.  Wine country with Andrea.
34.  Make a habit of writing in my diary.
35.  Tough Mudder.
36.  Find out the original song for the Star Spangled Banner.
37.  Century bike ride.
38.  Court Street shuffle.
39.  Grow some plants.
40.  Get a sweet fish tank.

I plan on writing on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I may do more often, (maybe toss in a Saturday,) if I get pretty far ahead.  I automatically have about 40 posts to write off the bat so we'll go from there.

Here's to new beginnings.