Things To Do Before I Die

Fly a Plane

2008-11-17T20:20:00.000-08:00

Amelia, you were something else!
Just for a few moments, I want to feel what you must have felt...
(Oh man, I am going to have "Wind Beneath My Wings" stuck in my head for an excruciatingly long time!)

Create a Mosaic

2008-11-17T20:14:00.000-08:00

I am planning on moving south in a few months. After having a private pool, I never want to live without one again! The weather here is much more conducive to vinyl liners, but when I find my piece of paradise, I want to build my own pool, or re-tile the existing cement. I plan to create my own design, and install all the tile myself, then swim and bask in it's beauty every day!

Bowl The Perfect Game

2008-11-17T20:04:00.001-08:00

This might seem like a daunting task to even the greatest of athletes. I count myself fortunate when I keep that darned ball out of the gutter twice in row. The fact that I haven't bowled in at least ten years isn't going to stop me, either! This one'll take a month (or perhaps an eon) of Sundays, but I will give it my best shot (and have my share of beers along the way!)

Log Rolling, Baby!

2008-11-17T19:58:00.000-08:00

Not much to say on this one...I just want to do it! I'm hoping this entry does not stem from my love of Relic too, or I'm going to have to start therapy...I think I better get me some of those snappy suspenders too...

Write a Children's Book

2008-10-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

Doctor Seuss I am not, but I would like to write a book for children to enjoy...I miss the days of books that rhyme! These days, we are so serious, & politically correct...everything seems to be about 2 dads, bullies, & bad touching. Let's see...the things I DON'T know could fill volumes....

Get Some Moves

2008-07-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

I really need to learn how to dance. Swing, tango, jive...the works! I love music, & generally live by the principal "dance like nobody's watching"...it's time to stop punishing the rest of the world for my shortcomings, & figure it out!

Learn to Surf

2008-07-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

I've attempted to catch a few waves in Tofino & on the California Coast, but never put that much effort into it. I give up too easily. Mouthful of sand or no, I will learn!

Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen

2008-07-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

The other day, my boyfriend took me out for supper. I had the most wonderful meal, but the guilt made digestion a tad uncomfortable. It hit me as I took a bite of the most beautiful filet, wrapped in bacon...2 expensive meats on the same plate. So many people go hungry each day. What they wouldn't give for a hot dog, let alone a juicy tender steak! Our lives are so excessive, & we take so many things for granted. I want to spend more time & energy helping others, & I think a soup kitchen is a great place to start.

Host My Own Radio Show

2008-07-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Music is a huge part of my life. Always has been. My first 45 was Another One Bites the Dust by Queen, which I saved 6 weeks of allowance to purchase. I wanted it for a gymnastics routine, which consisted mainly of attempting to walk back & forth across the balancing beam, with a single, daring bunny hop. I was a really shitty gymnast. My dad broke my record into a million pieces, because Don't Say Suicide was the alternate track. Back to the point. I love music of all kinds. I've dj'd in clubs all over the world, and hosted tons of music trivia events, but never had my own show. I guess I better get on it, 'cause the music those "crazy kids" are listening to these days completely eludes me!

Cover to Cover, Baby

2008-07-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

Even after 12 years of Sunday School, and a brief stint studying theology at a seminary, I must regrettably admit that I have not read the entire bible. No version, cover to cover. I'm an avid reader, but I just couldn't muddle through the whole begat, begat, begat business. I skipped a few other parts too, while I'm being honest. The time has come. Thank God for Red Bull.

Find my Green Thumb

2008-07-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

I have one sorry little African Violet that I have managed to keep somewhat alive for a number of years. That is the only thing I have not killed. My yard is a combination of weeds, crab grass, and bare patches. I would really like to learn how to grow a garden & some beautiful flowers. My sister in law, Krista, is absolutely amazing. Everything she touches comes to life. She is a "guerrilla gardener," bringing hope to neglected urban landscapes by planting gardens are in industrial areas. She has transformed inner city Vancouver neighborhoods full of homelessness, drug abuse, & prostitution with her efforts. I think she is a saint. I know I will never rival her abilities, but I'd be content to live in a home that doesn't look like 75 goats reside on the premises. You can view some of Krista's projects at guerrillagardening.blogspot.com ...a number of community-minded businesses have been donating...don't be shy!

Learn to Play Guitar

2008-07-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I have managed to get through life without learning how to play the guitar. My little brother, Billy Bones, is an amazing musician. He can pick up an instrument he's never seen before, & learn how to play it inside of an hour. He's in a ton of bands, has his own record label, & owns a company by the name of Sparrow Guitars based in Vancouver, BC. My mother ensured that I played my scales, & I grudgingly practiced the piano for many a painful lesson, but I just never had the ear for music that most of my family has. I've had a few acoustics (all of which ended up in some pawn shop or another) but never really figured it all out. Certainly, I can strum a few chords, but it just isn't enough. I want to rock and roll, & maybe even fit into some great leather pants, a la Joan Jett, although I'd settle for playing Guitar Hero in my underwear...

Build a 'Sickle

2008-07-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

I ride a nasty old shit can at present. Sometimes I remember to add oil. I want to learn how to fix my own bike, & eventually, build my own custom monstrosity.

Take my Nephews to a Rider Game

2008-07-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

My nephews are the coolest kids on the planet. JJ Panther, & Jackie Rocket Bones are unique little people. JJ was born with serious heart problems & spent half of his first year at the Intensive Care Unit at BC Children's Hospital. He's had multiple heart surgeries, among many other health issues. He was never expected to live, & the doctors still refer to him as a miracle. They live so far away, & I feel like I am missing out on seeing them grow up. I want to spend more time with them...play hockey, attend birthday parties, watch them open Christmas gifts. They love sports of all kinds, & I want to take them to their first CFL game in Regina. I'll even venture into the Lion's Den in Vancouver to cheer on the Riders at an away game! They already have watermelon helmets, so that's half the battle! I thank God for them every day. I will never understand why JJ has had to fight so many battles at his tender age, but I am so very grateful that he is here with us! They are treasures, & I need to be more involved in their lives. Like Jackie says, "Goooo Wibos!"

Swim with the Sharks

2008-07-25T11:49:00.001-07:00

Oh, I can not believe I actually listed this. Of all the things in this world, I think sharks terrify me the most. I'm scared of goldfish. I have nightmares of rainbow trout. I fed Shamu at least a dozen kleenex at Sea World because I could not touch the sardines my mom bought to feed her. For some reason, I'm not quite as terrified of killer whales, dolphins, and the like. My fear of sharks is so deep seeded that I feel I must somehow rise above it. I have braved the waters of California, Oregon, Washington, Florida, British Columbia, Mexico, Hawaii, Greece, and Italy...some see sharks, but I certainly did not. In fact, a woman was killed when I was in Maui a few years back...for some ungodly reason she ventured into their breeding grounds. Needless to say, I stayed pretty close to shore after word got out! There are over 450 species of sharks that will attack humans, which, in my opinion, is far too many! Then, there's the whole urine issue. I'm sorry, but if I see a big old shark in my near vicinity, I think peeing might just come naturally! I have never been to Australia or New Zealand, & I'm thinking if I'm going to do this, I might as well do it right! I keep hearing about this Cascade Special Stout, so I will likely kill two birds with one stone (and perhaps myself, while I'm at it!) And really...it'll probably take me at least 8 beers to go through with this ridiculous idea! I will not delete this post. I will not delete this post. I will not delete this post!

Take a Hobo Out for Lunch

2008-07-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

Don't even ask. I think it must stem back to my love of Relic, from The Beachcombers. Again, it goes back to the haves and the have-nots. I think I will ride a train (hobo style, of course) and find an interesting character to chat with over filet mignon & beer from a paper bag.

Hang Glide in South America

2008-07-25T11:37:00.001-07:00

Chile, Peru, Argentina, Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador...who can say...I guess I will have to visit them all. I don't know how I have managed to avoid hang gliding (and, unfortunately, Latin America) all these years, but I'm gonna go! I'm not scared of heights, but parachuting from a plane seems more than insane...free falling is not my idea of a good time. I do, however, want to see the world from above, glide on the currents, and sing at the top of my lungs!

Barbecue with Kathy Griffin

2008-07-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

She's witty, sexy, and phenomenally funny, & seems to me that she must be one of the most fun people on the face of the planet. A poker game & kick ass barbecue just might lure her over...

Drive an Aqua Car

2008-07-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

My fella and I were on a walk around the lake last month, & I saw the strangest thing...there was a car in one of the parking lots with a big old propeller! Of course, I've heard of such things, but never thought I'd see one in Regina, Saskatchewan. There was a gaggle of onlookers, but the car eventually pulled out of the lot, and drove off. I was so disappointed. Bitter, even. But lo & behold, as we were coming to the end of our trek, the aqua car raced by in the water! I can't explain why, but it is one of the most interesting things I have ever seen...perhaps because it seems so unnatural. I decided then & there that I would someday cruise into the sea in a car just like it. I don't know when, I don't know where, but it's an itch that must be scratched!

Learn to Speak A New Language

2008-07-25T11:04:00.000-07:00

English is my first language. In fact, it is my only language. I understand some French, and my Greek is laughable, even after living there for more than a year. I studied French in school, but it's weak, at best. I would like to learn to speak at least one new language fluently...perhaps I will select one of these languages, on which I have some sort of handle, but there are many that I want to master. Spanish, Russian, and Italian are contenders, as are a number of Asian languages.

Build an Orphanage

2008-07-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

Being born in Canada has provided me with so many comforts, it is easy to take things for granted. I want to take time each day to be thankful for the things I have; the choices, freedoms, & luxuries. The simple act of turning on a faucet or light switch can sometimes reduce me to tears when I think of the millions of people in this world without the simplest things like clean water, or electricity. I have lived in a one room cabin, complete with outhouse...no phone, no electricity, no vehicle, but it was by choice, & even then, I had more than most. As a child, I had new clothes to wear, good schools to attend, & parents who loved me. I went to Disneyland, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo. I played sports, went to birthday parties, and got presents by the truck load at Christmas time. We weren't rich, but we never went without. I remember collecting clothing, toys, & electronics in our small community, & hauling them all the way to Mexico...our big old white van would pull in to some poverty-stricken neighborhood in Tijuana, & my brother & I would hand out toys to tiny, dirty children...that memory will never fade, but it's been far too long since I have done something to bring hope to someone in need. I have been complacent in my world of television, SUVs, and microwaves, for far too long. So many children live in deplorable conditions, in our own neighborhoods, and around the world...it's high time I formulated a plan to help in some small way. I have traveled a fair amount, but rarely to third world countries. I have no idea how to accomplish something that seems so formidable at present, but now that it is written, I will focus on this goal, in an organized manner, and someday, see it come to fruition. I will set a more specific goal and time line in the future, & I will have this post as a daily reminder to put my half-assed plan into action.

The List

2008-07-25T10:15:00.000-07:00

This list will grow...probably daily, knowing me...many items are silly & self-serving...some are pipe dreams, but they are all things I want to accomplish or experience in my lifetime...
Writing these words makes them concrete goals, not just random acts or dreams that may or may not someday come to pass...
Life is short...I hope to do some good, & leave a lasting impression on my world...I want to end each day knowing I have made someone else's life a little better...I want to laugh & learn every day...