I Want To Do Things!
Yeah, I sign my MS Paint drawings, so what?
As some of you know, I created a list of 32 things I want to do before I’m 32. I’ve done 7 so far, mostly easy ones – water skiing, visit Denver, eat a 5 lb lobster – things like that. But it’s time to step it up and get crackalackin on this list. Things like cook dinner for 10 friends (I’m currently sitting at 4 friends, almost there!), go to Australia, go camping in a tent, and learn to do the windmill. I’m loving this list; it’s got me doing things I’ve never done like salsa dancing and reading! I know, reading?! Crazy!
Here's my friend Emilio doing his windmill at my cousin's wedding. This will be me someday!
I plan to keep crossing things off this list over the next 5 years but there are also a bunch of things I’ve never done before that are on a much smaller scale. Not life-altering things (not that eating everything on the dollar menu at McDonald’s is life-altering which is also on my list) but things that are easy to do that I haven’t done before. So I’m making a 31 before 31 list to supplement my 32 before 32. This will be 31 things that I want to do before December 31, 2012. I’ve got a few of them figured out so far but I need a little help coming up with a list and that’s where you guys come in!
Here’s what I’ve got so far.
- Watch the Star Wars movies
- Eat really hot buffalo wings
- Go to a movie by myself
- Order an omelette
- Shut my phone off for an entire day
- Don’t use the internet for an entire day
- Go for a walk with no destination
- Go into Banana Republic and actually buy something
- Eat Indian food
- Go to a Rockies game
So that’s where I get stuck. I’m sure more things will come to me if I put some effort in but I’m not that kind of guy and I’d love some input from my readers. I’m just looking for simple, easy things that I may not have done before in my life. Just something little to spice things up a tad.
Feel free to fill up the comment section below and help compile solid 31 before 31 list.
It's Your World, I'm Just Living In It 
How about….
Grow something (I recommend herbs if you’re like me and kill stuff!)
Take a salsa dance class
Cook something way outside of your comfort zone (vegan, raw food, gluten-free)
Strike up a conversation with a stranger
I think it’s great you’re doing this!
March 26, 2012 at 9:49 am
Okay I’m definitely adding, grow something to the list. I haven’t grown a plant since my 7th grade science fair when I grew bean plants and put rock salt in the water (I won first place, no big deal). I actually started taking salsa in December, that one was on my big list. I talk to strangers all the time, usually I’m drunk though. Maybe I’ll give it a sober shot.
March 26, 2012 at 9:54 am
Love the list! Especially the hot wings and Indian food part.
March 26, 2012 at 10:06 am
Thanks! Those have both been pretty intimidating up to this point. Time to step up!
March 26, 2012 at 10:09 am
🙂
March 26, 2012 at 10:10 am
Ummm…learn to drive a stick shift. Although you should already know how to do that…
March 26, 2012 at 11:29 am
I’m waiting for my instructor to have some availability. But i did already add that to my list, its gonna happen!
March 26, 2012 at 11:34 am
I did #5, 6 and7 in the same day. That’s the best way to do it. Go camping in a national park or something and just wander around. Keep the phone with you in case of emergencies (you might not get service anyway depending on where you go), but don’t turn it on.
March 26, 2012 at 1:32 pm
bungee jumping (everyone sky dives). learn to ride a unicycle. learn to juggle with more than 3 balls. bike to work.
March 26, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Oh man, I have no desire to bungee jump. If that fails, I can survive and just be mangled for life. If my chute fails, I’m done, no worrying about being paralyzed. I can juggle four balls but I would like to bike to work. I’m going to add, buy a bike instead to that as well. Thanks!
March 26, 2012 at 2:07 pm
I have a list… Mine is by 35… here are some ideas….
Shoot a gun
Parasail
Ride on an air boat
Be on TV
Attend a cooking class
Go zip lining
March 27, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Amazingly, I’ve done all of those! Have you been following me around and just writing down all the interesting things I’ve done? Granted the cooking class was in 7th grade, I still count it cuz I learned how to make scrambled eggs!
March 27, 2012 at 12:25 pm
ooooo visit Africa 🙂 http://luckyluwi.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/after-reading-a-2-2/
March 27, 2012 at 12:42 pm
yikes, that sounds more like a 32 before 32 item than a I’m going to do that this year because it’s so simple item. I do want to visit Africa though, Zambia it is!
March 27, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Zambia to be more precise..
March 27, 2012 at 12:43 pm
First off, just stumbled upon your blog and you are pretty darn funny. Though you probably already know that.
I love lists and I just finished making a serious 2012 goal list but I am totally gonna do a 30 before 30 list because I’m kind of depressed to turn 27 next month. So, thanks for the idea.
Here’s some ideas for you:
– Scubadiving
– Eat nothing processed for a week
– Don’t drink alcohol for a month, or 10 days, or a week, something like that (I like to do this just to prove that I can and that I’m not an alcoholic.)
– Build something (shelf, chair, headboard, etc.)
– Don’t use your toilet for a week (I know that sounds strange but wouldn’t it be kind of an interesting challenge to only use public bathrooms or your yard? Or is that too weird?)
– Brew your own beer
– Paint a picture on a canvas
– Compete in some type of race (5k, obstacle course, sprint triathlon, etc.)
Looking forward to reading more from you!!
March 27, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Okay while the toilet one kind of scares me, I really like the build something and brew my own beer. Those are going on the list right now!
And good luck with your list. It’s been awesome for me and I can’t wait to keep crossing things off my list.
March 27, 2012 at 1:31 pm
How about volunteering at a seniors’ home for a day? Or a children’s ward at the hospital?
These tasks may be too difficult emotionally, but the rewards would be immeasurable I’d imagine.
March 27, 2012 at 2:32 pm
I’ve actually done the senior home a couple times, children’s ward seems like a tough one to handle. I’m sure it is rewarding tho, I’ll think about it.
Thanks for the input
March 27, 2012 at 2:37 pm
How about learning another language? That’s on my list 🙂
March 27, 2012 at 5:12 pm
I’ve got spanish down…sort of, thanks to 7 years of schooling.
March 27, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Hmmm. Neat question. I think my addition would have to do with something regarding getting off my lazy ass. So maybe participate in a race or an organized sporting event? Triathlon, mini-marathon, or if you’re not as athletically inclined maybe a mini-golf tournament or joining a bowling league – plus you might get more friends to cook for then! 🙂
March 27, 2012 at 5:35 pm
haha that’s so true. I just joined a basketball team and a softball team in hopes of making some new friends. I’ll keep you posted.
March 27, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Hm..What about invent some kind of food? You could mix all of your favorite foods together and see what it tastes like 🙂 Haha Just don’t put too many random things in there…
March 27, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Hmmm ive tried that before and almost threw up. I guess I’d probably be better at it than I was when I was ten.
March 27, 2012 at 10:31 pm
How about sewing something? Even if it’s just to sew on a button. Or get extra creative and sew your own Halloween costume, or an apron for when you cook for 10 friends.
March 27, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Halloween costume isn’t a bad idea. I’ll think about it. Thanks for the comment!
March 27, 2012 at 10:40 pm
Climb a 14er. After all, you are in Colorado right? 😀
March 27, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Actually, that one is on my 32 before 32 list. I replaced Dunk a basketball with climb a 14er because that just isn’t going to happen.
March 27, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Cool! I mean, not cool that you had to cross dunking a bball…I won’t even try doing that in my dreams.
Have you picked a 14er out yet?
March 28, 2012 at 8:57 am
Not yet, any suggestions?
March 28, 2012 at 1:01 pm
I’ve only done 3, but my favorite was Greys. It’s one of the easiest to get to (practically off i-70) and the easiest to climb. That’s why it can be kinda crowded though. If you like crowds that’s good I guess. We like to bring our own crowd. 😛 The view at the top is well worth it.
March 28, 2012 at 3:44 pm
What about a trip to somewhere you have never been? Or maybe hiking or canoe trip? go kayaking? white water rafting?
Go surfing?
Water skiing, knee boarding, or wake boarding?
Or learn to play a musical instrument?
Quit coffee for a month?(if you drink coffee, if not, the challenge would be to have a cup a day?)
Maybe try being a vegetarian for a given period of time, if you aren’t one already?
Or you could try some public improv/prank with friends, similar to this guy- http://www.ted.com/talks/charlie_todd_the_shared_experience_of_absurdity.html
Go to a concert/see a band you’ve never seen before?
Go to the opera or ballet?
Try a new sport – maybe curling?
That’s all I can think of.. hope that helps..
March 28, 2012 at 10:46 am
Oh man, I liked these. I would love to go curling, but those clubs are expensive! I’ve done a lot of the things you listed here but not all of them. I think I could do vegetarianism for a week though. I’ll think about it. Thanks for the comment!
March 28, 2012 at 1:27 pm
I have a bucket list – I am 31 and this idea of doing things before I turn 32 sounds exhausting…LOL…
Be a member of a studio audience for a late show
Attend one major sporting event (World Series, Stanley cup)
Sleep at the zoo
Take a one day vow of silence
Just a few of mine
March 28, 2012 at 11:53 am
Is sleeping at the zoo allowed? It sounds awesome.
March 28, 2012 at 1:37 pm
In Toronto it is…come visit Toronto Zoo – call them, I can’t remember how my friend did it with her daughter, but they did!
March 28, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Haha sounds awesome
March 28, 2012 at 2:28 pm
You could go see Roller Derby. Try the Rocky Mountain Roller girls or the newer Denver Roller Dolls. Flat Track derby rocks!
March 28, 2012 at 6:23 pm
That actually sounds awesome. I had a professor who loved Roller Derby, I think I’ll add that to the list. Thanks!
March 29, 2012 at 9:03 am
You’re welcome. Let me know whatcha think!
March 29, 2012 at 8:42 pm
You’ve never gone to see a film on your lonesome?
You’re missing out; when you go alone you get to eat all the popcorn!
I only watched the star wars movies for the first time the other weekend, while I was babysitting. That’s right; I was shown up on Sci Fi pop culture by an eight year old. He then beat me at Chess. Needless to say, it was a terribly unfortunate weekend for me.
How about for every friend’s birthday between now and then you make their birthday cards, rather than buy them? That’s a true friend right there.
Michelle
March 29, 2012 at 3:27 am
Hmm… that’s not a bad idea. Does that include friends that live out of state that I need to mail them to?
March 29, 2012 at 9:25 am
Yeah. Actually, mailing real life letters could be considered a whole other goal!
March 29, 2012 at 3:33 pm
i think i might start my own list! Eating Indian food will definitely be on mine as well.
March 29, 2012 at 11:33 am
Go for it! Both of my lists have me doing things I wouldn’t normally do. Got me outside my comfort zone and I love it.
March 29, 2012 at 11:55 am
Why don’t you write an article about wanting to do things before the end of the year?
Wow! You have that one done already! If nothing else, you’re fast! Keep it up and get the rest completed too. You can do it! 🙂
March 29, 2012 at 8:43 pm
haha thanks! I wrote that past right when you started writing that comment!
March 29, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Climb a mountain (or a very large snowy hill)
Learn how to take a decent photograph
And use photoshop too for that matter
Learn a language to an ‘ok’ standard
Paint using oils
Skydiving
Sailing
Rowing
Horse Riding
Learn how to make a pot (like in Ghost)
Wear a suit and go to the theatre, by yourself. Yeah, that’s right. Assert that independence!
April 9, 2012 at 7:34 am
So I’ve got Skydiving and Hike a 14er already on my big to do list but I like the pottery one for sure. I’m adding that right now.
April 10, 2012 at 9:12 am