100 Things

I read an interesting article today. It's about an exec from southern Cali that moved to NYC and tragically watched from across the street as the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center in 2001. Soon after, he decided to move back to California for a more relaxed lifestyle near his family.

He then created a Web site dedicated to fun travel. And wrote a book titled, "100 Things to Do Before You Die..." They are all travel related events. He lived a wonderful, adventurous and passionate life. Until today. He died at the young age of 47 when he hit his head in a fall at his home.

In any case, as you can imagine, Running of the Bulls is on the list. Among a great many other items and fun events. (A cow chip throwing contest? I dunno about that one.) What I found more interesting, was reading through the reviews that people placed on the book. Some people were excited and had already completed such life affirming and soul encriching events, travels and more. Still, a great many others just didn't get it. Don't get it.

How can you not get it?! We have had similar reactions from our Pamplona trip. Some of my friends have talked about it. I've always had these perplexed questions to many of the adventures that I have undertaken over the years. Namely, "Why?!!" My answer is always, "Why not? ...Because! ...You MUST!" Some people just don't get it. I feel sorry for these people. There are too many of them. They are the majority, unfortunately. Maybe some have more wanderlust than others. Maybe some want more than the perfect lawn. But with each adventure, those that participate, those that live, walk further away from the sad majority that don't. That never wonder. That rarely wander.

When I pass from this earth (hopefully either leaving a better mark or none at all), I want my friends to throw a huge party with excessive dancing and drinking. I want my family to take a wonderful vacation in California (and spread my ashes into the Pacific Ocean). You can count on both being paid for from my estate.

Live each day to the fullest. Have fun with everything you do. Love the ones you love.

Grab life by the horns...and smack it on the ass! :)

Summer of 2009 Adventure?

So, what is the new adventure? I'm proposing auto racing school. It isn't cheap, but the thrill is great. It appears that stock cars are the most likely as there are more schools and better liability protection for both company and participant. However, IndyCar style racing would be better. Let's face it, going 165 mph on a track in an IndyCar is going to feel more intense than in a stock car.

I'm going to keep looking into the details. You know it will happen. It always happens. I may be unfocused at times, but when my mind is set the laser sight is on and I'm impeccably accurate. It may take some time to plan, but just know that the train is going to leave the station... it's just a matter of when!

Also, for my fitness friends: I haven't forgotten the Last Continent Marathon or maybe some Adventure Races out West next summer?! And I still need to do at least a Sprint Tri.

In any case, if you're interested -- and you think you're worthy-- join the adventure club and let me know. Or take up your own adventure and let me know about that too!

The Total Life List

So, I thought I would update for you my Life List, combining an older list with the more recent list. I'll cross items off of here, but some aren't designed to be crossed off the list. Some are a reminder of how to live. I hope that it inspires others to create a list a well. A reminder of the bigger picture in life. It's not just about the adventures, but a daily reminder to look at the horizon, to smell the roses, enjoy the company of those around you, and to learn something new: Open a new door everyday!

• Conquer the world!
• Visit all 50 U.S. states
• Participate in the Antarctica Marathon (safer than the Ice Marathon)
• Which may lead to a desire to become part of the Seven Continents Club
• Visit all 7 continents
• Advance oneself with integrity: never seek to advance at the misfortune of others
• Learn to read music and play the piano comfortably (getting closer...)
• Always remember that life is short; make the most of each day
• Travel to Everest Base Camp via either Tibet or Nepal
• Write a book
• Continue to learn, grow and push oneself forward; be bold
• Maintain creativity: inspire and be inspired
• Participate in a triathlon
• Visit the Great Pyramids, Great Wall of China, Denali, Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu in Peru, Petra in Jordan, Angkor in Cambodia, Acropolis of Athens in Greece, Old City of Jerusalem and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (and maybe swim in the Devil's Pool).
• Get a master's degree
• Go race car driving on a closed-circuit track
• Go on an African safari
• Live abroad
• Enjoy the outdoors
• Forever in life: work hard and play hard
• Participate in other endurance races (100 mile bike ride?, 30+ mile trail run?, etc) before my knees go bad.
• Learn to speak another language near fluently (Hmm, I should really be farther along with French after all this time)
• Visit Rio de Janeiro, perhaps to attend Carnival.
• Read at least six books per year
• Go to a place of worship or spirituality at least once a month
• Get an interesting and meaningful tattoo
• Take better care of the environment
• Exercise regularly
• Save money in daily life; don't get caught up in consumerism
• Be better about remembering people's names
• Find the right woman to conquer the world with!
• Do a single day, rim-to-rim crossing of the Grand Canyon
• Party at Oktoberfest in Munchen (Munich)

[Below from the original "Before I'm 30/Bachelor List"]

• Party at least once for Mardi Gras in New Orleans
• Run with the Bulls in Pamplona
• Hang Glide
• Horseback Riding
• Paintball
• Caving
• Skydiving
• Snorkeling
• Bungee Jump
• Canyoning
• Paragliding (over the Alps, not the same as parasailing in ocean)
• Glacier Ice Climbing
• Rock Climbing
• Crowd Surfing
• Alpine Rock Climbing
• Kayaking
• Mountain Biking
• Party in Times Square NYC for the Millenium
• Downhill Ski Slope Mtn Biking
• Night-time Drunken Mtn Biking (one of the dumber things)
• Highway Hood Surfing (this is the dumbest thing I've done -- back in high school)
• Whitewater rafting
• Mini-Marathon
• Marathon
• Multisport Races - Duathlons, etc
• Snowboarding
• Skiing
• Water Skiing
• Cliff jumping
• Jet Skiing
• Boogie Boarding
• Sledding
• Start a pirate radio station
• Start a Business
• Travel Extensively Outside the U.S.
• Sex, Drugs & Rock 'n Roll (nuff said)
• And more

Summer Fun Continues!

The Summer fun continues. I'm going to visit the great city of Austin, Texas for the Austin City Limits music festival! I can't wait to attend. Rock in Rio Madrid gave me the bug again. Previously, I've attended Lollapalooza (one of the first ones), almost attended the 25th anniversary of Woodstock but missed it :( and I've been to Bumpershoot in Seattle, etc. This should be a great time as Austin is a killer city.

I hope to visit and hang out with my friend Troy and his wife, but ironically, I think they may be coming back to Indiana that weekend. I'm hoping that is not the case. Right now we are only attending one of the days and will hang out in Austin for the rest of the weekend, but we'll see where the wind takes us. This event will help us to bring the summer to a close.

To open up the Fall we are going on another adventure trip out West. Seems to be an annual Fall event at this point. We hope to do a single day hike and crossing of the Grand Canyon. We went two years ago and hiked down, camped and came back up the South loop area. However, this time, we intend to go to the North side and in one single grueling push, we will go down, across and up the South side...enjoying its beauty along the way and hoping not to destroy our knees! Truly, it will be absolutely grueling. I think it is roughly 24 miles, but it feels much worse. You are essentially hiking in a desert on a reverse mountain. It will be a fun fitness adventure. Time to strap on a backpack and start doing stadium stairs again!

Additional Euro Trip pics

A series of additional photos for you to enjoy...

If you want to read about the Euro Trip (Running of the Bulls and Swiss Alps adventures), then check through posts for the entire month of July 2008 for full coverage.