Life List Update

So, I thought I would update the Life List. This year, I finally and officially crossed off the final item from the original list -- Mardi Gras. It was a fun trip that I don't need to repeat given the crazy crowds...but it was a good time. As you know, I created a new list a couple of years ago as the original was being finalized. And, I am starting the new list by crossing off one that probably belonged on the original anyway...Oktoberfest. I am going this year to the 200th anniversary and also to visit a good friend, Tobi, who lives in Munich. It is one that really belonged more in the original list.

In any case, I have a new one, but I may not cross off all these items. And I may yet add new ones. Mostly, it is a reminder of the bigger picture in life. It's not just about the adventures, but a daily reminder to enjoy life, to always learn and grow, and to enjoy the company of those around you. These items are ones that can take a lifetime to conquer. In fact, I can see one or two that I may well already have covered. But, it seems that moving forward, my adventures will be more travel, growth and relationship related and less adrenaline focused. I'm glad to have conquered the original list.

Here is a new one to consider and modify as life demands:

• Go to Oktoberfest in Munchen (Munich)
• Find the right woman to conquer the world with! 
• 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
• Do a single day, rim-to-rim crossing of the Grand Canyon

[Below from the original "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.
• And more