The beginning of the new year’s made me think about a few things. Well, that’s not unusual; I’m always thinking. 😉 But particularly I’ve been thinking about some of the things that I’d like to achieve in my life. Recently I’ve decided to have a look at my priorities, so I thought making a list of some of those things might be a good place to start.
It’s just a short list; I plan to add something new each year so it stays fresh. They’re things I’d like to be able to look back on in later years, things that would make me feel I’d achieved something and could remember with fondness. I wonder how many would be on your list?
7) Learn to dance.
I’m a terrible dancer. I always feel self-conscious and awkward. A large part of that is I’m very sensitive to noise, so being near loud music is difficult. But I’d love to be able to dance; to dance with my wife at our reception would be something I’d remember for the rest of my life. Of course, first I’d need a wife…
6) Spend time on every continent.
I’ve always wanted to see more of the world. Over the next 10 years I hope to see more of Europe and the Americas and it’s my dream to see the Pyramids. Eventually I hope I’ll be able to spend some time on each continent. Antarctica will be the difficult one, if you believe Al Gore.
5) Make a pilgrimage.
I’m not sure where I’d like to go yet but making a journey I’d remember for the rest of my life is something I’d love to do. Jerusalem would be one possibility, or tracing Rome’s history… probably what appeals to me the most is tracing Darwin’s route through the Galápagos.
4) Sleep under the stars.
This is probably the easiest one to do but one day I’d love to get out of Sydney and spend several nights under the stars. You can barely see the stars at night here and the sky is never clear; I imagine being away from the city, the darkness would be beautiful.
3) Listen to someone’s life.
I’ve always liked the idea of a speaker for the dead, to use Orson Scott Card’s term, someone who would learn and speak about a life honestly. One day I hope to listen to someone tell me their story, to truly get the chance to know them… and then if someone wanted to know about them after they had passed, to share it so they would live on.
2) See John Williams and Howard Shore in concert.
I talk about music a lot, but I’m actually more interested in classical music than I am pop music. I write to it and I think movie scores are the closest thing we have to the great compositions of the past. For me John Williams’ score for Star Wars and Howard Shore’s for The Lord of the Rings are the greatest scores ever written (Miklos Rozsa’s Ben-Hur a close third). I’d love to hear both performed live, given the opportunity.
1) See all 4 Grand slams.
Tennis tragic that I am I’d love to see Wimbledon, the Australian, French and US Opens live. I haven’t been to the Aus Open in Melbourne yet but I hope to go next year; if things work out well, that might be when Federer overtakes Sampras’ record. Hopefully I’ll be able to see the others too at some stage. Maybe I’ll be able to see Agassi’s and Graf’s daughter win Wimbledon. 🙂
you must either accomplished many things in life already, or you’re a simple person. 😉 i mean, i’ve got 100 things i want to do before i die, and i haven’t even done one yet, lol.
for no. 7, don’t worry. you’ll get your chance before your wedding. the newlyweds have to dance, don’t they? 😉
well, your list seems expensive but meaningful. mine’s more expensive, but way more shallow – i want to own a coach bag before i die. says it all, doesn’t it?
CJ: Yep, that’s me, sulz; I’m a simple kinda guy. 😀 There are quite a few more things I’d like to do, but they’re not that memorable; watch all 3 LOTR films back to back, have my portrait painted… I figured these were ones I’d never forget. Maybe I should have put get a novel published as well, but that’s a given. 🙂
Wanting a Coach bag isn’t shallow. It just shows you want to be successful! And getting your tattoo’s a good place to start with your list. Not sure I could do that; let me know how much it hurts, eh? 😆
sulz,
i’ve owned a Coach bag (hand-me-down); it’s overrated. It made me feel 40 years old (and i was only 28 at the time) 😀
cj,
I used to have a list like that, but i’ve done a bunch of them:
skydive, drive a race car, live in France, find someone to spend the rest of my life with, etc. I guess the one remaining thing is ‘feel like i have made a real difference somehow.’ I would like to take voice lessons one day, too, though…
CJ: You drove a race car, Judy? What kind? That’s something I wouldn’t mind doing one day, doing a couple of laps in an F1 car… I might have to add that to the list next year!
That’s the thing with these lists, it’s just as interesting looking back later and seeing what you’ve achieved… and sometimes what you haven’t. Good luck with the voice lessons; sounds like fun. 🙂
judyb12: but that was back in the days before they have younger designs, like the crayon-ish kind that mandy moore modelled for. 😛 still i think i would live until 40, i’d probably be able afford one by then i hope!
granted. Thanks for reminding me how old i am 😉
hahaha, i didn’t mean it like that! ‘sides, being old has it advantages, like wine. none of the insecurity, angst and ignorant cockiness of the youth! 😛
Very interesting list, CJ!
I would like to share with you this – I have been married three, yes three, times. You don`t have to dance – but it is good to if the wife wants. Learning to dance isn’t easy – but you can practice by just listening to the Bass, it works. 😉
I think everyone knows who has visited me in cyber-space that the most I want is to hold a published copy of my books in my hand. To be in a book store looking at it – not for the simple gratification of watching someone buy it – just to see it on the book shelf, for me to be anonymous and see if there is any real interest and then to leave quietly.
A simple thing but would mean so much to me in the end.
CJ: Thanks, Will! It was a surprisingly difficult list considering it was so short; but who says it should be any other way? 😉
Most of the women I’ve met all seem to want to dance, unfortunately, so I’ll have to learn at some stage… unless I’m lucky enough to meet someone who can’t dance as well. Maybe we could learn together! Ah, the wonders of true love and two left feet. 🙂
Writing is such a personal thing that letting your work out there is very hard to do, or at least I find that… I’d love to be published too but I’ve tried to push that out of my mind for now and just write. From what I’ve read of your blog, I think you’re a very talented writer and I’m sure given time and conviction you’ll see your books in print.
CJ, that is so interesting to see things on ur list that I have done already and some were things that I never thought I will do… …..There are events that happen in life, sometimes, which change the course of ur path and u do things that weren’t planned.. That’s the beauty of life.. I think….Well, I wish that u realize some of them like travelling…
CJ: I couldn’t agree more, CV. The beauty of life is in how unpredictable it is; these are things I’d love to do, but I’m sure over the next few years there’ll be more to add, and things which I’d never have expected which will just happen. It’ll be interesting to look back on a list like this in ten years or so… it makes a good yardstick for life.
I’m definitely looking forward to travelling more. Of course, I’m going to need money for that, so it might take awhile! Thanks for the good wishes, CV, and right back at you. 🙂
Nice list, CJ. The dancing shouldn’t be too hard. There are many places that give dance lessons and you can determine whatever type of dancing/music you prefer maybe start with some basic ballroom to ease yourself into it.
I love the visit every country and the pilgrammage as well.
And the life story of another would be a wonderful expereince. The world is filled with elders who would gladly tell you their life story, I think, living in assisted living with little to no visitors. That might be a good place to start.
WC
CJ: Thanks, WC. I’ll get round to the dancing at some stage. A few people have said they think I move okay, it’s more my height and feeling self-conscious that holds me back… I just need to find a good teacher. Preferably someone who hasn’t been on Dancing with the Stars. 😉
I love the idea of learning about someone’s life. It would be a fascinating experience and something I’ve always wanted to do. I was thinking of volunteering with some aged care institutions, so that’s probably where I’ll start. Perhaps not everyone would want to talk, but just being there would be rewarding on many levels.
Interesting list! Sleeping under the stars is so wonderful, if you haven’t done it, you really must. I found your #3 quite touching and unusual. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a desire articulated that way. I’d love to see you get that chance.
I hesitate to tell you this, because you will be SO envious 🙂 , but I have seen and heard the Star Wars music, and other Williams works in concert, conducted by the composer! Splendid, splendid music.
CJ: I can imagine sleeping under the stars must be amazing; I’ll definitely do it at some stage! Just need to be careful of the snakes. And the dingoes. And the spiders. Nasty buggers. 😉
Glad you liked #3, Muse… I wasn’t sure how that was going to come across. I’ve always been interested in hearing life stories, but to be able to actually spend time with a person and listen to them, get to know them, their dreams and memories… that would be one of the highlights of my life. I think working with some aged care institutions would be a good way to start.
And you’re right, I am so envious! Must have been amazing. I have friends overseas who have been to concerts as well and they found it mesmerising… but then it was John Williams. 🙂
Interesting list. The first few ring true for me. The more personalized ones such as the grand slam I’d simply substitue the major horse races for.
Here’s to the rest of our lives then!
CJ: Thanks, KS. It was an interesting list to think about. I’d quite like to see the Grand National or the Derby myself at some stage. And the Melbourne Cup, of course. 🙂
Sounds good to me! Here’s to good health, fortune and experience.
Interesting list! I need to make up one similar to that. This is especially true since I’m a hardcore procrastinator and see how life is just passing me by at a seemingly faster rate every year.
CJ: Glad you liked it! It was fun to do, and seemed like a good way to start the new year. I’d love to see your list if you do one. I’m sure you could come up with some interesting things. 😉
I have thought about that same question. What do I want to do before I die. I can tell you I feel like I’m meant to do something meaningful.
I definitely want to have a book (I’m currently working on a middle-grade novel)published.
There is a song by The Grateful Dead called Bird Song, it contains a lyric that says Sleep under the Stars. Check it out some time, I always loved that song.
Have a great weekend!
Maribeth
CJ: A novel’s a great ambition… it’s one of those things that we can dream about for so long, but to actually see it happen would probably feel both amazing and a little daunting. I’d love to see that happen one day as well… good luck with your story! I’m sure you’ll get there. 😉
Thanks for the Grateful Dead song. I’ve always loved Sugar Magnolia but I hadn’t heard this one; beautiful song. Reminded me a bit of Tears in Heaven.
Hope you enjoy your weekend too. 🙂