The List

I have been in a slump lately, and as you can see I haven’t written in a while. I find it hard to write for writings sake. Rather I draw inspiration from things I see or hear. Having spent the weekend in Texas, I was fortunate enough to have dinner with an old friend. As we typically do, our time together consisted of a home-cooked meal, intertwined with the six-month worth of news and gossip.

Of the many things that were discussed, she had mentioned that she had created a list of the 30 things she wanted to accomplish before turning 30. I found this intriguing, but more importantly, this might very well be the spark that gets me writing again.

Next year I turn 30, her list would not work for me. A 35 before 35 list I feel is both attainable and is not likely to be a factor in my impending baldness. In carrying out this list there are two rules

1. They have to be realistic
2. They can’t be too mundane

What follows is my list of the 35 things I wish to accomplish before I turn 35. Considering what I have achieved in the previous five years, I felt that everything on this list fits within these two constructs.

So enjoy the ride as the next five years looks to be epic.

35 before 35

1. Master my digital camera
2. Become proficient on my Guitar
3. Perform at an open mic night
4. Become conversational in French
5. Hike the great wall
6. Eat Chinese food in China
7. Buy a stranger a meal
8. Finish writing my book
9. Complete a Doctorate
10. Publish 5 Articles
11. Plant an Aggie Flag on the Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro
12. Hike the ice fields of Patagonia
13. Become a master diver
14. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
15. Take a gourmet cooking classes
16. Swim in Cinnamon Bay
17. Go trout fishing in Alaska
18. Volunteer at a homeless shelter
19. Learn to drive a stick
20. Go on a spice tour in Stone Town
21. Kayak through Big Bend
22. Learn to surf
23. Take dance lessons
24. Host an exchange student
25. Finish my family tree
26. Travel to Stuttgart; meet my relatives.
27. See the Stones in concert
28. See Garth perform at the Wynn
29. Visit the Grand Canyon
30. Finish reading the Dark Tower Series
31. Hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail
32. Take a road trip to the tip of Main
33. Catch, cook, and eat a fresh lobster
34. Teach a class
35. Make the perfect mix tape

My First Blizzard.

During regularly scheduled work hours I typically think up ways in which we can improve agriculture in Afghanistan. Today however, was spent tracking an impending blizzard across the northwest United States. I should note that with all the wasteful spending in the government, it always makes me feel good when I can find creative ways to use your tax dollars. It is with this that I am about to experience my first Blizzard.

Up until today, the winter has been pretty mild, nothing really to write home about. I thought the so called snowmageddon that pummeled DC last year was propaganda created by the media, designed to make us Texas types feel sorry for the folks up north. I might just being having crow for dinner.

Having never experienced a blizzard, I must say that I don't know really how to prepare or what one does during a big snow storm. I feel I am pretty well stocked, I have the necessary rations toilet paper, cereal and water, that should carry me through right?

So what does one actually do during a snow storm? This is a question I have been pondering all day. My ignorance on the subject led me to pose this question to many of my coworkers the following wins the award for best response and gets second runner up for most honest:

"Well it’s kind of like a zombie attack.

In general, before a blizzard people run around and gather all the bread, eggs, and milk available. The only rationale I can think of for this is a survival instinct. But that instinct is not actually rational and would never work, because no one really needs to eat those particular items to survive, and if they did, it would not be sufficient over a prolonged period of food deprivation. Most likely canned goods and dried pulses and grains would serve the population.

Then when the blizzard hits, people generally sit at home and watch movies. Clean the house. Bake. Get sick and get better. That kind of thing.Once the storm lets up, they play in the snow. Other people may go to bars or liquor stores.If the storm continues, well then they kind of keep each other warm, if you know what I mean. Hence, Snowmaggedon babies.

That is my unofficial and personal opinion on the subject".

So as I sit hear watching the snow storm, I have taken my friends advice and bought a loaf of bread and some canned goods... I will not starve but may in fact die of boredom. I should mention that allowing myself to get bored usually results in hilarity, which results in another blog post. For your sake lets hope I get bored.