Your Life List

Last week I wrote about "things I'll never do."  (see previous post)

This week, the column is a continuation.  By writing about it, I've discovered that there many things I'll never do and I've just never thought of middle age as the time you give up on some dreams.  It's been an epiphany.

Wanna play? Pick up a copy of the San Mateo County Times on Friday (9/15), read "Second Half," and then post your answers to these questions:

What have you crossed off your list because it's too late?

What will you NEVER cross off your list because you'll do it or die trying?

What was on your list at age 25 that just seems silly now?

Now that you're, ahem, *mature* what is your most burning desire or ambition?

Best answer wins a free copy of my book, "You May Already Be a Wiener!"  You must leave your real e-mail address to be eligible to win and the entries will be judged solely by me because it's my blog. 

Click on COMMENTS below to post your answers.  This'll be fun!

Comments

[Jane Morrison]

Mary:

You may get this email response twice, since I accidently hit the wrong key.

Meanwhile, I lost my train of thought(a sign of the aging process).

I may not accomplish the dreams of my youth, since life is growing short. My dreams are more realistic now. I won't get that PHD but at least I can dabble in watercolors. Would my life have been different with the PHD? Who knows and what does it really matter, now? I can still laugh at Ogden Nash, cook spaghetti over an open flame, and occasionally wax the car. But I will never be able to swim naked with the dolphins.

Put me on the loser's list because I already purchased your enlightening book!

Your column made me (and alot of other people) stop and think about life. Good job!

Jane Morrison (from Pennsylvania)

[Lindsay]

I'll never... go to Vegas.
I have a life goal to never go to Las Vegas. The place has an evil air about it, and violates many of my personal values, mainly the obscene waste of electricity and water. The sham of trying to recreate famous world landmarks discourages visitors to see the real Paris and Venice. Gambling, smoking, and even golf are all pastimes which I find unhealthy to both humans and mother earth.

Yes, I realize I may miss seeing Cirque du Soliel's Aquatic show "O" which is only shown there, and I may miss a networking opportunity at a work-related conference, but those are losses I'm willing to take.

What happens in Vegas can stay in Vegas...without me, thankyou.

[Tom Pencek]

I will never go mountain climbing. Don't really want to anyway.
I will never visit the South Pole or North Pole (thought about it once, but no longer).
I will never have any more children.
Those things I am very clear about...the rest is....open.

The concept of "crossing stuff off the list forever" involves accepting my stage of life. It is hard to do. It is nice to live with the fiction that most things are possible...

Tom (from Northern California)

[Rich Fox]

I will never join the 200 mph club. I will just have to be happy with the 100 mph club. I will never make it to Antarctica to have visited all the continents. It is doubtful that I will ever finish the old truck in my back yard. To bad, it would have been fun. But I will still be running some car at the Bonneville speed trials as long as I can.

[Geri Spieler]

Hi Mary:

I'm one of the "Baby Boomers" that refuses to believe there is nothing I still can't accomplish.

For one, I'm not going to live in one of those "Senior Ghettos" because I'm not old, will never get old because I refuse to be old.

If it takes three more facelifts and a butt lift, I'll do it. It's not about how old you are, it's about how young you look. And, if perception is indeed stronger than reality, I can fake it. So, if I look young, I must be young so therefore I can still do anything I ever wanted to do, like dog sled across the ice to the base of Mt. Denali.

Now, where did I put those Mukluks???

Geri