The 30/30 List

Well, it's here. After a month of thinking and brainstorming about it, the hotly-anticipated 30 before 30 list is finally ready to go. There's no order, rhyme or reason to this list, no level of importance or urgency. There are, of course, additional items that will not be made public for various reasons, but we don't need to worry about those right now. For the most part, I welcome suggestions and companions for various items. Oh and prod me if you don't hear about my adventures! Enjoy!

1. Get second (third? fourth?) tattoo

It’s pretty ridiculous that with my love of tattoos I only have one. And a tiny one at that. My go-to excuse is that I don’t have the money… and I don’t for the amount of work I want to do. I have saved up specifically for this one so now I just need to make the final decision, placement, and appointment. I know that the second one is the one that’s going to start the domino effect, but I’ve put off the inevitable for too long...

2. Visit a new city

This one is either going to be super easy or super hard. It will be easy if I can get to Philadelphia, PA. But if that doesn’t happen then I need to look further out. I’ve been to every major city within driving distance and I’m not sure that airline tickets to another city I want to see are exactly something I can afford this year.

3. Try a new craft/hobby

Glassblowing is at the top of the list for this one. Followed by pottery. I’ve always liked working with wood too. I also wouldn’t say no to hobbies such as flying (airplane or helicopter), or ballroom dancing (but I’ve already done this a number of times).

4. Try new foods

Self-explanatory. I’d like to try at least five new culinary cuisines.

5. Adrenaline junkie experience

I’m not talking about anything too crazy here. *looks at people who suggested skydiving* I don’t have a death wish. And before you tell me that skydiving is safe and blah blah blah… I know. I’m saying that I can’t skydive because I’m not sure my heart will survive it. I just imagine the person I’m strapped to landing with a corpse. And neither of us wants that. Anyway, I have two activities in mind for this one; parasailing and zip lining. I might throw up during both, but I know that my heart won’t give out from shock and/or fear.

6. Travel somewhere alone

This is one of those ones that I’m not sure why I haven’t done it yet. Probably because I’m a social creature and I want to share travel experiences with someone. I don’t plan on going anywhere really fancy or for a long time. Maybe I’ll just drive to the ocean and stay at a hotel on the beach for the night. Perfect.

7. Ride a roller coaster

Yes. I’m 29 and have never been on a coaster. *insert disbelieving gasps* I get that weird I’m-going-to-throw-up-my-internal-organs-feeling and I really don’t like it. And have thus avoided most things (roller coasters, swinging boat thing, elevator drop ride, anything with a near vertical drop) that give me that feeling.

8. Fire a gun

I’m not an advocator of guns or gun violence at all. I don’t want to own a gun or even make shooting a gun a regular hobby. Once is enough. I would like to shoot one so that I can appreciate the power and mechanics of the weapon first hand. That is all.

9. Run a 5k

While 5k isn’t a lot and I’ve done this many times while working out I’d still like to cross the finish line in an actual race. I should shoot for a 10k or half marathon but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

10. Visit a winery

Because wine.

11. Lose 30 pounds

Also self-explanatory. Overweight… blah blah… body image issues… blah blah… I just like cheese and pasta and cake and ice cream… blah blah

12. Learn to drive a stick shift

I just feel this a good skill to have. What if I need to steal a car for a high-speed chase and sticks are the only available options? I need to be prepared.

13. Have a spa day

Yes, I’ve had a mani/pedi/facial/massage but never all in the same day. And I deserve it damn it!

14. Write a story

My love of reading has always been accompanied by my love of writing. Even if it’s just a short story that no one ever reads, I feel that I’d be doing myself a disservice by not writing at least one story before I bust out of my twenties.

15. Attend a ballet/opera/orchestra performance

I live less than two miles from the summer home of the NYC Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra. It’s embarrassing that I have yet to see either one.

16. Sell a photograph

Technically I have been paid for my photography in the past. But I’d like to sell something that wasn’t done on commission.

17. Host a dinner party

I love my friends and I love to cook. What better way to say "thank you" to my lovely group of besties for always being there for me than to make them all a delicious meal. Appetizers to dessert. And it’s all made from scratch. You’re going to want an invitation. Trust me.

18. Pinterest something

Or like five...million… things. Mason jars. Shipping pallets. Rope. Spray paint. Old furniture. Let’s see if I can put all those lost hours spent pinning shit to work and make something useful. Or at the very least decorative.

19. Consult a psychic/fortune teller/card reader

I know there’s absolutely no scientific proof to back any of it up, but it’s still interesting. And fun.

20. Hike to a waterfall and take a swim

I haven’t done this since my teens (possibly tweens) so why not?

21. Go on an aimless drive

If you don’t know me then this might seem a little odd and out of place. I am that person who finds extreme comfort in an itinerary, organization, and schedule. Now that’s not to say I’m not spontaneous (because I am) but I just like knowing what’s going on and where I’m headed. So taking an aimless drive is something that is foreign to me and honestly comes across as a waste of time. So one day I’m just going to fill up the gas tank and drive.

22. Apply to my dream job

So I really have two dream jobs. It’s not important what they are. Maybe I’ll tell you what they are once I apply but maybe not. The only thing that’s important is that I put myself out there and in a position to be noticed. You can’t win if you don’t play the game, folks.

23. Do something that scares me

NO. I’m not going skydiving. Just leave it alone. I will also not be locked in a small windowless room full of spiders that is slowly being filled with water. Screw that. I have no idea what I’ll be doing for this.

24. Get rid of excess negative people in my life

There’s no point bringing Debbie Downers with me into my thirties. Of course I can’t get rid of many of them completely but I would like to seriously limit my interaction with said people. I’m very susceptible to the emotions of other people around me so the less negative people I have in my life the better.

25. Interact with an elephant

While this list isn’t in any kind of order whatsoever, this should really be in the top five. I love them so much and want to be friends with one. Just thinking about it makes me so happy.

26. Start (really) saving and getting finances in order

Ugh. SO BORING. Yea I have a saving account that I sometimes add to but I really need to get going with a 401k and stock options and life insurance policies and IRA’s and all that bullshit.

27. Become a registered donor

It’s already established that doctors can have whatever parts of me they want should I die unexpectedly. What I’m referring to here is to become a living donor. If someone out there needs one of my kidneys, part of my liver, or some of my bone marrow who am I to horde them all to myself?

28. Volunteer

I’ve really been slacking with this in the last two years. I did so much volunteer work when I was younger and in recent years have been so caught up in working for actual money that volunteering has been pushed to the wayside. I loved working with Habitat for Humanity and definitely want to do that again. But I also would like to volunteer at a suicide prevention service and maybe a literacy service.  

29. Get first-aid/CPR certified

Luckily I have not needed to perform CPR or any kind of life saving first aid thus far in my life. But it’s only a matter of time until I’m in a situation where I might need it.

30. Harry Potter World!