One of the best bosses I ever had once told me that no matter how old you got it was important to continue reaching for your dreams. That didn’t make lots of sense to me at the time he said it, but now it resonates more than ever. Every day’s worth is measured by the progress made toward accomplishing one of these goals. Even if it is the smallest thing to help it along, the day is a success if any progress is made at all. Behold my list:
- Becoming a published writer – If you read the about me section you know that the ultimate goal of the site is to compile all of these answers into a book. Your help is the only way I could think of to accomplish this goal since I tend to use the same phrases over and over when I write. Additionally, my syntax, grammar and vocabulary pale in comparison to the writers I look up to and pattern myself after. Then again a close friend brought to my attention that I was smarter, if not more talented than A Million Little Pieces author James Frey. How is she so sure of this fact? Despite all the stupid things I have admittedly done, going on the most popular talk show in the nation to promote a memoir that was a piece of fiction is not one of them. Indeed ma’am, indeed.
- Be my own boss – Who doesn’t want to be their own boss? Having other people tell you what to do, how to do something, and when to do it can get irritating at times especially when your boss is incompetent. If I am going to have to deal with an idiot boss I would prefer to be that idiot since I am used to dealing with him.
- Become a professional athlete – Am I a bit old for this dream? Yes. Although it isn’t very probable that this will become a reality, it is very possible. The catch is I don’t give a damn about what sport it is. Golf, bull riding, darts, bowling, poker, flip cup, curling, or dung tossing, it doesn’t matter to me. If it comes on ESPN and I can get paid doing it then I will be satisfied. Earning a modest salary not being able to sustain a life on would be fine, as long as I would be considered a professional athlete.
- Entertain people as an occupation – Making people laugh is one of the greatest joys I have, but being a comic has never been a dream of mine. Stand up comedy is a craft that is lots harder than it looks. Even the most seasoned comedians have to go out on the road and refine their act before they do the big specials on cable networks. A friend of mine is an up and coming comic and his schedule is grueling. On top of all of this you have to be talented at what you do to make people laugh every night. This is not something I would excel at, so my idea is more along the lines of being a guest contributor on This American Life, All Things Considered, or some other NPR show that has pithy commentary. David Sedaris I am not, but I can come up with enough wit to make people laugh on a semi-regular basis…I think.
- Run a marathon – Hold on a minute. Before you crucify me for being a hypocrite let me explain why I want to run a marathon. Because of a girl and because of a bet. Simple as that. I told a good friend of mine that I would run a marathon if she ran one with me and she agreed. When I informed my best friend of this master plan he responded exactly like I expected him to. He called me an idiot. Not only that, he also challenged me saying that he too would run in any marathon I ran in. So if any of you have run marathons before email me some tips on training and getting started because I want them to pay up on this bet.
What about you Hoss? List 5 dreams you still hold on to.
Tags: All Things Considered, Marathon, NPR, Pro Athlete, Self Employed, This American Life, Writer
August 3, 2008 at 1:49 pm
1. Travelling more – A friend and I have traveled some and always wanted to make it a yearly occurrence but work and lack of money seems to have prevented that from happening as of yet. We are trying to plan our next trip for 2009 to Germany. The true hope is that as we get older we have more money to stay in nicer places and not have to cram 4 countries into 10 days.
1. B) So it’s not in the rules but kiss it. I would still love to take a cross country road trip and see all the crazy shit this country has, anybody up for the biggest ball of yarn? Let’s go!
2. Having a huge party where everyone I know comes – A lot of my friends are spread across the country and even other countries (dander over here Jen dear). I would love to plan a huge party so I could see everyone again from High School, College (s), and beyond so everyone could meet and have fun and we could all catch up.
3. Going to 100 concerts – A dream I started in high school. I haven’t counted in a while but I am pretty sure I am not even close yet. Listening to live music always makes me happy and who doesn’t want more of that?
4. Doing something extreme – hang gliding, bungee jumping, skydiving, base jumping, cliff diving.
5. Getting back into art – I am done with school and have more free time now so I am hoping to get back to that. Ideally I would love to find someplace that would let me do pottery again. But just making, creating something again is a dream I hope I can make happen.
August 4, 2008 at 12:46 am
I’m already doing your 2 and 4, and her 1 and 5. I long surpassed her 3 sometime in the late 90s. I’m planning to do her 4 soon, and you won’t beleive where my #3 (of Jamie’s) is planned for.
August 4, 2008 at 9:57 am
1.) Being a dad… Hopefully some day in the next couple of years, I’ll be a dad. That’s probably my biggest dream of all. I just think I’d able to raise a happy and productive member of society.
2.) Being a full-time sports writer. I already do it in my free time. I don’t know how I’m going to get to full time level, but I’m working on it.
3.) Owning my own home… I have a lot of work to do, but I’ll get there. Saving up for a downpayment is EXPENSIVE… But I’m determined that I’ll have my own home in the next few years.
4.) Scooping everybody on some big news… Okay, so I’m a bit of a nerd, but I’m competitive. In my writing, I normally report what’s going on with recruits, but I’ve yet to be the one to break a significant piece of news that nobody else has. One day, I’ll do it.
5.) Losing weight… This isn’t really a dream, it’s just something I need to do. LOL So I guess I’d better get on it!
August 4, 2008 at 10:08 pm
1. Traveling more — Jamie and I have engaged in several travels since college… some to visit one another and others to discover international places. But (as she said) time, money and other goals (school, jobs, buying houses) always seems to interfere. I’m raising an Internet toast to Germany in 2009, but know that even if we are delayed from this goal we will travel wherever and whenever we can.
2. Owning a house with a yard — I’m not talking about a mansion here (I really don’t desire to have to clean a too-large house or mow acres of lawn every weekend), but I’d like a house that’s big enough but maintains its level of comfort, and it’s important for me to have a yard big enough to run around in… large enough to play catch with a yellow lab!
3. To raise a dog from a puppy — I still miss my yellow lab that I had growing up, and I’ve always wanted a chance to try to raise a dog from a puppy to just be a great, all around dog! To apply some of my lessons learned from childhood dogs, and also things I’ve learned from friends and family, The Dog Whisperer and on It’s Me or the Dog. I feel better equipped now, and I can’t wait until my living situation and available time matches the requirements for me to have a puppy.
4. To become a photographer — I’m not holding onto the idea of making money from my work, but I am holding onto the dream of producing professional quality photographs. Photography was my minor in college, and played an important role in my final Master’s project. It’s something I love doing, and I want to become more competent in my art, without losing the feeling that it is something that I do for myself, not for a paycheck.
5. Becoming financially stable enough to do something wonderful for the members of my family and/or my friends — It’s actually on my Ultimate To-Do List to take my Dad on an African (photo) safari and to take my mom and sister on a ridiculously long cruise into the French Mediterranean (or similar locale). To treat them to something that is wonderful and exciting, but not something that they would ever do for themselves… to basically treat them like rock stars in a humble tribute to all that they’ve done and for being there for me. #5 also feeds into #1, because of course I’d take Jamie away for a multi-destination, multi-month trip that would blow both of our minds!
August 4, 2008 at 11:21 pm
1. Attend a National Championship & SEC Championship game that Alabama Wins – I’ve been there for the lowest of the low (Dubose & Shula) and some pretty high points (Auburn 1996, first 55 minutes of last year’s LSU game, etc.) but to be there and celebrate a championship would be great.
2. Coach a sports team (preferably football)- Growing up I thought I would coach and be a teacher. Problem is I only wanted to teach Kindergarten as I’m a big fan of snacks and nap time. My focus kind of moved in a different direction as I grew older and while I still get to work with families and kids it’s not quite coaching. At one point in time, I thought one of my buddies was going to be the coach at Tuscaloosa Academy and I’d get a chance to coach but that is as close as I’ve come.
3. Attending a game at:
Lambeau Field – preferably Packers vs Bears
Soldier Field – preferably Bears vs Packers
Fenway Park – Sox vs Yankees
Wrigley Field – Cubs vs Cardinals
LA Coliseum – USC vs Cal
The Big House – Michigan vs Ohio St
The Horseshoe – OSU vs Michigan or PSU
Touchdown Jesus – It does not matter as long as Notre Dame loses
Madison Square Garden – Knicks vs Bulls (too bad it’s not the mid 90’s anymore)
Happy Valley – PSU vs OSU or Michigan
Red River Shootout – Oklahoma vs Texas
Blue Turf – Boise St vs Hawaii or Fresno St
Boston Garden – Lakers vs Celtics
Giants Stadium – Jets vs Miami
4. Owning a restaurant – Would love to open a nice southern BBQ joint with some veggies on the side, possibly breakfast, and a signature dessert. I’m leaning towards Krispy Kreme a la mode or even just varieties of pound cake.
5. Being Published – Doesn’t matter as a writer, subject in an article, or as some “consultant to” type role.
August 5, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I’m full of idealistic and completely moronic goals to hit before I die….
1) Be a full time artist-I could literally sit down and paint alllllllll day long and still not be satisfied. The problem with doing it for a living is that you have to capture someone else’s moment for them and then your work is not as passionate. But to be able to sit and paint what I needed to and have it support me is something that would make me happy beyond description…..
2)Make an large enough impact on society to be remembered as the one who made a difference- I realize this sounds cheesy but I spend most of my days listening to other people and the things I hear are incredible,ridiculous,astounding and superfluous. After knowing the general impact that most things have on society I feel more and more desire to leave an impression worthy of discussion…I want to be remembered for something that will be a positive note on the bland, superficial pages of humanity…
3) To go travel Europe-anyone that knows me believes me when I say I am a reincarnated Russian gypsy…I am on the wrong continent. I would love to walkout of my house, get in the car and buy a one way ticket to Europe with no time frame attached to my return(because I probably wouldn’t)..
4)Shoot a bow and arrow- and it would be best if I were actually in a battle….hell yes I’m serious!!!!!!
5)Be an actress- on stage or in a movie, either one would satisfy…Theater is in my blood and I would LOVE to perform on stage…sadly, Cullman,Al only has stages for redneck wrestle mania…