Before I'm 31

300 days later

2012-12-03T17:21:00.000-07:00

It's been 300 days since my last blog post. Where to start.

I have to start by admitting the guilt associated with this blog. The guilt that I haven't written any new goals. The guilt that I don't spend my free time accomplishing all the goals I've set out to do. The guilt associated with sitting down 10+ times to write this entry, but never following through with it. And, most importantly, the guilt of ignoring those who have asked me to come back to this blog. I appreciate your words more than you know, and know all of your messages did not fall on deaf ears-- instead they inspired me to come back. So thank you for your patience.

Now, to the list:

19. Help with Natural Disaster Relief Efforts (2/18/2011) accomplished on 11/17/12
49. See the Northern Lights (3/20/2011) accomplished on 10/29/12
76. Get retweeted by someone with more than 10,000 followers accomplished in mid-June thanks to Bernie Williams-- my favorite baseball player of all time

Rome wasn't built in a day, my friends, so cut me a bit of slack. I'm getting there...

The most important part about this blog, to me, is making me think about what motivates someone to set a goal. Do we set goals because we need something to strive for? Something to look forward to? To set our eyes on something to avoid the mundane reality that may otherwise consumer 90% of our days. Or is it so that we can accomplish our goals and bask in that moment of fulfillment? Or is it so we can brag to others about our accomplishments? While I realize most of my goals are selfish, and that's not something I run from and try to hide (nor do I think it's a flaw-- actually, I'm quite proud of it!), the goals that make me smile are the ones about helping others.

Just think-- what if we all set goals to help other people. Even one goal a month-- to help someone carry their groceries, lend someone you don't know a dollar, or even just smile at someone who looks like they need it. Such simple tasks truly have a significant impact on the lives of others. You may call me an optimist, a dreamer, but think about it-- have you ever had someone help you with a random act of kindness? If you have, then you know how it can brighten an hour, a day, a week, or, in my case, a lifetime.

Everyone grows up with the dreams of changing our world. What will my legacy be? Who will invent the next Internet, cell phone, computer-- maybe cure cancer, AIDS, or even depression-- why not me?

We end up settling for less than that. It's not a bad thing-- I truly believe that-- but it's reality. A good job, the stability of a daily routine, family that needs your help and support, someone you care about: these are all reasons to put your dreams on the back-burner, but just don't forget about them. If you owe me anything, if you owe society anything, hell, if you owe yourself anything-- then don't give up on those dreams. You don't need to accomplish them in your early 20s. Honestly, you'll probably be in a much better place to tackle those dreams after a few years of post-grad living and learning. But please, just don't forget about them. Whether it's curing cancer, starting a scholarship, becoming a teacher, or even raising your perfect family. Write that goal down, put it somewhere safe and revisit it... when you're ready.

I'm not sure when we'll all be ready. It will probably be different times in our lives for all of us. But all I know, and this I know for certain, is that if we all hold onto our dreams and set our minds to accomplishing our goals, the world will be a better place because of it.

Now, to my goal. This one's easy-- just to follow my own advice. Write down a goal that I think I can accomplish and put it somewhere safe. I know that goal will be in the back of my mind for a while to come, which will make accomplishing it that much sweeter.

Thanks for taking the time to read, and I hope to see you soon.

2/7/2012

2012-02-07T17:53:00.000-07:00

Keeping to my word, I'm updating exactly a week after my first post of the new year.

I just want to take a second to say how truly grateful I am that life has worked out the way it has. I have spent the last 24 hours, and will spend the next 48 hours in Utah-- on a paid company trip. The company I work for has done extremely well over the past few years and they've brought all of us together to celebrate. Lucky for me, I just joined at the right time. I don't think I wouldhave this job, or truly be who I am, without this blog-- so thanks for reading. Those who actually care about me and my writing are who truly inspire me. So thank you.

As fora goal this week-- it's only appropriate that my goal be to learn to ski or snowboard (better).

Unfortunately it doesn't look like this goal will get accomplished in the next 48 hours-- but seeing everyone enjoying themselves on the mountain has made me realize I should really give it another chance.

I went snowmobiling this morning and was a HUGE fan-- so maybe that's reason enough to plan another cold weather trip. Then I'll have an excuse to learn how to enjoy the cold...

Thanks for reading. I look forward to seeing you again next week.

1/31/12 ... The One Year Anniversary Check-In

2012-01-31T14:44:00.003-07:00

I have absolutely no idea where to start with this entry.

I've meant to sit down and write this "catch-up" post for over 2 weeks now. I've set appointments on my calendar, cancelled plans to set aside time and even set the blog as my home page to remind me to update this page-- but I could never find the courage to actually confront the disaster I've left behind... my abandoned blog.

I'm proud to say that though I may have neglected to update this page-- my goals have not been forgotten.

First and foremost, I accomplished goal #11, which has been plaguing me since long before I put it in writing. I found a full-time job (and one I enjoy and am satisfied with...). I accomplished this on November 15th, and started work just three days later, on the 18th. Six months after graduating and a week before my 23rd birthday I could finally breathe a sigh of relief-- I had a job I was excited about and my long and arduous job search had finally concluded (at least for the foreseeable future).

If you want to know what I'm up to these days, as always, please just shoot me an email (cantonpnc@gmail.com), a facebook message, or a tweet (@cantonpnc) ... I'd love to catch up. But to provide you with a brief tease-- I work as an Analyst focused on client development for a company called Axiom. Long-story-short, we do consulting for F500 companies concerning their legal spending, ediscovery and litigation needs, and how we could help alleviate or redistribute some of those costs. So what that means for me is that I build, maintain and foster relationships with tons of well known companies, which is something I truly enjoy doing. Also, I am heavily involved in one of the fastest growing and most innovative companies in the legal field-- it is an opportunity that has exceeded my expectations for my first "real" job and it keeps me excited to see what the future has in store.

Next on my list was accomplished late in my senior year of college and truly perfected over this past summer. I can now write legibly with my left hand. I even took notes with my left hand the other day after getting a paper cut on the index finger of my right hand (I forgot how much those sting...). I know, truly fascinating stuff...

While I am yet to invest in the stock market I do now have a financial advisor... so hopefully he twists my arm into making some intelligent investments in the near future. Who knows-- maybe I buy some Facebook stock tomorrow...

Another goal I was able to accomplish came far easier than I ever imagined. Throughout the months of July and August I stayed off Facebook. Once I got started it actually turned out to not be very hard at all. It was actually a nice break-- a goal I would suggest everyone try to accomplish at some point (though you better keep in touch with me through email!).

Another goal was to grow a plant I'm proud of-- and after two attemps (may my jalapeno plant rest in peace) I've grown a vine that is on the fast track to taking over my bathroom. We are between naming him "contagion" or "wildfire"... but either way-- the plant spreads like crazy.

A few other are in the works (cooking class booked, flying lesson booked, hypnosis session in the works, etc.) but for now those are all the updates.

From here on I'm vowing to make a return to the world of blogging. While accomplishing my goals is a good start-- I created this blog to remember goals as I thought of them. So from now till I decide to stop I'll be writing one new goal a week. I know, not nearly as impressive as a goal a day-- but I think this is just the start of my comeback.

As I sit on the train from DC to Stamford I'm staring out the window and thinking of what an appropriate metaphor this truly is. The world outside my window is flying by, and while I know roughly where I am and what I'm looking at I truly don't have time to stop and appreciate what what I'm seeing. It is exactly how I have felt about the past year. From the debate between grad school vs the "real world", to the choice between living and working in China or staying stateside, to where I would move after graduation-- not to mention all the craziness living in DC and having 4 different jobs has been. I'll spare you the details, but I'm sure you're starting to get idea-- this has been a crazy year. But much like this train ride, when I arrive at my destination there is no where I'd rather be. When I get off the train I'll be reunited with my family-- both parents under one roof and Chloe recovering from getting her wisdom teeth yanked (yes, I'm playing supportive older brother-- even if only for a night). And at the end of this tumultuous year I'm living in Washington, working a job I'm excited about and I'm relieved to report life is good. I was faced with millions of choices this past year, but at the end of the day I can confidently say I wouldn't change a single one of them if I was given the chance.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this.

Have a great week and I love the feedback, so please don't hesitate to comment below.

7/24/2011

2011-07-24T19:06:00.001-07:00

I promise I'm going to try to get better with this updating this page. And if you know me then you know I rarely make promises, so this is a big step. But after talking about this page with a few of my coworkers on Friday, and starting another blogging project (don't worry, I'll update you on that in the next few weeks) I realized my love for this page has not been eradicated, it has simply been hibernating for the past few months.

But I'm back! I've accomplished quite a few of my goals- I now am the proud owner of a Sony a580 DSLR, "a camera I'm proud of",done a wine tasting, shaved everyday for a month... and have been pretty busy otherwise... but I'm going to accomplish more goals in the near future! I promise!

As for the personal side, I am moving apartments next week and starting a new job next week... so life should be hectic. But rather than neglecting this blog and deciding I should be doing "better, more productive things with my time" I've decided to embrace it. Not to treat this blog like a journal, because as those who are close to me know, I have a personal blog and if you search long and hard enough for it you can track that down (good luck, my interest is in cybersecurity... don't think you'll be able to find it). But to use this blog to keep myself focused on what I truly care about. While working is great, my love of life and my true passions are what I use my time outside of the office for. I need this blog to remind me of that.

I created this blog to ensure I didn't forget my dreams and my life goals. It's time to stop running from this blog and to start adopting it into my lifestyle.

Hopefully I can accomplish more of my goals in the near future, and as always, if you have any suggestions please don't hesitate to leave them as comments below. Even anonymous comments are welcome!

Thanks for reading and have an amazing few days until you read this page again.

P.S. Here are some of my favorite pictures taken with the new camera, in case you're interested (i.e. family... or photographers looking for a paid young staffer...)

My parents 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible's white tires at a car show while home for Father's Day. Love this car.

Arlington National Cemetery. No particular reason for this grave, just one of many stoic, but beautiful shots from a few hours spent there. Hope to visit again soon.

6/12/2011

2011-06-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's time to come clean and resurface.

There is no acceptable excuse for my absence, but in my defense, the last month may have been the most hectic of my life.

I crammed for finals, graduated college, said goodbye (for now) to all of my friends I've made for the past four years, packed up my life, drove from AZ to CT (with more than a few stops along the way), spent 12 days catching up with family and friends, then moved down to Arlington, VA (just outside of Washington, DC) and started work.

Needless to say, I've been busy.

I've accomplished many goals on my list (check the compiled list to see!) and also thought of many more goals that I want to accomplish.

But I've come to recognize that I wasn't accomplishing things as quickly as I'd hoped. And that was in large part due to the fact that I spent too much of my time thinking of goals and adding them to my list, rather than being out in the world knocking items off my bucket list!

The whole purpose of this list was to get out and accomplish more of my dreams, not to have more dreams. It has been a learning experience and I expect it to continue to be as I do not intend to stop adding to this blog.

I've decided not to stop all together, but instead just to add on a more sporadic basis.

To my loyal readers, thank you, and I promise NEVER to go missing for a month again.

I plan to update at once a week at a minimum, and hopefully more often than that.

I would suggest signing up for the email updates (on the left side of the blog) if you haven't already. They won't spam you, I promise, but it will send you an email of my post whenever I put one up. And since they will be in more random and unmethodical timing I would suggest getting the emails rather than checking every day as this may become a bit monotonous and disappointing.

I will add pictures and stories of the goals I've accomplished soon, and will continue to add goals in the near future.

Again, thanks for reading, sorry for the hiatus and I hope the time off gave you some time to start a bucketlist of your own.

-Philip

5/2/2011

2011-05-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

We got over 1,000 page views last month!

Always my goal, so awesome to see that I reached it again. Thanks everyone for reading. I hope you're enjoying reading this blog as much as I am writing it.

Now to the goal:

Complete the 365 Question Challenge in a day
(^^^^^Click that link to take you to the site for further explanation)

Really cool site I came across. I was intrigued by the challenge as I love any activity that is mentally stimulating and makes my reflect simultaneously.

I hope some of you take up the arduous task of attempting to answer these questions and please let me know how it goes.

Have an amazing Monday and, I hope, an even better Tuesday. See you tomorrow.

5/1/2011

2011-05-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

As I sit here watching the Mets destroy the Phillies (it's 1-0 Mets as of this moment... top of the 7th, 1 out) it just crossed my mind. How is this goal not on my list?

Attend the World Series

That's the team that made me love baseball, the 1998 World Series Champion NY Yankees.

My Bernie Williams jersey still hang on my wall.

I digress.

Hopefully I'd be able to go to all 4 games and see a Yankee sweep, but if not I'd happily settle for just going to one game.

Regardless, I would love to go to a World Series game and absolutely see the Yankees making an appearance there in the next 9 years.

Hopefully I can support the Yanks on the road for a World Series game. The tickets are way too pricey in the new stadium!

Thanks for reading. Again, I'm sorry I was behind, it was a bit of a hectic week.

But thanks for taking time out of your day to read this blog, I truly appreciate the support.

Comments, critiques, questions; all that fun is always welcome, so please feel free to leave it below.

You can even comment anonymously! Doesn't that sound like fun!?!

Until tomorrow, thanks for reading and see you soon.

4/31/2011

2011-05-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

Read the Bible

Google comes up with some pretty awesome images sometimes, and this was no exception. Didn't even have to leave the first page to find this gem.

If you know me well then you know religion plays a very ambiguous role in my life. While I won't go into specifics due to those who are close to me who I know read this blog, I will say ignorance is no excuse for religious beliefs.

It is one thing to not believe in a religion. It is another to not believe in a religion and not know the stories behind it.

Therefore, I believe I should read the stories before making any sort of decision. And sadly at this point in my life I'm embarrassed to say I am yet to read the Bible cover-to-cover. And this seems like a fantastic way to change that.

Thanks and hope I didn't offend anyone. If I did then I guess I just lost a reader... oops...

4/30/2011

2011-05-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

Make a meal completely of food I've grown

I know, it sounds bold, but why not! Time to take some chances with this blog! Enough driving racecars and visiting exotic places, it's time to do something I know nothing about, like growing my own food.

Thanks for reading and hopefully I'll be putting up a picture of the meal I've made with home-grown food in the near future. Depending on how long plants take to grow and all... guess it's time to do some research...

4/29/2011

2011-05-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

Read "The Art of War"

Ok so I obviously didn't mean the Wesley Snipes movie, but when I googled "The Art of War" this image came up and I couldn't resist.

Yes, I do have an odd and sometimes quirky sense of humor.

This was a suggestion from a friend who said he read and enjoyed it. So when I went to look it up in the Kindle store I quickly realized I had already downloaded it as a free book a few weeks ago.

Guess it has to be fate so I added it to the list!

Thanks for reading and please let me know if you've read this book before and your thoughts on it.

4/28/2011

2011-05-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

Go on a "real" African safari

Yes, that is me interacting with a giraffe on an African safari. Yes, the background does look like a remote location in Africa and yes that is a real giraffe.

The only flaw is that this is 90 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona where I went to an "African Safari Park" with my girlfriend.

So now that I've done the prep-work and tried out a recreated African safari I think I'm ready for the real thing!

Catching up as you read!

4/27/2011

2011-05-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

Drive a racecar

Don't even get me started on my disdain for Danica Patrick; trust me.

And I'm not a nascar fan either to be honest. I know what you're thinking. Yes, I am in a fantasy nascar league. But that is simply for competitive purposes, I am truly not much of a fan.

Why don't I like nascar? Well to be honest, until last night I did not think driving in a circle only turning left was much of a challenge.

But WOW was I wrong. I went go-cart racing with my roommates and after about 3 laps my leg cramped up. My new-found respect for nascar drivers, combined with my enthusiasm for driving fast helped inspire me to put this goal down in writing.

This was a suggestion I got from a friend on facebook, so thanks for the idea. I really appreciate it.

Thanks for reading, sorry I'm behind but trying to catch up now!

4/26/2011

2011-04-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

Ride in a submarine.

Being underwater, but comfortably inside and not soaking wet? Yes please! Count me in!

Thanks for this suggestion via facebook. If anyone has any other ideas for goals please comment them, email me @ cantonpnc@gmail.com or send them to me on facebook or twitter (@pcantonverified).

Thanks for reading and have a fantastic day!

4/25/2011

2011-04-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

Get hypnotized

Ok, I'm sorry, but when I googled "hypnotized" this image came up and I couldn't resist.

I absolutely don't want to end up like her, but I would like to get hypnotized.

I don't believe in all the silliness of hypnosis but I'm always willing to try new things. And I absolutely believe the human mind is an intricate and fascinating place. I love traveling, so why wouldn't I love venturing further into the depths of my own mind? Who knows what I may find in there, but I'm already anxious to find out.

Thanks for reading. Sorry I was behind and hope you can forgive me.

4/24/2011

2011-04-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

Learn wine appreciation

Because I have the feeling 5L "bottles" of Carlo Rossi are not considered "good wine" and I intend to find out what's better.

Even with wine appreciation I doubt I'll stop buying the same wines though. Guess time will tell...

4/23/2011

2011-04-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Make a hand print in concrete

I like having random spontaneous things to do on this list.

Sticking my hand into wet concrete absolutely falls into that category.

4/22/2011

2011-04-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

Go white water rafting

Defiantly something I could see myself doing in the near future, so why not add it to the list!

4/21/2011

2011-04-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

See a rocket launch live

Ok, yes I know that's a movie, not real astronauts. But it's an awesome movie; and what popped in my head when I thought of rockets!

Ok, this is more like it:

Thanks for reading. Sorry I'm behind, but catching up now!

4/20/2011

2011-04-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

Another goal off the list! That is an ENORMOUS COOKIE... which was a goal on my list. The cookie was in 2 parts, both the size of my oven, just to give some perspective.

Ok, now onto goal #80!

Grow a Bansai Tree

Mini trees? These are the coolest things I've seen since mini giraffes! (click the link if you don't belive me, I'm already on the waiting list!)

I want to grow one of these awesome trees, even though everything I've read says if grown and nourished properly it could outlive me, which is quite depressing.

Thanks so much for reading. Sorry I was behind, but I hope you can forgive me and I appreciate you coming back after my week of infrequent updates.

Have a great night!

4/19/2011

2011-04-20T18:58:00.000-07:00

Draw a zentangle

Ok, I'll be honest, there is no way mine will be that good.

But I think it's a cool idea and I would love to work on my artistic prowess, so this seems like a great opportunity.

One more day...

4/18/2011

2011-04-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

Have a library in my house

Recognize this? If your answer is no then you must not be spending very much time with me lately because it's the University of Arizona library.

But I enjoy reading and even though I love my kindle I still think it's important to own hardcopy books that I've really enjoyed.

Plus you seem SO much more intelligent when you show someone to the "library" in your house.

Thanks for reading. Almost caught up!

4/17/2011

2011-04-20T18:31:00.000-07:00

Listen to a "great album" all the way through

Something I enjoy doing and don't do often enough.

Might as well add these goals to the list to make sure I do them.

Not sorry about it!

4/16/2011

2011-04-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

Get retweeted by someone with more than 10,000 followers

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!

Shameless self promotion. I know, it's disgusting.

If you don't have a twitter you probably don't care about this goal. Sorry. I can't please everyone.

For those of you who do "tweet"I hope you understand where I'm coming from on this goal.

What's the point besides possibly getting more followers?

There probably is none. But it's something I've been trying to do for a while, so might as well add it to this list!

4/15/2011

2011-04-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Shave everyday for a month

I don't have a picture for this one... sorry...

If you know me you know I'm rarely clean shaven. Right now I haven't shaved in a few weeks and it made me realize how rarely I actually do shave.

I think it would be interesting to see what it would be like if I shaved everyday, even though I already imagine how cumbersome it'll be.

Thanks for reading, catching up as quickly as I can!

4/14/2011

2011-04-20T18:14:00.000-07:00

Go to New Yankee Stadium

It's depressing I still haven't been. My excuse is that I haven't been back in the northeast for more than 4 days for a while now, so I haven't had very much of a chance.

I could ramble on about being a lifetime Yankee fan and how much I really want to be at the new stadium, but who cares.

Also I'm a week behind, so it's time to catch up!