I have resisted making a Life List because it seemed like a list of things I need to do before I die to feel like I’ve lived a fulfilled life, and since I already feel fulfilled that seemed pointless. My friend Britt made me see a Life List in a different way – as a reminder to dream courageously. That sounds like a way better idea than a bucket list to me, especially since some of my items don’t seem “bucket list worthy.” I’m all about doing courageous things, great and small.

Right now it seems like a small list, but I plan on adding to it hopefully as I cross some things off.

1. Take singing lessons. I am quite horrible at singing, but I love it so. I don’t want to be on American Idol, in fact that seems like one of my worst nightmares, I’d just like to be less horrible.
   
2. Skydive – Most of my life I thought skydiving seemed like  the most ridiculous thing anyone could ever do with an airplane, but now I kind of really want to do it. Midlife crisis? Maybe. Does it matter? Not in the slightest.
   
3. Complete a triathlon – I’ve wanted to do this for a while. I have no need to complete an Ironman, but I would like to at least finish a sprint distance triathlon.
   
4. Run the Warrior Dash – Come on, doesn’t that just look fun? I love stuff like that.
5. Make a quilt – This one is actually in progress. I bought a fancy sewing machine for myself and started taking a class, and I’m enjoying the process. Hopefully I’ll enjoy the result as well!
   
6. Learn to make soap – I love handmade soaps. Plus, I’ll have a skill when the zombies invade.
   
7. Take a cruise – This is just one of those things that sounds fun. Preferably to somewhere warm because being cold is bullshit.
   
8. Run a half-marathon – I love running. I don’t know that I want to push myself to complete a full marathon, but a half will satisfy my need to run big races. I think I’d like to do this one. Hopefully my knee agrees since I’m probably another surgery away from running again.
   
9. Sell photos to someone who doesn’t know me – Everyone needs validation, this is mine.
   
10. Visit Ireland – With a birthday on St. Patrick’s Day I don’t think this one needs any further explanation.
11. Photograph the Aurora Borealis – That’s just cool.
12. Visit Yosemite – It’s so close to me and yet I’ve never visited. I’d like to spend a good amount of time hiking and taking photographs.

So that’s it for this installment of my Life List. I’m going to give the list it’s own page and update it as I think of more things.

What’s on your list?

So I joined a gym.

It’s a nice gym. Most gyms I’ve been to are at least somewhat dirty. They smell. They’re full of muscley preening look at me type people.

This one is different. It’s clean. It smells, well, rather neutral actually. But the towels they provide smell awesome. The showers are the two-stage kind they have in spas that have the little changing room in front of the shower stall, and the showers have shampoo and conditioner and shower gel. The locker room has hair dryers and lotion and Q-Tips and mouthwash. I go at 5 and it isn’t totally crowded. I’ve been twice this week and haven’t waited for cardio equipment either time. The crowd is a mix of all ages, and everyone is just doing their own thing.

But the best part? The sauna. I love a sauna. And this one works and everything. (the saunas at my last two gyms were hit and miss).

It’s gym nirvana.

And yet I sat in my car texting and tweeting in the parking garage for close to 45 minutes, avoiding going in.

Here we go again.

For once in a very long while we are actually having a Fall. Usually we go straight from 80 degree weather to snow, with no middle ground. I am finding myself very grateful for this interlude between Summer and Winter this year. You should probably remind me of this respite when I am bitterly cursing the winter snows.

Of course my local camera shop doesn’t have the cleaning tools I need, so I’m temporarily sidelined.

In the meantime, say hi to Sasha. She’d like a treat, pleasethxbai.

We call them fools
Who have to dance within the flame
Who chance the sorrow and the shame
That always comes with getting burned

But you’ve got to be tough when consumed by desire
‘Cause it’s not enough just to stand outside the fire

- Garth Brooks

I’m so tired but I can’t sleep
Standin’ on the edge of something much too deep
It’s funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can’t be heard.

- Sarah McLachlan

The future’s in the air.

I can feel it everywhere.

Blowing with the wind of change.

- Scorpions

]]> http://www.ellemmess.com/2011/11/07/wind-of-change/feed/ 4 http://www.ellemmess.com/2011/11/04/laugh/ http://www.ellemmess.com/2011/11/04/laugh/#comments Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:00:14 +0000 Lisa http://www.ellemmess.com/?p=2169

Laugh. Loudly and often.

I’d like to take the sunshine right from the sky

And let it shine on you through my eyes

You see we’re all in the same boat, trying to float

So everybody grab an oar, we can make it to shore

-Lay Down (Candles in the Rain), Meredith Brooks

When there’s nothing but no

And there’s nowhere to go

You find a way.

That’s where you shine.

-Meredith Brooks