In Pursuit of Life's Petty Goals
I have a list somewhere in the back of my mind. I add to it and cross things off now and then. It contains all the vain little goals that seem like they might bring me satisfaction. When I'm old and spend more time looking backward than forward, I imagine that having a list with lots of check marks next to it will help me embrace my senescence.
There are all sorts of things on the list... writing a novel, recording a CD worth of original music, hitting a walk-off home run, etc. One of the newer items on the list is having an original crossword published by the New York Times. Today I sent my first submission to Mr. Will Shortz. I've been told response time can take up to four months, so I may not hear back until 2008.
I had Diane proof the first version of my submitted puzzle and reworked it significantly after she finished it (I replaced the lame word DEFOAMER with RECORDER which meant redesigning about 25% of the grid.) Apparently the Times even pay people $200 per puzzle. I really don't care about the money... I just want to save a copy of the NYT with "Puzzle by John Streimikes" written on it. I'm sure that will help me believe that my life was well-spent when I have to face my mortality some day.
So what's on your list?
Labels: Art Projects, Dear Diary, Games, Philosophy
posted by John @ 1:44 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
I'm not as much the creative type I guess. My list is more about adventures and travel:
- Go on Safari in Africa
- Climb to base camp (or higher)
- Hang with some Penguins in Antarctica
- Hike the PCT from Mexico to Canada
- Visit Manchu Picchu
- Bungee Jump
- Hang Glide
- Sky Dive
- Watch the M's win the World Series while in Safeco
- Attend the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of an Olympics
- Sail across the Pacific
- Kayak Prince William Sound and Patagonia.
- Snowboard in Vail and Aspen
- Surf on the North Shore
- Run the Boston and London Marathons
- Hawaii Iron Man
John--
I love your blog, I just never know what comments to make. But congrats on yet another lock pick triumph. You need something new to tackle? How are your pushups coming? A copy of the book is wrapped and stamped and waiting. All it needs is an address to ship it to. It's a deal. I'll take your Billy Hazelnuts, if you think I'll like it.
In fact--
I'm coming to Seattle next week. I have a show down in Klamath Falls so will be in Seattle preparing for it on and off from the 12th until the 16th. Let's get Walaka involved and meet up somewhere and make the book switch in person and save the 3 or 4 bucks each for shipping.
My list is pretty much finished.
I've gone where I wanted, seen what I wanted, mostly accomplished what I wanted. What remains is to earn a living off of it. Unfinished business on my to do list is:
-Perfect a safe stading back flip
-Enter the Budapest, France, and/or Moscow Circus Competitions
-Sell my act to upscale Circuses and Cabarets for a year or so
-Publish my book
-Get MFA
-Become a Professor of Physical Theatre, Commedia, Circus at a decent College or University
-Stay in one place long enough to get a Beagle
Scotty, I'd love to get together while you are here. And I think you'd enjoy Billy Hazelnuts... it's a sort of Pinocchio gone awry story.
Sweet. Let's make it happen. I drop a line to the "W"
Will Shortz is the man.
That's all I have to say.
Too busy to make a list today.
Good on ya, by the way!
See Idina Menzel on stage.
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