The Attainable Bucket List (and some links)

Like most people, I have a bucket list.  Every year in January, I take that list out, and say “I think I could realistically knock five things off of the list this year.  You know how many things I actually do?  Two, if I’m lucky.  It gets a little depressing.  I know that the reason that I don’t accomplish some of these things is because I tend to set the bar a little high.  I mean, I’m not sure if I’ll ever get around to riding a sea turtle from the Galapagos Islands to Esmeraldas, Ecuador, or beating Sir Richard Branson in an arm wrestling competition.  There is nothing wrong with aiming high, but if you really want to have a list that you can eventually finish, I suggest a second one.  One with goals that you actually may accomplish.  I made one for this summer.

1. Learn to speak Spanish with my kids.  Mommy is a super-cute latina.  She is also the only one in our house that can speak good Spanish.  This is something I have needed to fix for a while.
2. Build a killer treehouse for my boys.  We are blessed enough to have some good places in our yard for a treehouse.  It needs to have at least these three things to make it awesome.  (a)  A rope ladder. (b) A trap door.  (c)  A pirate flag.  My oldest son keeps asking if his treehouse will have indoor plumbing.  He’s probably going to be disappointed.
3. Get some arrows.  Someone I know was cleaning out there garage and asked me if I wanted an old bow that they had.  I said, “sure, my boys will love that”.  This may sound like a bad idea to some people, but I had a bow and arrow when I was a kid, and I never hit anyone.  The only thing in danger will be my neighbors cat if it keeps pooping in my flower beds.
4. Take the kids to the Statue of Liberty.  I haven’t been there since I was a kid.  My memories of that day include lines and being hit by spit from someone who was in line on the stairs up above me.
5. See a movie in the park.  They show movies outdoors at one of our local parks.  This sounds lovely and kind of small town charming.  In reality, mosquitos love me.
6. Attend Reggae in the Park.  Toward the end of summer they hold a large all day reggae concert in Fairmount Park.  Because when people see me, the first thing they think is, I bet that guy is super into reggae music.  This is not one for the kids, because let’s just say that the air will probably be thick.
7. Spend lots of time at the local library.  It’s free and the kids love to read.  If only the good people there would not sell candy in the lobby.  Last time we went, I ended up chasing my five year old around the stacks and under a table because I said we weren’t buying any.
8. Take the kids to two movies in one day.  You know what I mean, two movies, one ticket, wink wink.  That’s right, we’re going to spend the day at the theater.  We might even bring a picnic.  You may say, “Isn’t that a bad lesson for your kids’.  No, charging four dollars for a soda and eight for popcorn is a bad lesson.  I really wouldn’t feel bad if we found a way to take one of the theater seats home with us.
9. Keep the car clean all summer.  Most days it looks like a miniature tornado hit a miniature trailer park inside my car.
10. Finish my book.  Yeah that’s right.  I’m writing a book.  I hope all three of you will buy it.

I think that all of these things are attainable this summer.  Well, maybe except for the car thing.  I will do an update in September.

LINKS

• Cool story about a WWII treasure that has  just been recovered.
• A neat way to cut mangoes.
• New Star Wars teaser trailer.  Han Solo.  Enough said.
• Since it’s the wet season now, (unless you’re in California, sorry) here is a DIY way to waterproof all your gear.