The List. And why.

In one sense, I am writing this blog because I am away from almost everyone I've ever met.  Yet I meet new people daily.  Passing through in such a rapid motion, I loose contact easily.  Some people are really skilled with sending out bulk emails to friends and families, summarizing weeks of travel into one nice little letter.  And I am truly envious of that talent.  I don't do that.  So, thought I would give this a go.  Also, my major was in creative writing, with an emphasis in non fiction, and so with all jibber jabber aside, this is what I want to be doing with my life.  Conveying the stories of real life interactions I have with this planet and the wild lunatics that live on it.  Turn it into a book, and see where it takes me.

And another reason, speaking of wild lunatics.  One of the best I've met so far was my dad.  To sum him up in a few details, he grew up in California, played baseball, attended 9 colleges, got kicked out of most of them, graduated from one of them.  Married my mom, had two children.  Raced Ironmans, taught kindergarten, drank tequila and listened to country western music, Tom Waits and Paul Simon.  Had some ideas of fun adventures he longed to embark upon before he died, and left some that he didn't quiet get to, but I will... and that's the book.  Memoir meets adventure meets me growing in understanding and experience.  Here's the list, but the blog holds the details.

-Visit Denali State Park

- Visit the pyramids in Egypt

- Run with the bulls in Pamplona

- Visit Australia, and New Zealand

- Hike the Pacific Crest Trail  

- Visit the great wall

- Go to France and ride the Alp D’Heuz

- Race in Ironman Hawaii in Kona

- Live on a beach.

9 items, two down, and in between there is a lot to do.  This whole project could take me years, into my 30s, 40s, who knows?  Weaving this list into my life between travels, jobs, locations, people and time, however and wherever it leads me.  I'll work on the simpler ones while keeping in the back of my mind one little thought: how the hell to train, qualify for and complete Ironman Hawaii?  Fortunately, I am not alone on this venture.  I've got a brother and a big (athletic) family that I am always thankful for, as this will require some serious teamwork. In the meantime I am settled in Greece, making plans for the Alp D'Huez and the running of the bulls.  Carrying in my bag little satchels of ashes for spreading, for bringing him to all the places and the wild events he wanted to see.

And that's that.