Goals & plans
Get divemaster certificate
Upgrade my pilots licence
Bunjy jump
Learn left-handed writing & the star constellations
Become an intermediate-level chinese speaker
Go to the Beijing Olympics
Get truck-drivers licence
Do a course in solo sky-diving
Travel to India, Egypt & a war-zone
Learn to sail and sail around the world
Buy another house
Get a tattoo
Discover the meaning of life
Spend time with friends
(to be continued…)
October 23, 2006 at 11:53 am
i think you need to have more than one life….
November 3, 2006 at 5:05 am
fuck so many of our goals co-incide…
the warzone thing,
started my solo course for skydiving but have only done my first two jumps…
getting my rifle permit soon, (already have the shotgun), started pistol shooting (its awesome)
oil rig sounds awesome…
not ready to commit to a tattoo, but want a few kids, not sure how to reconcile this with my aversion to getting married, but eventually i want a massive hacienda full of children and grandchildren, dogs and a gun rack…
November 28, 2006 at 9:54 pm
uummmm we are quite similiar in that I also want to spend time with my friends…
December 4, 2006 at 7:24 pm
Get married & have 2.4 children
This is a deliberate error to see who is paying attention right? If you wanted to get married you would be already
January 9, 2007 at 1:23 am
Some unsolicited advice:
1. Religion and spirituality in India is a business — the shopping areas in many temples are larger than the sacred space. Years ago, my mom almost got beaten up by priests who overheard her criticising the temple as a donation-taking exercise. So tread carefully around religion, fanaticism is strong.
2. Corruption is rife. Customs officials have been known to take foreigners aside and demand money in exchange for being allowed onto their flight. Keep your money close and important documents closer. The security situation in certain states, such as Bihar, is terrible.
3. Because there are so many beggars, if you do feel compelled to give alms, I’d recommend offering money only to disabled poor people. This is because disabled people not working in the public service get absolutely no welfare. Keep in mind however, that many disabled children have had their limbs cut off on purpose, for the specific ‘business’ of begging.
4. The best way to travel in India and learn about it at the same time is to use trains.
5. India’s roads are the most dangerous in the world. Pedestrians navigate a treacherous path between life and death each time they take to the streets. Don’t cross roads lightly.
6. The auto rickshaws (three wheeled taxis) have meters to prevent drivers from fleecing customers by charging exorbitant rates for travelling short distances. It’s best to travel using these rather than normal taxis to make sure you aren’t getting ripped off.
7. It is likely you will get diarrohea. Free public toilets are impossible to use for the situation, so hunt around for a pay-to-use toilet. The private sector consistently delivers quality where the government cannot.
August 10, 2007 at 1:15 am
Humphrey - what about running in the city to surf fun run - this time next year? I’ll do it with you (seriously). What do you reckon!? (BTW good on you for checking out all those martial arts forms; & about boxing - hey, live the Peekay dream (i.e Power of One), you could take up boxing, change the world & end something equivalent of the apartheid! Great stuff! cheers.
August 11, 2007 at 2:26 am
“fun” run eh? Perhaps… perhaps… but a year is too far away for me to be thinking about now. I don’t even know what country I’ll be in.
October 4, 2007 at 1:06 am
COMPLETING THE ‘MAN’
I’ve only just stumbled accross your great goals and dreams, John. They - and you - are inspiring. Good luck, or good management, as the case may be.
OK, this is a bit of a chance to show off under the guise of challenging you to add a further goal: I’ve just returned from France where I completed the Paris-Brest-Paris cycling event - 1200kms - in 88 hours (inc. 6 hours of sleep). Its something that’s particularly suitable for older men - as they have the strength and intestinal fortitude that you youngsters lack. Anyhow, since your list is devoid of serious athletic challenges, why not consider adding it, or something like it, to your list. You will be amazed by the “incentivation” and “focus” effects that setting yourself such a goal can generate, and doing the preparation and training beforehand and then completing the event will be a transformative experience: it will tick your mind, body and soul boxes all at once.
PS: Marketeers say that you have to hear a brand name 4 times before you’ll rush out and buy it, even though you don’t want it. This is my first mention of PBP to you. I know you’ll just shake your head this time, but I intend to wear you down on it over the years.