J's 100

I know I said that the book review yesterday was the last post I would do until after the holidays next week, but I came across a fun meme today on Beany's wonderful blog, The Middle Way. Looking for a little entertainment, I decided to partake. This will be my last post until next week.

This is one of those "100s" lists. It lists 100 activities and you are to select in bold the ones you have done and italicize five you would like to do most. Of course, I couldn't help but provide some fun commentary as well, so here you go, J's 100. If you want to participate, just copy this list and have at it!

1. Started my own blog – Since the blogosphere is where this meme has been circling, so I imagine most of the respondents have one.

2. Slept under the stars – This seems like it would be nice.

3. Played in a band – I’d like to play on percussion of some sort – even a maraca or something.

4. Visited Hawaii – My uncle (who now lives in Atlanta) used to live there, I should have visited him while he did.

5. Watched a meteor shower – Pretty fun.

6. Given more than I can afford to charity – I rarely have the money, but I donate to good causes where I can, even if it just a little, it will help.

7. Been to Disneyland/world - I was a teenager at the time, I would have probably enjoyed it more as a younger child.

8. Climbed a mountain – I don’t think I’ve ever really seen a mountain. I’ve seen very big hills (like the Ozark “mountains”), I’d love to though.

9. Held a praying mantis – I love praying mantises but I am scared to touch bugs.

10. Sung a solo – The world should not have to suffer through such a thing.

11. Bungee jumped – I don’t need that much stimulation.

12. Visited Paris – Eh, I’d go if I had the opportunity, but wouldn’t make a point to go.

13. Watched lightning at sea – If I get over my fear of water, this could be quite fun.

14. Taught myself an art from scratch – I am going to steal Beany’s answer, I taught myself how to cook.

15. Adopted a child – As an adopted child, if I ever choose to have children, this will probably be the route I go, but I do not have any desire to have children, biological or otherwise.

16. Had food poisoning – From a Chinese restaurant in St. Louis – enough said.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty – Never been to New York and have no desire to go.

18. Grown my own vegetables – I do this every year, and we plan on expanding our gardens this year, wahoo!

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France – Never been to France.

20. Slept on an overnight train – I’ve only been on a Metro in St. Louis and Washington D.C.

21. Had a pillow fight – I’m an only child, I do not think I did this with friends or anything.

22. Hitchhiked – Much too much of a wuss to hitchhike.

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. – I’d like to say “no” I’ve never done this, but oh yes, I certainly have, if you ever need an excuse to stay home from work, I’ve got plenty in the works. ;-)

24. Built a snow fort – We don’t generally get enough snow in Missouri to build a decent fort.

25. Held a lamb – Um, no I haven’t, but I bet they are cute.

26. Gone skinny dipping – That certainly wouldn’t be a pleasant sight, but if I had my own pool, with a HUGE fence, I’d consider it.

27. Run a Marathon – Hahahahahahahahaha. Hahahahahahahaha. First off, I’m a smoker, second, I hate running. Can you believe I’m in shape though?

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice – I’ve had a gondola sandwich, does that count?

29. Seen a total eclipse – I think I may have seen one at school when I was younger, but don’t really recall, so I won’t mark this one.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset – I’m more partial to sunsets since I’m not a morning person, but I try to catch either whenever I get a chance. Brett and I caught a gorgeous sunset not too long ago where the sky was so pink it looked neon.

31. Hit a home run – Kickball was the only sport I was ever very good at.

32. Been on a cruise – Not a water person.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person – Don’t really have much desire, I’d much rather see a mountain.

34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors – I don’t know where they are from, I am adopted, but I’d love to find out.

35. Seen an Amish community – I briefly lived in a rural area of the Lake of the Ozarks and there were many Amish and Mennonites. It was the first time I had ever seen a sign on the side of the road that said “Share the Road” with a picture of a horse and buggy on it.

36. Taught myself a new language – I took a few years of German in high school – and don’t remember any of it now. I’d love to learn Spanish. But since I can only pick five…

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied – I do right now, and it is nice. We don’t have much, but we have enough to get by and that is something to be thankful for.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person – Nope.

39. Gone rock climbing – If I were less averse to danger, I think this would be really fun, but alas, there is no way in hell you’d get me strapped to the face of a giant rock.

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David – No desire, I’m not an art person.

41. Sung karaoke – I’d reference you to the one about singing a solo.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt – I bet this would be really nice to see, but if I could see only one of America’s natural splendors, it would be California’s giant redwood trees.

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant – I’d like to do this for someone who really needs it, like a homeless person. Especially during this cold time of year, I worry and wonder how they make it. I walk by the homeless each day on my way to the bus station and I always feel guilty for having a warm place to go and food to fill my belly. I was jaded by helping the homeless when over the summer Brett and I gave a “homeless regular” (one we see often) the change we had. We proceeded to be chastised (quite loudly) by some stranger who disapproved of our giving money to the homeless. We tried to defend ourselves saying it was our money and he need not judge or worry himself with what we did with it, but his anger was astonishing. Certainly the gentlemen could have gone to buy alcohol with it (the tired old excuse so often used to justify treating the homeless worse than stray animals) – but mind your own damn business – the point was, I am not this persons care taker, they can choose to do with the change we gave them what they want, we didn't give it with strings attached. And at the same time, if I were homeless, depressed, and cold, I might not mind a beer myself. (This coming from someone who doesn't drink, I can't even remember the last time I had a wine cooler, I just get sick or fall asleep.)

44. Visited Africa – I’ve never been out of the country.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight – This sounds like something that would be fun to do.

46. Been transported in an ambulance – Thankfully, no.

47. Had my portrait painted – No, and I’d like to keep it that way.

48. Gone deep sea fishing – No and I really have no desire to do so.

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person – I’m not really a “chapel person” and like I noted earlier, I’ve never been out of the country.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris – Nope, but if I were there, I’d probably go just to be able to bold something like this on the next meme I do. :-)

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling – Perhaps if I weren’t scared of water and could swim well.

52. Kissed in the rain – I likely had an umbrella at the time, but this statement isn’t caveated, so I can claim to have done it!

53. Played in the mud – All gardeners play in the mud on a regular basis.

54. Gone to a drive-in theater – I didn’t know these were still around.

55. Been in a movie. – No, no, no, and never.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China – I know it is a marvel and all, but it is a wall designed to keep people out. Doesn’t seem like the greatest tourist attraction if you ask me.

57. Started a business – I wouldn’t mind owning a local grocery store or a canned salsa/sauce company one day, but only if opportunity allows, I’m not going to go into debt to do so.

58. Taken a martial arts class – I’m not very coordinated, but I bet it would be fun to watch me take a martial arts class.

59. Visited Russia – Isn’t it cold there?

60. Served at a soup kitchen – I’d love to set up one in Columbia that is secular. Most of these services are provided by the faith community, which is fine, but not the kind I really want to participate in.

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies – I have eaten my fair share.

62. Gone whale watching – Whale watching? Really? No, I have never done it and really don’t mind if I never do.

63. Got flowers for no reason – The people I have dated have known better than to get me flowers. Unless they are potted, I want nothing to do with them.

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma – I did this in high school to find out that I had anemia. Let’s just say I can’t give blood anymore. I damn near passed out and was on the couch for a whole day afterwards.

65. Gone sky diving – Seriously, I think people who do this must need some serious excitement to stimulate them. I’d rather not jump out of a plane and float to the ground thank you very much.

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp – I don’t really understand why someone would want to do this, even for educational purposes.

67. Bounced a check – My answer is very similar to Beany’s, it was my first checking account and I didn’t really know how to balance a checkbook or how the whole deal worked.

68. Flown in a helicopter – I was barely able to get on the plane to D.C. a few years ago, I doubt this one ever happening.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy – My parents saved them for me (I’m not sure what you are supposed to do with your childhood keepsakes, ideas anyone?), does that count?

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial – I even got my picture with the giant ‘ol stone Abe.

71. Eaten caviar – I would have considered this gross even when I ate meat.

72. Pieced a quilt – Nope.

73. Stood in Times Square – Never been to NY.

74. Toured the Everglades – We drove by them on a trip to visit my uncle in Florida. I’d say that is close enough.

75. Been fired from a job – No, but being unemployed is nice in so many ways, except for not having any money of course.

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London – No.

77. Broken a bone – Toes, toes, toes. Nothing else thankfully and I hope that I never do!

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle – Have you gotten the impression that I am not one for danger yet?

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person – No, but I really would like to do this, but alas, you are only supposed to pick five.

80. Published a book – I think Beany is right, most people want to write a book – however, most people shouldn’t, there is enough crap out there these days.

81. Visited the Vatican – I don’t know why I would ever want to.

82. Bought a brand new car – Nope, I’ve only had used ones and now don’t own one at all.

83. Walked in Jerusalem – I don’t think so.

84. Had my picture in the newspaper – Yes, over the summer the local paper did a big spread about Brett and I. We were followed around the farmer’s market by a photographer, it was weird, and I hope to not have to do it again.

85. Read the entire Bible – I wonder how many people actually have. I looked through a copy that Brett had once (his dad’s side of the family subtly pushes for him to be a Christian, it’s not working so far) but couldn’t get into it.

86. Visited the White House – Well, only the outside of course. We actually couldn’t even walk around the back while we were there because Bushy was taking a walk and they had to “secure the perimeter”.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating – NO!

88. Had chickenpox – It was Christmas and I was a very unhappy youngster.

89. Saved someone’s life – Not to my knowledge, but I bet that is a good feeling.

90. Sat on a jury – I’ve been “threatened” with it once, but alas, I didn’t get to fulfill my civic duty.

91. Met someone famous – I guess that depends on what you consider famous. I’ve met the author John Ikerd and the Columbia-based artist Lizzy West.

92. Joined a book club – No but I want to even if I have to start it. If any readers from Columbia who would be interested, please email me.

93. Lost a loved one – My great-grandpa passed away a few years ago, but I didn’t know him well.

94. Had a baby – Nope and don’t want to!

95. Seen the Alamo in person – A lot of my dad’s family lives in Texas, so we would make regular trips down there as a kid. It’s really not all that exciting in person to be honest with you.

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake – I didn’t know you could swim in the Great Salt Lake.

97. Been involved in a law suit - Nope.

98. Owned a cell phone – Sadly, I wish I didn’t have to have a phone at all.

99. Been stung by a bee – I was stung by a sweat bee when I was a little kid. I'm scared I will eventually get stung by a wasp or bumblebee at the community garden.

100. Ridden an elephant – Who does these things?

I hope I've helped you waste some time at work, cure your boredeom, or enrage or enlighten you. Gotta do something to keep things interesting, eh?

Alright everyone, have a wonderful, safe, warm, and happy holidays!

'Til next time.