I freaked many people out accidentally when I posted on Facebook about creating a bucket list. Oops. I didn’t think about the fact that you create those things when you’re dying! I had a few friends text me and others silently worry, wondering “Did you get bad news? Did something happen? Are you ok?!” Oops.

I’ve never been a bucket list kind of guy. I like to say that I’m too practical to do bucket lists and new years resolutions though it might be better to say I’m too lazy or too skeptical or too…something more negative. My personality type is so incredibly laid back and go-with-the-flow that creating nail ’em down lists that extend beyond the here and now (I make many lists for what I need to accomplish today or tomorrow) sounds very unappealing. But two things happened in/around me. One is I’ve grown tired of my life being defined by maintenance and fighting cancer and I’m feeling a genuine need to be about more than this (that’s why I pierced my ears). Secondly, as I entered into the new year one of my “Enneagram Thoughts” that I get emailed nightly in order to challenge me as a “9” on the Enneagram (if you’re not familiar with this stuff it’s worth your while! Do the simple test here) suggested that I be willing to step out and actually write down a new years resolution and that I (hold your breath) actually follow through with it with intentionality and purpose!

So, all that is to say that I’ve created a bucket list because I need to work toward some things, I’ve got to be in pursuit of things larger than the now. With a bit of work and some fine tuning I’ve got my first draft down to 30 items. So here she is in all her awkward glory:

Ryan’s Bucket List:

1. Go to Europe on backpacking trip
2. Go to Disneyland and stay at Grand California Hotel
3. Own an iphone
4. Get a pedicure
5. Attend World Cup Game
6. Write and perform poetry
7. Smoke a Cuban cigar
8. Get another tattoo
9. Create a will
10. Write a book
11. Pay off school loans
12. Take Jess to New York City
13. Get published in a (reputable) magazine
14. Drive 100 mph in a car
15. Go on a prayer/silent retreat/go to monastery
16. Take the family on a mission trip
17. Be a part of a community garden in my neighborhood
18. Touch a midget
19. Go on trip to Seattle and Vancouver BC (and really get to know Seattle more)
20. Go to Vancouver lake and Frenchmans bar
21. Dad and kids trip/camping thing (3 trips, one for each and one together)
22. Have every neighbor on our street over for dinner (or eat in their home)
23. Eat at every restaurant on my “can’t miss list” (I’ll post this soon)
24. Give blood (this may take some time but it is possible!)
25. Go on a Motorhome/camper road trip
26. Go to lesbian world series softball game
27. Watch American Film Institutes top 10 movies of all time
28. Perform Karaoke
29. Learn to speed read
30. Learn to Dance