My nephew is coming down in a couple of weekends, so we’re planning to hit the shooting range. I’ll keep you posted!
SamSpade's Life List
-
1. Create non-profit organization
1 entry1 person -
2. Grow an oak tree
3 cheers1 person -
3. Shoot a pistol
1 entry . 1 cheer4 people -
4. Become a pirate
1 cheer479 people -
5. run a hot dog stand
1 entry3 people -
6. become a firefighter
131 people -
7. Learn welding
14 people -
8. Make a cartoon
384 people -
9. Host a radio show
1 entry97 people -
10. Be in a movie
1,519 people -
11. Start a computer recycling program
1 cheer2 people -
12. participate in a Flugtag
3 people -
13. learn to invest
226 people -
14. Learn Aikido
360 people -
15. Acting
246 people -
16. Learn swordfighting
1 cheer14 people -
17. play Yard Scrabble
1 entry . 1 cheer1 person -
18. play the cello
1 cheer137 people -
19. save a life
1,444 people -
20. Buy a kayak
1 cheer148 people -
21. Buy a motorcycle
903 people -
22. wear a kilt
1 entry . 2 cheers22 people -
23. own a Cadillac convertible
1 cheer3 people -
24. Drive across the USA
2,165 people -
25. earn a masters degree
256 people -
26. Make sushi
1 cheer209 people -
27. rebuild an engine
19 people -
28. invent something
1,300 people -
29. Skydive
1 cheer10,175 people -
30. Try stand-up comedy
1 cheer53 people -
31. Become a Samurai
1 cheer73 people -
32. Create my own religion
2 cheers42 people -
33. Learn to dance
6,579 people -
34. see a wild gorilla
2 people -
35. Design and build my own house
1,497 people -
36. build a robot
1 entry . 3 cheers419 people -
37. go to burning man
1,436 people -
38. learn photoshop
1,470 people -
39. run a small press
3 people -
40. Experience thundersnow
1 cheer2 people
How I did it: I did it once as part of a radio stunt in college, then found out about the ones for Special Olympics starting in 2000. I've gone every year since then and managed to get a lot of my friends and family to join in. It's become something of a family holiday to have everyone over after the plunge for hot showers and hot food. Read how I did it…
So I’d been saving my dollars every week (literally) to build up enough coin for the basic Utilikilt. I know I could have bought it, but I wanted to prove to myself I could save up the money for something I really wanted (a 43Things item and a character builder, woohoo!) When the missus saw the bulging pile of singles in my sock drawer, she asked where I was stripping at. No, she asked me what it was for. When I told her it was for a kilt, she left me bruised and bleeding by saying she didn’t think I’d look good in one. WHA?!
I’m 6’1”, 220 pounds with a shaved head and goatee. I’ve got calves like oil cans. I’ve got plenty of snappy rejoinders for people that ask what’s under said kilt. If I don’t already own the kilt look, who does?
So, I’m stuck between using the money on my original goal or blowing the bulk of the cash on the Wii Fit when it finally comes out. Your thoughts?
Once you get the chance to beat on an anvil for a few hours, you will never look at a chunk of metal the same way again. Even things normally considered trash find a second life in the forge. Broken wrenches turn into stylish and durable door handles, common rebar becomes rafter hooks and hose guides and a simple piece of mild steel turns into a beautiful bottle opener.
If you get the chance to talk or work with a blacksmith, do so. Take notes, buy some equipment on the cheap and try out a few ideas. You’ll be seriously surprised with the results (I was). It will change your outlook on a lot of things; namely, why buy when you can build?
