I'm doing 25 things
Wundergrl21, whom I met at our Las Vegas meet-up in 2007. She dropped out of 43T for a while but returned in 2008 when expecting her first child. Now she’s expecting her second. Definitely worth a major cheer!
TajLV's Life List
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1. Be careful what I wish for
12 entries . 79 cheers5 people -
2. go to bed earlier
2 entries . 103 cheers1,778 people -
3. Find a new doctor and get a physical exam
2 entries . 18 cheers4 people -
4. replace my stolen passport
1 entry . 40 cheers2 people -
5. walk more
2 entries . 39 cheers652 people -
6. spend more time outdoors
26 entries . 95 cheers960 people -
7. clean a little every day
1 entry . 6 cheers19 people -
8. Lose 30 pounds
7 team members . 29 entries . 62 cheers5,627 people -
9. be a better Buddhist
9 entries . 120 cheers98 people -
10. take advantage of being a senior citizen as often ass possible
21 entries . 46 cheers1 person -
11. Watch Mad Men
1 entry . 6 cheers3 people -
12. learn some Spanish
4 entries . 33 cheers25 people -
13. scan all my old photographs
2 entries . 44 cheers254 people -
14. Publish a collection of short stories
5 entries . 49 cheers21 people -
15. tour the blogs/websites of the 43 people I subscribe to
8 entries . 38 cheers1 person -
16. practice tai chi
2 entries . 66 cheers124 people -
17. write another novel
11 entries . 86 cheers37 people -
18. Rewrite my will & write a living will as soon ass possible
3 entries . 37 cheers1 person -
19. philosophize on 43T
12 entries . 34 cheers1 person -
20. find inner peace
3 entries . 66 cheers801 people -
21. go on a cruise
1 entry . 33 cheers4,755 people -
22. Cross the equator
2 entries . 48 cheers29 people -
23. write my memoirs
2 entries . 42 cheers138 people -
24. build a house
1 entry . 38 cheers1,391 people -
25. Introduce people who want to "find $100 in change" to those who want to "drop 43 pennies in random places."
59 cheers1 person
How I did it
It made me
persevere 
How I did it: The version I read was the original Vintage Books first edition, published in 1961. It was the first time Ulysses had ever appeared in paperback. I obtained my copy at an auction that was held about twenty years ago when a friend named David suddenly passed away of a stroke in his late 30s. The money that was raised was used to pay for his final expenses, so the book has always meant something special to me. According to a stamp… Read how I did it…
It made me
reconnected 
How I did it: Started getting back in touch with former classmates about a year before the reunion. Used my saved up frequent flyer miles to fly to Indianapolis, then rented a car and drove to South Bend, Indiana.A slide show of a few pix I took is HERE ON FLICKR. Read how I did it…
It made me
made in the shade 
How I did it: There were 16 separate steps from clearing the ground to excavation, erecting the canopy, weedproofing, laying the pavers and finishing.I needed to adjust the original design slightly to make use of some recycled materials.You can see exactly how I did it, step by step, in my Flickr Slide Show. Read how I did it…
See all "How I Did It" stories...
Recent entries
Almost every day I read new entries on this site expressing gratitude. Many are part of goals like “Reflect on things for which I am grateful” and “Daily Gratitude” and “List things for which I am grateful.” These are almost universally seen as positive goals, and I have cheered a fair share of entries. But in the wake of the recent events in Boston, I am reminded once again of how little we know of what to be thankful for.
I’m sure there are thousands of people who wanted to attend this year’s Boston Marathon and watch their friends cross the finish line but, for one reason or other, could not. Now they know how very fortunate they were.
And I have read the reports of the Boston University student from China, who was killed in the bomb attack. Lu Lingzi, 23, was not a runner. She had accompanied a friend to watch the marathon near the finish line, and I imagine she felt quite lucky to have such a great vantage place for seeing the race. Such elation, and now such grief.
There is a Taoist parable called the Chinese Farmer. It gives perspective on circumstances we consider to be fortunate and unfortunate, what situations or events we bemoan and what we express gratitude for. This parable has meant more and more to me as I have grown older and become increasingly stoical. It explains why the very first entry on my 43T list is “Be careful what I wish for.” It’s not so much a goal or a warning as a reminder to be mindful and to to do my best to see the bigger picture.
Unfortunately, I can’t make sense of senseless tragedy. My mind is too small to comprehend the bigger picture of the Boston Marathon attack. So I just take it on faith that the events of the past week fit perfectly within the grand scheme of things. My prayers all combine to become just one prayer, “Thy will be done.” And I’m sorry, but I really don’t get it.
working in advertising agenies, this series means something special to me. Unfortunately, I missed season one, watched season two only sporadically, and cancelled my premium cable channels by the time season three rolled round. Now that AMC has announced season seven will be the last, I’m ready to start watching the DVDs from the beginning.
