The Genesis of this Project

I am really not concerned at all about the impending 30th birthday, its more of a benchmark than anything else. Thinking back on the past decade, I can't really complain about the things I have faced. In fact, the hardest part of my 20s is happening right now. For the first time in my life, whether justifiable or not, I feel like I am failing to meet expectations. The economy, a terrible boss, and strong moral stance have me looking at the back of the heads in the unemployment line. This, of course, creates a chain reaction that leads to sitting around the house, finding excuses to continue the laziness, and even worse letting the self-pity manifest itself into actions.

This isn't me, though. That's not how I was raised, and its not how I will allow myself to live. So, here I find myself bootstraps in hand, ready to pick myself up and get my act together one line at a time.

The first item I am going to attack: Finish one of the many books that I have started.

That book would be Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintanence. I started it a very long time ago, and it is a great book for this situation, so I am going to finish it, and then write a review of what I have learned.

As a side note- feel free to comment!

The List

•Cut the clutter- Get rid of the stuff that I have, which I never use,

•Develop and institute daily morning and evening rituals,

•Finish one of the many books that I have started,

•Meet the minimum fitness requirements for the U.S. Navy (3 pullups, 45 crunches, 29 min 3 mile run),

•Learn how to give myself a straight razor shave,

•Redefine my wardrobe- Less like college, more like real life,

•Write a letter every month and actually mail it,

•Watch a an academy award nominated movie, and pay attention to the things that make it so outstanding,

•Learn to lose with dignity, and win with grace (don't be THAT guy at the game),

•Volunteer regularly,

•Ask a woman on a date, and follow through with something intersting. Stop being so complacent.

•Spend a weekend in a tent,

•Find an artisan, and get a lesson in a "lost art,"

•Make a list of classic novels, and read them,

•Listen to an opposing opinion with an open mind,

•Shoot a gun with a high level of accuracy,

•Cook a traditional dish from all inhabited continents and be creative about it,

•Hone my culinary knife skills, learn to both use it effectively and sharpen it properly,

•Learn the art of delayed gratification- don't be so anxious all the time,

•Memorize 5 passages of famous lit, poetry or speeches,

•Learn to recognize my weaknesses, and address them in a constructive and timely way,

•Have and "Iron Chef" party.

•Make a significant decision that is unpopular but necessary,

•Stop going through the motions, and start learning from them,

•Clean up my "virtual" existence,

•Become a connoisseur of something,

•Host/attend a "guy's night,"

•Tryout for Jeopardy,

•Learn to be intrinsically satisfied with successes,

•Learn to polish my shoes

•Build something

•Write a journal regularly

•Read at least two presidents autobiographies