BUCKET LIST: 32. In the 1st 4 years of the Dempsey Challange, ride each route, 10, 25, 50 & 100

What's It All About?

Many people ask that question about a great deal of things. For me, today, this question is two fold. What's this blog, BUCKET LIST, all about? And, what's life all about?

This blog is where I keep a running record of my bucket list, you know, the "kick the bucket list" of all the things that you want to do before you knock off for that one last time. At a few weeks shy of 26, I know I may be young to start one, those guys in the movie were much older and knew their time was limited. My list isn't about fitting everything in at the last minute. Rather it's about keeping a running record of the experiences that I want to take part in, small or large. Some of the items on this list can be done on a rainy day, others will take time, planning, and money to actually see through to the end.

I've never been any good at keeping journals but want there to be some record of my life of the things I did, what it was like, ect. So I started this list back in March, 2009 and keep an actual journal with me at all times so that when I think of something I want to do I add it to "the list". The plan is that when I complete something on the list I write about it. Because my handwriting is legible to few and because Blogger has a built in spell-check I'll write about my experiences here.

As for the "What's life all about?" question, at this point I have no clue, maybe creating and completing things will help me figure that out. I'll get back to you on that one.

The List

1. Create a LEGO font and use it to create something for myself or Kevin (Here's How) - 3.22.10
2. Participate in a craft show - 3.22.10
3. Take the Maine Beer Trail (Here's How) - 3.22.10
4. Take swing dancing lessons - 3.22.10
5. Do the Trek Across Maine (Here's How) - 3.22.10
6. Learn Irish Step Dancing - 3.22.10
7. Spend a day on a ropes course, including a zip line - 3.22.10
8. Write a letter to my future self (Here's How) - 3.22.10
9. Photograph the alphabet in found objects (no letters!) - 3.22.10
10. Another disposable camera project, this time make it so I can make a book out of the images - 3.22.10
11. Photograph a location determined by flipping a coin at intersections - 3.22.10
12. Drive the entirety of Rt. 1, from Fort Kent, ME to Key West, FL (or vice versa) - 3.22.10
13. Re/Learn how to play the piano - 3.23.10
14. Make collage animals using the insides of business envelopes - 3.23.10
15. Felted stuffed initial magnets - 4.10.10
16. Baby/kids door hangers, ex. Do not disturb, Enter Mess at own risk, Nap time - 4.10.10
17. Paisley cupboard doors - 4.10.10
18. Old door knob hangers - 4.10.10
19. Picture frame room dividers - 4.10.10
20. Paper canvas paintings - 4.10.10
21. 1,000 origami cranes from recycled paper - 4.23.10

Updated 5.22.10 - Make a before and after photo book of these cranes, picture of the recycled paper before, and picture of finished crane.
Updated 7.26.10 - Before/After pics uploaded. See Post

22. Backpack through Europe - 5.12.10
~~23. Positive News Source - 5.12.10~~

Updated 5.22.10 - See Post
Updated 10.26.10 - See Post

24. Photograph letters - make into alphabet poster - themed by color, location, 3-d, 2-d ect. - 5.12.10
25. Bike the Kangamangus - 5.22.10
26. White water rafting - 5.22.10
27. Skydiving - 5.22.10
28. Hot air balloon ride - 5.22.10
29. Trip to Machu Picchu - 6.8.10
30. Alaskan Cruise - 6.8.10
~~31. Make my own Beer - 6.27.10~~

Updated 6.27.10 - See Post
Updated 7.28.10 - See Post
Updated 8.10.10 - See Post
Updated 10.26.10 - See Post

32. In the 1st 4 years of the Dempsey Challange, ride each route, 10, 25, 50 & 100 - 6.27.10

Updated 6.27.10 - See Post
Updated 10.5.10 - See Post
Updated 6.29.11 - See Post

33. Read/Re-read all of Kathy Reichs books in order - 7.15.10

34. Read/Re-read all of the Harry Potter books in order - 7.15.10

35. Read/Re-read all of the Redwall books in order - 7.15.10

• Updated 6.29.11 - See Post
36. Learn how to play the Harmonica - 7.29.10
37. Pay off my 7 years (18 year old me to 25 year old me) of debt and from then on stay as debt free as possible - 7.29.10

Updated 7.29.10 See Post
Updated 10.26.10 See Post

~~38. Geocaching - 8.15.10~~

Updated 8.15.10 See Post

39. Rent an RV & go cross country - 10.5.10

40. Go to Montana - 10.5.10

41. Make a picture frame from the old window I have from Mom & Dad, like these - 10.26.10

42. Make a bookshelf from old shutters, like these - 10.26.10

43. Make some unique onsies, like this one - 10.26.10

44. Bake through the 12 days of cookies! (dedicated to my dear friend, Jessie Magoon!) - 10.30.10

45. See the Northern Lights - 10.30.10

46. Learn How to Surf - 10.30.10

47. Try 50 Different Cocktails - 10.30.10

48. Eat at, and review, 50 different restaurants - 10.30.10

49. Try 50 different beers - 10.30.10

• Updated 6.29.11 - See Post

50. Go Snorkeling in a Shipwreck - 10.30.10

51. Make 50 different, new recipes - 10.30.10

52. Eat a Garbage Plate - 11.04.10

53. Eat a Krispy Kreme right from the Conveyor - 11.5.10

54. Learn how to Blow Glass - 11.5.10

55. Old Photo/New Photo Project - 6.29.11

Last year in October was the first Dempsey Challenge I rode the 10 mile bike route, this year I am shooting for the 25 miler on October 3rd. Last year I raised $500, this year I'd like to raise more, you can make a donation towards my fundraising efforts here.

10.05.2010 Update:

This past weekend I once again participated in the Dempsey Challenge. Earlier in the week it was questionable if I was going to make it or not as I had a flu/cold and was home from work from Tuesday to Friday. But I made it! I walked the 5k with mom on Saturday and rode the 25 mile course—which was actually 28.11 miles—on Sunday. Although tired I felt great after completing both! On to the 50 next year! As a sponsor, my employer, Sun Media Group (Sun Journal) got tickets to the VIP Champions of Hope dinner with Patrick Dempsey himself and as team captain they gave me one of the tickets! I met Patrick and he signed my Dempsey Challenge biking jersey from last year. My old boss from Employment Times, Jeanne, and I got a picture with him as well. It was a great evening, but ended up leaving early to rest for the big ride on Sunday! Most importantly I raised over $600 for the Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing—the real reason I am a part of the event! Here are some pictures from the weekend.