The Perty Nerdy Thirty List

First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR! It's 2012 and it's going to be the best year yet.

Now that we have that taken care of, on to business...

This year is the year I (deep breath) turn 29. I know, I know, cue the violins. Anyway, my point is that NEXT year I join the "No longer a 20-something" club. No biggie, I know, but a milestone nonetheless. And to add to that, I have recently been reminded (again) how damn short life is. The world has lost another wonderful soul that we could have really used another 20 years with. Though I have an affinity for old dudes, this one was one of the best, though our encounters were few. But I learned years ago that you never know what tomorrow has in store, let alone the next year. So, the list. It's not a resolution (if it was, I would be tragically late already). The Bossman calls it a "Grand Master Plan," which I like, but I'm not one to be a copycat. So, it's my Perty Nerdy Thirty List. (You try and think of a cool word that rhymes with 30, geez!) And as putting it in writing means it WILL happen (or you suffer the consequence of reading this post one year later and scowling over what you DIDN'T do). It's the "No more excuses" list. The "You're not getting any younger" list and the "You'll be glad you did" list.

Here it is:

1. Go to Costa Rica - Shupasaurus and I have officially booked our trip! March 29th we'll be saying "Adios California y hola Costa Rica! Pura Vida!" Finally, I am going on my dream trip, with a totally fun travel buddy.

2. Do Tough Mudder - For two years, the Bossman has asked me to join his team. The first year, I was too scared to risk my life on what seemed like an impossible course. After seeing him complete it (he's a 50-plus'er) and IN A SPEEDO no less, I am convinced that I can do it. I balked last year, again, but this year I am doing it. I may be the slow poke finishing behind the pack, but I will go and I will finish.

3. Master the back squat - The back squat and I have a love hate relationship. Although I feel strong, you put me in that rack with that bar on my back and I freeze. I can squat down, but somehow I lose confidence on the upswing. Damn you, back squat. Damn you straight to workout hell. I will conquer you. Mark my words.

4. Put money away - Everyone says they wished they started saving earlier. I'm already past the "earlier" time, but I guess that just means I better start. If I want to retire in Costa Rica with my little bar on the beach, I better get on it.

5. Learn Spanish - I have Rosetta Stone. I've HAD Rosetta Stone for a year. I also have a fabulous tutor, Ms. Victor Cruz (formerly Ms. Eddie George) who is more than willing to help me and always assigns me the good homework. Do it. And get over that fear of talking. You're a gringo, but you'll always be a gringo, no matter how well you try to roll your rrrrrr's. Get over it.

6. Stop giving kids the stink eye - I am ashamed to admit it, but I do. I'm not a kid person, but it's not their fault. I've met some brats and had little close time with the youngsters. But there will always be brats and I have to get over it. And I guess I am pretty jerky for feeling so blah about kids. I mean, I was one once, right? (Although I was perfect in every way when I was a kid, so that's different.)

7. Be closer with the friendies - You don't realize that you're not making the effort until you go two months without seeing our "bestie." I am very guilty of this and need to make a better effort. A lot happens in little time and I really shouldn't be missing it. I'm lucky to have great friends and I really should take advantage.

8. Read more - I love to read. But I let things get in the way. Hell,it's taken me almost three months to LISTEN to A People's History of the United States. It is like 40 hours long, but there has to have been 40 hours I could have better spent listening to it rather than doing what I was doing (did someone say Law and Order marathon?)

9. Hang out with my mom more - My mom is awesome. She's been through a lot. She's a fun gal. A hoot. I don't tell her that enough. I wouldn't be who I am without her. (Love ya, Mama!)

10. Make my yard perfect - Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've been blaming my neighbors for their super huge trees of darkness for shadowing my yard and killing my grass (it was so pretty when we laid that sod!), but there is a solution. I've just got to figure out what it is and get out there and do it.

11. Learn to bat - I suck at batting. I'm the girl that strikes out most times and hopes to be walked. It's really not that hard. Hit the batting cages and do the dang thing.

12. Have less cocktails - Yeah. I'll work on that.

13. Get up to 4 workouts per week - I feel awesome with my thrice-weekly workouts. I can only imagine how great it would feel to pump it up and workout on more days than I don't.

14. Feel better about results - While we're on that subject, it would be nice to go a little easier on myself about my chub. 28 years and I still don't feel comfortable in my own skin. Seeing that in writing really brings home how pathetic that is. Once again, get over it.

15. Go to a Burning Man thing - HAHA, I've already checked this one off! Phil dragged me to a Burners meeting just last week. And let me say, it was just like you would think it was. Chew on that.

16. Blog more - I love this little bloggie. It has a special place in my heart and it's a great creative outlet. Who cares that 8 people read it?! Those 8 people are special and have a place in my heart for taking ten minutes to see what I have to say. Love you guys!

17. Challenge myself at work - I love my job. I am challenged, but I could do more. I love to write and I get to write at work. I've had articles placed (even with ME in the byline!) and I can do that more. Find an issue, write a piece people want to read and get it placed!

18. Figure out a way to convince the Shupes to grow wine grapes - Five acres of land perfectly sloped on the sunny side of a hill? WHAT A WASTE!

19. Convince the old lady across the street to let us start a U Street garden in her yard - She has a huge yard and is far too old to manage it. Trust me. She walks with two ski poles (hence the nickname "Ski Poles"). We need to ask for the ok and take the initiative and start growing. For her, for our neighbors. Maybe even for perfect strangers who are hungry.

20. Learn our neighbors names - Don't get me wrong, we've met almost all of the people on our street. But we only know two names. Case in point: "Ski Poles," "Electrocution Hair Guy," "Guy with the annoying dog," "German Lady," "Girl who works with fish or something," "Guy who's dog poops on our lawn," "Guy that looks like Lou." We can do better.

21. Ride a horse - Come on, who has never ridden a horse?? Me. (Sad face.)

22. Grow a proper garden - Shupasaurus had a great garden in Bordova. It was so fun to water and tend to, not to mention the booty!

23. Help Kevy Baby get a job - He'll be really bummed he didn't read this. Bahahaha. Oh wait, they don't have internet in Stockton anyway.

24. Go wake to wake - Well, first things first... Any of you have a wakeboarding boat and want to take us out? We have wakeboards and will totally pay for gas. And bring beer.

25. Snuggle more with Rocco and Brewski - Ok, ok, I added this one just because I know I already snuggle too much with them, so CHECK!

26. See the fam more - LA is not that far. They are not getting any younger. I have the coolest family ever and should take advantage of that.

27. Go to New Orleans - Speaking of LA, how about Louisiana?! With a friend that lives there and always offers up a place to stay, it's time to go. Perhaps Mardi Gras circa 30th bday? Hmm..

28. Get more political - It's an election year. And important year. This calls for precinct walking, phone banking and all other kinds of politicking. And I love it, so it's time to pump it up. (This has already been started by attending a Fem Dem event - www.femdem.org - attending a CLCA meeting - and buying a ticket to my first Obama fundraiser. Whoot!

29. Get involved in organizations making our world a better place - Sure, Women for Women International is awesome, but I can do more. We all can do more. So let's do it. Who's with me?! (Ha! That was a trick to see if you read this far! Now I know - one whole person!)

30. Don't stress about 30 - After 30, if you play your cards right, you get another 30. And if you're lucky, maybe even more. So there's still time to cross off those last few items, and to think of more I want to add.

Here's to the next year. The year of getting things done. No excuses. No whining. Let's do it!