blue artichoke

I'll be the first to admit that some of the New Things I did last year were totally lame, but I'd made this goal and was publicly accountable to you folks, so I did what I had to do. All the things were new to me, but some just weren't that exciting or noteworthy. Ate collards? Please. But I'm 31 now, older, wiser and ready to do it right. I really enjoyed looking for new things to do, especially those that shook me out the rut I so easily fall into. For this year, I'm making out my list in advance, a checklist, so to speak. I don't want to schedule my year completely -- there has to be room for spontaneity -- but I do want to make sure that I do new things that shake things up a bit.

I have only 10 things planned so far. Ideas are welcome. Bring it.

Here's what I've got, in no particular order:

31 New Things

1. Let my hair grow out. It's already a bit longer than shoulder-length, but I've always wanted Crystal Gayle hair. It gets a bit longer than it is now, and I freak out and cut it all off. Not this year. I'll allow trims so I don't end up with a head of bushy split ends, and layers are allowed to add style, but no significant changes to the length.

2. Reduce % body fat. I had a fitness assessment done on my birthday. By turning a year older, I moved right smack in the middle of Average percentage of body fat for a person my age. The day before, however, I was Below Average. Average isn't something to strive for. According to the fitness assessor, I'd look pretty good at 18-20% body fat. So, 19% is my goal.

3. Sensory deprivation tank. I have an odd fascination with and, yes, you could say crush on, Joe Rogan. I love to hear him talk about stuff. He's so smart; he's the only interview I have to listen to with Wikipedia in front of me. Anyway, he raves about sensory deprivation tanks, even built one in his basement. It sounds awesome to hear him tell it, so I'd like to check one out. I doubt we'll become BFF this year, so I'll have to find one available commercially.

4. Indoor skydiving (or outdoor…?). I tried to go skydiving once, but got rained out. I gave up after that, but I'd still like to give it a whirl.

5. Don’t eat fast food all year. Pizza does not count. I'm undecided how to rule on food courts.

6. Simplify. This one is ongoing, and difficult to know when I've achieved it. I'll know I'm done when I'm content. For a professional organizer, I have a lot of stuff. I have more stuff than GC. I might not have as much stuff as you do, but I have a lot more than I need/want/use.

7. Take a float trip. GC has been on several, but I've always been out of town or wussed out. I hate white-water rafting and assumed that "float trip" was a gentler name for a similar activity. After seeing pictures of a friend relaxing in the boat and drinking a beer, I've decided that's something I want to do too.

8. Dedicate myself to learning a new skill, or improving one I already know, every month. Though I didn't have this in mind, I've already started this with the New Month's Resolutions:

February = 2 sets of 10 full push ups
March = Improve flexibility
April =
May =
June =
July =
August =
September =
October =
November =
December =
January =
(on the list, but unassigned as yet, are: practice bowling, become a Guitar Hero 3 goddess, learn to belly dance, focus on Muay Thai)

9. Have a spa day – rubs, scrubs, wraps, baths, massages – all of it. I'm not much of a spa person in general, but I have fond memories of my first foray into a spa last year, for a foot massage. What other wonders await me?

10. Bury a grudge. Not just any grudge, but one in particular. There is someone I used to be friends with, then some things happened and we got mad at each other. It's been 10 years since we've spoken. We may not become friends again, but I don't like thinking that someone out there groans every time something reminds them of me.

So that's all I've got so far. I feel like I'm still thinking narrowly. I need some ideas and inspiration, for the list and for the New Month's Resolutions. Help!

Getting to Know All About You: What's the most exciting or thrilling thing you've ever done?