Before reviewing the 2008 resolutions, it’s time to check in with the bucket list–the things I want to accomplish before kicking the . . . ahem . . . bucket.

The original list originally appeared on January 15, 2008.

Further revisions and additions appeared March 4, 2008.

Of the twenty-seven intentions, of which I estimated a decade or more for completion, there was progress on four items in the first year.

5) Write five novels. One in the can. In the middle of a second.

12) Become proficient in Krav Maga. Began studying in March 2008. Switched to a private instructor in late July. Though proficiency will take years more, some of the basic flow and movements are sinking in for me. A very long journey remains.

23) Complete Six hour ATV tour of the Mojave Desert. Done March 2008. Exceeded 50 mph over the flats. Fuuuuuuuuuuun.

26) Bet 100 bucks on outside box black at Ceaser’s Palace in Vegas. Done March 2008. Gambling has never been my thing

The business of working through a bucket list has a big edge over most long term projects. Although the task seems daunting at the onset, it’s an open-ended process that allows almost limitless opportunities to get closer to what one wants through revision and reflection. That’s liberating in so many ways, and very different when someone else drives the agenda. It also naturally leads to more revisions–these in turn lead to further changes–the net effect of which can push the final delivery date out indefinitely.

I suppose I might have left well enough alone with the original draft. Certainly the list was as long as these sort of lists go and capture across section of activities and destinations.

But from experience, lists work best when I force myself to revisit them periodically. Letting just a few vines rot by neglect can taint the whole harvest. So after thinking about what I set out to do with the bucket list in the first place, and reading the items over one by one, some additions came to mind.

Additionally, also I wanted to track points where they had been some motion on my end. In these case, the item remains intact, but includes any relevant updates.

5) Write 5 novels < << In the middle of number two. 12) Ride in a hot air balloon. <<< Received vouchers covering a balloon ride for two as a birthday gift. In the next year, I just need to pick a day to make this happen. Looks like Fall 2008. 20) Become proficient at Krav Maga <<< Tonight is my first class. Proficiency takes about three to five years of study. Since I'm going to Vegas for Spring Break in a few weeks, there's an opportunity at number 23 and 26 at once, with some slight modifications. 23) Spend 1 night alone in the Mojave desert. <<< Swapping this for a 6 hour ATV tour through the heart of the Mojave. I'll see more than at night and have some fun carving up the sand dunes. 26) Put a $100 bet on outside box black at Ceaser’s Palace. <<< I'll make the exact same bet in three weeks, only at the Luxor, which houses a newer and glitzier casino. Number 27 and 28 are new. 27) Sketch a vineyard in Tuscany as part of a winery tour.

28) Stand center stage at the Theatre of Dionysos.

By the way, I’ll post a revised bucket list soon, because an awesome birthday gift yesterday prompted a few modifications.

No one has yet cheated death, and I don’t expect to be the first. So inspired by the recent movie, I wrote my own bucket list. In total, I anticipate spending 15-20 years accomplishing everything on this list, unless a huge advance check comes knocking.

While I don’t expect to die in my fifties, I want to take advantage of being healthy now.

Also, I may add a few items in the next week, but the basic arc feels right. Where possible, I made them specific, yet brief.

1) Finish a marathon

2) Obtain Class A USPA certification

3) Backpack 100 miles of the Appalachian trial

4) Learn enough Cyrillic to read at least 10 Russian adult fiction or non-fiction books

5) Write 5 novels

6) See the Northern Lights in Nova Scotia

7) See the White Nights in St. Petersburg

8) Sleep in a pipe among the bears of Alaska

9) Stay two nights in the Ice Lodge of Norway

10) Stand as close as possible to Stonehenge

11) Drink from Glastonbury Tor

12) Ride in a hot air balloon

13) Jump from a hot air balloon

14) Tour Germany during Oktoberfest

15) Hike 2 days in the Outback

16) Scale El Capitan in Yosemite National Forest

17) Go on an African Safari

18) See the Great Pyramids under the cover of darkness

19) Walk 50 miles across the Great Wall of China.

20) Become proficient at Krav Maga

21) Photograph the Nazca Lines

22) Snowboard on the Swiss Alps

23) Spend 1 night alone in the Mojave desert.

24) Complete a bed and breakfast snowmobile circuit in Canada or Vermont.

25) Catch some beads at Mardi Gras.

26) Put a $100 bet on outside box black at Ceaser’s Palace.