101 Things in 1001 Days -- The List

I ran across this website today, and I was inspired to start my own list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. This blog will be where I will keep track of my progress.

From the website:

The Challenge:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

So, here is my list:

Start Date: April 4th, 2011
End Date: December 30th, 2013

Get my passport

This has been on my to-do list for years, but I've been too lazy to do it. Plan: 1. Get a certified copy of my birth certificate 2. Get a passport photo taken 3. Apply

Find out my blood type

I've always been curious about what my blood type is.

Donate blood

I HATE needles. But giving blood seems like a good thing to do.

Buy a new car

My current car is old and on the verge of death. Plan: 1. Research 2. Test drive 3. Buy

Floss daily (?/1001) In progress.

Change my hairstyle

I've had boring, straight hair for most of my life. I need a change. Plan: 1. Find pictures of styles I like 2. Get it cut

Get to and maintain a weight of 130 lbs

I got very close a couple years ago, but then I gained a bunch of weight back. Plan: 1. Exercise at least 3x a week 2. Eat ~1200 calories a day until 130 3. Maintain weight lost +- 2 lbs until 1001 days is over

Get to and maintain a healthy BMI

I'm currently in the overweight BMI range, and I need to get down to a healthy weight. Plan: 1. Diet and exercise down to 155 2. Don't go above 155 until 1001 is over

Change my Facebook profile photo at least once every 3 months

I don't take very many pictures of myself, so my Facebook photo stays the same for most of the year. Plan: 1. Every 3 months, take a photo of myself 2. Change my Facebook picture (0/10)

Wear a dress or skirt everyday for one week

I pretty much never wear dresses or skirts in public. This will take me out of my comfort zone and force me to be a little more girly.

Vote in the 2012 presidential election

These only come around once every 4 years, so why not?

Vote in a local election

These are generally less crowded than national elections, and since there are not very many people that vote in these, my vote counts for more.

Get rid of all my old magazines In progress.

I probably have - no joke - over a thousand unread magazines in my closet. I need to get rid of these. Plan: 1. Get rid of the ones in the top closet 2. Get rid of the ones in the big closet 3. Dispose of any new ones that come in within a month of receipt

Get contact lenses

I wear my glasses pretty much all the time, but every once in a while I wish I had contacts. Like on Halloween. Plan: 1. Get my eyes checked 2. Buy contacts

Start and complete the 365 Project

I started one of these in January, but I stopped after a couple of weeks. I'm going to restart again soon. Plan: 1. Start on January 1st, 2012 2. Take a picture every day (0/365)

Buy a new lens for my DSLR (either macro or ultra wide)

Haven't quite decided which I want more. Plan: 1. Research lenses 2. Save money

Learn how to use a film camera / develop film

My mother gave me her old film SLR (a Pentax P3N) and I would like to learn how to take pictures with it.

Learn how to use photo-editing software In progress.

I've pretty much just been using Picasa to crop my pictures, but it would be nice to learn how to fix the colors and other stuff like that. Plan: 1. Read book 2. Practice on 50 photos (0/50)

Go 10 places with a photography group (1/10) In progress.

I joined a couple photography groups this year, and I've been to a few meetups. I would like to overcome my shyness and go to a few more. 1. Union Station

Get my eyebrows done

They are pretty unruly.

Build some credit

I've never purchased anything on credit, and I don't have a credit card. I need to get one to build up some credit. Plan: 1. Apply for credit card 2. Use credit card for everyday purchases for 6 months

Buy an expensive pair of designer heels

I will do this once I get to my goal weight, as a reward. Plan: 1. Get to 130 2. Save money 3. Buy shoes

Go on a date

It has been a while since I've been on one.

Build a website

When I was younger, I loved making crappy websites on Geocities. I would love to learn how to make professional looking websites. Plan: 1. Read a book : in progress 2. Buy a domain 3. Purchase hosting 4. Build

Learn basic HTML/XHTML In progress.

I know some, but not as much as I would like. Plan: 1. Read the HTML/XHTML part of "HTML, XHTML, & CSS for Dummies" 2. Read HTML 5 for Dummies

Learn basic CSS In progress.

I've wanted to learn this, but haven't gotten around to it. Plan: 1. Read the CSS part of "HTML, XHTML, & CSS for Dummies" 2. Read a more recent CSS book

Learn basic C#

I've wanted to learn this, but haven't gotten around to it.

Learn basic PHP

I've wanted to learn this, but haven't gotten around to it.

Learn basic Javascript

I started learning this, but forgot most of what I learned.

Learn how to make an android application

I have an android phone, I know how to program, so why wouldn't I want to learn how to make a program for my phone?

Be able to locate all 50 states on a map

I feel very dumb not knowing where Kentucky is on the map.

Be able to locate major countries on a map

I know where some European and Asian countries are, but most of S. America and Africa are unknown to me.

Finish James Heisig's "Remembering the Kanji Vol. 1" In progress: Started 04/04/2011 with 729 kanji learned. Using the website Reviewing the Kanji to help.

This book helps you memorize all of the basic kanji you need to know. I've been stuck around 700 kanji for months.

Pass the JLPT 3

The JLPT is a test that tests one's ability in the Japanese language. I'm using it as a motivator to keep with my Japanese studies. I passed The lowest level two years ago, skipped last year, and I'm going to attempt to take level 3 this year.

Pass the JLPT 2

I will take this one the year after taking the JLPT 3.

Have a conversation with a stranger in Japanese

I'm incredibly shy, and I usually don't talk to strangers in English. Having a conversation with a stranger in Japanese will take quite an effort from me.

Complete the C25K running program In progress: Started 04/04/2011. See my progress here.

I've started this so many times, but I never get past week 3.I need to finish it!

Run a 5k

Since I don't think I've ever be ready to run a marathon, I think a 5k will do.

Run a 7 minute mile

I think I run a 10 minute mile at the moment.

Do a pull-up

I'm heavy, and my arms are weak. Pull-ups are extremely hard to do.

Take Bella for a walk an average of 1 time a week (1/143) In progress.

Do 50 push-ups

I can only do girly push-ups at the moment, and not very many of them.

Climb a tree

I've always wanted to do this.

Read 25 books (2/25) In progress.

I don't read much, but I just won a Kindle last month, and it has inspired me to read more. 1. Dexter in the Dark 2. Digital Portrait Photography for Dummies

Watch all the Twilight Zone episodes

I bought the complete box set, and I plan on watching the episodes while I exercise.

See 25 films in theaters (5/25) In progress.

I love movies, and I love the theater experience. I don't love going alone, so I'll have to get over that. 1. Hop 2. Jurassic Park 3. The Lost World: Jurassic Park 4. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 5. Kung Fu Panda 2

Get to 751/1001 movies seen from the book "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" (574/1001) In progress: Started 04/04/2011 with 546 seen.

I've been working on this since 2008, so I need to see 205 more films to complete this goal. 547. Seven Chances 548. The Jazz Singer 549. The Kid Brother 550. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge 551. Grave of the Fireflies 552. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 553. Rope 554. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly 555. The Celebration 556. Storm Over Asia 557. Red 558. L'Atalante 559. Rain Man 560. La Dolce Vita 561. Jules and Jim 562. Black Orpheus 563. Shoot the Piano Player 564. Delicatessen 565. All That Jazz 566. Pickpocket 567. Cleo from 5 to 7 568. Onibaba 569. Man Bites Dog 570. Closely Watched Trains 571. Walkabout 572. A Clockwork Orange 573. Nashville 574. Suspiria

Go to a music festival

I maybe want to go to Coachella or SXSW one year.

Go to a film festival

I went to Sundance one year, and had a blast. I would love to go to another festival.

Go to a convention

I'm aiming for Comic-Con.

Go to a drive-in theater

I recently discovered that some of these still exist in California.

Go to a Lakers game

I've been watching the Lakers on television for a long time, and I would really like to experience a game live.

Travel somewhere on a train

I like trains. I think it would be fun to travel on one.

Visit a haunted place

Completed!

Visit 5 different states (0/5)

Preferably states I haven't visited before, but I'll be happy just to get out of California for a bit.

Go to 10 concerts (2/10) In progress: Going to see Muse in July.

I enjoy going to live music. 1. System of a Down 2. KROQ Weenie Roast 2011

Go to 5 plays or musicals (0/5)

I've fallen in love with musical theater.

Go to a comedy show

I don't think I've ever been to one.

Visit 5 museums (0/5)

I normally don't go to museums, but when I do, I really enjoy it. I live in the LA area so it isn't like I don't have a bunch to choose from.

Go on a road trip

I want to get in a car and drive somewhere far away with friends.

Travel to a different country

After I get my passport, I need to use it.

Travel to NYC

I've always wanted to go to New York City. If I go, I'm going to try to get tickets to either The Daily Show or The Colbert Report.

Go on a hike

I need to get out of the house and enjoy nature.

See the Cirque du Soleil show "IRIS" In progress: Money for tickets was a birthday gift from my grandma.

I saw a Cirque show in Vegas last year, and it was phenomenal. They are bringing a show to LA, and I really want to see it.

Have a drink in Vegas

I've been to Vegas plenty of times, but I've never had a drink while there. I'm not going to drink and gamble at the same time, though!

Ride my bike somewhere instead of driving

I would be doing this now, but I live in a ridiculously hilly area, and there really aren't good bike paths where I need to go. First, I need to find out what the laws are for riding a bike.

Learn to roller skate backwards

I've wanted to be able to do this since I was a kid.

Learn how to play a song on the harmonica

In case I ever get sent to jail in the old west.

Learn to play 5 songs on the piano

I figure by the time I am able to play 5 songs on the piano, I'll have the basics down.

Learn to play 5 songs on the guitar

Same as with piano.

Learn to use a sewing machine

Sometimes I see clothing I like, but with a few adjustments, it could be something I love. If I learn to sew, I can hopefully make those adjustments.

Make an item of clothing and wear it

Crochet an amigurumi

Preferably a Pokemon one. This will also force me to re-learn how to crochet.

Learn to shoot a gun

An important skill to know for the zombie apocalypse.

Take a dance class

Maybe ballroom, or Hip-hop.

Go to a zoo

I want to take pictures of the animals.

Go to an aquarium

Same as with the zoo.

Go swimming at the beach

I'm not very comfortable with my body, so I normally don't swim.

Be an audience member or extra in a television show / movie

Shouldn't be too hard, considering that I live in LA.

Go on a picnic

I can't remember the last time I went on a picnic. It seems like it would be fun.

Start an herb garden

Fresh herbs are much better than dried ones.

Grow a vegetable from a seed and eat it

I tend to accidentally kill my vegetable plants before they produce something edible. This makes me sad.

Learn to bake a loaf of gluten free bread

As someone who can't eat wheat, buying $5-6 loaves of bread gets expensive. I figure baking it myself will be cheaper.

Learn how to cut vegetables quickly

I love cooking, but it takes so long to prepare food. I have the most trouble with cutting vegetables, so I need to get better at it.

Try 10 new foods (0/10)

I can be pretty picky when it comes to food, so I am aiming to try 10 new ones.

Stay away from fast food for 1 month

My office eats out a lot, so this might be tricky.

Stay away from added sugar for 1 week

This will be difficult.

Bake 10 gluten free desserts (0/10)

My grandmother gave me a gluten free cookbook, and there are a lot of delicious looking recipes in it.

Cook 30 vegan meals (0/30)

I've gone vegan a few times, but it didn't last long because most of the meals I cooked had no flavor at all. I figured I will find a few gems out of 30.

Eat at 50 new places (8/50) In progress.

I tend to eat at the same places. I need to explore a bit more. 1. Sakana 2. Sharky's Woodfired Mexican Grill 3. Thai Rama 4. Equator 5. Fuddruckers 6. ESPN Zone 7. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 8. Hollywood Grill

Go raw for 1 day

Raw foods are delicious, it just takes a lot of work to prepare.

Go vegan for 1 week

After cooking the 30 vegan meals, I figure I will have enough experience to go vegan for an entire week.

Go vegetarian for 1 month

I'm not much of a fan of meat anyway, so this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Have a creative Halloween costume

I usually just throw something together at the last minute, and it sucks.

(Re)learn to solve a Rubik's cube

I learned how to do this a couple of years ago, but have since forgotten.

Finish 5 video games (0/5)

I have stacks of games I have purchased, but never finished or even played. I aim to finish 5.

Learn how to change a tire

I have no idea what to do if I get a flat tire. Call AAA maybe?

Decorate a cake

Gluten free, obviously. I want to make a fantastic over the top cake.

Take Bella to a park to play with other dogs

She doesn't get to socialize with dogs very often. I need to find out where a dog park is.

Visit a friend that lives in a different city

I haven't done this for a couple of years.

Make a new 101 in 1001 list to start on when this one is done!