Things to do Before I Die

The "To do/see before you die" theme has featured largely in many books published over the past few years, not to mention several recent commercials. Up till now I haven't bothered putting a list like that together, although I think a few of my friends and family have.

But this year, I turn 30. Now don't get me wrong, I'm actually fairly comfortable with that fact, probably because I've spent the past few years getting used to the idea, and because I'm content with where I am in my life at this point. It doesn't hurt that have a few friends who are over 30, but are still adventurous, fun loving, and youthful. The view from this side doesn't look all that bad.

I do still plan to mark the occasion. A few years ago I promised myself I'd go back to France in celebration of the big 3-0, and most of you know that Sheila and I are heading over this spring. Sheila is also planning a surprise for the actual weekend of my birthday ( no, I haven't been snooping, she's told me this much).

But the round number has reminded me that time passes, and if you don't make plans, things often go undone. Thus, I've started making my list of things I'd like to do before I'm too old, infirm, or dead to do them. In no particular order . . .

Get DNA genealogy tests done. My Dad has done an amazing job tracing our family's history back quite a ways. It's cool to know where all of my various ancestors lived, but of course, the records only go back so far. There are a few places offering to take samples of your DNA and tell you what geographical areas your genes are associated with. National Geographic even offered a kit for a while, but if I remember correctly, it only did mitochondrial DNA, so it gave you a purely matrilineal picture of your family history.

This is something I'd really like to have done, to get that bigger picture of where my blood fits into the amazing path of human migration and cross-cultural interaction over the millennia. I'm inclined to wait until the price comes down, and the depth of investigation improves. Maybe I'll ask for this for my 40th birthday.

Visit the places my ancestors lived. In the mean time I do know where most of my great-grandparents are from, and some even farther back than that. This spring's trip to France will allow me to tick the first destination off of this sub list. Sheila and I will be doing a side trip up near the Belgian border, to the little town of Saint Saulve. This is where my Mother's Father's Mother was born. I've been given some information about former family homes by one of my great-uncles, so we'll spend a few days getting to know the area, drinking in the local estaminets, and searching the cemeteries for the family name.

Live in France for a year. This will be my third trip to France, and since my first trip, I've known that the country is important to me. Every time I come home, I know I'll need to go back to keep myself happy. As corny as it sounds, part of me stays there . This is why for the past 7 years, I've carried an unused ticket for the Paris Metro in my wallet. A little memento, promising me I'll go back.

I feel that to really get to know a place, you'd need to see it through all of its seasons. France is worth getting to know. So someday, probably after whatever kids we have are grown, I'd like to spend a year there. I'm not sure at this stage if I'd want to spend it in Paris, or out in a smaller town, but wherever it is, remember, you're all invited to visit.

Go on pilgrimage. Despite the fact I consider myself devoutly agnostic, I've always been fascinated by the idea of pilgrimage. Mostly I think I like the idea spending a few weeks on foot, following a path that thousands of others have walked, over hundreds of years, to get somewhere special. I haven't decided which route or destination I'd choose. Maybe Santiago de Compostela in Spain, or maybe the Via Apia into Rome. I'd just like to see the cities and the countryside, move at that slow pace, and experience the landscape and elements the way others did hundreds of years before.

Get my motorcycle license, and own a Vespa.
I've had a bit of a thing for motorcycles since highschool, although I've never done much about it, mostly cause my Mom would flip out. Originally I wanted a Harley, but softened to sports-bikes over the years, and after trying out a friends scooter a while back, decided a Vespa would suit me the best. I know you can get a little 50cc that you don't need a license for, but if I was to get a scooter, I'd want one with enough power to carry two people, and do a bit of highway touring. Such a bike would necessitate the motorcycle license, which I'd say is a worthwhile accomplishment on its own. This is the Vespa I've got my eye on.

Hop a freight train. Before anyone freaks out at me about this one, let me just say, it'll probably never happen. I know how ridiculously dangerous it would be to attempt to board a moving freight train, and since they lock box cars these days, where would I ride anyway? This one makes it onto the list only because it's something I've always thought would be a grand adventure, and I will probably always think so. I mean, hoboing one's way across the country is part of every North American's collective history. There are people who still do it out of necessity, and a few who do it for fun.

While I might not ever hop a train, don't be surprised if you see me hanging around by the railyards, or scratching hobo signs into track-side fence posts.

Six items, I guess it's a start, and I know I'll add to it.

So tell me folks, what tops your lists?