My boredom has somehow been transforming itself into productivity this weekend. My boredom usually just transforms itself into "let's watch one of my favorite movies ten times in a row and play on the internet" so it beats the hell out of me where all this enterprising energy is coming from.

I haven't really talked to anyone, gone anywhere or gotten any chores done around the house. However, I've done the vast majority of my homework, and I've gotten started on several pet projects. I fixed my printer and got it working (hallelujah). I've turned Mo at the Movies into its own page (soon to be a little illustrious, I hope). And most exciting, I've gotten started on my Adventure List.

Actually, I'll probably give it a different name, something a bit more me. They're not all adventures, really. They're life goals. ("Life Goal List" is boring too, though. Maybe "Mo's List of Eclectic, Electric, Apoplectic Escapades" is better.) I originally horked the idea of the list from Greyson, but I came up with the items on the list independent of him. So when you see "Visit an active volcano" and "Visit all 50 states" on both of our lists, it's a coincidence. Great minds think alike, and all.

I'm shooting for a list of 100 or thereabouts. So far, I've only got 59 items. Perhaps when you see examples of some of the items, you might have suggestions for me. Although I'm not worried about filling up the remaining 40 slots. This list keeps floating around in my subconsciousness. As I was falling asleep last night, "Watch a sunrise" and "Go skinny dipping" occurred to me. While I was eating lunch, I thought of, "Participate in a protest."

Also in making this list, I'm reminded of all the amazing stuff I have already done. I've seen the eternal flame on JFK's grave. I've flown in a helicopter. I've been to Anne Frank's house. I've learned Morse Code. I know how to sail. I've been to the Acropolis. I'd like to do a lot of that stuff again, but I've tried to limit the list to things I've not done before. (I couldn't resist "go to another World Expo" though.)

So, the first things that came to mind on the list are the three life goals that I've had for many years: "Own a boat", "Publish a book of poetry", and "Cage dive with great white sharks." I instantly thought of a bunch of other things in that vein, stuff I've always wanted to do, like "Learn a programming language" and "Be on a game show". Next, I included places I want to visit, for instance, Jim Morrison's grave (in France), Powell's bookstore (in Oregon) and the art in Florence, Italy. (There's no way I can narrow it down to one piece of art in Florence.)

I also added random stuff, "Take a pottery class", "See an opera" and "Run for office" among them. Stuff that I might not have thought about before, but seem like good Escapades nonetheless.

The item that confused Greyson the most was "work in retail or food service." He asked for an explanation on that; I'm happy to offer one. All the people I know who have worked in retail or food service have a lifelong appreciation of what it means to work in those professions. I'd like to have that level of respect for retail/food service employees. A little strange, maybe, but still one of my desired Escapades.

I've tried to create something of a balance between expensive things and affordable things, things that take a long time and things that can be accomplished fairly quickly, things I can do (or get started on) immediately and things that will have to wait.

The items I am most excited about right now are the "List of 100" items:

Read all the books on the Modern Library's "100 greatest books" list. (Starting tally: 11/100) [Note: If you follow the link, do your best to ignore the so-called "Reader's List" next to it. The third author on it is L. Ron Hubbard, who is on the list multiple times. How disgusting.]
Read all the books on the Radcliffe "100 greatest books" list. (Starting tally: 24/100)
See all the movies on the AFI "100 greatest movies" list. (Starting tally: 28/100)

I started on the books last night, actually. A number of the books on the "100 greatest" list are available as eTexts. I downloaded about ten that I've never read before, and started on The Age of Innocence immediately. I got about halfway through it. I recall having tried to read it before, but not getting into it. Last night, I was completely riveted. So far, so good.

The movie list also has a ton of movies that I've never seen before, including such shockers as E.T., The Godfather, and 2001. I don't mean the movies are shockers themselves, obviously, but that it always shocks people when I say I've not seen them. I'm eager for the chance to catch up on all this required movie viewing.

I will be giving the Escapade list its own page as soon as I figure out the definitive list. In the meantime, if you'll excuse me, I think I hear Edith Wharton calling...

Oh, actually, before I go and hang with Edith, there's a couple of other things.

Firstly, I think Greyson would be excited if he started a trend here. If you decide to come up with your own list, feel free to let one of us know. If there's enough interest, we can create a central page with everyone's list on it. (Or you can just send me your list so I can steal some of your ideas. You know. Whatever.)

Secondly...

That's funny. I can't remember where I was going with that. I just looked down though, and saw my new "Poet's Market" and "Writer's Market" editions. I think I'm going to steal an idea from Saundra and keep track of the poems and pieces I submit. Now that I have a working printer (yay) it's going to be that much easier to write query letters and send my poems out to the world.

And finally, while writing this entry, my list has already climbed to 63. (Including "See a performance of one of Shakespeare's plays" and "Write a poem a day for one month.") I told you I wouldn't have a problem filling it up. Now I just have to start doing them.

Hey, Edith! Wait up...