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Tag Archives: Guinness Record
2012

Goals for 2012

I’m pretty pleased with what I did in 2011 but that doesn’t mean I’m slowing down any! This won’t be a big year for travel or too much adventure but there are still plenty of things for me to do!

#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list)

#46 Scuba Diving: Continue practicing my newfound SCUBA skillz by going to the rock quarry at least once.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): I mostly have really long ones left so out of the 10 remaining, I’m going to tackle 4 this year. As ONE of these things to read is the ENTIRE works of Shakespeare, I also want to see 2 plays performed live.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): I’m waiting to go my bar on a Tuesday afternoon at 3pm. I can swing buying drinks for 5 people.

#68 Save Someone’s Life (#8 on the 40/40 list): Donate 6 pints I’ve gone back and forth on this. I know they say donating blood can help save someone’s life but I guess I feel like I can’t be sure if MY blood actually saved somoene’s life. But most people seem to think this counts so let’s compromise. If I donate 5 gallons (which is 40 pints and the quickest I’d be able to accomplish that is 7 years), then can we say the likelihood of ONE of those 40 pints actually saved somebody’s life?

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): As a hold over from the original list I had in high school, it’s high time I did something about this one.

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor:  I completed this goal in 2011 but I’ll have my plate unveiling this year.

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: Already have the Groupon in hand to make this happen!

#18 Watch the Top 1,001 Films: Watch 100 this year

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Drink 20

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: Visit 10 this year

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: Have the Groupon in hand to do this one as well! I think I’m going to try Salsa!

#37 Start Using Coupons

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: I’m putting a stipulation on this one. If they simply insist on showing family movies I’m not interested in, I’m not going to force myself to sit through some animated drivel just to check this one off. I think it would be super fantastic if they showed something like Star Wars. Could you imagine seeing that outside at a drive in movie theater? You’d really feel like you were in space!

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): There are actually some local teams

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): There’s actually a local league!

#24 Attend the Kentucky Derby: There is SOME talk about going this year with my good friend Jessica so hopefully this is happening this year.

Also, not officially on any lists but I’m hoping they do the “Over the Edge” event this year so that I can repel down the side of a building and I have also never been to a tea room and I want to try that out.

Think that’s enough? What’s on YOUR goals for 2012?

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Scuba

Final Results 2011

This has been quite the year, having very little to do with the list. But despite things going on in my personal life, I still managed to get some things done on the 101 Things to Do Before You Die list. May not have been as exciting as 2010 but still managed to tick things off the list!

#1 Write a Novel:  Big FAIL on the National Novel Writing Month again. I feel like I keep coming up with excuses but seriously I just had WAY too much going on in November. I said this last year but maybe I just need to pick another month.

#11 Visit Every State:  Original goal was to go to Pennsylvania but I’m not going to complain about checking Hawaii off the list instead!

#16 Get into the Guinness World Book of Records: I haven’t donated blood all year so epic fail on that. HOWEVER…AANR didn’t try to break 2010′s Skinny Dip Record, so that still stands!

#46 Scuba Diving/#87 Conquer Your Fear:  COMPLETED! (Well, at least the SCUBA diving portion. Time will tell about whether I’ve conquered my fear of water)

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written: The only one I read this year was The Master and Margarita. I spent all of my time working on the Global Challenge. But I also read Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rabbit, Run, Mildred Pierce, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and the latest Sookie book. 13 books total for the year. Not my best effort but better than most, I guess!

#52.1 Shakespeare Reading Challenge: Originally I was going to attempt to actually see some plays performed but my schedule never worked out. I really haven’t put any energy into this one :(

#52.2 Global Reading Challenge: COMPLETED! I read Winesburg, Ohio (North America), Evil Angels (Australiasia), The Good Earth (Asia), Out of Africa (Africa), The Master and Margarita (Europe), The Road (Future) and Love in the Time in Cholera (South America).

#89 Learn to Cook:  COMPLETED! (Sorry, I haven’t posted about my last 5 recipes yet. I’ll do that in the next couple of weeks).

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor:  COMPLETED! Planning on hosting my plate party in 2012.

#105 Krispy Kreme Challenge: COMPLETED!  Warrior Dash: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#6 Start Saving for Retirement: COMPLETED!

#19 Watch AFI’s 100 Best Films: COMPLETED!

#20 Sing Karaoke: COMPLETED!

#28  Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #8 on the 101 list): FAIL!

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: Anytime I thought about it and had a free weekend, they weren’t showing anything I wanted to see. Pushed off to 2012.

#39 Lose 20 Pounds: COMPLETED!

Not on the list for this year’s goals but still to be noted:

On the official list but not planned at the beginning of the year:

  • #7: Eat Exotic Foods: I ate Haggis at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and bugs at BugFest
  • #98: Go on a Demonstration: COMPLETED!
  • #22: Go up in a Hot Air Balloon: COMPLETED!

So in 2011 I completed 11 of my goals, 4 of which are from the original 101 things to do before you die list, which brings the total to 38 things completely done and 13 things partially done. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. And I’m thinking 2012 is going to be even better!

So how did you do with your goals for 2011?  What do you have planned for 2012?

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Third Quarter Results 2011

I have to admit, it’s really gratifying to look back on where I started with this list and see how much I’ve accomplished. When people ask me “What’s next on your list?’ and they expect some big adventure, I have to admit that I’m really mostly just down to travel at this point (by and large). But, never fear, I’m always adding new adventures to the list-I’ll never run out of things to do!

#1 Write a Novel:  Nada, yet. Big plans to do the National Novel Writing Month in November.

#11 Visit Every State:  Managed to cross Hawaii off the list.

#16 Get into the Guinness World Book of Records: I haven’t donated blood all year so epic fail on that. Plus, I bought the Record Book for last year because I thought I’d be in it for the Skinny Dip but it wasn’t included. It doesn’t mean I’m not in it, it just means the Skinny Dip record is in the BIG official books that Libraries get, not the fun little one available for simple people like me. :(

#46 Scuba Diving/#87 Conquer Your Fear:  COMPLETED! (Well, at least the SCUBA diving portion. Time will tell about whether I’ve conquered my fear of water)

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written: I spent all summer on The Master and Margarita but I’ve mostly been working on the Global Challenge. I’ve also read Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rabbit, Run, Mildred Pierce, and the latest Sookie book. I’m really not doing very well with reading this year compared to my last few years.

#52.1 Shakespeare Reading Challenge: Originally I was going to attempt to actually see some plays performed but my scheduled never worked out. I really haven’t put any energy into this one :(

#52.2 Global Reading Challenge: So far I’ve read Winesburg, Ohio (North America), Evil Angels (Australiasia), The Good Earth (Asia), Out of Africa (Africa), The Master and Margarita (Europe), and The Road (Future). All that’s left is Love in the Time in Cholera (South America), which I’m currently reading.

#89 Learn to Cook:  I was working toward 52 recipes this year and I’m currently up to 47.

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor:  COMPLETED this one too! We’re planning the “plate party” as we speak.

#105 Krispy Kreme Challenge: COMPLETED!  Warrior Dash: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#6 Start Saving for Retirement: COMPLETED!

#19 Watch AFI’s 100 Best Films: I only have Shane and Intolerance left.

#20 Sing Karaoke: COMPLETED!

#28  Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #8 on the 101 list): Nada, so far.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: I’ve been making excuses on this one. Anytime I’ve been free, the Drive-In movie theater closest to us wasn’t showing something I wanted to see. Hopefully the stars will align and I’ll get both a free weekend and a good movie.

#39 Lose 20 Pounds: COMPLETED!

Not on the list for this year’s goals but I also joined the Bone Marrow Registry, so between that and donating blood, I’m working on #68 Save Someone’s Life. I visited Savannah and I saw UNC play (and win) in the NCAA tournament. We went to a Ren Faire and I also got a star named after me, which could fulfill #94 Get Something Named After Me (I’m still holding out hope for a street or a building or something.) Also, while SCUBA diving in Hawaii, I saw a Sea Turtle in the wild; that’s not on the “official” list but still cool.

We went to the VA Derby where I was in the top 10 finalists for the hat competition. I ate Haggis at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and bugs at BugFest (both part of #7 on the 101 list). I went on a demonstration (#98), Hot Air Ballooning! (#22 on the 101 list) and visited the Biltmore Estate.

So how are you doing with your goals for 2011?  Only 3 more months until 2012!

palm

Second Quarter Results 2011

I’ve got one more post on Hawaii but I’ll take a quick break to update you on the first half of the year’s goals. It’s funny to think that at the beginning of the year I didn’t think I would have much going on this year. I’ve done a LOT!

#1 Write a Novel:  Nada, yet. Big plans to do the National Novel Writing Month in November.

#11 Visit Every State:  Originally the plan was that we would go to Pennsylvania but that got scrapped when I got a new job without vacation. But then Alex had to go to Hawaii for work and I decided to tag along!

#16 Get into the Guinness World Book of Records:  Working on being the world’s largest blood donor.  Between being on antibiotics and having a low iron count, I still haven’t donated this year yet.  So far I’m up to 6 pints over my lifetime.

#46 Scuba Diving/#87 Conquer Your Fear:  COMPLETED! (Well, at least the SCUBA diving portion. Time will tell about whether I’ve conquered my fear of water)

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written: I’m working on The Master and Margarita right now but I’ve mostly been working on the Global Challenge. I’ve also read Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rabbit, Run and the latest Sookie book.

#52.1 Shakespeare Reading Challenge: I’m supposed to be reading 12 plays this year but I’ve got nothing yet.

#52.2 Global Reading Challenge: So far I’ve read Winesburg, Ohio (North America), Evil Angels (Australiasia), The Good Earth (Asia), and Out of Africa (Africa) as part of the challenge. The Master and Margarita counts for Europe and then all I have to read is The Road (Future) and Love in the Time in Cholera (South America).

#89 Learn to Cook:  So far I’ve done 32 recipes (Look for a coming post about the last 4 I’ve done).  That’s a little better than one a week so I’m doing really well with this goal.

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor:  I’m currently up to 174.  My new job is only one block from the Flying Saucer and I’ve gone there after work a number of times for a pint.  I’m getting this one done this year!

#105 Krispy Kreme Challenge: COMPLETED!  We’re also signed up for the Warrior Dash for August.

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#6 Start Saving for Retirement: COMPLETED!

#19 Watch AFI’s 100 Best Films: One thing I HAVE been doing is watching films (for proof visit here, here, and here). I only have 20 left.

#20 Sing Karaoke: COMPLETED!

#28  Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #8 on the 101 list): Nada, so far.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: No plans yet

#39 Lose 20 Pounds: So far I’ve lost 13.4 pounds by using Weight Watchers!

Not on the list for this year’s goals but I also joined the Bone Marrow Registry, so between that and donating blood, I’m working on #68 Save Someone’s Life.  I visited Savannah and I saw UNC play (and win) in the NCAA tournament.  We went to a Ren Faire and I also got a star named after me, which could fulfill #94 Get Something Named After Me (I’m still holding out hope for a street or a building or something.) Also, while SCUBA diving in Hawaii, I saw a Sea Turtle in the wild; that’s not on the “official” list but still cool.

So how are you doing with your goals for 2011?  Is the year flying by for you too?

K2C

First Quarter Results 2011

I posted my annual goals back in January and, as is custom, here is my progress for the first three months of the year.  Some goals are having to be readjusted but thus the nature of life!  Afterall, the biggest reason for the change is my new job, so I certainly am not complaining.  I knew it wasn’t going to be a big travel year anyway and quite honestly I’m exhausted thinking about all of these little trips we have planned over the next several months.  I’m sure I’ll feel like we’ve accomplished a lot at the end of this year.

#1 Write a Novel:  Nada, yet.

#11 Visit Every State:  Dang.  With no vacation for the first year at my new job, I won’t be able to do the Pennsylvania trip.  Oh well, we have lots of little weekend vacations planned, including a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC in April, the NC Mountains for the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games  in July, and Asheville, NC for Hot Air Ballooning and the Biltmore Estate in September.  We’ll stay busy, even if we’re not very exotic this year!

#16 Get into the Guinness World Book of Records:  Working on being the world’s largest blood donor.  Between being on anti-biotics and having a low iron count, I haven’t donated this quarter yet.  So far I’m up to 6 pints over my lifetime.

#46 Scuba Diving/#87 Conquer Your Fear:  I have a Groupon for a SCUBA introductory lesson scheduled for April 16th and plan to complete the course in June.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written: I haven’t read any from this list yet.  I’ve been focusing on the Global Challenges.

#52.1 Shakespeare Reading Challenge: I’m supposed to be reading 12 plays this year but I’ve got nothing yet.

#52.2 Global Reading Challenge: This got added to the annual goals a bit late but so far I’ve read Winesburg, Ohio (North America) and Evil Angels (Australiasia) as part of the challenge.

#89 Learn to Cook:  So far I’ve done 15 recipes.  That’s a little better than one a week so I’m doing really well with this goal.

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor:  I’m currently up to 146.  My new job is only one blocks from the Flying Saucer and I’ve gone there after work a number of times for a pint.  I’m getting this one done this year!

#105 Krispy Kreme Challenge: COMPLETED!  We’re also signed up for the Warrior Dash for August.

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#6 Start Saving for Retirement: COMPLETED!

#19 Watch AFI’s 100 Best Films: One thing I HAVE been doing is watching films (for proof visit here and here). I only have 21 left.

#28  Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #8 on the 101 list): Nada, so far.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: Gotta wait until it warms up a bit!

Not on the list for this year’s goals but I also joined the Bone Marrow Registry, so between that and donating blood, I’m working on #68 Save Someone’s Life.  I visited Savannah and I saw UNC play (and win) in the NCAA tournament.  I also got a star named after me, which could fulfill #94 Get Something Named After Me (I’m still holding out hope for a street or a building or something.)

So how are you doing with your goals for 2011?  Is the year flying by for you too?

Thing to Do #16: Get into the Guinness Book of World Records

COMPLETED!

Today, almost 3 months after the event, the American Association for Nude Recreation announced that this year’s Skinny Dip Record Challenge was greater than last year’s record setting event.  Below is the press release from AANR and if you visit here, you can read all about my experience and participation at this year’s event.

The 2010 AANR World Record Skinny-Dip Count Is In!

Guinness World RecordTM Challenge

The 2010 AANR World Record Skinny-Dip count is 14,110, beating our own 2009 record.

Thank you for your participation in this year’s record setting Skinny-Dip. We are pleased to announce that we indeed broke last year’s record of 13,648 participants. See the participating clubs and totals below.

Abbotts Glen                                                      18             VT

Alpine Resort                                                     47             OH

Arizona Wildflowers                                        23             AZ

Aurora Gardens                                                 61             WI

Avalon                                                                   243           WV

Avatan                                                                   219           MN

Bare Backers, Inc                                               71             ID

Bare Oaks                                                             177           ON

Bell Acres                                                             36             GA

Berkshire Vista                                                  92             MA

Black Hills Bares                                                9                SD

Bluebonnet                                                         72             TX

Bonita Nudist Resort                                       41             NY

Camelot                                                                26             IA

Carolina Foothills                                             76             SC

Cedar Creek RV Park                                        95             SC

Cedar Trails Nudist Retreat                          112           OH

Chaparral Resort B & B                                    24             TX

Cherokee Lodge & Resort                             22             TN

Chicago Sun Club                                              0                IL

Coventry Club & Resort                                  90             VT

Crocus Grove Sun Club                                   18             CN

Cypress Cove                                                      556           FL

De Anza Springs Resort                                  170           CA

Deer Park Nudist Resort                                83             CA

Desert Sun Resort                                             68             CA

Drakes Ridge                                                       40             IN

Dyer Woods                                                        26            

Emerald Lake Resort                                        68             TX

Empire Haven                                                     156           NY

Fern Hills                                                              102           IN

Forest Hills Club                                                105           MI

Forty Acres Club                                                222           MO

Fraternity Snoqualmie                                   187           WA

Friends of Gunnison                                        321           NJ

Friends of Little Beach                                    15             HI

Glen Eden Sun Club                                         194           CA

Goodland Country Club                                  49             NJ

Great Lakes Area Natural Tans                    0                IL

Green Haven Sun Club                                    40             SK

Green Valley, Inc                                              250           OH

Gulf Coast Resort                                              109           FL

Healthy Hides of Houston                             80             TX

Helios Nudist Association                             75             AB

Hidden River                                                       33             FL

Hidden Springs                                                  0                OR

Hippie Hollow Skinny Dippers                     251           TX

Independent/Member                                   686          

Juniper Woods                                                   75             NY

Laguna Del Sol                                                    528           CA

Lake Associates Recreation Club                59             WA

Lake Bronson Club                                            184           WA

Lake Como                                                           452           FL

Lake O’the Woods                                            106           IN

Living Waters Spa                                             23             CA

Lupin Lodge                                                         111           CA

Maryland Area Naturist Assoc                     77             MD

Maryland Health Society                               75             MD

Mazo Beach                                                         17             WI

Mira Vista Resort                                              136           AZ

Mountain Air Ranch                                         197           CO

Mountaindale Sun Resort                             86             OR

Native Woods Naturists Park                       24             GA

Natural Horisun                                                 0                TX

Nature’s Hideaway                                           10             OK

Natures Resort                                                   32             TX

North Carolina Naturists                                0                NC

North West Nudes of Las Vegas                 14             NV

Northeast Florida Naturists                          35             FL

Northern Exposure Sun Club                       0                NY

NudRUs Family Naturist Club                      19            

Oaklake Trails                                                     134           OK

Olive Dell Ranch                                                83             CA

Olympian Club                                                   25             CA

Paradise Gardens                                              55             OH

Paradise Valley                                                  388           GA

Pen-Mar Club                                                     26             MD

Pine Tree Associates                                       203           MD

Playa Sonrisa                                                      5                MX

Ponderosa Nature Resort                              242           ON

Prairie Haven                                                      84             KS

Prairie Suns                                                         14             SK

Roadrunner Naturists                                     60             NM

Rock Haven Lodge                                            110           TN

Rock Lodge Club                                                35             NJ

Rogue Suncatchers                                           25             OR

Sahnoans                                                              146           TX

Sandpipers Resort                                            45             TX

Sandy Terraces Associates                            52             MA

Sanibel Naturists                                              20             FL

Sequoians, A Clothes Free Club                 76             CA

Serendipity Park                                               101           GA

Shangri La Ranch                                               275           AZ

Skinnydipper Recreation Club                    0                BC

Sky Farm                                                               89             NJ

Solair                                                                      368           CT

South Florida Free Beaches                          748           FL

South Valley Travel Club                               12             CA

Southern California Naturist Assoc           47             CA

Spruce Hollow Campground                         30             MI

Squaw Mountain Ranch                                  51             OR

Sun Meadow Resort                                         105           ID

Sun Rovers                                                           0                OR

Sunbirds                                                               32             TX

Sunchasers Travel Club                                  0                MA

Sunny Haven                                                       141           IN

Sunny Rest Resort                                            129           PA

Sunny Sands                                                        70             FL

Sunshower Country Club                               135           IN

Sunward Naturist Park                                    20             ON

Surrey’s United Naturists Assoc                  28             BC

Tallahassee Naturally                                     47             FL

Terra Cotta Inn                                                   53             CA

The Oasis                                                              14             FL

Travelites                                                             20             SC

Triangle Area Naturists                                  0                NC

Turtle Lake Resort                                            425           MI

Valley View Recreation Club                       106           IL

Van Tan Club                                                       0                BC

Whispering Oaks, Inc                                      187           MI

Whispering Pines Nudist Resort                184           NC

White Tail Resort                                              262           VA

White Thorn Lodge                                          163           PA

Wildwood Naturist’s Resort                         76             TX

Willamettans                                                      223           OR

Woods, The                                                         34             PA

Wreck Beach Preservation Society            389           BC

Total                                                                       14,110    

Just Catching Up

I know I just did a quarterly report at the end of June, but I’ve been busy in July too and wanted to talk about it.

  • My longest run so far is 12 miles and I’ve run a total of 107 miles.  I missed running with my group for two Saturdays in a row; I planned to make up the runs by myself on Sunday morning but I skipped one and elected sleep instead.  I’ve also missed some mid-week runs this month.  When I first started running, I got excited about the mid-week runs and getting up at 5:30AM on Saturday morning wasn’t so difficult.  We’re almost at the halfway mark now and the newness has worn off; running for 30 minutes when the heat index is 107 degrees is not fun and waking up early on Saturday mornings for the long runs in 90 degrees isn’t fun either.  However, I have to keep going!  I’ve made it this far – can’t quit now!  I’ve got a medal to win!
  • Obviously I’ve already talked about the Skinny Dip record attempt.  No news on whether or not they broke the record yet.  I’ll keep you posted.
  • I found a GREAT deal on skydiving through Groupon and bought two tandem jumps for myself and Alex.  I want to go in October with the idea that after you’re finished free-falling, you still have a while to float down; might as well have beautiful fall foliage to look at on the way.
  • I’ve really been doing well with my beers.  I’m up to 90 beers towards getting my name in the ring of honor at the Flying Saucer.  At beer #100, I’ll get a free “biggie” beer and will be halfway though to 200.  I may just finish this in another year or so (I originally thought it would take me 4 years total, but I think it may be more like 2.5 years)
  • I only have 18 books left on the “Greatest Book List.”  I just finished The Bonfire of the Vanities and really enjoyed it.  Since I read two big fat books in a row, taking some time off to read brain candy in the way of Darkly Dreaming Dexter.  Yep, getting ready to read the Dexter series.  However, I think I’ll try to fit Crash in there somewhere.
  • My American Red Cross blood donor card came in the mail and my next blood donation is August 9th.  I think if I can just get on a schedule of every 2 months, I’ll get into the habit and it’ll be easier.
  • We’re doing the Upper Gauley again this year, scheduled September 25th with Songer Whitewater.  That’s always exciting and we’re going with a great group of people this year that I think will make the trip even more fun.

So how are you doing on your goals?  Anything new with you?


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