rhapsodic.org is a weblog by Valette Keller

Thirty Before 30

I called my mother last week to catch up on some things and she told me how she couldn't believe I was about to turn 30. I insisted that I was, in fact, only going to be 29.

I would have teased her more about the memory slip, but considering that she has to keep track of birthdays and anniversaries for 5 other children and 3 grand children, not to mention gobs of extended family, I cut her some slack while pulling out some cold hard MATH to prove just how wrong she was.

Although 29 is just a number, I already anticipate this year is going to rock mightily. Let me back up that assertion with three words: Electric Blue Pumps. I KNOW, right?

The last two years I've set out some goals for the year. Similar to resolutions, but attainable goals that I won't forget about after four weeks. I've also been seeing this 30 Before 30 fad around a lot lately which, despite its fad-ness, appeals to the list-maker within me. Plus, it'll be free blogging material! Win-win!

It is hella hard to come up with a 30-item year to-do list. Like, seriously hard. Especially if you don't want to steal things from other lists or fill it with cliche stuff like "run a 5k" and "get married and have baybeez" and "lose 30 pounds OMG". But I managed and then realized I have three basic categories: photography related, things that scare me, and nice things for myself.

1. Start a business
2. Sell a photo online
3. Finish photographing 100 strangers
4. Take 2 photography workshops
5. Photograph 10 models
6. Curate/edit an Anchorage photo book
7. Show my work at a First Friday opening
8. Take a dance lesson
9. Go to the movie theater all alone
10. Ask for help
11. Find a new gynocologist
12. Update my makeup routine
13. Reconnect with a lost friend
14. Wander aimlessly
15. Have sex in public
16. Get a professional massage
17. Spend a day/afternoon on a ski slope
18. Host a dinner party
19. Read 15 books
20. Climb Flattop 5 times
21. Redesign/repurpose rhapsodic.org
22. Nap on a sandy beach
23. Complete an emergency fund
24. Have coffee/lunch dates with 15 friends
25. Get a facial
26. Spend less time online
27. Cook an elaborate new meal
28. Have a new experience every week
29. Throw a big 30th birthday party
30. Not complete the whole list

I'm looking forward to a few of these and am horrified that I left others on the list. Skiing? Seeing a movie all alone? I pretty much have a death wish, apparently.