Random Fodder

Running out

Today, I headed to Lake Erie for a Polar Bear Swim for charity.
The air temperature? A balmy 35° F.

I have read some things that mention the fact that the water temperature is often warmer than the air temperature. I assure you that today, this was not the case. The water was literally breathtaking. After completely submerging myself, I wanted to give out a large roar, but it took a good 10 seconds to catch my breath. Even getting out of the water wasn't really that cold an experience — except for the water in my shoes beginning to freeze!

I definitely think this was worth doing. I'm glad I added it to my list of 43 Things, or else I never would have taken the time!

See more progress on: polar bear swim

This post was originally posted at The Smarmy Carny, Novac's general blog.

This post was originally posted at The Smarmy Carny, Novac's general blog.

Happy new year, all. 2005 has passed and 2006 is here.

The down side? 2006 offers us the painful XXth Olympic Winter Games. The hockey I love, and some other winter sports are fabulous, but it's all preempted for 24-7 lame ice skating. It's sickening, and I'll surely post about this in depth in the future. Unfortunately, I can't blame the networks, because the numbers show that many, many people watch figure skating. Who are these people???

As promised, here is my list of 43 Things to accomplish in 2006:

1. attend a local government meeting
2. attend Sunday School regularly
3. Be a better blogger
4. Build a computer
5. build an igloo
6. buy a laptop
7. buy a washing machine
8. clean up my house and keep it clean
9. curb my road rage
10. eat healthier
11. eat with my hands
12. enjoy my family
13. exercise regularly
14. finish all the things I
15. Finish my website
16. Floss Every Day
17. get a job
18. get my a+ certification
19. go camping
20. go on a second honeymoon
21. have family devotions
22. Have people over for dinner
23. keep a loaded squirt gun in my car at all times . . . just in case
24. Learn Spanish
25. learn the Jedi Mind Trick
26. lose weight
27. make a time capsule
28. open the yellow pages, pick the seventh restaurant, and eat the seventh entree and dessert on the menu
29. paint my own abstract art
30. polar bear swim
31. Read all the "A Series Of Unfortunate Events" series
32. read the Bible in a year
33. Reduce debt.
34. Research my family tree
35. Send a message in a bottle
36. sleep in a hammock
37. spend ten minutes holding the door for people
38. stick to a budget
39. stop living paycheck to paycheck
40. stop procrastinating
41. take 43 photos of 43 places within 43 minutes of where I live
42. visit a windmill farm
43. win at the internet

You can also head to 43 Things or to my own 43 Things page on The Smarmy Carny and check out my list and progress.

This post was originally posted at The Smarmy Carny, Novac's general blog.

I'm going to find my 43 Things to do in 2006.

When the new year of 2006 hits, my list will be published. Yes, at midnight, EST. As I am a procrastinator, I will hopefully have this list finished by then. (Don't be surprised if you see "Stop Procrastinating" on the list.)

43 Things first caught my eye because its name was somewhat similar to the blog's former name of "Fifty-three More Things to Do in Zero Gravity." I finally looked into the site, and here's its self-explanation:

. . . getting your goals in writing can help you clarify what you really want to do. You might find you have some important and some frivolous goals. That is OK. You’ve got space for 43 Things on your list. Not every one of them has to change the world (but save room for the ones that might).

Not only can you create your own list, but you can also see profiles for people who share your goals. You can use these groups however you like, but in theory, you could quickly join a group of people trying to quit smoking or visit all seven continents. Alternately, you could grumble and complain alongside a group of people trying to become more cheerful.

After starting this task, I have realized that 43 things is a lot to come up with. Up to this moment, I have written down 18 items, and that's not even halfway. Partially, this is annoying because when you're publically posting your list at "43 Things," you kind of like to have . . . you guessed it! 43 Things. In addition to being annoying, it is also a relief, because I can include silly entries as well, though I hope that it will be about a 50/50 mix between serious and silly. We'll see on 1 January how it has worked itself out.

In the meantime, I will work on a separate page devoted solely to my 43 Things, and I invite you to head to 43 Things and create a list of your own! We can compare our lists at the end of 2006.

This post was originally posted at The Smarmy Carny, Novac's general blog.