The Sum of All Years
Joan of ArcHere’s a list of thirty things I have done in my thirties to make myself feel wistful yet satisfied:
1. Had a little girl (this one thing has taken up most of my thirties)
2. Reached 10 years of marriage (cue Phil Collins’ Against All Odds)
3. Bought a house (OK, it’s not paid for yet…)
4. Got a dog (notice I didn’t say “trained”)
5. Started an online web log (that’ll be this one).
6. Traveled to Thailand
7. Broadcast on radio (“wah, wah, films, wah, wah, waffle”)
8. Seen the Eiffel Tower ( a piercing shriek echoed throughout the whole of France)
9. Been on an oil rig (or 50) (it’s rubbish!)
10. Travelled to Sri Lanka
11. Traveled to India (not to be repeated)
12. Lectured in a college
13. Been on Finnish TV (sadly not Eurovision)
14. Given a speech at a funeral
15. Lectured in a university
16. Got a literary agent
17. Been on Reporting Scotland (with unwashed hair)
18. Been in the Sunday Mail (sadly my gran wasn’t alive to see it- she’s the only person I know who read the Mail)
19. Become self employed
20. Saw Tom Waits live
21. Flown in a helicopter
22. Been to Paris
23. Been a bridesmaid (the word “maid” is maybe pushing it but I’m not going for “matron”. I’m just not)
24. Been ice-swimming in Finland (and then provided hanging hooks for wet duffel coats)
25. Written a book (well, a half)
26. Walked on frozen sea
27. Seen the Taj Mahal (it’s aaaright, I suppose)
28. Been published
29. Taken someone to court and won (up ye!)
30. Become an auntie (to my three wee ladies)
I’m fairly happy to have squeezed that all in. What do you think I should aim to do in the next ten? Maybe, you’re in your forties and have done something suitably mature that you would recommend for me, or simply want to suggest something completely ridiculous that you think I’d go for. Or maybe you don’t think I’ve done enough so far, and want me to up my game….tell me.
Add your suggestions to my list of things I haven’t managed so far, but should seriously consider doing in the next decade. I’ve started it for you:
1. Raise a people’s army and take over a country
2. ?
3. ?
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