It's Time (Bucket List for a Good Life)

My new year doesn’t really start until my birthday. Neither does anyone else’s, but most people don’t seem to see it like that. Anyway, after a certain age, you realize you need to start getting your act together, and in my case, that involves a rather long to-do list like this one:

1. Figure out life. Not too far ahead; just for the next couple of years or so.

2. Follow a routine. It doesn’t have to be as boring as it may sound.

 Some day, hopefully.

3. Write more. Read more. Inspire people who don't read to read.

4. Follow the news so you know what's going on in the world.

5. Send more handwritten letters.

6. Use the good stationery. Books and pencils look lovely and hold more possibilities when new, but they must be used before they disintegrate.

7. Similarly, put all the art material to good use before the paints dry up and the cockroaches attack the paper and canvas and brushes and anything else there is for cockroaches to attack (which is pretty much every damn thing).

8. Get a tattoo.

9. Learn to swim and then surf.

10. Take a solo trip.

11. Go wherever they have floating lanterns. Also, go someplace where it's snowing.

12. Learn to pirouette and/or walk on hands. Like a pro. Or, more simply, without breaking anything.

13. Practise guitar and violin and keyboard. Listen to more kinds of music. Buy more CDs on sale.

14. Practise languages so you don't forget what you've learnt before.

15. Stay completely off the computer and internet one day a week.

16. Exercise more. At least stretch and do some basic yoga. And what you remember of karate. Don’t let the nunchakus get as rusty as you. Also, run a little. Try not to loathe running with every inch of your soul.

17. Play basketball and table tennis. Try not to suck so much at badminton.

18. Relearn how to throw a Frisbee well.

19. Fly a kite. Preferably one you've made yourself.

20. Get a boomerang. Learn how to throw it properly. Well enough to use as a weapon if necessary.

21. Learn to pick locks with a hairpin. And to pick pockets, if you can find someone to teach you. (Not because I want to steal wallets but because I'm terribly impressed at how much skill it requires.)

22. Learn how to change a car tyre.

23. Wear everything in the closet.

24. Eat someplace/something new every month. Also, make something new every month. And ice cream. Definitely make ice cream.

25. Get an awesome knife and practise chopping (food, not fingers) like Jamie Oliver. (Well, I can try!)

26. Learn to make a couple of good, simple cocktails (preferably with rum).

27. Drink LOTS of water. Water used to make coffee does not count. Drink coffee in moderation.

28. Learn a few card tricks. Starting with how to shuffle cards without having them fly all about the room.

29. Take more photographs.

30. Use mind maps. If it works, graduate to a mind palace.

31. Declutter surroundings. Alternatively, organize the clutter.

32. Wear shoes the way they should be worn instead of haphazardly stuffing feet in.

33. Take better care of skin. Apply lotion regularly instead of just sniffing it. Also use body sprays before they get old.

34. Comb hair more frequently. At least once a month week.

35. Resist the urge to stroke shaved heads of random people. (Honestly, I'm too old to still be doing that without being creepy).

36. Consider the consequences of impulsively imitating weird noises. And then maybe do it anyway.

37. Wake up before noon even if you don’t need to. You can always take a nap later.

38. Sleep enough. Wasting time sleeping is way better than wasting time not sleeping.

39. Don’t make deals with shady people. Not that I ever have, but there’s always the possibility. Also, I’m addicted to Suits.

40. Don’t be too emo. Failing that, use emo-ness to your own advantage.

41. Remember birthdays and other such important stuff of important people. I usually do, but I feel like I should have this on the list because I’m getting old, and I may remember, but I may not remember to remember, you know what I mean?

42. Don’t bother being nice to people who don’t care or appreciate it.

43. Don’t be too hard on people who are naturally dumb and annoying. They probably can’t help it.

44. Finish what you start. Including spoken sentences.

45. Learn something new and interesting every day, and remember it all.

46. Keep track of even the most random ideas. Like "be a Shaolin monk".

47. Be a Shaolin monk. No, that's not something I'm actually considering. It's just that it seems really cool.

48. Don’t try so hard. Also, try harder.

49. Get inspired. Don’t stop believing. Make good art.

50. Don't die without doing something awesome, and always, always remember this: