So… they say everybody should have a list.  Not just a to-do list or a life goals list, but a list of things you want to dobefore leaving this life.  Of course, there’s some of the obvious things… having kids, a family, college, a career… but those are kind of a given.  For the purposes of this entry, I want to hit the less standard fare. 

1. Own a sports car. Trivial, I know, but my Dad owned one when he was younger and I am of the firm belief that every guy should get the chance to own one… even in Texas (where trucks are king).

2. Inside the US, Travel to: New York City, Las Vegas, Washington DC, North Dakota, South Dakota, Roswell, Tombstone and Alaska

3. Outside the US, Travel to: Costa Rica, Australia, Greece, Hong Kong, London and Spain

4. Publish at least two Novels. The first one just means you’ve got tenacity.  The second means you’ve actually got some stories worth telling.

5. Write & Produce at least one Feature Film. It’d be awesome to have a career at it, but I will settle for just one.  A franchise would be even better. 

6. Learn Photography. Getting there… have the camera and have been getting the practice in.

7. Deliver a close-to-perfect sermon. Check.  Most preachers don’t get but a handful out of a career… I was fortunate enough to get two… one at my home church and one speaking at a summer camp.  They were far from perfect, but after each of them, I felt that I’d fully delivered God’s message.

8. Be Muscular. The closest I ever got was still somewhat far off.  At some point, I would love to be able to actually see the abs that my doctor assures me are buried under the belly.  It doesn’t even have to be for very long… just long enough to snap a few pictures so I can remember what it felt like to have biceps that didn’t jiggle while I type a blog entry.  This could be the hardest one of all.  But it doesn’t mean I can’t try.

9. Create a piece of art that I can put on my mantle. And not have people say, “what the hell is that!?”  Sculpture, painting, pottery, drawing, photograph… doesn’t really matter.  I just want to do something that makes people stop and look, if even for a second.  Even better if it makes them think.

10.  Give a lecture or teach a class on faith and filmmaking. Would be kinda’ cool.

11. Take a roadtrip with 3 friends. Not so much who or where, but just the experience.  As long as it turns out to be more ‘The Hangover’ than “Hostel.’

Expect this list to be tweaked, added to, taken from and altogether massaged as life continues.  But I will make sure and keep it updated in some form or fashion.