My friend Matt introduced me to the concept of a 22 before 22 list, and I thought it was great because I love giving myself numerical challenges with set deadlines. The problem is, I was already 22 at the time so I'd have to pick a new age and therefore a new number of things and try to make them all substantial an goal fulfilling. It's a really interesting type of challenge, because it's not a "what would you like to do now," type of thing it's more of a pick an age and decide what you'd like to have accomplished by that age and then seriously lay down checkpoints on that road.
I've sort of figured 25 is the age in which you're fully, solidly an adult. 18-24 is more of a transition phase from childhood, but 25, that's when you not only have the path laid out but you have all the equipment you need to make it down said path and have already reached your first landmark at least. Twenty-five is when Bruce Wayne decided bats were the best way to strike fear into the hearts of the superstitious and cowardly, when Clark Kent takes to the skies, analogously speaking, when Ted Mosby moves to New York, when Ash probably does catch them all, when Bruce Lee gets his role as Kato, and when Jimi Hendrix, Jason Mraz, Frank Zappa, Eminem, and like a hundred other people released their first studio albums . Jesus was about five years late on this one, but you get the idea, 25 is big. So in order to prepare for my life-defining landmark, I've compiled a list of skills needed and accomplishments to undertake before April 23, 2013; most of these cost money so a steady income flow is implied. It took a surprisingly long time for me to finish the list (the first 22 were easy) but I finished last night and here we are. I picked 24 because it makes more sense if 24 comes before 25.
24 before 25
(a marlon approved list of challenges to complete in a timely fashion)
Krump/Break/Tap.
Knowing one or all three of these dance styles would make me unspeakably awesome in any setting that included music being played, clearly. Plus they look so fun!
Record an album.
More specifically, write all the songs, record all the songs, make the artwork for, produce print and freely give away copies of an entire album.
Magic Tricks.
Fact: Both of my favorite characters from both of my favorite TV shows, do magic. I wan to as well.
Publish book of haiku.
(write, publish and illustrate) It's going to be a small small book I already have at least half of the haiku written. It involves dinosaurs.
Live on my own.
"On my own" meaning "alone". No family, no room mates, just me and my cat.
Play a total of at least 13 instruments. (this requires getting better at bass, piano, and harmonica)
The only ones I'm pretty confident in my ability to play are guitar, mandolin, clarinet, and bongos; I have a mouth harp, bass guitar, piano, and 2 harmonicas but my skill is marginal I must get better at these, then own and learn five more.
Build a PC.
to improve my LEET status!
Own a drumset.
May be included as part of challenge 6. It's something I've always wanted to do.
Learn how to fix cars.
I don't know about you guys, but anytime I see someone on the side of the road with their hazard lights on, I want to stop and help them, but I'd only be able to if they need a Batery jump, and that's sad. Also, I'm a man.
Beat every Final Fantasy between 1 and 10.
I own them, so might as well not only have 7, 4, and 9 complete.
Skydive
I like falling.
Learn a martial art/get nunchaku
I NEED this! NEEED!
Sculpture.
I want to have a bit of comprehensive art knowledge so I need sculpture, dance, martial art, and photography checked off. I didn't put photography on the list because photography is boring.
Carpentry.
I've always had a fascination with woodworking also, Jesus's step-dad did it.
Build an instrument.
It's an exercise in taking skills learned and combining them.
Tend a bar.
I want to be a bartender who doesn't drink.
Groundlings.
I absolutely have to take classes there before I'm 25. Improv is pretty much what I want to do with my life, currently, I lack the funds to go though.
Get at least two degrees.
College degrees.
Leave the country.
To another country. ANYWHERE!
Go to coast of Maine.
To be at the opposite side of the country.
Fly a plane/be a clown/a mascot/do something I've always wanted to as a child.
Ok, most of this list is things I've always wanted to do as a child, but this one is like a bingo free space.
Beatbox.
I want to be able to make music with my whole body.
Read the entire Bible.
As someone who considers it the most substantial guide for living I think it's important that I at some point in my life read all of it.
Hunt.
I want to at least once take part in my food's journey from living organism to meal, and
farming's too gay,my people have been forced to do agriculture for too long, I don't have the patience for plants. Also I'd like to fire a gun and eat the meat of an animal I've not yet tried. It's a compound experience.
