This week’s Sunday Stealing is a list of things you either have done or have not done. I’ll bold the ones I have actually done, and I’ll provide occasional comment throughout because a list by itself is kinda boring, right? Here we go!
Have you ever …
1. Slept under the stars
I mean, technically, we’re always sleeping under the stars! But really, I get the point here. Have I slept the entire night outside, with nothing between me and the sky? Well, no. But I’ve dozed off out there, and I’m counting it. Especially the times as a kid when we were camping and I was sitting by the campfire and the next thing I remembered, it was morning and I was in the camper.
By the way, I’m reminded of a great joke:
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal and a bottle of wine they lay down for the night, and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.
“Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”
Watson replied, “I see millions and millions of stars.”
“What does that tell you?”
Watson pondered for a minute. “Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I supect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Why, what does it tell you?”
Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke. “Watson, you imbecile. Some bastard has stolen our tent.”
2. Played in a band
Concert bands and jazz bands count. No, I have not played in a rock band, a country band, a jam band, or a swing band.
3. Visited Hawaii
And we’re hoping to go back next spring!
4. Visited Easter Island
(Does anyone just…visit Easter Island? It’s extremely remote and I’m not sure what there is to really do there other than see the Moai statues.)
5. Watched a meteor shower
My mother loved the Perseids.
6. Seen the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace
Aside from Hawaii, I have never left North America.
7. Been to Disneyland or Disney World
I was at Disneyland when I was very young, and Disney World when I was a little older (both before I was ten). I had an Epcot visit in college while on a music tour, and The Wife and I celebrated our first anniversary, in 1998, at Disney World. I used to really want to go back, but now? I’m not against it, by any means, but it’s not a priority.
8. Climbed a mountain
Well, define “climb”. I’ve hiked quite a few. If by “climb” we mean the whole bit with pitons and ropes and the possibility of long plummets punctuated by unfortunate impact, then, no.
9. Held a praying mantis
As a kid. I’m not clamoring to do so again. They’re beautiful insects, but I don’t think they need to be handled by humans.
10. Been to the Louvre
I wouldn’t mind at all!
11. Had food poisoning
Yeah, that was unpleasant. Luckily it passed pretty quickly.
12. Eaten vegetables you grew yourself
I’d do more, but I’m lazy.
13. Slept overnight on a train
I’d love to do this!
14. Built a snow fort
When we moved in 1981 to WNY and finally lived in a place with consistent snow, where we lived was too sparse to make a snow fort really worth the effort. And why make a snow fort when sledding on the hills is right there as an option?
15. Held a lamb
16. Gone skinny dipping
Weirdly, I prefer swimming clothed!
17. Been on a cruise (day cruises and dinner cruises count)
Booze cruise FTW!!! Also whale watching off Cape Cod and dolphin watching off Cape May.
18. Seen Niagara Falls
Well yeah, it’s just 30 miles that way. [points]
19. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
If by “ancestors” we mean my parents, then yes! I’ve been to Pittsburgh many times and was born there myself. If by “ancestors” we mean Germany and Ireland and wherever else might be in there, then no.
20. Sung karaoke
21. Sat for a portrait
22. Walked on a beach by moonlight
23. Been transported in an ambulance
24. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Snorkeling.
25. Kissed in the rain
26. Played in the mud
As a kid, yeah. But I’m not a fan of mud. I see photos of muddy people from Woodstock or other festivals and I’m like, “Ewwww.” And this from a person who finds getting hit with pies a fun experience….
27. Gone to a drive-in theater
Only as a kid. There’s a popular one not far from where we live, but somehow it never ends up on our summer agenda….
28. Changed your vehicle’s oil yourself
I did this a few times some years ago, mainly so I could get that in my memory bank and develop a few mechanical skills. But I don’t bother anymore; I just get it done twice a year, once at inspection time and once six months or so after that.
29. Taken a martial arts class
30. Visited the Vatican
I have very little interest in seeing the Vatican, actually. My parents went to the Vatican when they went to Rome twenty years or so ago. My mother, who by this time was not just a lapsed Catholic but an angry lapsed Catholic, really hated the experience. She only wanted to see the Sistine Chapel, which apparently comes at the very end of a long tour during which there are no places to sit to take a rest, and she also had things to say about how many “marble penises” there are in the Vatican.
31. Volunteered at a soup kitchen or food pantry
I donate a lot of product and money, but I’ve never donated labor. I should, I suppose.
32. Sold Girl Scout cookies
33. Bought a used car
I honestly don’t see any reason to buy new.
34. Sat on a jury
35. Ridden an elephant
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