Goals

February 18th, 2009

I got this idea for a post from Eric. Fittingly much of these can be found on Stuff White People Like but here is my list of goals/dreams for the next 5 years.

Travel

1. Travel to Europe. I’ve been to every major US city (except Boston but fuck that place) but I’ve yet to go to Europe. All of my out of the country traveling has been to the Caribbean and Canada so I’ve yet to leave the continent. I plan to accomplish this goal soon maybe in the Fall.
2. Hit all the major parties across the world. I’ve been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras but that one was easy. I’d like to go to Brazil for Carnivale and Germany for Oktoberfest.
3. Attend a major sporting event overseas. I’m thinking the Olympics in London in 2012 or the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
4. Go to Wacken Open Air in Germany. I like metal. Deal with it.
5. Become an Expat. I’d love to live abroad for a year or two. Although I haven’t really been anywhere this seems like a great adventure. Living in a totally new place where you don’t speak the language or really know anyone appeals to me.
6. Keep up the tradition of “mancations”. I’d like to continue the annual trip to Chicago with my friends. I’m thinking this will become harder as people start to get married and have children.

Edumacation

1. Get my MBA. I’ve been putting this one off for a long time because I really think the MBA is valueless. But I do like school and learning things. Plus my GMAT results are about to expire and I’ve scored high enough to go to Stanford or something.
2. Learn to Sail. I’ve had a lot of fun boating in the Gulf of Mexico in my life but never on a sailboat. I’d love to learn how to do this and maybe do some sailing through the caribbean.
3. Learn a foreign language. I’m decent at speaking German but I need to sharpen my skills. I’m thinking French as my next language. In any case I’d like to go to a foreign country and not sound like a complete dumbass.

Adult Stuff

1. Buy a House. I have the money I just haven’t had the desire. To me buying a house always seemed like you were forcing yourself to be stuck in one location. I like change. I’ve lived in 8 apartments in the past 9 years. Recently my desire to own a grill and play my Wii without fear of being evicted have convinced me that a house might be a good investment. That and the first time home buyer’s tax credit.
2. Get Married. It may be toward the end of 5 years but shockingly this is a goal of mine.
3. Own a dog. The goal here is to prove to myself that I can have a pet without killing it. Next step: children.
4. Build some shit. My Dad finished our basement, built a deck, built a retaining wall, installed hardwood floors, remodeled the bathroom, and installed a satellite dish. For God’s sake I can barely hang a shelf! The desire to buy a house will probably force me to learn some of this stuff.
5. Do some more charity work. While my experience has been semi-limited it’s always felt rewarding. Plus one on karma for this one.
6. Do a better job investing. So far I’ve acted like a complete rube. All those cute little phrases you hear are true. “Buy on the rumor sell on the news.” Truer words have never been spoken.

Stuff I never want to do (no matter how old I get)

1. Wear a sweater vest to work. It’s a proven fact wearing a sweater vest to work makes you age 15 years in a split second.
2. Become the kind of person who has nothing else to talk about but my kids. So annoying.
3. Stop being awesome. I’m a pretty fun dude. If you’ve met me you can’t deny it. I want to be a fun 30 something too. I don’t want to turn into some crotchety old man when I grow up.

What about you? I’m ready to hear about your goals too. I’ve never tagged anybody in a post but here goes: Layla, Allison, Matt, Melody, Simpson and Scott what are your 5 year goals?