I might have to dig through the last 2 years worth of blog postings, but I think this may be the first official posting dedicated to things to do before I die.  I figure most everyone has one, or developes one, as soon as they accept mortality of the human species, especially their own.  If not, they've made a movie, so the cat's gonna be outta the bag soon enough.  I think most people keep the list to a 100 items or so, but I don't think you can (or should) put a limit on the things you want to do.  Maybe exploration of various sorts is in our human gene pool. 

 

In any case, I have marked something off my list.  And since I have no official ordering system, I guess this makes...

 

Item #1 - Change a flat tire.  I know, it sounds like one of those mundane things that everyone learns how to do from thier parents, Sesame Street or Mister Rogers.  However, there is a difference between knowing how to do (at least in your imagination) and actually doing.  Yesterday I did it.

 

Ok, so I called for Roadside Assistance before I started.  And the tow truck guy came in the nick of time!!  I at least got the car up on the jack!!  Removing the lugnuts was proving to be much more daunting task. There is a reason NASCAR guys use hydraulics.  Mental Note: Invest in a hydraulic system...or gain weight.  I'm not sure my 100 lbs of pressure did anything - as I literally stood on the wrench and bounced while the attached lugnuts remained motionless.  300lbs tow truck guy...piece of cake.  Damn Sir Isaac Newton and his gang of physicist.

 

But dang it...I still think it qualifies to be marked off!!  Grease, scrapes, sore as hell muscles...my back is still killing me, so it counts!!

 

Happy Christmas to one & all...