Help Mr. November become a Paridise Hunter

One of the most interesting people I met in the quest for love, chronicled in The Laptop Dancer Diaries, was Mr. November: Ian Usher. Ian has a fascinating story. He received fame (if not fortune) from "selling his life on eBay." Then he spent the next 100 weeks traveling the world in hopes of achieving 100 goals. Along the way, we met, in November, 2008, when I was looking for an adventure a month and a man to fall in love with as I was writing my book.

Ian and I have remained friends and I'm happy to say that he has recently completed his book, A LIFE SOLD. I don't think it's quite ready for sale yet, but will be in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to get my copy!

Ian's next venture may be spending a year as a Paradise Hunter! He's applying for the position of hosting a show. Job responsibilities include traveling the world in search of paradise.

Part of the job application is getting votes for a video you put together. As usual, Ian has done an excellent job with the video and certainly is an experienced paradise hunter!

Check out his video and vote at: http://www.paradisehunter.com/vote/Ianusher.html

What's on your bucket list?

The other day I got an email from my sister. It's one of those you pass around and mark what you've done on this "bucket list." I'm definitely into the "bucket list" mentality. That was what my "Adventure a Month" was all about in The Laptop Dancer Diaries. And if the list below doesn't give you enough ideas, check out Ian Usher's list of 100 Goals in 100 Weeks.

I'm all for "Just Do It" and living life to the fullest, but each bucket list is going to be uniquely yours. What have you always wanted to do? What's holding you back? I also think it's fun to add things to your bucket list AFTER you've done them. Start out the day thinking, "What will be on my bucket list at the end of today?" Then when you have an opportunity to do something you've never done before, do it, and add it to your list (complete with your X marking it done!) What's on your bucket list this week?

If you want, cut and paste this into an email and add an X to the things you've done............Just for fun

	Shot a gun
	Gone on a blind date
	Skipped school
	Watched someone die
	Been to Canada
	Been to Alaska
	Been to Cuba -
	Been to Europe -
	Been to South America
	Been to Las Vegas
	Been to Mexico
	Been to Florida
	Been on a plane
	Served on a Jury
	Been lost
	Been on the opposite side of the country
	Gone to Washington , DC
	Swam in the Ocean
	Swam in the Ocean with Dolphins
	Cried yourself to sleep
	Played Cops and Robbers
	Played Cowboys and Indians -
	Recently colored with crayons - within the last 2 years
	Sang Karaoke
	Sang in a band
	Paid for a meal with coins only
	Made prank phone calls
	Laughed until some beverage came out of your nose
	Caught a snowflake on your tongue
	Danced in the rain
	Written a letter to Santa Claus
	Been kissed under the mistletoe
	Watched the sunrise with someone
	Blown bubbles
	Gone ice skating
	Gone skiing
	Camped out under the stars
	Took a vacation alone
	Seen something so beautiful that it took your breath away
	Are or have been married
	Have children
	Have or had a pet
	Been skinny dipping outdoors
	Been fishing
	Been boating
	Been Water Skiing
	Been Hiking
	Been camping in a trailer/RV
	Flown in a small 4-seater airplane (how about under 10 seats)
	Flown in a biplane
	Flown in a plane doing acrobatics
	Flown in a glider
	Been flying in a helicopter
	Been flying in a hot air balloon
	Been bungee-jumping
	Gone to a drive-in movie
	Done something that should have killed you
	Done something that you will regret (feel sad about) for the rest of your life.
	Been to Africa
	Ever ride an elephant
	Ever eaten just cookies for dinner
	Ever been on T.V.
	Ever steal any traffic signs
	Ever been in a car accident
	Bailed out of Helicopter/Plane

Adventures, Writing, and Love

I'm trying to get back on track with my 2008 resolutions and goals again. In many ways they've been going well, but the two that are giving me trouble are the same two that always give me trouble: "Write a Book" and "Fall in Love". The resolution that has been most successful has been my "Adventure a Month" commitment.

I thought I could kill 3 birds with one stone by writing a book about my adventures and falling in love. The monthly adventures themselves I thought might provide opportunities for love. I also have been on match.com and committed to at least a "date-of-the-month" which might lead to love. Again, this would provide fodder for my "book". A nice mix of adventure and romance would surely make it to the Oprah Book Club List.

I was hoping by mid-year I'd have had 6 adventures, be in love, and have documented it all along the way. Well, here it is mid-year. I've had 6 adventures (and hope to have 6 more before the year is over). I have done fairly well with "getting out there" and dating. That part of my year has had its ups and downs. And writing about it? Well... I worry about privacy...both mine and that of my dates. If I were to really write a book about it, I'd be tempted to exaggerate...stories are always better if you "enhance" them a bit. But I would never want to hurt anyone by publicly writing about my (typically very unreasonable) reasons for not wanting to progress a relationship.

Of course, there were times when the tables were turned, and the guy I was interested in was not interested in me. I could limit my book to just those stories... But the truth is, it has been a mix. I've been on both sides of the rejection equation. And though neither side is comfortable, it has been a good balance and given me experience.

In any case, I suppose I could write about my adventures and throw in some of the dating stories and change the names. With self-publishing as an option, I'm not really that worried about the book being any good. The chances of my "dates" reading it are slim to none. Maybe it's time to start back with "The Laptop Dancer Diaries".