#7: See a Movie in IMAX or 3D

I know.  This isn't that big of a deal.  But the only 3D feature I ever remember seeing was some short Michael Jackson thing at Disneyland when I was a kid.  And I know I've never been to an IMAX film.

So, Oscar helped me with this one and scheduled one of our common "Firm Commitments" to see Suckerpunch at the IMAX theater at Arizona Mills Mall.  It was pretty awesome- I can see why people choose to see action movies in IMAX.  I actually enjoyed the film for the most part- I enjoyed the music, graphics, and beautiful women (those girls were gorgeous) but at the end of the film I left thinking, "Huh?"  The storyline was a little confusing.  Overall though I had a good time and was glad Oscar asked me to see it because I didn't know another female who wanted to.  And I definitely plan on seeing other films in IMAX down the road. 

#6: Go vegetarian for two weeks

Originally I said I would do it for a month...and then changed my mind before creating my entry.  Thank goodness I did.  This was significantly harder than I thought it would be.  And I allowed myself fish so technically I was pescetarian for 2 weeks.  And still, I was miserable.  I learned I could probably do without pork pretty easily.  And with some work I could give up red meat.  But I would miss my poultry WAY.TOO.MUCH.  I ate some Morningstar "chicken" patties and they weren't bad, but nothing can compare to the real thing.

So, I doubt that I'll ever be able to live as a vegetarian.  But maybe I'll try to do it again someday.  Until then I'll have to be heartless and try not to think about what I eat.  :(

#5: Eat an Apple

Trust me, I know how completely ridiculous this sounds.

But I can't stand apples.  I have malusdomesitcaphobia.  Look it up.

Just kidding.  It's the fear of apples.  Specifically for me, the fear of eating apples.  Which doesn't have it's own name and has to be catagorized with the other people who fear apples in other ways.  If such freaks even exist.  I imagine I'm in a quite small group.

But if you know me well, you know that the sound of biting into apples makes me crazy.  I get super bad chills and majorly noticeable goosebumps.  It doesn't matter if they are cut up or whole, but whole apples are definitely worse.  Just knowing that someone is biting into one makes me shiver.  What is strange is that I am not averse to apple juice, apple sauce, or apple pie even.  Just apples in their purest form.  And I don't mind the taste or smell, in fact I like it.  But I cannot get over the texture or sound to thoroughly enjoy one.

Eating an apple was not actually on my original 101 list.  I'm surprised I didn't think of it before but it never came up.  Until dear sweet Daniel Alvarez got our group Christmas presents- chocolate and caramel covered apples.  The poor guy had no idea of my fear until a few days before he gave it to me- and he had already picked it out.  So, I decided that to conquer my fear, I may as well eat this "thoughtful" apple.

It took me nearly all day.  I cut it into slices (it smelled amazing), stuffed it into tupperware, and took it to work.  I had my first piece around 9:30 a.m. and didn't finish until sometime close to 5 p.m.  Despite the tastiness of the caramel, chocolate, and pecans, the apple was freaking huge and it took a lot of effort to finish.  Luckily, I was prepared for the effects- I wore a sweatshirt at my desk all day to hide the goosebumps and help cure the chills.  Not so luckily, I am still bothered by the texture and sound and don't have any intentions to eat another one any time soon- candied or not.  

#4: Donate Blood

I've donated blood once before but it's always difficult for me because I have a pretty big fear of needles.  However, the first time I donated blood I learned I was O- so I'm a universal giver.  I also learned that I can only receive blood from other O- types.  So, I figure that anyone in desperate need could use my blood and if givers like me aren't out there, then I'd never have blood if I needed it.  With that in mind, I decided to give my "Super blood" again and try to forget how the first time I was in the room, 2 people passed out.  Lucky for me, this time nobody passed out.  Unfortunately, the person taking my blood did make me bleed quite a bit so I had blood all over my arm.  But it looked worse than it was.  I'll probably consider doing it again in the future...makes me feel good to know I'm helping out someone else who could desperately need people like me.

 

#3: Finish the Dean Koontz "Odd" Series

I absolutely love reading anything by Dean Koontz.  Somehow I ended up with two of the four books in his Odd Thomas series but realized that they weren't the first two so I had to go buy the others so I could start.  It didn't take me long to read them at work because I couldn't put them down!  I'd suggest if you like horror/sci fi books at all, to check out some of his work.  And if you want to borrow the set- let me know!  I'd be happy to lend them to you to check out!  It was definitely worth the wait.  The only other set of reading on my list is to read "The Hunger Games" series so I'll be asking Jodi to borrow those soon.

#2- Attend a Wine Tasting

I'm 24.  I like wine.  And yet, I've never been to a tasting.  Until now.

Kokopelli Krush- 10/22/10

Margo and Derrick invited me out to do the annual Krush event with them on a Friday night.  It was six 1 oz tastings, some coupons for discounts on bottles of wine, and a complimentary souvenir wine glass.  Here are the six wines I tried with their descriptions. All were fantastic by the way.

1) Imperial Kir- Crisp, dry sparkling wine with a touch of juicy raspberries
2) Kokopelli Cabernet Sauvignon Proprieter's Reserve- Aged in French Oak
3) Summer Peach- Sweet and fruity with the fresh taste of ripe summer peaches
4) Ratafia- Ultimate dessert wine.  Sweet & rich honeyed pear notes
5) Mimosa- Just like it sounds- champagne and orange
6) Plum Loco- Sweet fruity red wine with black cherry and plum flavors

Now, it wouldn't be that exciting if my night ended there.  But that was not the case- after much contemplation, Margo and I signed up for the Krush contest.  2 minutes of grape crushing madness on a stage in front of everyone.  In hopes of winning a cruise on the Mexican Riviera.  $20 and a waiver later, we were team #1239- the Merlot Mashers!  Unfortunately I cannot find a video of Margo and I crushing grapes but this video gives you an idea of what we did.  I was in the bucket, Margo used her one leg.  And let me just tell you, 2 minutes may not sound long but my calves were burning.  And due to lack of preparation, I was not wearing a belt and had to use one hand to keep my jeans up.  All awkward.










I won't lie.  We weren't expecting to win anything because we were the only 2-female team up there and when they did call us back on stage, we thought it was for the "hollow foot" award.  The prize for the worst team of the heat.  But alas we were wrong!  3rd place!  It didn't get us to the finals but it did get me a free bottle of wine and a nice mahogany wine holder and got Margo and Derrick a pound of beer brats from a local butcher!  So in a nutshell, we are pretty much awesome.


#75 complete.  And way more fun than I expected to have.  Good memories.

#1- Write a Letter to Myself to Open after 1001 Days

There isn't much exciting to be said about succeeding in this activity.  It was strange writing to myself...and the cute server at BWW asked me if I was writing him a love letter.  I blushed.  Such a girl.  I basically just talked about what was going on in my life and why I started the list.  And talked about a few things that I hope have changed when I open it in a couple of years.  Can't just let fate take its course on those things though, I'm going to have to work toward them.  So I wrote the letter and sealed it in an envelope with the opening date.  Done and done.