Life goals

I’m a man of simple pleasures and desires. I don’t want wealth or fame. I don’t want statues in my honor, I don’t want a biography about my life, I don't want TMZ following my every move, I don’t want to marry a Kardashian.

I just want to live comfortably.

For now that means moving back to “Seattle,” finding a simple job, and restoring some semblance of order to my life. But I also want to share a few other, more specific, goals I have in life.

Travel outside the U.S.

Traveling has never been much of a thing in my family. Mostly because traveling costs time and money, two things we usually can’t afford. I’ve pretty much been locked onto the West Coast my whole life – I’ve barely seen anything else in this great country of ours, and have never been outside our borders. It would be nice to get out once in awhile.

Break my dad’s record

It is a legendary tale in my family. The tale of the time my father came home from college and proceeded to eat 16 of my grandma’s beloved kaisnips – a German(ish) doughy food item filled with cottage cheese. Trust me, it tastes a LOT better than it sounds. One day I vow to break that family record.

Return trips to New Orleans; Blackfoot

I’ve had two truly transformative service trips in my life. One was to New Orleans a year after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the area, the second was two years ago to the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Reservation near Blackfoot, Idaho.

Both were such amazing experiences that I have to go back someday. Although for New Orleans, I’d prefer more of a tourist experience the second time around. But when it comes to Blackfoot, I’d love nothing more than to work with and help the same group of kids I did last time.

To write…

…and preferably get paid for it! It’s my love of writing that led me to journalism (even though I’m starting to doubt it’s the right career path for me) and finally caused me to cave and start this blog. Writing is my drug. I need it! It’s one of the few things in life I’m confident I’m fairly good at (the others: telling bad puns, eating, being a good older brother).

Romo 3:16

Bible fans are familiar with John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Sports fans recognize John 3:16 as the term on all those signs that tend to pop up at major sporting events.

Pro wrestling fans (which is a guilty pleasure of mine) should be familiar with the term “Austin 3:16.”

My goal in life is to do the same with Romo 3:16.

Giants pitcher Sergio Romo has a catchphrase, “That’s what’s up!” That’s Romo 3:16. I was inspired by someone holding the John 3:16 sign on-camera during the final inning of this year’s World Series. In a fit of excitement I yelled out, “Romo 3:16 says ‘Now that’s what’s up!’” 

Romo 3:16. Believe it!

(I am an incredible sports nerd)

Witness a shootout between Timothy Olyphant of “Justified” and Nathan Fillion of “Firefly”

I could then die happy and ascend to TV Heaven.