Bucket List Fri Jan 06 2012

My Chicago Bucket List: The LIST

By Niki Fritz

I have always loved lists, probably to a somewhat unhealthy degree. They fill my agenda books, phone notepads, middle-school-esque journals and often the palm of my hand. I write down what I need to do this week, my ideal traits in a boyfriend (see image for my ideal boyfriend traits at age 13), what I need to pick up at the grocery store, story ideas, who I've made out with in the past 12 months, my current anxieties, who is on my celebrity sex "pass" list, what I want to be when I grow up, the pros and cons of converting to Judaism, and what I want to be in my next life.

And I relish every New Year, for that moment when it becomes socially acceptable to make crazy lists about what you want to do and share it with the world. It is a time when "losing 10 pounds" has the same validity as "finish my novel" or "become an international porn star." It is a time when you decide who you are going to become in 2012 -- or at least what you are going to convince your Facebook friends you are in 2012 through the art of Photoshop.

This year I'm skipping the traditional Fritz fun-time resolutions in favor of the Ultimate New Year's Resolution List, a.k.a. My Chicago Bucket List. It is a list of 25 "to-dos" -- some seriously concrete actions, some ephemeral feel-good moments. 2012 is not about checking off the numbers one-by-one; it is about writing down what is important to me and giving it credibility. It is about believing the things I want aren't ridiculous.

But most of all, this bucket list is a recognition that a year is no more than a series months, of days and of moments that lead to a life. A bucket list is really a promise to live 2012.

My 2012 Chicago Bucket List

1. See my name printed in a black and white byline; there is nothing better in this world than having your writing printed in a tangible format you can physically mail to your mother for her to hang on the fridge.
2. Watch the Star Wars series, preferably all in one sitting, and preferably while still wearing my pajamas, mainly so people will stop telling me I HAVE to see Star Wars.
3. Have a moment of wholehearted living.
4. Go to chicken and porn on Monday night at Evil Olive.
5. Fall in love, preferably with someone lovely and fluffy who is already neutered and declawed.
6. Make a new friend.
7. Dance even though 700 people are watching. Ever since I was rejected from my middle school show choir, I've had a fear of dancing in public. This year I'm conquering that fear by participating in Fear Experiment Three. After three months of what I can only assume with be torturous dance practice, my troupe of non-dancers and I will perform at Park West in front of 700 people. Yes I am insane.
8. Stand on my head, balance my chakras, find Nirvana.
9. Never say no to a food fest: oyster fest, rib fest, burger fest; there are no weight loss resolutions here folks.
10. Volunteer, preferably with cute kids.
11. Recommit to my hippy ways for a night at the Full Moon Fire Jam.
12. Do something purely touristy: kiss on top of the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier, skate at Millennium Park,or buy a $26 drink at the Signature Room.
13. Geek out at a taping of "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me." I would like to finally embrace my "I heard on NPR" yuppy self and possibly touch Mo Rocca.
14. Host a workshop about sex for young women.
15. Go home by 2am unless the late night destination is Green Mill; then go and jive hard.
16. Turtle races at Joes.
17. Attend a Ladies' Arm Wrestling event.
18. Send my Grandma more pictures of Chicago. She may think the Internet is evil but she still loves the "big city." In the '30s, she traveled down to Chicago all the way from Antigo, Wis. to meet her finance before he left for training for WWII. Her 92-year-old eyes still light up when she talks about the thrill of riding the El.
19. Hit up every brewery/liquor tour in the city: Koval, Half Acre, Revolution, etc. Because a Wisconsin girl can never sample enough beer.
20. See a stupid Cubs game because I live in Chicago.
21. Spend a day in Pilsen.
22. Take my mom to a few places mentioned on Food Network, including Kuma's Corner, Honky Tonk Barbeque and Hot Doug's, so that she stops texting me asking me if I have been to these places and if they are in "good" neighborhoods.
23. Gamble on something.
24. Find my favorite Chicago band and see them in concert. Spoiler alert: it's not going to be Wilco.
25. Apply to PhD programs you chicken shit.

And this list is just the beginning, folks. I'm wide open to suggestions and I plan on adding more as the year progresses. Feel free to send suggestions to write2fritz at gmail dot com or comment below. And if anyone is interested in joining me on my year of the bucket list feel free to email too! I'll be updating this column every Friday so make sure to check back.

I would love to hear what others are hoping to do this year. Post your resolutions, bucket lists or just things you want to do in your life below. Happy living folks!

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