Completed Task: 95. Learn To Use Photoshop.
Learning photoshop was one of those crazy ideas I had as I was approaching the end of the 101 list and needed a few more tasks. I never really thought I would have a need for it as typically I am not a fan of photoshopped photos.
I still am not a fan but I can now see the benefits of using photoshop, even if just for the small things like removing dung and cropping photos. Also, as I now photograph in RAW (and Jpeg) there are a lot of options available to you (white balance, b&w, etc) which you can adjust after the photo rather than before you take the photo – very handy for those quick moments or when you are unsure which setting will bring out the best in your photos.
I decided to take a beginners photoshop course with www.betterphoto.com, the course was a very beginners one (i.e. this is how to get your photos in and this is how to get them out) but it was exactly what I needed and the Instructor was brilliant. I am continuing to learn more about photoshop through tutorials and magazine articles and hope to take further courses in 2009.
Completed Task: 12. Learn About Wine Tasting
Throughout 2008, I have done a number of things that have increased my knowledge of wine tasting. But the one that has been most helpful would have to be taking the free, online wine course from The Culinary Institute of America. Not only did I learn all about smelling and tasting the wine, I also learned about which foods go best with which wines. The course is filled with little activities for you to try to enable you to experience the topic/subject they are teaching and that made a big difference for me. I will continue to learn more about wine tasting as the years progress, so while I continue this task completed, I also consider it ongoing.
My 101 List
In December 2007, while surfing the Internet, I came across a random 101 list. Firstly, from this 101 list I found out about a number of interesting ideas, websites and projects to take part in. Secondly I learned all about the world of 101 in 1001.
The Mission:
Complete 101 pre-set tasks in a period of 1001 days. See Day Zero for more information.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
I never did find that 101 list again but I am glad that I stumbled across it as I have gained a lot from it. As have my many friends and family members that have gone on to create their own 101 in 1001.
Below is my 101 list which started on January 1st 2008 and is set to finish on September 28th 2010.
1. Complete 101 list.
2. Learn Dutch well enough to pass the Dutch exams.
3. Complete my masters degree.
4. Complete the 50 Book Challenge.
5. Maintain a blog that people enjoy reading.
6. Complete Dream Director.
7. Make DVDs of my digital photos.
8. Scrapbook
9. Take a last minute city break.
10. See an Einaudi concert in Rome.
11. Go on a horseback riding holiday.
12. Learn about wine tasting.
13. Take a hot-air balloon ride.
14. Take a walk in the rain.
15. Sleep under the stars.
16. Learn to play a song on the piano.
17. Organise the basement.
18. Finish the guest room.
19. Explore every region of Holland.
20. Send a message in a bottle.
21. Visit all 7 continents.
22. Learn to touch type (officially).
23. Swim with dolphins.
24. Fly a kite.
25. Milk a cow.
26. See a monkey in the wild.
27. Make a photo album for a loved one.
28. Send a handwritten letter each month for at least a year.
29. Pick apples.
30. Make space cake.
31. Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
32. Invest in the stock market.
33. Complete a 1000 piece puzzle.
34. Sponsor a child.
35. Raise money for charity.
36. Overcome a fear.
37. Stay overnight in a haunted location.
38. Write a book.
39. Go into a library, randomly select a book and read it.
40. Start my own strange holiday.
41. Learn to solve a rubiks cube.
42. Complete the 26 Things Scavanger Hunt.
43. Participate in PostCrossing.
44. Add and update all my books in LibraryThing.
45. Learn my mobile phone number.
46. Pull off an April Fools Prank.
47. Give a homeless person an Xmas gift.
48. Buy a stranger something from their Amazon wishlist.
49. Find my signature dish.
50. Celebrate my half birthday.
51. See the Northern Lights (again).
52. Do up the balcony.
53. Build up to drinking eight glasses of water a day.
54. Purchase and take care of a plant for downstairs.
55. Learn how to knit.
56. Work on my Chinese brush painting.
57. Cycle once a week (at least).
58. Organize (and keep it that way) the house.
59. Take more pictures.
60. Volunteer
61. Complete scuba diving training.
62. Attend a Tony Robbins Seminar.
63. Organize I-tunes music.
64. Make use of my BlueMountain.com membership.
65. Get Christmas and birthday gifts organised early.
66. Turn off the lights when not using them.
67. Recycle as much as possible.
68. Buy fruit and veg from the local farm rather than in the shop.
69. Take an open learning course.
70. Makeover my commute.
71. Eat my lunch outside.
72. Resolve OU complaint.
73. Take vitamins/minerals every day for a month (hopefully by then it will be a habit).
74. Do a DIY mask/facial once a week.
75. Complete Moodgym.
76. Complete a community challenge.
77. Locate an old friend and keep in touch.
78. Buy the wine of the month for a year, learn about the wine and appreciate drinking it.
79. Visit Vinopolis.
80. Go to Euro Disney.
81. Take a trip with The Adventure Company.
82. Visit all the zoos in the Netherlands.
83. Get healthy.
84. Deal with all post the moment it comes through the door.
85. Keep a wine journal.
86. Enter a photo competition.
87. Visit a monastery.
88. Try a new restaurant in Rotterdam.
89. Try pottery.
90. Throw a dinner party.
91. Try archery.
92. Go cave diving.
93. Make an art sculpture.
94. Go to a concert.
95. Learn to use photoshop.
96. Go have a top notch haircut.
97. Make a ship in a bottle.
98. View a property that is way out of my price range.
99. Visit a candle factory.
100. Try to break a strange world record.
101. Try glass blowing.
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Recent
- Completed Task: 46. Pull off an April Fools Prank.
- Completed Task: 94. Go to a concert.
- Completed Task: 77. Locate an old friend and keep in touch.
- Completed Task: 41. Learn to solve a rubik’s cube.
- Completed Task: 6. Complete Dream Director.
- Completed Task: 42. Complete the 26 Things Scavanger Hunt.
- Completed Task: 72. Resolve OU complaint
- Completed Task: 47. Give A Homeless Person An Xmas Gift.
- Completed Task: 95. Learn To Use Photoshop.
- Completed Task: 88. Try A New Restaurant In Rotterdam
- Completed Task: 84. Deal With All Post The Moment It Comes Through The Door.
- Completed Task: 70. Makeover My Commute.
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