things to try at least once

11 THINGS: To Try at Least Once

Thursday, August 17, 2006

1. Parachute out of a plane
Reason: Exhilaration.
Requirements: Fearlessness.
Where to begin: www.bayareaskydiving.com or www.skydivesf.com.

2. Work in a soup kitchen
Reason: Compassion.
Requirements: Heart, smile.
Where to begin: www.sffoodbank.org or www.openhand.org.

3. Read "Ulysses" or "War and Peace"
Reason: Because you'll never finish.
Requirements: Patience ... and a comfortable chair.
Where to begin: www.sfpl.org or www.citylights.com.

4. Drive to Cabo San Lucas or Fairbanks
Reason: Flying is too much of a pain.
Requirements: Car and a companion (who agrees to pay for gas).
Where to begin: www.mexonline.com/drivemex.htm or www.northtoalaska.com.

5. Take a trip to the Farallones
Reason: You might see whales.
Requirements: Aversion to seasickness, binoculars, camera.
Where to begin: www.oceanicsociety.org or www.sfbaywhalewatching.com.

6. Drink absinthe
Reason: "Double action intoxication."
Requirements: Airline tickets to Switzerland (or friends with absinthe).
Where to begin: www.absinthebuyersguide.com or www.feeverte.net.

7. Stay up all weekend ... and write
Reason: Nothing's stopping you.
Requirements: NoDoz, Vivarin, coffee, willpower.
Where to begin: www.bulwer-lytton.com or www.nanowrimo.org (in November).

8. Run a marathon or try a triathlon
Reason: Because.
Requirements: Endurance, vitality, health.
Where to begin: www.sfrrc.org or www.tricalifornia.com.

9. Learn a new language or teach English abroad
Reason: There's far more to this planet than the United States.
Requirements: Skills.
Where to begin: www.berlitz.com or www.teachabroad.com.

10. Visit the S.F. Symphony (for PoundSF-goers) or visit PoundSF (for S.F. Symphony-goers)
Reason: Expand your horizons.
Requirements: An open mind.
Where to begin: www.sfsymphony.org (opening gala: Sept. 6) or www.poundsf.com (this week: Gorilla Biscuits, Casualties. Next week: Cattle Decapitation.)

11. Write a column for a newspaper
Reason: You're nuts.
Requirements: Unsolicited opinions, thick skin and rare apologies (example: "Sorry 'bout last week's column, Mr. Fogerty.")
Where to begin: www.theonion.com or www.fark.com.

Tim Sullivan, tsullivan@sfchronicle.com

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/08/17/NSGHOKG1O11.DTL

This article appeared on page H - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle