When I was a kid, I kept a journal and in it I made a list of “Things To Do Before 30.” Well good news, everyone, I’m going to be 29 on Tuesday and it seems that I’ve already accomplished it all. Keep in mind while reading that when I wrote the list, I looked like this:
Things To Do Before 30
1. Have a boy like me back.
2. Have a boyfriend.
3. Kiss a boy.
4. Ride a horse again.
5. Hold hands with a boy.
6. Be on TV.
7. Disney World, the happiest place on earth. Go there.
8. Be on the radio.
9. Go on a date with a boy.
I remember a short while after writing the list, I called a radio station to request one of my favorite songs, “Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora. I loved it because of the lyrics “monkey business on a sunny afternoon.” It didn’t take much to entertain me, I guess. Much to my surprise, when I called they allowed me to request it on-air and I was 100% positive that this meant I was now a superstar. At the time, I was wearing a green nightgown with a sparkly white horse on it which then, of course, became my lucky nightgown.
Later that summer, I was sleeping in said lucky nightgown when a hot air balloon landed in the field next to our house. My dad woke me up, we ran over to the balloon and I jumped around excitedly when my dad asked if I could go for a ride and the owner said yes.
I squeezed the edge of the basket as we floated through the sky and I couldn’t help but think I was magical and so many wonderful things were going to happen in my life.
Boys eventually liked me back, Disney World wasn’t the happiest place on earth, being on Katie Couric’s show was scary, I injured my back on the horse and somewhere along the line I realized I wasn’t all that magical. But hey, I accomplished everything on my list before turning 29.
So anyway, I was reminded of all this the other day when I heard Baltimora on my way to work. I still love that stupid song.
Nice tie.
LikeLike
A really nice accent to the beads, no?
LikeLike
It does. It does.
LikeLike
Wow, that is a pretty nic elist and you did it all. Would you mind sharing the list for “Before you are 60”?
LikeLike
Haha, I’ll start writing one now!
LikeLike
wondering if you time-travelled to back when you looked like that, would you ever give advice to you (as a kid), and if yes, what would that advice be? Or if not, why not?
LikeLike
Hmm, good question. Would you? I guess not on my end. I either wouldn’t have listened or it would have made me scared to try anything.
If I did, perhaps I would have given myself fashion advice…but that’s about it. 🙂
LikeLike
In response to that possibility of you not listening, i imagined you as a kid saying/singing “La La La La La” as a way of blocking out any (more) advice from you. In response to your question, yes i probably would, but i have a feeling that i would probably have done something that’s the opposite of that advice.
LikeLike
You too, eh? Mostly I wasn’t listening because I was in La La land…which is part of the reason my dad gave me the nickname!
LikeLike
So impressed with your accomplishments. So covetous of your age. And so jealous of that super cool Western get-up you’ve got going on in that photo!
LikeLike
I’ll expect to see you sporting the very same in a photo soon!!!!
LikeLike
If only I had a picture of my in my chaps. I used to wear them all the time when I was about 5 years old. I was one cool kid.
LikeLike
OMG I love that song, almost as much as Walk the Dinosaur, and Devo’s Whip It. Does that mean I’m Seriously screwed up and stuck in the 80’s?? Hope you don’t feel too old, I’m turning 44 on Sunday. OUCH
LikeLike
It’s okay to be stuck in the 80’s. I love Walk the Dinosaur, oh my god. I have to go listen to it right now.
I don’t feel old, but hit me up next year at this time and I’m sure I’ll be freaking out!
LikeLike
A hot-air balloon lands next to your house in the middle of the night and you get to ride it? Now, top that! 🙂
LikeLike
It was so awesome!!!!!
LikeLike
I like tthe song !
LikeLike
I just turned 30, and I’ve only done one thing on that list (rode a horse). And I always loved that song!
LikeLike
Happy Birthday! I hope it was fun. In regards to the list, now I feel like maybe I accomplished something after all. 😛
LikeLike
WOW! That video at least explains the dad in this one.
LikeLike
Oh. My. God. This is making my day. Thank you!!
LikeLike
It’s kind of creepy.
LikeLike
YOU KNOW . . . I have had a very short, never-gave-it-much-thought bucket list for a very long time. Like 4 things. And it annoys me that 2 of the things you cant EVEN DO anymore. Ride on the Concorde and go to the top of the World Trade Towers.
The 2 remaining are see the Aroura Borealis and ride THIS in Austria
LikeLike
Oh wow, very cool. I hope you get to do both!!
LikeLike
I only have 7 years to ride a horse and get on TV…
And hold hands with a boy, of course. I’m saving that for marriage.
LikeLike
You’re a far more moral woman than I!
LikeLike
I didn’t know who sang that song! You are superstar. I can’t say I’ve been on TV! Congrats on accomplishing your list even ahead of schedule.
LikeLike
Haha thank you. I think I know someone who went to download a bit of Baltimora this afternoon. 😉
LikeLike
Were you the cutest thing ever? Yes, I think so. And in fact, you’re even cuter now.
LikeLike
Aw shucks, thanks Weebs. Perhaps I shall bring back the bolo?
LikeLike
I love that “boys” run the show, but you rule the roost! Nice job La La!
LikeLike
I want to hear about your Dworld trip, now. Spill the beans, please.
LikeLike
There was a lot of sweating in long lines and crying and on the last day I demanded that we just stay at the hotel pool. Turns out I just needed to go swimming to be happy!
LikeLike
Yay for being AWESOME and accomplished by age 29!!!
LikeLike
Well…something like that, haha. Thanks Denise!
LikeLike
This is brilliant. I am glad you are this accomplished!
And that childhood photo… you have mad flair! I definitely would have shared my pixie sitcks with you… and we would have exchanged slap bracelets and everything. Also I always had those bows in my hair too…
LikeLike
Yes! I always wanted to give someone one of the gimp bracelets I made!
LikeLike
Brilliant post!
LikeLike
Gracias!
LikeLike
I read that as “Have a boy lick my back”. I’m tired.
Good list to find.
FM
LikeLike
Hahaha that would have been better….maybe.
LikeLike
You are so too that magical. So there.
LikeLike
Sometimes I wish I was!
LikeLike
Well I still think you are!
LikeLike
Kiss a boy by 30? You had high hopes! I didn’t kiss one til I was 31.
LikeLike
Silly monkey!
LikeLike
Silly …and sassy!
LikeLike
Reason eleventy jillion that I love Lala is this post.
LikeLike
Aww you’re the sweetest. Xoxo
LikeLike
That made me laugh. And realize that my list is likely impossible and that I’m too lazy to do much about it anyway. Also, thanks for the song. I remember this song really well, catchy as all get-out, but that video… yikes. Heavy creepy there.
LikeLike
I know the video is AWFUL haha! Thanks for the comment. Glad I could get a laugh. 🙂
LikeLike
Ha, ha, ha. This is great, except for Tarzan boy. Heh. No specific boy you wanted to kiss? I’ve got many years on you, but my goal was to see David Cassidy in concert. Like you, I accomplished that, along with a lot of screaming and sobbing.
LikeLike
I would have done anything to see that, Lori.
LikeLike
Funny that sexy Halloween Jesus didn’t feature on the list!
LikeLike
That was just a bonus!
LikeLike
Happy early birthday.
LikeLike
Thank you!!
LikeLike
The only ones I’ve done from your list are 4,5,6, and when I hold hands with a boy, it’s one of my elementary school students and we’re usually just walking down the hall. Congrats on finishing list. You’ll have to make a new list and then have a really busy year between 29 and 30.
LikeLike
It’s just going to be like “keep steady relationship” and “don’t get fired from job.” Those are the goals.
LikeLike
That’s amazing to have saved that list and then to have done all those things before 30. Time to write a new list for before 50? 😉
LikeLike
It’s just going to have one thing on it. “Get married.”
LikeLike
Aw I’m sure you’ll do that. 🙂
LikeLike
lol – ah La La you brighten my day. I’ve missed reading your posts and I’m glad I’m getting the chance to read them again 🙂
LikeLike
Awws, thanks!!!
LikeLike
Bolo ties never go out of style. Just ask Walker Texas Ranger.
LikeLike