I go through phases of thinking this list is the bane of my existence, sitting out there for everyone to see, mocking me and making me feel insignificant and unaccomplished. Until I decide to update it, of course, and end up crossing out several things, some of which I’d even forgotten were on there. Been a while since I last looked at it, so here’s what I’ve managed to cross off since January.

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022. Be interviewed on TV (preferably because of my work and not because I was present at a crime scene).
This hasn’t happened yet, but I got a call today asking me to be on a TV show talking about an article I’ve written. I haven’t said yes yet (terrified), but I’m thinking maybe I should. Should I just do it and get the first uncomfortable time over with? It is national TV, so I’m already having visions of becoming the joke of my entire social circle. I’ve decided to sleep on it.

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025. Get 300 published credits. - (275/300)
The last time I updated this list, I wrote below this entry, “If it’s a goal you no longer care about achieving, should you change it?” Well, I did change it. My career is going in a new direction and I’m hoping that I won’t have to do too many articles per month any more, which is why this goal is now meaningless to me. For that reason, I’ve downgraded a bit.

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032. Read 100 books a year. That’s 400 books. - (100/400)
Almost three years down and I’m nowhere near close to achieving this. I can’t read 300 books in a year and a half, no matter how hard I try, so I’m prepared to miss this one. I have read a respectable 30 books this year, though.

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033. Watch 100 movies/documentaries a year. That’s 400 movies. - (254/400)
No trouble here. In fact, I can almost guarantee that I’ll cross that 400. The name’s potato. Couch potato.

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071. Create a library of at least 1,000 books.
I’m at a miserable 250 or so, and this is so easy to achieve. But I swore that I’m going to read most of the 100+ unread books that I own before I buy any more, so… *sigh*… I’m forbidden from buying new for now.

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077. Write for The New York Times.
Done. I have to admit that it is a real high to see my byline in the Times, since this wasn’t just a before-30 goal but a life goal.

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113. Learn how to cook.
Who knew this day would come? Well, I’m happy to report that I can actually cook a decent meal, maybe even a few. I’m still stupendously uncomfortable cooking for more than two people, but it can be done. I’ve seen the light.

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115. Win an award.
Earlier this year, I found out that I’d won an award for a story that I cared deeply about and spent a lot of time on. Love it when that happens.

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134. Watch all the seasons of 24.
Hey, the last season had Anil Kapoor. How could I resist?

Oy vey.

So I created this list a couple of years ago, 150 things I want to do before I turn 30, giving me four years to get it all done. For a while, I worked on crossing out those things and then, while I didn’t forget about the list, it kind of got pushed to the background and I lost focus.

Well, I turned 28 last month, which means I’m at the halfway mark agewise, but clearly not at the halfway mark on this list. Hmm. I’ve got some catching up to do.

It’s been a while since I updated this list, and part of me feels a bit silly doing so. I don’t want it to ever feel like I’m doing something because it’s on a list somewhere, rather I want to experience the new things that come my way and while I want to make an effort to go do some things that I think would be cool learning experiences, sometimes, it feels like I’ve outgrown certain goals and don’t feel the need to do them.

I might shift around some of the goals on this list, but for now, here’s an update.

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001. Travel to 15 countries. - (4/15)
I traveled to Nepal on my return to India. Did I ever tell you that? Was hoping to get another stamp on my passport, but you don’t need a visa (or anything) to get into Nepal if you’re an Indian citizen, and they didn’t even bother stamping it. But I was there. I have the pictures to prove it.

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025. Get 500 published credits. - (257/500)
I’m at 257 now and have a feeling I’m not going to reach this goal by 2011. Because, you know, it took me six years to get these clips, I don’t think another two is going to double that number, especially since I’m not trying to increase quantity anymore, but quality. If it’s a goal you no longer care about achieving, should you change it?

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032. Read 100 books a year. That’s 400 books. - (71/400)
So, you know, when I made this list, it was the year of massive heartbreak, little work, and not that much money that could be spent on anything but books. It was the year in which I read 100 books, but since my life has changed since then, and I’ve gotten more work (not to mention, a life!), that’s my number. It’s embarrassing, I know. I’m working on it (reading more, that is, not feeling less embarrassed).

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033. Watch 100 movies/documentaries a year. That’s 400 movies. - (179/400)
Hey don’t judge me. This is what a person does when they’ve worked all day and can’t be fussed to read ONE MORE WORD. Mindless TV is good, mindless movies, even better.

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055. Meet four people I admire. - (3/4)
The last time I updated this, I told you that I’d met a writer whose work I had been reading forever and he’d treated me so graciously, I was stunned.

Since then, I had the pleasure of meeting Maria Shriver (and interviewing her) and that was a fun experience, especially since my recorder conked off (always check your batteries, people!), and, of course, I tripped (I’m very graceful, I know).

On my return to India, I met a person who has held very high regard in my eyes, and I was thrilled, absolutely thrilled, to get the chance to hang out with Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak. We talked for several hours, had lunch together (along with his team and women whose lives he has changed) and it was magical to witness young girls become starstruck on the sight of him as if he were Brad Pitt. To them, of course, he was that and much more.

Of all the people I’ve met and interviewed so far, I have never been more impressed with anyone. (He even called me once the piece was published to personally thank me.)

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106. Let someone feed me peeled, seedless grapes.
I have the someone standing here ready and at attention, now where do I get those peeled, seedless grapes?

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117. Finish the Rubik’s cube in under 5 minutes.
Yep. I’ve forgotten the last step now (again), but yep.