Bucket List
Until a few months ago I was convinced that I could reignite the spark of motivation using an intellectual challenge of some sort. Believe me, I've tried. Again and again I've failed to motivate myself to start working on the thing that should motivate me. Is this a pending burnout? I'm afraid of the consequences if it is. I'd hate sitting at home, not being able to motivate myself to get up and take a dump. That would completely end me psychologically. So whatever happens, I have to prevent that. Even though I'm not sure if what I'm experiencing now is a burnout in its infancy, I can never be too careful.
So now I've come to terms with whatever it is that is wrong, I have to find a solution to this problem. Before it's too late. I've got a start up now, responsibilities and expectations to meet. Failure is not an option.
I'm convinced challenging myself is still the only solution. The approach was wrong, that's all. Instead of seeking out intellectual challenges, I must venture out into the unknown. I'm way too comfortable with intellectual challenges. There's just not enough surprise and fun in them to keep me going anymore.
I've spoken with many people, mostly random people on the internet. It's a hobby of mine. It teaches me new things every time. People are hugely interesting. I've learned, for example, that there's a children's hospital in Cambodia with a leaky roof, and that one of the kids broke his leg while trying to fix it. You might say that information is completely useless to a Dutch software engineer, but you couldn't be more wrong. It brings personal stories from all over the world into your living room. The world becomes smaller this way, and you'll see that people are actually pretty much alike all over the world.
I haven't traveled much in my life. I wish I had. I've been to New Zealand twice. And I've been too Germany and Belgium. That's it. Really. There is no good reason for me to stay in the Netherlands, other than my work. Just like the trip I had planned this year. I was going to ride around Iceland. I couldn't because I had a start up that demanded my attention. It's been like this for the past two and a half years. The last time I had a proper holiday was back in 2009. Not a single week went by since then that I didn't spend time working. Just taking some time off would bore me to death. I need to have a proper reason not to work. It sounds silly, I know. The question becomes easier now; what should I do during my time off?
This has been the topic during many of my conversations online. I'm especially interested in what events have changed people profoundly. Next to the birth or death of a loved one, people often tell about their biggest adventure. For some it was a road trip through the United States, for others it was climbing the Kilimanjaro. It's not so much the deed that has changed them, but the people they've met along the way. The people have had the deepest impact on me during my travels and I didn't even know. Just think back when you were on your last holiday. The first thing you'll remember is that remarkable person. In my case, it's a Vietnam veteran who actually enjoyed the war. I'll never forget that guy. To meet other interesting people I'll actually have to hit the road. But to where exactly?
"Why not work down you bucket list?" asked a random person on IRC. "I don't have one" I replied. I mean, I've seen the movie, and more recently the adventures of Karl Pilkington. I know what it is, but I simply never made one. I've learned another thing that day. It's bloody hard writing your own bucket list. Plus, when you have it, it keeps changing because of all the awesome stories you hear. I've already done the boring stuff. I've done the bungee and skydive, I've got my motorcycle license and I've killed a homeless person. Actually, I'm not sure about the homeless part. The most fun I've had in the past few years is on a motorcycle. So many of my bucket list items will have some motorcycle ingredient in them.
1. Dakar Rally
I've always dreamed about this as a kid. Visiting the DAF museum with my parents, walking along those mighty Dakar trucks. I don't care much for races, but the Dakar Rally is one of the exceptions. Riding a motorcycle through some of the harshest conditions must be exhilarating. It must be a tremendous challenge, too. I understand I can't just do this tomorrow. This will need proper preparation, training and financial support. I want this too!
2. Mongol Rally
This I might actually pull off in the near future. It's awesome. The idea is to get yourself from London to Ulánbátar using a cheap car or motorcycle. And they're not kidding. For motorcycles, the maximum engine capacity is 125cc. For cars it's 1000cc. You know, the vehicles you'd normally use for your daily commute across town. My trusty Transalp is out of the question. Hell, anything I'd normally ride is way too big. So I'm looking for a couple of Honda VT125C, XL125V or CBF125 bikes. Yes, a couple. I'm not going to do this alone. 20,000 kilometers through deserts and mountain ranges is not something to be taken lightly. People have died during this rally, so I'd rather have someone with me to cry over my handsome corpse. Anyway, if I do make it all the way to Mongolia the bikes will be sold and the money will go to charity. Isn't that wonderful?
3. Lofoten and Iceland
Pretty much the trip I had planned for this year, with a little detour to visit the most beautiful place in Norway. Or so they say. This is my backup plan. If everything else fails, I'm sure I can do this no matter what. I've got the equipment, the health and the energy to do this. Maybe it's wise to do this relatively safe trip first before I plunge myself into the big unknown. On the other hand, going on a rally completely unprepared has its benefits too.
4. New Zealand State Highway 6
It's the most beautiful strip of tarmac I've ever laid my eyes upon. It goes from Picton, along the west coast of the south island to Invercargill. It's only 1,162 kilometers, but surely worth the trip. I don't have to tell you what I'll be using to see every meter of that road, right?
5. Chile Coast Line
Excluding the Antarctic coast line of course. Hop on a motorcycle, start in Arica and ride south along the South Pacific Ocean to end up in the southern most part of Argentina. Some parts of Chile just have no roads, so I'll have to cheat my way down south through parts of Argentina. Visiting some of the most sparsely populated areas in the world, this trip will be a once in a lifetime experience. Fuel is going to be the biggest problem I think. That's probably the reason why not a lot of people have tried.
6. Japan
I've never been there before. Its culture is vastly different from ours, and still familiar. I've got a few Japanese acquaintances, all of whom have told me that I have to come visit some time. And they're right. Why not? Of course I'll be using a Honda to ride my way through the country and see the sights. I've been told they won't just allow me to use any old bike I can find. Their regulations are even more strict than the new Dutch ones. But that won't stop me from trying.
7. Buy an Island
Yep. I want my own island. It doesn't have to be big, fancy or anything like that. I just want my own little piece of land surrounded by water. I've got no idea what I want to do with it once I have it. It's just one of those things everybody wants, but nobody actually tries to get. I've looked it up. Some islands are surprisingly affordable. Granted, they're a bit hard to reach and have no beaches, but that won't stop me from building a bunker on top. Of course my island has to be fortified. What's an island without proper defenses? I don't want those British imperialists taking over my island.
8. Get married, settle down and have kids
Who doesn't want that? A nice house, a beautiful wife and a bunch of great kids. I just know my life will be complete when I come home from work, the dog jumps up waggling its tail, my wife is in the bedroom with the neighbor and the kids are playing in the front lawn. Haha! I'm only kidding. There are only seven points on my bucket list that have survived careful consideration.