The 40 Before: Day 31

Monday, July 5, 2010

Day 31 - Point Omega

Point Omega, by Don DeLillo

I grabbed this fairly short novel (117 pages) on the new releases shelf as I was leaving the library at closing time. Also it has a wonderful front cover. I remembered seeing it as a recommendation on Amazon a couple of week prior. I wasn't going for short--I was going for different.

This fiction novel was definitely different. I'm pretty sure that if it hadn't been so short, I would not have made it through. The book consists of 3 characters, the main one has retired from a top secret strategic war planning role as a civilian at the Pentagon.

The story is very much not an action/adventure story as I first imagined. Instead this is very much a thinking book. It delves into the each of their heads and their thinking and their thinking-about-thinking.

Different is good to broaden my horizons. This book was definitely a different experience and I've never read anything like it before.

No comments:

Making the List. (2/6)

1. ~~Create list for "the 40 before".~~ (1/1)
2. Create chart for "the 40 before". (0/1)
3. ~~Create blog for this project "the 40 before" and populate with the list.~~ (1/1)
4. Review and update list in month 13 and in month 26. (0/2)
5. Make the next list for "the 40 after". (0/1)

Clean. (49/71)

6. ~~Floss my teath at least 4x/week for 12 weeks.~~ (48/48)
7. Go through all the boxes from parents/grandma. (0/1)
8. Clean my desk/drawers/stuff at work and simplify/downsize. (0/1)
9. ~~Complete reading "the power of less" and set 3 objectives for the list.~~ (1/1)
10. Power of Less: Reduce and organize my Boy Scout materials. (0/1)
11. Power of Less: Create a time for solitude, use it for 12 times. (0/12)
12. Power of Less: list all my commitments, then make the short list. (0/2)
13. Clean garage to get 2nd car back inside. (0/1)
14. Clean out my contacts list, archive and update as needed. (0/1)
15. Eliminate the dandilions from the front yard. (0/1)
16. Clean/sort/file financial papers. (0/1)
17. Organize and clean camping gear and eliminate unnecessary stuff. (0/1)

Connect. (3/115)

18. Meet 10 friends for lunch, coffee, etc.. (1/10)
19. Follow-up with a colleague from my network each month. (0/40)
20. Take each employee out for lunch, snack, etc.. (0/31)
21. Know the names of each employee's family members. (0/10)
22. Visit my parents 4 times and each time do something that's fun. (2/4)
23. Send 10 notes/cards/etc.. (0/10)
24. Reconnect with 10 old friends. (0/10)

Create. (7/91)

25. Write in journal 40 times. (5/40)
26. Try 10 new recipes. (1/10)
27. Invent a new recipe for something. (0/1)
28. Write on scout blog 40 times. (1/40)

Enjoy. (28/107)

29. Spend 15 min outside each day for consecutive 30 days. (0/30)
30. ~~Complete reading/listening to 12 books.~~ (12/12) Completed see posts
31. Watch 20 movies that were nominated for Academy Award "Best Picture". (1/20)
32. Listen to 10 new artists. (0/10)
33. Go to the Rennaisance Faire (maybe in costume). (0/1)
34. ~~Transition Troop CC to another person.~~ (1/1)
35. ~~Watch a full season of a favorite TV show.~~ (12/12)
36. Visit 10 new restaurants. (0/10)
37. Have 4 game days or nights with friends. (0/4)
38. See a live show, like Prairie Home Companion. (0/1)
39. Go to the movies with K&E, 4 times. (2/4)
40. Take a day off for my birthday. (0/1)
41. Attend a madrigal dinner. (0/1)

Exercise. (18/71)

42. Walk 20 min, 3 days a week for 12 weeks. (0/12)
43. Exercise at least 2x/week for 12 weeks Set a schedule. (18/24)
44. Lose 10 pounds. (0/10)
45. Participate in an exercise class, 1x/week for 12 weeks . (0/12)
46. Increase upper body strength over a 12 week period. (0/1)
47. Keep the 10 pounds off for at least 12 weeks. (0/12) see posts

Faith. (1/61)

48. Give up something for Lent (40 days). (0/40)
49. Go to a men's retreat, church outing, bible study, etc.. (0/1)
50. ~~Sing in church choir as a substitute/volunteer.~~ (1/1)
51. Do at least 1 devotion a week for 12 weeks. (0/12)
52. Do a Lenten Holy Week fast. (0/7)

Family. (14/94)

53. Do my will. (0/1)
54. Call parents at least 2x/month. (13/80)
55. Go to the St. Paul Winter Carnival. (0/1)
56. Set up a household chore schedule. (0/1)
57. ~~Establish an allowance for K&E.~~ (1/1)
58. Visit E at school for an special day/event (3 times). (0/3)
59. Visit K at school for an special day/event (3 times). (0/3)
60. Do my taxes before *before* April 1. (0/3)
61. Store important papers in safety deposit box. (0/1)

Give. (1/28)

62. Complete $ to the Coming Together campaign. (0/1)
63. Campmaster 3 times. (0/3)
64. Be counselor for 10 scouts/merit badges. (1/10)
65. Earn the scouting "Scouter volunteer knot" award. (0/1)
66. Bring bagels/snacks/something for my work team 12 times. (0/12)
67. Update wardrobe with some fresh clothes & style and donate the old. (0/1)

Go. (99/132)

68. Take K and/or E camping 6 times. (3/6) Started see posts
69. Hike or Backpack 100 miles . (90/100)
70. Take K and/or E on a backpacking trip. (0/1)
71. ~~Visit the Pacific Northwest.~~ (1/1)
72. Visit 3 state or national parks. (2/3) Started see posts
73. Canoe in the BWCA. (0/1)
74. Go to Valpo homecoming. (0/1)
75. ~~Make every effort to attend my 20 year high school reunion in 2011.~~ (1/1)
76. Have 2 weekends at "the cabin". (0/2)
77. Visit the Wisconsin Dells. (0/1)
78. Have lunch outside 15 times. (2/15)

Learn. (0/33)

79. Try geo-caching. (0/1)
80. Learn to play guitar or harmonica for at least 4 songs. (0/4)
81. Sign-up and attend Wood Badge training sessions. (0/1)
82. -- Wood Badge ticket item #1--. (0/1)
83. -- Wood Badge ticket item #2--. (0/1)
84. -- Wood Badge ticket item #3--. (0/1)
85. Complete Wood Badge. (0/1)
86. Earn the scouting "Leave No Trace" award. (0/1)
87. Try a week as a vegetarian. (0/7)
88. Take golf lessons (3 lessons). (0/3)
89. Try snowshoeing. (0/1)
90. Try a meal preparation place like "Let's Dish" or "Meals in the Bag". (0/1)
91. Vist the library 10 times and learn about something new. (0/10)

Save. (2/136)

92. Get stamp collection evaluated. (0/1)
93. Have at least 30 brown-bag lunches over a 60 day period. (0/30)
94. Go to the coffee shop no more than 8 times a month for 4 consecutive months. (0/4)
95. Save $5 for each item completed. (2/101)

Work. (1/67)

96. Read 1 article a month from a trade/business magazine (HBR). (1/40)
97. Complete PMP or other significant certification. (0/1)
98. Update my Resume record each quarter (M-Tools). (0/12)
99. Interview at 3 companies. (0/3)
100. Listen to 10 business podcasts (i.e. Manager-Tools). (0/10)
101. Implement one new thing from Manager-Tools podcasts that matters. (0/1)

The 40 Before