I received an email this morning about a co-worker who passed away on Friday. Before I left work on Thursday for my mini Columbus Day extended weekend, I was told she was in the ICU and things looked grim. I didn't really know her personally, only professionally. Over the last several years, she and I have collaborated on many projects many of which were ongoing. Last week, I looked at my calendar to see it was time to make an update to one of our projects, I was saddened to realize she didn't remind me like she usually did and probably never would again.

A week ago, the mother of a friend of mine passed away. She lives far away and I longed to be there to help. Physically, actively help. I remembered seeing her mother at her wedding. There were so many people there, I never got a chance to say hello and introduce myself (the Old Brian? was too shy to say hello and introduce himself), but I watched her dance with her husband and dote on her daughter and I felt her love for all her children and grandchildren.

And of course, Christopher Reeve died on Sunday. I hope it doesn't seem inappropriate to say that when I was an adolescent, I had the biggest boy crush on him. Not just because he was Superman, but that didn't hurt. Seeing how he fought to recover and raised money and awareness after his accident, only solidified in my mind he was one of the good guys.

I don't really think about my own mortality a lot. I guess I'm of the "I could go at anytime" variety, not that I want to go anytime soon. Whenever I do go, I hope people will know I loved them and have fond memories of me.

Weeks ago, Patrick wrote a post about the list of things he wanted to do after he got sick. I've been working on my list since then. I ain't been easy. I'm not that ambitious. I guess the only way to get it done is just to do it. So here goes.

• Learn to skateboard


• Perform at an open mike night


• Learn to take and develop black and white photos


• Learn to knit a scarf (shut up!)


• Take a cross country road trip and meet all the friends I've never met


• Visit Savannah, Georgia


• Finish a writing project (blogging doesn't count)


• Attend the Austin City Limits Music Festival


• Go to amusement parks again


• Go on a hay ride and make a bonfire


• Have dinner in Greece, complete with dancing and throwing plates


• Make a stained glass window


• Watch a sunset from some place natural and beautiful


• Hike