Before I die...

Came across this website: 43things.com. It's basically about opening an account and listing 43 things you want to do before you die. I didn't really like the site, as some of the things people were aiming at seemed pathetic to me. But it's a brilliant concept.

So I got to thinking - what do I want to do before I die. OK so I'm a list freak and have zillions of TO DO lists, and WISH lists and LISTS of LISTs, but somehow, introducing the "death" word, makes the whole thing chillingly real.

Here's what I'd want to do:

• Get really lean-and-mean again, and stay like that for at least 18 months.
  
• Buy an out-the-box BMW tourer motorcycle
• Take Miss L to London
• Turn my business into a profit-making machine
• Knock out all my debt
  
• Go on 4 more overseas trips with Mrs M (destinations to be decided at the time)

That's enough for me, I don't need 43. But there is still one more, one that I have realised is by far the biggest, and the only one that I am actively working on EVERY day of my life:

• Bringing happiness, health and security to Miss L's life

If there's one thing only - that's it. And I feel like a prick for saying I wanted to opt out of parenthood. Sure it can hurt, but deep down in the very core of your being there is nothing more rewarding.