I recently came across "Best of San Diego 2007" list and I had a quick surge of inspiration…my quest ~ TO VISIT ALL THE PLACES LISTED and critique my own experience! ***The Catch = I HAVE TO DO IT SOLO…all of those places I "have to" go BY MYSELF*** WHY??? The Benefits: 
~ Sounds exciting, spontaneous, and fun
~ Would be a adventurous way to get to know the city and all its areas
~ Would require planning, research, and analytical skills - all of which I want to improve
~ Going by myself will gear me to focus ON ME and my likes, dislikes, strengths, and weakness - It a way I will get to know more about my one and only best friend: ME. Best way to get to know someone is to spend some time with them…I haven't truly spent time with myself, so heck here I go. Anytime is a good time to start something new.
~ That would mean 112 NEW EXPERIENCES to add to my memory books
~ It may lead to a life changing game and this might be a way to discover my own strategy
~ Improve my self discipline and gain me some commitment confidence
~ Help me conquer my shyness by promoting a environment where I put myself out there and try to get to know the people I meet at all of these places
~I will start to gain a greater self confidence in my social/people skills by learning more about myself and others - will lead to strengthening my interpersonal skills
~ I will practice living more in the present and hopefully get a lot better at end
So if this is a game…or working my way toward it, WHAT ARE THE RULES?
1. This is my own personal quest, mission, endeavor, victory - so I MUST go to all places by myself…unless I was ignorant to the fact, I cannot go to any of the places listed with someone prior to going by myself (after the fact it is okay)
2. To make it more spontaneous and less anxiety provoking…I will choose the weekly spots randomly (most likely print out the article, cut up the different "spots", and put them into a "special X", where I will draw from)
3. The drawing will take place at least one day before the day of my scheduled event - this will give me enough time to do some research on the place (history, location, directions, best time of the day to go-or day to go, expectations, reviews, its purpose, etc.)
4. I will choose 2-3 different places to go to per a week (# will vary depending on the time involved for each location, complexity, location, proximity, etc.)
5. Since there are ~112 places to check out the math comes down to:
~ 2 places per a week = 56 weeks = 14 months
~ 3 places per a week = 37 weeks = 9 months
This will be started first week of December and this challenge is projected to be completed some where between Aug of 2008 to Jan of 2009
6. Since this is a LONGTERM commitment, "life" might come up on certain weeks where I am not able to stick to the 2-3 rule or worst case, I am not able to go to any location at all that week(s). In that case it is within the rules to take a break from that week and CONTINUE at the next convenient week that comes up. It is extremely important to use my critical thinking skills prior to and assess the situation appropriately. Also I have to use good judgment and discretion. Situations that another sane (or CoDa Insane ;-D), reasonable, and self guided individual would also determine that week to be void. In this case, the projected completion date will obviously be extended.
* Possible projected conflicts that WILL be grounds for a void include: travel plans, school, previous commitments that relate to my other goals, more TBD
* Possible projected conflicts that are NOT grounds for a week void: moods, laziness, tiredness, fights with anyone (unless it is related to health risks), life's annoyances rearing their ugly head… more TBD
7. I will take my camera with me and take pics of all locations I go to including: people I meet, name of the place, the service provided, myself somewhere in a few of those pics
8. At each location I am REQUIRED to speak to at least ONE individual and get to know them a little bit more than on a ice breaker level - CANNOT leave until this one has been accomplished
9. I will carry a "black book" with me (may end up being a different color), but instead of putting the contact information of all the guys I think are cute, I will ask the people I begin to build rapport with for their contact information - this will begin the path of building my own network. It will not matter what age, sex, race, or any other social label a person is that I begin a relationship with. Anyone is welcome into my game of self discovery and into my world…as long as I like them and want to get to know them better later on in my life. There might be a personal connection, common interest, a genuine interest in one another, curiosity, gratefulness, admiration, respect, or any other characteristic I find that I like in that person.
10. At each and EVERY location I will let someone know my purpose: to visit all 112 places listed in the Best of San Diego 2007 magazine and form my own critique and experience … and hopefully meet some great people along the way.
11. I will also share my motivation with at least ONE person at EACH AND EVERY location: to explore the city in a adventurous and exciting way. To learn more about myself and my likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. To conquer two fears of mine: shyness and living life on my own. To create some lasting memories. To finish something I committed to.
12. Numbers 10 & 11 can be shared with whoever I choose to share #9 with.
13. If the people I ask to get their contact info want mine as well, I will be OKAY with giving out my information
14. I will journal my experiences at all locations taking note about
: my thoughts and feelings, my likes and dislikes, the people I meet, the service I experience, the environment, the people or vibe in general, location within San Diego, my thoughts about my progress thus far and ALSO any nussians or obstacles, or problems that came up. Even things that pissed me off or got on my bad side including: rejections, actions and/or reactions of other people, if any of my negative patterns came up, or anything else that was not expected good or bad. I will take my time to do this and possibly take a small note pad to jot down notes as I entertain the locations.
15. I will then look at any problems I need to address and journal about how I can learn from those problems and take steps in changing what I need to change so my next experience I do not encounter the same problems.
16. I need to dress for the occasion…and dress to impress (my best). This is going to go in my memory books, I will be taking pictures, I will post information maybe on a blog, at a forum, in my own journal that I cannot look lazy or undone. Plus who know who I will meet in the process. No excuses for not dressing up or down at my best no matter where I am going that day. This will be a good way for me to practice on getting up and dressing for my day instead of running around in my P.Js
17. My experiences DO NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT BUT I DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT I FULLY EXPERIENCE THEM BY LIVING IN THE PRESENT - "PRESENT" MOMENT is the only way for me to truly enjoy life's experiences
This is going to be loads of fun...who knows where this adventure will take me and how my days will turn out... stay tuned to find out!!! First week will kick off the first week of December...next WEEK YEAHHHHHHHH