Turkey Prince Bucket List

[oak]

Sometimes, when I wake up in the morning, I'll have a flash of a memory of a dream. Just a bit. A weird kind of remembering.

This summer I was unemployed. One day I saw a chain steakhouse and had the following realization:

"Oh yes, steakhouses. Single people go there on dates...which they can afford because they have money through earning it..."

I vowed to myself that somehow I would someday be able to afford to take someone to such an unimaginably expensive place.

That "someday" seemed impossibly distant. Happily, I have recently started a contingent job.

As my income comes in, I am planning my spending (yes, a "budget", and it is a blast since I get to increasing live according to my values).

Here is a list, a bucket list, of things I would like to live as I increasingly become more Prince and less Turkey.

I will update and add adventures as I go. I have already accomplished a handful of them.

(My version of the Turkey Prince story after)

* Take a date to such a chain steakhouse.

* Take a date to a scary movie at the movie theater.

* Take a date to get sustainable sushi, followed by crepes.

* Plan (read: budget) to give up to 10% of my post-tax income to charities/kickstarter.

* Buy a bottle of real/pure maple syrup.

* Get a haircut. (I have shaved my head since the bad old days of 2008. Strangely, people (read: women) liked me just as much, probably since I long ago realized that my strong suit is "inner beauty": I can't compete with other men on looks, money, muscles, job etc so I don't compete with them. I can and do responsibly improve what I have, which in practice is grooming, hygiene, clean clothes, and a pleasant demeanor.)

(My hair is thinning, btw. Whether it is too thin to grow out will be left up to women, the population I am seeking.)

* Hiking in the nature preserve about 15 miles away.

I was/am super grateful to have a little city park to hike in 4 to 5 times a week when I was unemployed. 15 miles might as well been a million miles, gas-wise, then.

* Go swing dancing.

Before my life came crashing down in financial irresponsibility, bad choices, and bad luck in January 2007, I was quite the graceful dancer.

So there you have it: the good things in my life, as decided by me: dating/love, food, culture, nature, giving, male beauty.

I will update my progress for these listed adventures, record any disappointments, and add new ones as desired.


My Telling of the Turkey Prince

Once upon a time the king and queen enjoyed eating with their children. One son was a special joy.

One day he went crazy. He took off his clothes, and rooted around under the table for crumbs and scraps. He thought he was a turkey.

The king and queen pleaded and cajoled, with threats and tears. Nothing worked.

The called in all the psychologists and behavioral scientists. All their learned reasoning and arguments came to nothing.

One day a man showed up. He didn't look like much, but the king and queen had exhausted all their other ideas, so they decided to give him a chance.

The wise man immediately took off his clothes and rooted around under the table, even quickly eating a choice apple core the Turkey Prince coveted.

"What are you doing here? Who are you?" the prince asked.

"I am a turkey" the wise man replied.

Since the prince was an agreeable sort, he accepted the wise man as a fellow turkey, and they got along well. They did everything that was expected of turkeys, and a sort of bond grew between them.

One day the wise man said "You know, would we still be turkeys if we wore people pants?"

The prince thought about it, and decided that he could wear pants and still be a turkey.

A few days later the wise man said "You know, why don't we try wearing shirts? We can do that and still be who we are."

The prince agreed.

A week later the wise man brought down whole, wholesome people food. Again the prince agreed, and soon enough was using knives, forks, and salt shakers.

Shortly thereafter the wise man proposed they sit at the table with the rest of the family, and the prince agreed.

Thus the family was reunited and shared in their love for their reclaimed prince.

[manuel_moe_g]

Hello Oak, I like your "Turkey Prince" story. You were never a turkey, you know. In a lot of ways I remind myself "if he knew better, he would do better". You did the work to learn and develop some techniques, so from the outside you look different, no longer a turkey. But, of course, you were never a turkey, you just needed to add some tools to your toolbelt.

All the best, cheers!