One Hundred And One Things

What's this about? Why do I want to do it?

I know I'm a snotty southerner, but I've got Yorkshire blood in me somewhere. Back in the nineteenth century, my family were wool merchants in Bradford. I'd like to learn more about that, and have a wander around.


How will I know I've done this?

I'll have spent at least a day in Bradford/Leeds. I'll have found at least one site with a family association, and I'll be able to explain my connection.


I'll record this in a post in this journal.

Why do I want to do this?

Because I think it will look fantastic, and I spent far too many years of my life trying to grow my hair.


How will I know I've done it?

My hair will be shorter than it's ever been in my life. I won't be able to tuck it behind my ears.


I'll record this in a post in this journal. Yes, there will be photos.

Why do I want to do this?

I believe that putting my physical self into a political statement can sometimes be very effective. It's an uncompromising form of protest.


How will I know I've done it?

I'll have participated actively in a demonstration, rally or other form of protest.


I'll record this in this journal.

Visited Countries Map from TravelBlog


Why do I want to do this?

I like exploring new places.


How will I know I've done it?

I'll have spent a period of at least seven hours in a country in which I've never previously spent a significant length of time. (Changing trains in Bruxelles-Midi, or flying into Geneva airport to be driven to Annecy, in the French Alps, does not count as a significant length of time, so both Belgium and Switzerland are still open.)


I'll record this in a post in this journal.

What's this about?

From the British Bone Marrow Registry website:

Bone marrow is a soft tissue found in the centre of certain bones in your body. It is this bone marrow which creates stem cells. Stem cells are the 'building blocks', which can grow into any of the other normal blood cells such as red cells, which carry oxygen, white cells, which fight infection, or platelets which stop bleeding.

...

There are a number of diseases that prevent a patient's bone marrow from working properly. These include leukaemia and aplastic anaemia as well as other diseases of the immune system. Although chemotherapy will successfully treat some of these patients, for many the only possibility of a cure is to have a stem cell transplant from a healthy donor. In about 30% of cases, a matched donor can be found from within the patient's family, such as a brother or sister. The other 70% of patients have to rely on a matched volunteer donor, identified through The British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR).


Why do I want to do this?

I'm pretty healthy. Plenty of people aren't. Here is an opportunity to perhaps help someone out with relatively little effort on my part.


How will I know when I've done it?

I will be listed by the British Bone Marrow Registry or another bone marrow registry as a potential donor. If I am subsequently matched with a patient I will make every effort to follow through on the donation process.


This goal may be modified or replaced if for some reason that I'm not currently aware of, I'm not a suitable candidate for donation.


I'll record this in a post on this journal.

Why do I want to do this?

Despite appearances, I'm a bit of a petrolhead. My two great loves (in the world of motoring, at least) are things that go very fast, and things that are positively ancient but are still doing their job. I don't have any particular desire to drive them, but being near them brings a lump to my throat.


How will I know when it's done?

I'll have spent at least five hours at a motoring event. I will leave the definition of 'high status' to my own judgement; it's only in there so that I don't go to the King Alfred Running Day (which I attend pretty much every year) and call it done.


I'll record this in a post on here.