What We Have Here is a Failure to Communicate

Paul Newman's death offers an opportunity to look at a life that accomplished so much both from an entertainment and from an outreach or justice perspective. Much seems admirable about the life he lived, both from an "accomplished what he set out to do" angle and from a "gave something relevant and tangible to others" angle. Turning inward, we get an opportunity to look ahead, reflect, and finish the thought in ten or more sentences: "By the time I die, I would like to have...

By the time I die, I would like to have done something internationally recognizable. I use the phrase internationally recognizable because I'm not seeking fame; I don't really want to be another Michael Phelps (as awesome as that would be). In my current imagination, something internationally recognizable is in the context of athletic achievement. My hope is to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in Rowing. I also wish to compete for the United States at the FISA (Federation de Societies d'Aviron) Rowing World Championships. While I might not necessarily gain international fame, it is essentially something recognizable on an international level.
However, there are other things that I think I would like to do before I do. I would like to have raised a family that, while not perfect, survives and works well. I would like to have been able to provide above and beyond for them.
Overall, as long as my life is productive and without great tragedy, I will be content at the end. Unless that end is very painful.