life goals list

I love making lists, from shopping lists to packing lists to wishlists. My favorite list, though, is a long-running collections of things I want to do before I die. I'm sure you've seen bucket lists before; for me, it's fun to keep track of what I thought was goal-worthy when I first started the list, what I've managed to do so far, and what's left to do. Here's what's on my list so far. Bolded items have been completed. As I wrap up other items I'll post my adventures here.  

1. Find the perfect pair of jeans, my ideal haircut, and the perfect makeup.

2. Jump off of the high dive.

3. Ride a motorcycle.

4. Purchase my own house and land.

5. Visit Venice, Los Angeles, New York, and Paris.

6. Complete a marathon before my eighteenth birthday.

7. Design letterpress papergoods.

8. Get a tattoo.

9. Write an original work accepted for publication.

10. Attend a movie premiere.

a movie premiere

Photo by Laurie Sparham via Elle.

 This weekend I’m going to the Chicago premiere of Jane Eyre. I’m incredibly excited about it for several reasons. I’ve been a huge fan of all things Jane Eyre since I first read the book in sixth grade. I own every movie version, the musical, the opera, & about ten editions of the book itself. 

{Spoiler Alert} It’s a wildly romantic story of a plain-Jane orphan who overcomes the outrageous obstacles only supportable in a Gothic novel—abuse, poverty, ghosts, typhus, a burning bed, mutilation, near-starvation, & the infamous madwoman in the attic—in order to fall in love with & finally marry her employer. It’s kind of insane, but majorly beautiful.

I’ve watched several clips, interviews, & reels of B-roll for this latest version, & I’ve even read the screenplay, so I feel almost safe in saying that this one will be the best yet—I’ll let you know for sure on Monday.

One of the coolest things about Sunday’s event is that the director, Carey Fukunaga, & the actress who plays Jane, Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland), will be there & will answer questions after the screening.

Another reason I’m so excited for the premiere is that attending one has long been on my list of life goals. One of the things I’ll be doing on this blog is documenting my adventures as I work my way through that list. Looks like “Attend a movie premiere” will be the first entry.

Another day I’ll list each of the Jane Eyre movies in order of awesomeness, in case you’re interested. Look forward to some serious eye candy in that post (Orson Welles, Timothy Dalton… mmm).

Has anyone else been looking forward to this film? Any votes on the best version so far?