Of Errors and Absurdities

As I come closer to completing my list of 52 new life adventures, I can honestly say I don't regret undertaking any of them.

A few had the best possible outcomes:

• The eight total strangers I invited to my "stranger party" have become true friends, and we now get together on a monthly basis.
• I still can't believe my great fortune that my unscheduled first available flight out of the airport--amidst a never-ending Midwest winter--took me to Fort Myers, Florida.
• I am enormously relieved that I didn't get a spot on Survivor. Because, let's be honest: How long could I truly survive?

Yet, do I wish any of my ventures had resulted in a slightly different outcome? Oh, hell yes.

• I wish I had managed just a couple graceful steps in my belly dancing classes.
• I regret not finding some way to reconnect with the homeless woman I took to lunch.
• I feel certain my tent-camping alone experience would have been far more enjoyable if I'd brought along a six-pack of beer.
• I would like to say I got at least one freaking date on Match.com, though preferably not with a serial killer or avid camper.

I recently came across this quote, by 18th century writer Fanny Burney, which sums up the 52/52 Project fairly well:

"It’s a delightful thing to think of perfection; but it’s vastly more amusing to talk of errors and absurdities.”

The past year has been chock-full of errors and absurdities. Even when I've failed, I have still found most of my experiences enlightening and often amusing, indeed.

Who needs perfection?

What would you change about the last time you tried something new? Have you learned as much from your failures as you have from your successes? When's the last time you were able to laugh at yourself?