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Himanshu_Gupta
Though i am quite young to have think about such a list. But i would want to ...
Duane Benson
A number of years ago I earned my private pilot's license. I had to give it up ...
Ten things I want to do before I die…
Clive Maxfield
2/8/2012 3:51 PM EST
I don’t want to sound maudlin, but every now and then as one gets older, thoughts of mortality do tend to cross one’s mind. This is especially true when someone you know passes over into the great beyond. Sad to relate, this happened to me earlier this week when I heard that one of my mom’s friends – whom I have known since I was a baby – has shrugged off this mortal coil, as it were.
I will be 55 this year, which means I will hit the big "Six-Zero" in only five years’ time. Eeeeek Alors! I find this hard to believe. Where did the time go? And having people tell you that “60 is the new 40” really doesn’t help as much as you might think (grin).
So, I started pondering (as you do), and my thoughts turned to creating a Top 10 list of the things I would like to do before I progress to the next level of my existence, whatever that may be. So here’s my list, starting with the most important items first:
#1 Live a long time: This may seem obvious, but I thought that it was best to cover all the bases just in case someone “Up There” is reading my blogs. The thing is that I don’t just want to live a long time (I’m aiming at 120), but also to have good health. And, while we are at it, I wouldn’t mind having a little wealth also. Nothing “over the top” you understand… but it would be nice to have enough in the bank not to worry about things. As things stand at the moment, I’m living from paycheck to paycheck like most of the folks I know, plus I have a mortgage that doesn’t end until I’m 80 years old – give me strength!
#2 See more of America: I was thinking about this last night – I was wondering how many of the states I had visited. First of all I had to write out a list of the states. I could have looked this up on Google, of course, but where would be the fun in that? It took ages to track down the last two … but I got there in the end. When I tallied things up, I was quite surprised to discover that, in addition to Washington DC, I’ve actually visited 30 of the 50 states, which isn’t too shabby. Of course, a lot of this was work-related, which means I often didn’t see all that much. On the other hand, I’ve usually managed to take a little time for myself to sample a “taste” of what’s on offer. Given a choice, I would like to visit all of the states and really spend some time looking around, but the chances of that are not high. If I had to focus, I would like to revisit New York (the city) and spend some time in Central Park; I would like to visit New York (the state) because I’ve heard so much about it; I would like to visit Hoboken, New Jersey, because my wife (Gina the Gorgeous) and I are mega-fans of the TV programs Jerseylicious and The Cake Boss; and I would like to visit Vermont, because it looked so nice on The Bob Newhart Show (grin).
#3 See more of the world: When I come to think about it, I really have been outrageously lucky with regard to travelling around with someone else picking up the bills. I was born in England, which – as we all know – is God’s own country. I’ve been to France, Germany, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and (as of next week) Norway. I’ve also been to Canada, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Japan, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The thing is that, when it comes to travel – and assuming I had the money – I could pretty much point my finger anywhere on the globe and say “Ooooh! I want to go there!” I mean, I would love to see Russia, Thailand, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru … the list goes on and on and on. But, if I were forced to boil my choices down to just a handful… I would really like to see Easter Island, I would love to visit the Great Rift Valley in Africa, I would not say “No” if someone offered an “all expenses paid” two-week vacation for Gina and myself to the Hilton in Bora Bora (have you SEEN that place?), and I would LOVE to visit Australia and New Zealand. [With regards to Australia, I’ve seen the films Muriel’s Wedding and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – and I’ve also read In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson – so I think I have a pretty good idea as to what to expect (grin).]
#4 Read books and watch DVDs: I understand that this may seem a little prosaic in the grand scheme of things, but I really enjoy reading and there are a myriad books out there that are clamoring for my attention. If you stick me in a corner with a good book, you won’t hear a peep out of me for hours. The walls of my office are lined with books, as are the walls of my study at home, and these are just the ones I’ve read (and kept). The floor of my office is like an obstacle course with piles of books that I have not yet found the time to read (and you have to remember that I do read at least four or five books a week). The same thing applies to DVDs. It’s not that I’m a film junkie who will watch anything that goes; it’s just that there are a bunch of “five-star” films that I haven’t gotten around to seeing yet, which is sort of embarrassing because I have many of them in DVD form in my office. It’s just that there are so many fun things to do, and so little time to do them all in…
#5 through #10: Hmmmm... do you know… off the top of my head… I really cannot think of anything else I realistically want to do. (Note that I’m taking things like “Spending quality time with friends and family” for granted, which may be a little presumptuous of me, but I am very much aware how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people in my life.) Of course, if we start talking about “non-realistic” possibilities, then I would love to go into space, perhaps spend a week or two on a base on the moon, travel in time, visit alternate realities … you know, all the usual “stuff”.
I must admit that when I first considered creating a “Top 10” list of this ilk, my impression was that it would be really easy to fill it. Actually, if the truth be told, I thought that the hard part would be to whittle things down. Of course, it would be easy to split up my entries above and count things like “Visit Easter Island” and “Visit Australia” as two different line items, but it made more sense to me to gather things together.
What I think this boils down to is that – generally speaking – I am happy and content and there’s really not much I want or need. I don’t care about flashy cars or bigger houses or anything like that. So long as you have your friends and family, and a roof over your head, and food on the table (and a cold beer in your hand), then anything else really is “cream on the cake.”
If you found this article to be amusing and/or of interest, visit Programmable Logic Designline where – in addition to my blogs on all sorts of "stuff" (also check out my Max's Cool Beans blog) – you will find the latest and greatest design, technology, product, and news articles with regard to programmable logic devices of every flavor and size (FPGAs, CPLDs, CSSPs, PSoCs...).
Also, you can obtain a highlights update delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for my weekly newsletter – just Click Here to request this newsletter using the Manage Newsletters tab (if you aren't already a member you'll be asked to register, but it's free and painless so don't let that stop you [grin]).
I will be 55 this year, which means I will hit the big "Six-Zero" in only five years’ time. Eeeeek Alors! I find this hard to believe. Where did the time go? And having people tell you that “60 is the new 40” really doesn’t help as much as you might think (grin).
So, I started pondering (as you do), and my thoughts turned to creating a Top 10 list of the things I would like to do before I progress to the next level of my existence, whatever that may be. So here’s my list, starting with the most important items first:
#1 Live a long time: This may seem obvious, but I thought that it was best to cover all the bases just in case someone “Up There” is reading my blogs. The thing is that I don’t just want to live a long time (I’m aiming at 120), but also to have good health. And, while we are at it, I wouldn’t mind having a little wealth also. Nothing “over the top” you understand… but it would be nice to have enough in the bank not to worry about things. As things stand at the moment, I’m living from paycheck to paycheck like most of the folks I know, plus I have a mortgage that doesn’t end until I’m 80 years old – give me strength!
#2 See more of America: I was thinking about this last night – I was wondering how many of the states I had visited. First of all I had to write out a list of the states. I could have looked this up on Google, of course, but where would be the fun in that? It took ages to track down the last two … but I got there in the end. When I tallied things up, I was quite surprised to discover that, in addition to Washington DC, I’ve actually visited 30 of the 50 states, which isn’t too shabby. Of course, a lot of this was work-related, which means I often didn’t see all that much. On the other hand, I’ve usually managed to take a little time for myself to sample a “taste” of what’s on offer. Given a choice, I would like to visit all of the states and really spend some time looking around, but the chances of that are not high. If I had to focus, I would like to revisit New York (the city) and spend some time in Central Park; I would like to visit New York (the state) because I’ve heard so much about it; I would like to visit Hoboken, New Jersey, because my wife (Gina the Gorgeous) and I are mega-fans of the TV programs Jerseylicious and The Cake Boss; and I would like to visit Vermont, because it looked so nice on The Bob Newhart Show (grin).
#3 See more of the world: When I come to think about it, I really have been outrageously lucky with regard to travelling around with someone else picking up the bills. I was born in England, which – as we all know – is God’s own country. I’ve been to France, Germany, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and (as of next week) Norway. I’ve also been to Canada, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Japan, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The thing is that, when it comes to travel – and assuming I had the money – I could pretty much point my finger anywhere on the globe and say “Ooooh! I want to go there!” I mean, I would love to see Russia, Thailand, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru … the list goes on and on and on. But, if I were forced to boil my choices down to just a handful… I would really like to see Easter Island, I would love to visit the Great Rift Valley in Africa, I would not say “No” if someone offered an “all expenses paid” two-week vacation for Gina and myself to the Hilton in Bora Bora (have you SEEN that place?), and I would LOVE to visit Australia and New Zealand. [With regards to Australia, I’ve seen the films Muriel’s Wedding and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – and I’ve also read In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson – so I think I have a pretty good idea as to what to expect (grin).]
#4 Read books and watch DVDs: I understand that this may seem a little prosaic in the grand scheme of things, but I really enjoy reading and there are a myriad books out there that are clamoring for my attention. If you stick me in a corner with a good book, you won’t hear a peep out of me for hours. The walls of my office are lined with books, as are the walls of my study at home, and these are just the ones I’ve read (and kept). The floor of my office is like an obstacle course with piles of books that I have not yet found the time to read (and you have to remember that I do read at least four or five books a week). The same thing applies to DVDs. It’s not that I’m a film junkie who will watch anything that goes; it’s just that there are a bunch of “five-star” films that I haven’t gotten around to seeing yet, which is sort of embarrassing because I have many of them in DVD form in my office. It’s just that there are so many fun things to do, and so little time to do them all in…
#5 through #10: Hmmmm... do you know… off the top of my head… I really cannot think of anything else I realistically want to do. (Note that I’m taking things like “Spending quality time with friends and family” for granted, which may be a little presumptuous of me, but I am very much aware how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people in my life.) Of course, if we start talking about “non-realistic” possibilities, then I would love to go into space, perhaps spend a week or two on a base on the moon, travel in time, visit alternate realities … you know, all the usual “stuff”.
I must admit that when I first considered creating a “Top 10” list of this ilk, my impression was that it would be really easy to fill it. Actually, if the truth be told, I thought that the hard part would be to whittle things down. Of course, it would be easy to split up my entries above and count things like “Visit Easter Island” and “Visit Australia” as two different line items, but it made more sense to me to gather things together.
What I think this boils down to is that – generally speaking – I am happy and content and there’s really not much I want or need. I don’t care about flashy cars or bigger houses or anything like that. So long as you have your friends and family, and a roof over your head, and food on the table (and a cold beer in your hand), then anything else really is “cream on the cake.”
If you found this article to be amusing and/or of interest, visit Programmable Logic Designline where – in addition to my blogs on all sorts of "stuff" (also check out my Max's Cool Beans blog) – you will find the latest and greatest design, technology, product, and news articles with regard to programmable logic devices of every flavor and size (FPGAs, CPLDs, CSSPs, PSoCs...).
Also, you can obtain a highlights update delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for my weekly newsletter – just Click Here to request this newsletter using the Manage Newsletters tab (if you aren't already a member you'll be asked to register, but it's free and painless so don't let that stop you [grin]).
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Max the Magnificent
2/8/2012 4:18 PM EST
Note that I reserve the right to fill out items #5 through #10 if anything else comes to me.
I'm trying to think. I've tried parachuting and gliding. I've not tried skiing or scuba diving ... but I'm not really pushed to either...
Is there anything obvious I'm missing?
If you were to create a "Top 10" list of this ilk ... how would it differ from mine?
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RICARDO.MOTTA
2/8/2012 7:36 PM EST
You are reaching 60s; you will become sex-agenarian. It's all good! See the bright side.
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Max the Magnificent
2/9/2012 10:09 AM EST
## See the bright side
Always! :-)
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Randa11
2/9/2012 5:42 AM EST
#4 Read books and watch DVDs:
You might start by watching Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in "The bucket list". A great film.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bucket_List
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Max the Magnificent
2/9/2012 10:08 AM EST
I sort of remember when this film came out but I never saw it -- I'll add it to my Wish List on Amazon...
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phoenixdave
2/9/2012 9:35 AM EST
#1 Live long enough to be a burden on my children...
@Max...I too will be turning 55 this year...let me know if you are looking for a "bucket list" travel companion (ref. the movie). You can be Jack (the ultra-rich business man who pays for everything) and I can be Morgan (the common family man who is just along for the ride)...;-)
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Max the Magnificent
2/9/2012 10:10 AM EST
Oooohhh -- I like the sound of being an ultra-rich business man :-)
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cmathas
2/9/2012 12:57 PM EST
Hey Max,
Mine would be similar - although I used to ski (until a rather unfortunate head-on collision). Travel internationally is high on my list - and I've already started doing that. I think I may even want to live internationally for at least part of the year - I would like more time for books more so than film - 120 seems a bit excessive to me.
I think I'd add:
1) Learn how to coax more than 4-5 tomatoes from each plant.
2) Learn how to sail
3) Write a book
4) Learn to speak Spanish well
Hmmm. It's amazing how little we actually want.
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David Ashton
2/9/2012 4:57 PM EST
@" 1) Learn how to coax more than 4-5 tomatoes from each plant."
In Australia we get a stuff called "Blood & Bone" which is magic for all vegies. They make a special tomato food which has mainly B&B and some extra stuff as well, but I tend to just use B&B and a bit of fertiliser - it's cheaper.
The water-on seaweed concentrate stuff helps as well - do it once every week or two.
Your other goals I can't be much help on, I'm afraid....
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RICARDO.MOTTA
2/10/2012 7:38 AM EST
Getting old..Places..Australia..Bee Gees..Massachusetts..New (old) England..Boston..San Francisco..
Cheers
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David Ashton
2/9/2012 4:54 PM EST
You've all forgotten... "Winning Lotto".....
After that a lot of the rest would fall into place.
Dream on.....
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phoenixdave
2/9/2012 7:07 PM EST
OK, that's my new #1.....
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seaEE
2/9/2012 10:46 PM EST
I'm a West Coaster. Here are some places I've enjoyed in out fair country,not necessarily in any order:
1. Southwest desert country--Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands National Parks, the Grand Canyon
2. Driving Hwy 1, California from North to South
3. The Space Needle ;)
4. Yellowstone National Park
5. Hiking in the Sierras and Cascades
6. The drive from Banff to Jasper, Canada
7. Mt. Rainier
8. The ghost town of Bode California and the California Missions
9. The gorge of the Rio Grande near Taos
10. The drive from Durango, Colorado to Leadville, to Rocky Mtn' National Park
Things I'd like to do:
-Sail around the world. Maybe even take some long detours, like into the Black Sea.
-Drive up to Alaska, all the way to Point Barrow
-Visit some of the ruins in Mexico, visit Chile and explore the Andes
-Learn to play a musical instrument really well
-Visit Europe and explore some of the castles. Go hiking in the Alps. Visit a walled city like Avila.
-Drive U.S. 1 in Florida to the very end
-It would be fun to fly some kind of ultra-light aircraft, with parachute of course
-Learn how to play tennis
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Max the Magnificent
2/10/2012 9:37 AM EST
Monterey in California is breathtakingly beautiful.
What about if you had a chance to take a deep submersible trip to say something like the Titanic -- would you say "Yay" or "Nay"?
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RICARDO.MOTTA
2/10/2012 10:05 AM EST
Aside Monterey is Carmel. Worth a visit.
Cheers
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antedeluvian
2/10/2012 11:17 AM EST
Submersible wouldn't make the list although if offerred I would take it. However a trip to the space station is high on the list.
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Wobbly
2/10/2012 4:00 PM EST
Pacific Grove near Monterey was (is?) a Methodist camp. It has a sister camp here in New Jersey, Ocean Grove.
The Monterey Aquarium is very nice.
Hearst Castle is worth the trip. The tours are interesting.
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Max the Magnificent
2/10/2012 4:23 PM EST
As I recall from reading "Bill and Dave" -- the Monterey Aquarium was funded / subsidized by the H of HP
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seaEE
2/10/2012 9:30 PM EST
I would say "Yay", because I think submersible technology is good enough that I won't end up in Davy Jones Locker. For the same reason, I'm not sure I would hazard a trip to outerspace quite yet. The moon still seems like an awfully small target to me.
Speaking of submersibles, that reminds me of the late suspense writer Alistair MaClean's book, Fear is the Key. Great submersible action in that book!
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Max the Magnificent
2/11/2012 3:30 PM EST
I would be scared to take the submersible -- but I think I would do it because you have to take chances sometimes...
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seaEE
3/25/2012 6:33 PM EDT
Speak of the Devil...director James Cameron has begun his solo trip to the bottom of the Mariana Trench:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2017837539_apusexploringthedeep.html
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Wobbly
2/10/2012 3:56 PM EST
Vianden in Luxembourgh is a really nice castle. The old city of Luxembourgh is also interesting. A nice place to visit, with easy access to France, Belgium, and Germany while you are there. The Cathedral at Metz France is a day trip as are the Roman Ruins in Trier Germany, easily accessible by train.
Route 1 the length of Florida is a long drive. Plan on at least two days of driving, one way.
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Max the Magnificent
2/11/2012 3:32 PM EST
I love the old European castles and Cathedrals -- I wish I could spend a long time visiting them all...
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Steve.Heckman
2/14/2012 3:34 PM EST
Trier was a cool city. Some of the nicest Roman ruins outside Italy. It was a short drive from Spangdahlem, were I lived in the late 80's, so we went there a lot for shopping & sightseeing.
Antarctica would be my bucket list destination- I actually applied for a NOAA technician position in 1990 when I left the Air Force.
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RICARDO.MOTTA
2/10/2012 12:49 PM EST
But don't forget your Gina.
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Max the Magnificent
2/10/2012 1:01 PM EST
How could I? :-)
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DSmith27
2/10/2012 3:39 PM EST
1. Spend huge amounts of time with my wife.
2. Have a Currier and Ives Christmas with family and friends.
3. Be there to watch my granddaughters get married.
4. Go faster than the speed of sound.
5. Drive my sports car as fast as it will go.
6. Enjoy the perfect sunset.
7. Have some fun everyday!
8. Be at peace at the end of the day.
9. Invite friends over to watch my 144" TV :)
10... Leave this place better than I found it (or it me)...
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Max the Magnificent
2/10/2012 4:17 PM EST
I like 7 and 8 especially -- I'd add "Be at peace at the end of my life"
Re 9 ... call me :-)
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Buck-on-Bass
2/13/2012 12:33 PM EST
#10 is one I work on constantly with volunteer service to community organizations and in donating blood products.
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W1PK
2/10/2012 3:40 PM EST
Learn to write 4-part choral music and arrange my best songs.
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Max the Magnificent
2/10/2012 4:17 PM EST
I wish I could sing (in tune)
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outsourced_but_not_out
2/10/2012 3:48 PM EST
Here is the thing to do before you hit the bucket :
- create a Facebook/twitter account
- set a small headless ARM-based solar powered Linux device with a proximity to friendly neighbor/local public library or other free WiFi accees point
- configure a cron job to access google/msn/cnn to get top 10 news of the day, extract words and phrases, post them as your status update on FaceBook/Twitter a couple times a day.
With some clever text processing you can even participate in forums and onl-line discussions (e.g. leave witty comments on EE times)
This way you may die in real world but in virtual world you will live forever (at least until wifi acces is open)
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Max the Magnificent
2/10/2012 4:19 PM EST
How do you know that I haven't done this already and that it's only clever programming that makes you think you are communicating with a real ... eergh ... grobble... nurgt ... floble...
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Wobbly
2/10/2012 3:49 PM EST
Clive, we are about the same age!
I have done an awful lot of things, partly because I delayed growing up until I was in my mid thirties. Sure, I was out of my parents house, but I didn't hit college until I was twenty five.
I've flown small planes (never got my license) hang gliders and hot air balloons. Sailed a small 16 foot sailboat on most of the Finger Lakes in NY. Skied around the country, raced motocross and dirt track for four years, snorkeled exactly once. Ridden a street bike through nearly every US State East of the Mississippi with nothing but a sleeping bag, two changes of clothes, and cash. Driven across the US on the Northern route. Driven CA route 1 from San Francisco to San Simeon (Hearst Castle and Laguna Seca for a GP bike race) and back. Driven up Pike's Peak a couple times. Visited Aruba, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, and (of course) Canada (I love Canada!).
Bucket list....
Okay:
More travel: Barcelona, Paris, London, Edinburgh, Alaska, Grand Canyon.
Get out West again for some real skiing before my kids get out of high school.
Visit Auto Show in Detroit next year and also visit the Henry Ford Museum.
Get my kids (I started late) through college.
Visit the Capitol Building next time we visit Washington DC.
Visit the observation deck on the Freedom Tower once it opens. (Prior to 9/11, I visited the observation deck at the WTC at least twice a year)
Go on a short vacation cruise, I've never tried that.
Go on a long cruise aboard a freighter. With some good books.
Read Moby Dick.
Learn basic acoustic guitar. I played trumpet as a kid. Getting that back would be too much work, and too loud!
Learn just enough French to get around Quebec more comfortably.
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Max the Magnificent
2/10/2012 4:21 PM EST
## I've flown small planes (never got my license)
So long as you got permission :-)
I've been to the Henry Ford Museum -- that's well worth it.
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MikeMcM
2/10/2012 4:06 PM EST
Would have loved to have a seen a shuttle launch, but never quite made it. Caught a couple of scrubs instead. :-(
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Max the Magnificent
2/10/2012 4:22 PM EST
I hadn't thought of that, but I would have loved to have seen a Shuttle Launch myself...
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FHampshire
2/10/2012 4:22 PM EST
Romance Katherine Mcphee.
Build the 1st functional warp drive.
Doctorate in Physics.
Learn how to play the violin.
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Max the Magnificent
2/10/2012 4:29 PM EST
## Build the 1st functional warp drive
The race is on ... unless I finish my time machine first...
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Randall
2/10/2012 5:10 PM EST
## Live a long time
Be careful what you wish for! I've seen way too many people grow tired of living, for a variety of reasons.
## Watch a shuttle launch
Mostly symbolic IMO. I was at Cape Canaveral/Kennedy for the Apollo-Soyeuz launch, but they didn't let us close enough to really see much except a ball of fire dwindling into the sky.
I've got only one list item to add : Drive what remains of Route 66 in my antique roadster (built in 1956 but not quite as old as I am).
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Max the Magnificent
2/11/2012 3:34 PM EST
Yes! I would love to drive the old Route 66 -- I would also love to take the train all the way across the states (does it go from Grand Central (or another station) to San Fransisco?
Also I would love to take the Orient Express (shades of Agatha Christie :-)
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Frank Eory
2/13/2012 12:45 PM EST
It is amazing how few things we all really want.
BTW, a good friend of mine drives a good chunk of the old Route 66 from Flagstaff to Oklahoma City and back every couple years. I don't really see the attraction, but some of the old history, like Cadillac Ranch, is still out there.
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Max the Magnificent
2/13/2012 4:55 PM EST
It really is amazing when you think about it -- It makes me happy to realize how basically happy I am (a positive feedback loop :-)
If I never visited anything in person, but just got to read about stuff and watch stuff on TV ... so long as I have my family and friends ... I'm happy...
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FrankCF
2/10/2012 5:31 PM EST
I'll be hitting 65 this month and I agree with number 1. I would like to see my youngest daughter hit 100. She will be 25 this month.
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Max the Magnificent
2/11/2012 3:35 PM EST
From what I read, folks born in about 50 years time will have a life expectancy of 150 maybe (well, folks born in the developed world and blessed with sufficient funds to afford it)...
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Mel007
2/10/2012 6:14 PM EST
It's a big world and there are lots of different countries, fascinating sites and nice people all over the world. The more I travel the more I realize we're all on this planet together and we all face many of the same problems. It seems leaders of countries often want to harm each other but individual people just want to live peacefully and be happy. Travel and meet your fellow earthling - maybe more good will toward man will come from it.
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Max the Magnificent
2/11/2012 3:37 PM EST
Fingers crossed... wherever I've travelled I have found the folks to be really nice and kind...
...maybe they just take pity on me and say "be kind to the idiot over there" :-)
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Don521mw
2/11/2012 9:26 PM EST
The predominant theme here seems to be me-me-me.
I promise you that if you forget yourself and serve others, your life will be much richer. You'll discover things and people you never dreamed about.
78 and been there.
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Max the Magnificent
2/13/2012 11:51 AM EST
I think that when you see a title like "things I want to do before I die" you have to expect just a tad of "me me me" in there :-)
I agree that serving others brings many rewards ... but to be honest that didn't come at the top of the list when I came to consider what I wanted to do and see before I shrug off this mortal coil ...
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phoenixdave
2/13/2012 12:22 PM EST
Actually I think most of us spend most of our lives "serving others", such as our spouses, children, favorite charities and churches, and how can we forget our "Uncle Sam".
I think when you are developing your own personal "bucket list" you have the right to be a bit selfish and self-centered, at least for one in your life.
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phoenixdave
2/13/2012 12:42 PM EST
...once...
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Max the Magnificent
2/13/2012 12:47 PM EST
:-)
I hate it when I press the "Submit" button and then see that I missed something :-)
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Rich Krajewski
2/16/2012 12:38 PM EST
"Me, me, me," especially in a personal bucket list, says a lot about what's wrong in the world.
How about, try to leave things better than when I got here?
Fix some of the problems around me by helping others?
Taking a closer look at what the best way to live is and why?
Figure out why people choose the way they do?
Maybe it all comes down to personal wiring. Some people can work towards mutual benefit and some can't.
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Duane Benson
3/25/2012 10:07 PM EDT
A number of years ago I earned my private pilot's license. I had to give it up with the arrival of kids but someday, I would like to fly some aerobatics. I have it in my head that I really need to perform a hammer-head stall maneuver.
I'd also like to really, I mean really understand physics. I like looking at things and understanding what's going on under the surface and to be able to do that at any scale is on my list.
I also feel compelled to build a sentient robot.
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Himanshu_Gupta
3/26/2012 5:13 AM EDT
Though i am quite young to have think about such a list. But i would want to live as a primate for some months just the sake of experience.
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