# "Things To Do Before I Die" List **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 4, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005 "2009-12-04T17:16:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/21 "2009-12-05T01:27:20Z")
Yes. In fact one of my friends has actually referred to me as ‘the bucket list guy’, because she’s noticed that I’m steadily doing all the things I want to do, and she isn’t aware of anyone else who is doing the same. I’ve been living this way since 1997 when I walked out of my job. I have a good, long list. There are lots of boxes already ticked, and I’m ticking the remaining boxes just as fast as I can. This has been a great year for ticking boxes! Here’s just a small subset of the 2009 boxes: - seen Ljubljana in the snow - visited the Postonja Caves - visited Jerusalem and seen all the ‘famous’ sites, room of the Last Supper etc. - walked in Tel Aviv from the Hilton to Jaffa at dusk - visited the ancient stone city of Petra, in Jordan - ridden a camel - enjoyed a business class flight to Australia and back (for one gig!) - taken a helicopter flight over Milford Sound, New Zealand, just as Douglas Adams describes it in ‘Last Chance to See’ - stood on a glacier at about 5000 feet above sea level - visited Chicago, and seen the view from the top of the Sears Tower (I like tall structures) - met Ed Zotti - visited Toronto and seen the view from the top of the CN Tower - visited Montreal - visited Saint Petersburg, my first trip to Russia, and seen all the sights there including the Winter Palace, Peterhof etc. - visited Bavaria and Lake Spitzingsee - lost about 10kg in weight (first phase of a longer programme) - completed all steps needed to get my book listed and sold on Amazon - completed two new tunes posted on YouTube - completed one new set of lecture notes for my friends in the magic world - laid the groundwork for new marketing plans that will unfold over the next two years, including finding a new web designer - done about 200 favours for other people (I aim for about 1 per day, but don’t usually manage it) - started work on my new book - performed at the Sunday Times Literary Festival in Oxford (two sell out shows) - been cartoonified in ‘Skeptic’ magazine - completed all the preparatory steps towards about 4 major events planned for next year - transferred my bank accounts to new accounts - got myself set up on Facebook and reached my ‘friends’ target - completed a fun, crazy birthday gift video for a friend of mine, that took about 10 months to plan and complete, and involved compiling video messages from about 80 people around the world ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/22 "2009-12-05T03:42:09Z")
Get out of Sudan? Posted from Khartoum, Sudan… a great place to visit, but I’d rather not die here. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/23 "2009-12-05T08:55:08Z")
Now that is a worthwhile objective. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/24 "2009-12-05T08:56:33Z")
> [@Surly\_Chick](#): > > Yep. I want to see the Northern Lights and **ride out a hurricane**. As someone who lives in an area frequented by hurricanes, this is at best a misguided desire. ---
**Author:** ![dragoncat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@dragoncat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragoncat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/25 "2009-12-05T23:43:25Z")
Yes, I do have a list of things I’d like to do in my lifetime. (I prefer not to call it a bucket list because to me that refers to a movie.) It is 100 items long. I was required to write it for a class I took. I dropped the class, but not before I wrote the list. For what it’s worth here’s a (not so random) sample: Pay off my bills Clean the car Get back my sense of smell Learn Latin Write a novel Get a cranial sacral massage Move to another country Get rid of all my books ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/26 "2009-12-07T17:57:47Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > Yes. > > In fact one of my friends has actually referred to me as ‘the bucket list guy’, because she’s noticed that I’m steadily doing all the things I want to do, and she isn’t aware of anyone else who is doing the same. I’ve been living this way since 1997 when I walked out of my job. > > I have a good, long list. There are lots of boxes already ticked, and I’m ticking the remaining boxes just as fast as I can. This has been a great year for ticking boxes! Here’s just a small subset of the 2009 boxes: > > - seen Ljubljana in the snow > > - visited the Postonja Caves > > - visited Jerusalem and seen all the ‘famous’ sites, room of the Last Supper etc. > > - walked in Tel Aviv from the Hilton to Jaffa at dusk > > - visited the ancient stone city of Petra, in Jordan > > - ridden a camel > > - enjoyed a business class flight to Australia and back (for one gig!) > > - taken a helicopter flight over Milford Sound, New Zealand, just as Douglas Adams describes it in ‘Last Chance to See’ > > - stood on a glacier at about 5000 feet above sea level > > - visited Chicago, and seen the view from the top of the Sears Tower (I like tall structures) > > - met Ed Zotti > > - visited Toronto and seen the view from the top of the CN Tower > > - visited Montreal > > - visited Saint Petersburg, my first trip to Russia, and seen all the sights there including the Winter Palace, Peterhof etc. > > - visited Bavaria and Lake Spitzingsee > > - lost about 10kg in weight (first phase of a longer programme) > > - completed all steps needed to get my book listed and sold on Amazon > > - completed two new tunes posted on YouTube > > - completed one new set of lecture notes for my friends in the magic world > > - laid the groundwork for new marketing plans that will unfold over the next two years, including finding a new web designer > > - done about 200 favours for other people (I aim for about 1 per day, but don’t usually manage it) > > - started work on my new book > > - performed at the Sunday Times Literary Festival in Oxford (two sell out shows) > > - been cartoonified in ‘Skeptic’ magazine > > - completed all the preparatory steps towards about 4 major events planned for next year > > - transferred my bank accounts to new accounts > > - got myself set up on Facebook and reached my ‘friends’ target > > - completed a fun, crazy birthday gift video for a friend of mine, that took about 10 months to plan and complete, and involved compiling video messages from about 80 people around the world You forgot one: - made everyone else feel like shit by bragging about how great my life is ---
**Author:** ![fervour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@fervour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fervour)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/27 "2009-12-07T18:05:07Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > For a long time I’ve had a mental list of stuff I want to do. I’ve already done just about all of them that are possible. . . Problem is, now I want to do them AGAIN. . . This is me. I don’t know what movie the “bucket list” is from. I thought all kids made such lists. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/28 "2009-12-07T19:27:57Z")
> [@schnuckiputzi](#): > > I’ve thought about it, since they told me the cancer is incurable. I’d love to travel, but the cancer also comes with medical bills, which makes spending big money on vacations a little silly. i want to make recipe boxes for my kids with copies of the traditional family foods, but I really don’t have any other ideas. What are you going to do, take it with you? Go to Italy. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/29 "2009-12-07T19:58:03Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > or gone on a 14 day bender with Filipino hookers, I won’t shed a tear" Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/30 "2009-12-07T20:05:06Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > I had such a list when I was about fifteen; in fact, I believe I can reproduce it in its entirety here from memory: > > [ol][li]Have sex[/ol][/li]Ever since completing it a couple years later, I’ve been kinda aimless. There’s always… 2.) Repeat as necessary. Of course, for some of us, the arm gets tired.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/31 "2009-12-07T21:03:49Z")
No, I don’t have a list. I’d like to see the Northern Lights someday, but that’s about it. I find my life to be somewhat unpredictable, so I don’t like to make plans too far in advance or to have goals so strongly set in stone that I can’t change them. ---
**Author:** ![steadierfooting](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@steadierfooting](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steadierfooting)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/32 "2009-12-07T21:30:10Z")
[http://www.43things.com/](http://www.43things.com/) has something similar to that, but it looks like all the goals are so vague. ‘travel’, ‘lose weight’, ‘fall in love’ – which I hate. Have something concrete ‘lose 10 pounds by X’. I also don’t like the idea of having a list, unless the list is to pick only 1 thing to do and attack that. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/33 "2009-12-07T22:29:32Z")
I actually wrote down such a list about 15 years ago, and saved it to a floppy disk which is now somewhere in a box in my basement with no simple way to access it. However, I know that I have accomplished many of the things on it. Some were specific, like “run a marathon”, “fall in love again”, and “have kids”. Some were general (“travel more”). The one specific one I haven’t come anywhere near trying, much less accomplishing, is “publish a novel”. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/34 "2009-12-08T01:42:52Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > - made everyone else feel like shit by bragging about how great my life is I apologise to you, **cjepson**. I did not mean to give you the impression I was bragging. I’m sorry it came across like that. I’ve had a wonderfully lucky year and I suppose I just felt enthused to share some of the good news. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/35 "2009-12-08T01:56:46Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > It seems like every other sitcom on TV has an episode where one of the character has or usually finds a list of goals or accomplishments he wants to do before he/she dies. > > My question is, does anyone actually DO THIS in real life? > > I’ve never heard of anyone doing it. > > Do you have such a list? Or do you know of anyone who has it? Yes, I have one. I made it when I was 12, and finally clicked off the first one last year (hike the Appalachian Trail). When I get married, my wife and I are going to reassess and make a mutual shared list. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/36 "2009-12-08T14:38:30Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > - met Ed Zotti Now that that’s “checked”, is “meet Cecil” next? > [@steadierfooting](#): > > [http://www.43things.com/](http://www.43things.com/) I was going to link to that, glad someone else did. My list is [on 43things](http://www.43things.com/person/canuckguy), mainly as a handy place to keep it and to remind me what’s on there. All of those are things I feel I can do, and want to do, however, except for 2 that have been removed as “unsuccessful” ☹ the list hasn’t changed at all since I made it. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/37 "2009-12-08T16:35:59Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > I apologise to you, **cjepson**. I did not mean to give you the impression I was bragging. I’m sorry it came across like that. I’ve had a wonderfully lucky year and I suppose I just felt enthused to share some of the good news. I accept your apology and feel a little silly for making that comment in the first place. I’m glad things are going so well for you. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/38 "2009-12-08T18:27:52Z")
I have a list, and FWIW I just crossed something off of it last week (ride a zipline). If anyone is interested, here it is: MY BUCKET LIST 1. Ride in a motorcycle sidecar. 2. Lie in a coffin. 3. Get my Scuba diving certification. 4. Get my pilot’s license. 5. See a ghost. 6. See (not climb) Mt. Everest. 7. Tour Angkor Wat. 8. Achieve a top rank (e.g., a black belt) in a martial art. 9. Join the mile-high club. 10. [del]Ride a zip-line.[/del] 11. Drop opium. 12. Drive a powerful car like a Porsche, a Viper, a NASCAR stock car, etc. 13. Drink kopi luwak. 14. Take an art class. 15. Tour an abandoned school, hospital or prison. 16. Have sex with an Asian woman. 17. Have sex with a black woman. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/39 "2009-12-08T19:21:16Z")
Nope, I don’t have one. It’s not as if I’m going to regret these things when I’m dead. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005/40 "2009-12-08T19:23:50Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > 1. Tour an abandoned school, hospital or prison. Next time you’re in the Philadelphia area, go to Eastern State Penitentiary. It’s open to the public and is quite an experience… it reminded me of dream imagery, wandering through this empty, ruined prison. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-before-i-die-list/520005.md?page=3)