Why be Normal?

I recently watched the Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman movie The Bucket List for the third time. Although I expected a comedy, I still enjoyed the movie and it made me consider what I might add to my own bucket list. At 36, I’m guessing that I have quite a bit of time left, but I decided to start my list now with the plan that I can add or subtract from this list at anytime. This is my bucket list, or otherwise described as “the list of things I’d like to do before I die.”

1. Snorkel.

I have snorkeled once in my life and that is enough for me. It has made my bucket list, but with a check mark next to it already. On a trip to Aruba about 8 years ago I took the plunge and went snorkeling. I was terrified and even writing about it makes my skin break out in a cold sweat. I held onto the stairs for a good twenty minutes, crying on the dock and refusing to get into the water. I made friends with a seven year old who was in the same state of mind.

What is important to know is that I can swim, but I am a product of the Jaws generation and I am scared of the ocean. I also don’t care for fish at all, and there were people on the dock throwing all kinds of popcorn and other food into the water. There were many fish in the water, some jumping out of the water trying to get the food. Seriously, this was a feeding frenzy and there were fish as big as footballs, bright blue and very scary to me.

I went in the water. I snorkeled in my own unique way. I managed to make it about twenty feet from the ladder before I would panic and swim back. Without glasses on I felt at a disadvantage, probably one reason I get so scared in the water. I did it. I snorkeled in Aruba because I knew that I would be disappointed in myself if I didn’t. Check snorkeling off my bucket list and please don’t make me do it again.

2. Go back to London, England.

I spent a college semester in 1993 in London, England. I loved London and if it wasn’t a five hour plane flight from my family, I’d live there. London is beautiful (despite the weather) and is full of history. I enjoyed the three months I spent there so much that even 16 years later I remember it like it was yesterday. Number two on my bucket list is to go back to London.

3. See one summer Olympics in Person.

I have always wanted to attend an Olympics. My hope is that I can combine number 2 and 3 on my bucket list and attend the 2012 Olympics in London. We’ll see, but that is the goal, to go to the Summer Olympics 2012, in London, England.

4. Finish writing a novel.
I have 100 pages so far of a novel I have been working on forever. I have to finish writing at least one, we’ll see if it is this one or one yet to be started.

5. Attend Law School.

The LSAT’s are taken and now I have to get in. I don’t think it is going to happen this year because we have a baby on the way in April. A new baby and the first year in law school probably do not go together.

I think this is a good start. As I said, my bucket list is a work in progress and I reserve the right to change it at any time. Do you have things that you want to accomplish before you die? Do you feel that you need to make your imprint on the world?

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