Bucket List: The bucket list items listed here are in no particular order, but they are numbered to help keep track of how many have been accomplished verses how many there are to go. The real kicker is, more will be added as time goes by. I do a lot of cool things with my job and go a lot of cool places, but much of what I do ends with a “let’s see” attitude instead of any form of structure. I used the blog Bucket List Journey (bucketlistjourney.net) to get ideas and inspiration and a large part of my list came from those ideas since I needed more form to my rather nebulous thoughts. I will look at other lists as well for inspiration. As I complete one, I will write about it, though some things like visiting the lower 48 states only needs two states to complete, both of which are seemingly out of the way for my normal journeys.
Some of these could be completed within a week or even a day now that I have cause to do them.
List
Description
Yes
No
1.
Learn to speak Spanish fluently.
2.
Learn to fly a plane.
3.
Attain and maintain membership in the University Club of Chicago.
Back when I was in college, I took a Club Management class. We had to go on a field trip and we went to this city club and I fell in love with it. I instantly fell in love with the place. Most people don't get that for me membership isn't a goal of prestige, but of comfort. The oak panels of the library and the people there remind me so much of a part of my childhood that when I was there, I was instantly comfortable. Membership is as much as my first new car payment, which I guess isn't a lot by today's car payment standards, but for club membership, more than I have right now.
4.
Learn to play guitar.
5.
Sit court side at a Lakers game.
I don't even like basketball but this would be awesome!!!
6.
Have lunch at the Ivy on the front patio.
7.
Finish and publish a book.
8.
Teach at the college level again.
Teaching was one of the most rewarding jobs I ever had and I truly miss it. Even though my degree field wasn't for me, I liked teaching the curriculum and sharing what I know with my students.
9.
Learn to fly a helicopter.
10.
Learn salsa dancing.
"Goat wearing work boots" describes my current dancing skill level. I would like to at least get good enough to not embarrass myself in public.
11.
Run a 5k race.
This will actually require a considerable amount of effort to accomplish with as out of shape as I am now. I love this job, but I have the developed the body of a truck driver.
12.
Earn an MBA or other advanced degree.
13.
Ride the zip line in Las Vegas over the Fremont Street Experience.
I'm afraid of heights so this will be fun but it looks really cool and I am sure will require getting in some shape since I assuredly outweigh safe operating protocols.
14.
Become a 33rd Degree Mason.
This is an honorary Degree bestowed on men who go above and beyond for public service or in the pursute of furthering Freemasonry. (I'm not giving away anything that isn't relatively common knowledge here.)
15.
Learn to SCUBA dive.
16.
Chase a tornado.
You know those idiots that are storm chasers to gather scientific information on bad weather? I want to do a ride along while they gather data on active tornados. There are professionals that take people on these tours.
17.
Drive through a dust storm.
This is very unlikely. Dust storms are commonly between July and August and there are usually only three of them per year and they last fifteen minutes. The odds are low. If I am ever in one, I will buy a lottery ticket afterwards. However, instead of driving through, pull off the road, turn off your lights, and make sure your foot is not on the brake. Don't drive through. After it's done, it will be slick on the road so go slow.
18.
Do a bourbon tour of the Bourbon Trail.
19.
Visit the George Dickle Distillery.
I prefer bourbon over regular whiskey. With that said, this is my favorite whiskey. I would drink this over most bourbons I've tried.
20.
Visit the San Diego Zoo.
21.
Go on an alligator hunt through the salt marshes in South Carolina.
This is stupid and dangerous. I've watched people do it and it looks like a lot of fun if you're drunk enough to think getting in the water with a live alligator is a good idea.