February 24, 2011
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop to look around once in a while you could miss it."
-- From the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Lately, I hear a lot about "bucket lists". Do you have one? Better make a bucket list if you don't. What is on your bucket list?
I don't have one.
Occasionally, I would wonder what the term bucket list means, but until recently, I really did not have the time or inclination to find out.
I suppose I could if I were to watch the 2007 movie, "The Bucket List", starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Apparently it was a big box office success.
I didn't see it.
However, I surmise that the plot is about two terminally ill men who take a road trip to experience a wish list of things they want to do before they "kick the bucket".
Their bucket list was elaborate and daring, such as going skydiving, driving a motorcycle on the Great Wall of China and attending a lion safari in Africa. Also on their list were more consequential items such as help a stranger for the simple and pure good of it and witness something truly majestic. I like the latter two best, as I am not too keen on performing motorcycle tricks on a wall.
As I explored the concept of a bucket list, I found several books with suggestions, but honestly most of the items I can skip without an ounce of regret.
I set out to make one of my own as I became increasingly intrigued by the idea. The project is going slowly, however, because I find reasons that make my choices impossible to accomplish.
Here is what I have so far:
· Take a month-long trip to Italy with my college girlfriends. (Not likely to happen unless one of us wins the lottery.)
· Write the book I always wanted to write and see it displayed in airport bookstores. It will be a story set in Italy during World War II, an unrequited love story. I envision it to be a cross between "Bridges of Madison County" and "Saving Private Ryun." (But, I need an agent to make it a best seller and a trip to Italy to make it truly authentic. Of course, I need to write it.)
· Learn to speak Italian.
Apparently, there is a pattern here, something to do with Italy I suppose.
What a feeble attempt, if I do say so myself.
Perhaps, I need to take some time this coming week to make a proper list. I am open to suggestions, dear readers, especially if you can figure out how I can spend a month in Italy.
We get busy and fall behind, far behind, on our daily tasks, don't we. In fact, I have a wooden plaque in my kitchen depicting a little turtle saying, "I'm so far behind I think I'm first."
Who has time to make a bucket list?
Still, Dr. Seuss could be right when he asked--what are we waiting for?
"Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite. Or waiting around for Friday night or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil or a better break or a string of pearls or a pair of pants or a wig with curls or another chance. Everyone is just waiting."
What is on your bucket list?
