The Proverbial "Bucket List"

[BizzyC]

A reply to one of my other posts got me thinking about bucket lists. Do/did you have a one? For those who are already retired, do you find that you go back to the bucket list from time to time or is it lost in the wonder of the moment, each new moment? For those of you not retired, is it something written out or just in your head?

Here's mine.

A. Exercise/health
-----------------------------
1. Play volleyball
2. Coach volleyball
3. Yoga
4. Learn how to meditate
5. Get some form of exercise every day

B. Cooking
-------------------
1. Make every recipe in the French Laundry cookbook*
2. Learn how to make perfect bread
3. Learn how to make the perfect apple pie
4. Re-perfect Aunt Dixie’s Cowboy Cookies
5. Perfect pizza

C. Learning
-----------------
1. Learn more about Roman history
2. Learn about Greek mythology
-read “The Illiad”
3. Read “The Man Who Would Be King”, Kipling

D. Travel
--------------
1. Greece (incl. chartered boat, go to islands)
2. New Orleans
3. Africa
4. Yellowstone
5. The Rocky Mts.



E. Other
----------------
1. Have a major garden, grow almost everything eaten
2. Become a master gardener?
3. Create a new strain of flower?
4. Create a zen garden (flowers, greens, smells)
5. Play violin
6. Learn how to play guitar
7. See an NFL football game
8. Meals on Wheels?
9. Quit all of my bad habits
10. Drive, just once (not own), a 65 Corvette Stingray
11. Try paddle boarding
12. Go through every article of clothing and shoes, do a huge purge
13. Purge nightstand
14. Three words: Tre. Bu. Chet.

*Let the record show that I had this idea long before that "Julie and Julia" movie. . .

 

[traineeinvestor]

I have one which has been built up over a number of years. It began a number of years ago when I had to sit in the office all night on a Saturday proof reading documents for about the fifth weekend in a row. While waiting for the secretary (who was at least getting paid overtime) to turn the documents I started writing up a list of all the places I would rather be. It was a long list and travel still features a lot on the current version. Syria and Turkey currently occupy the top two places.

As an aside, wouldn't E9 on your list take all the fun out of retirement?

 

[obgyn65]

To answer your questions I have never had a "bucket list" and do not intend to design one. It is something just in my head, as I happen to be pretty good with numbers (or at least better than with English grammar and spelling ).

A reply to one of my other posts got me thinking about bucket lists. Do/did you have a one? For those who are already retired, do you find that you go back to the bucket list from time to time or is it lost in the wonder of the moment, each new moment? For those of you not retired, is it something written out or just in your head?

 

[kumquat]

You could try previous threads:

• http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/hows-your-bucket-list-coming-52867.html
• http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f27/bucket-list-what-i-checked-off-my-list-50273.html
• http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/bucket-list-38425.html
• http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/things-to-do-before-you-die-38219.html
• http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f28/the-bucket-list-32664.html

 

[Walt34]

No, never had a bucket list. Extensive travel was never high on my list of priorities - if I'd wanted to see the world I would've joined the Navy - but we do like shorter day or overnight trips.

Right now I'm just trying to get through the next two months and keep my sanity. I hate cold weather. This time of year I go outside to go to work and buy food. That's it.

When the weather warms up I'm going to get a helmet camera and take some photos/videos from the motorcycle, probably take another photography class, and get the boat in the water more often than I did last year.

Also on the list is to get to the Baltimore Railroad Museum again (Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum) and this time take a camera. I haven't been there for about ten years and want to see it again.

I guess that's sort of a bucket list, but it's kind of like using a trim tab to steer in that general direction rather than setting a hard-set rudder course.

 

[RonBoyd]

I am retired. A "Bucket List" just seems like way too much w*rk to me. Besides I don't have time for "plans"; life presents me with plenty of (arguably too many) challenges to choose from each day.

 

[pb4uski]

I have one in my head, to attend every major sporting event (grand slam tennis and golf events, major sporting chanpionships, etc). Have done a few (US Open (tennis), Wimbledon, Daytona 500, Olympics, President's Cup (golf)) but more catch as catch can - I would hope to do it in a more structured way in retirement.

 

[utrecht]

I want to see my favorite NFL team (the Steelers) play a game in every NFL stadium, with plans to spend several extra days to explore whatever each of the cities has to offer. I think Cleveland might be a very short trip

 

[ksr]

Right now I'm just trying to get through the next two months and keep my sanity. I hate cold weather. This time of year I go outside to go to work and buy food. That's it.

Same here. I am mentally counting down to March (when at least there is some HOPE of spring). Last year I really enjoyed Goonie's messages with the "# of days to spring" notations, especially during a particularly awful winter!

As for the Bucket List, I made an informal list of goals before I left megacorp, thinking that it might be nice to refer back to from time to time. What I do now is review the list and every year and select one or two items to focus on. This year I am focusing on being more goal-oriented with my workouts (been doing the same workout for years and I think it's time to change things up a bit) and to re-learn Spanish (took it in school years ago and really would like to be fluent again).

I have "become a Master Gardener" on my list, too. I am waiting for a good friend who will retire in a year and a half - I'd like to go through the program with her. The local program requires public service/presentations, etc. and I think it would be more fun to satisfy that requirement together with my friend.

 

[Orchidflower]

One in my head for not, but it does seem pretty wise to write it down. Maybe I should do that, too.

 

[BizzyC]

I have one which has been built up over a number of years. It began a number of years ago when I had to sit in the office all night on a Saturday proof reading documents for about the fifth weekend in a row. While waiting for the secretary (who was at least getting paid overtime) to turn the documents I started writing up a list of all the places I would rather be. It was a long list and travel still features a lot on the current version. Syria and Turkey currently occupy the top two places.

Turkey looks breathtaking. I would love to go there.

As an aside, wouldn't E9 on your list take all the fun out of retirement?

Words of wisdom. . .

 

[W2R]

When I had about 8 years left before retirement, I made a list of things that I knew I would absolutely love to do, if I had the time in retirement. The idea was that I could pull out the list and pick one should I ever get bored.

I am in my second year of retirement, and haven't even looked at the list. Each day is so enjoyable and so far, I have not been bored at all. Life is a bowl of cherries.

It was nice to know that I had that list, though, on the day I retired. It's a little scary to leave w*rk for the last time, but the list was like a security blanket to ensure that I wouldn't regret my decision.

 

[Khan]

I have done most of whatever I am going to do. My body and mind are deteriorating right on schedule. Just hope to find a small place to live with decent broadband and a housekeeper.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

To answer your questions I have never had a "bucket list" and do not intend to design one. It is something just in my head, as I happen to be pretty good with numbers (or at least better than with English grammar and spelling ).

Same here. Bucket lists sound like work .

But I do figure that we'll pass through tons of great retirement experiences -- just won't know what many of them will be til I get close to them.

 

[Moemg]

I never had a bucket list until last year when a good friend died and another was gravely ill . This made me realize that if I wanted to do something now was the time . The number one item on my list is take my grandson to Disney World and spoil the heck out of him . Number 2 is Alaska which I am doing in May .

 

[Purron]

I never had a bucket list until last year when a good friend died and another was gravely ill . This made me realize that if I wanted to do something now was the time . The number one item on my list is take my grandson to Disney World and spoil the heck out of him . Number 2 is Alaska which I am doing in May .

Alaska in May!! Looking forward to hearing about your trip. And how wonderful of you to take your grandson to Disney World Moe. He's a lucky little fella for sure

My bucket list? Live simple and find small ways to make the world just a bit better. Of course you know homeless animals will be involved.

 

[Nords]

No bucket list here-- we're good. There are things we enjoy doing, but we're not going to force ourselves to do them.

I want to see my favorite NFL team (the Steelers) play a game in every NFL stadium, with plans to spend several extra days to explore whatever each of the cities has to offer. I think Cleveland might be a very short trip

Especially when thefed reads this post!

 

[chinaco]

Your bucket list had some good stuff on it.

Here's mine:

1. FIRE!
2. Do what I want when I want

 

[Midpack]

I've always had a bucket list though I didn't call it that. I posted it in an earlier thread, but I'm not sure why anyone would care about someone else's list. I've completed 69 milestones/experiences so far, many more to go, always adding to it - seems key to me, I'd hate to ever complete my list - then what?

 

[RonBoyd]

... I'd hate to ever complete my list - then what?

I believe its called "Waiting for God."

 

[flyfishnevada]

I have a list though I call it, "Things to Do Before I Die." Seems to command a little more respect that way. Most of it is travel related, but not all. It's not a must do list, but more of a wish list. If I don't do that stuff, not the end of the world, but I'd like too.

 

[haha]

I believe its called "Waiting for God."

The list tends to clarify itself once one gets old. I have a friend who is rapidly going blind. His list is:

1)Get around on my own and not fall down or get mugged or hit by a car.
2)Try to maintain a positive attitude.
3)Try to hang onto old friends and make some some new ones too.

Ha

 

[BizzyC]

I've always had a bucket list though I didn't call it that. I posted it in an earlier thread, but I'm not sure why anyone would care about someone else's list. I've completed 69 milestones/experiences so far, many more to go, always adding to it - seems key to me, I'd hate to ever complete my list - then what?

Oh, just curious. It's interesting to me that some people are pretty religious about their list, both in terms of writing stuff down and then executing, and some people really don't even have particular plans in their heads.

I suspect I'm going to need a period of time of not doing much of anything at all. Kind of getting over the burn out of having to get things done whether I felt like it or not. But eventually I probably will glance back at the list and see if those ideas still interest me.

 

[RonBoyd]

and some people really don't even have particular plans in their heads.

That's because some (most?) of us learned at the Mike Tyson school:

“Everyone has plans until they get punched in the face.”

 

[BizzyC]

Right now I'm just trying to get through the next two months and keep my sanity. I hate cold weather. This time of year I go outside to go to work and buy food. That's it.

Here's something that helps me get through it.

Sun or Moon Rise/Set Table for One Year: U.S. Cities and Towns — Naval Oceanography Portal

It's a link to a table of sunrise/sunset times published by the Navy. You can type in your town, and it will give the the times relative to your location. Just knowing that the sun will set a minute or two later each day, or will rise a minute earlier every few days is encouraging to me. Right now we're in a phase where rate of change on the sun setting later is greater than the rate of change of the sun rising earlier, and in general we're getting about an extra minute of daylight per day. In February, the rate of change of the sun rising earlier wil outpace the rate of the sun setting later. Kind of fun, check it out.

Oh-- and spring is coming. Yesterday while out walking the dog I saw the first fully open Magnolia flower on a tree covered with buds!