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The Bucket List for Bloggers
Posted Saturday, January 12, 2008, at 8:19 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
I received an email today from my older brother, Steve. He began with, "How far ahead do you plan out your blogs, anyway? I got the impression with the last one (Day off) that it wasn't planned too far in advance, but maybe I'm wrong again." Thanks, Steve, for that remarkably sensitive constructive criticism. You are right, I don't plan any of this, I just write as it comes to me.
He suggested that I initiate a blog based on the movie, "The Bucket List", with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.
Steve was the Salutatorian for Shakamak's Class of 1970, a Rose-Hulman grad, and now a retired Army officer and math teacher at Westfield Middle School. Oh, I forgot to mention, he is the Middle School Golf Coach. One day, a while back, I joined him at Pebble Brook for practice and I rode around in the golf cart as the Honorary Assistant to the Westfield Middle School Golf Coach. I tried to look like I knew something about golf, so I kept my mouth shut.
OK, enough about Steve, but if you get the chance, ask him about shooting down Scuds over Tel Aviv with the Patriot Air Defense system. The Bucket List, for those of you who don't know, is a list of things that these two terminally ill characters would like to do before they kick the bucket. I've not seen it yet, because it is still in the theaters and not on DVD. I believe the last time I saw a movie in a theater was the premier of "Gone With The Wind". I just don't enjoy going much of anywhere anymore. I've been going somewhere all my life and I finally just got tired of going and going and going. Who knows, maybe someday I'll get tired of not going anywhere and want to start going again. That's what is great about life, you just never know.
Back to the Bucket list, oh, what a crazy idea this is for me. I have done enough stuff in my lifetime, for the most part, to satisfy my curiosity about this world. What the heck, here we go…
No. 1 -- Spend a day with all of my kids together at one place (and beat them all at Trivial Pursuit and Balderdash)
2. Cash in my winning Lottery Ticket
3. Distribute my winnings to my family
4. Play golf at Augusta National with Steve, Chris, Jeremy, Matt and Jay (I'd go there)
5. Write something worthwhile
6. Visit the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown (I'd go there too and may do that this year)
I tried to get to 10, but I couldn't think of anything else right now. I envy folks who can effortlessly rattle off lists like these, because they seem to really know what they want to do. I seldom spend time thinking about what I want to do. Who knows, if I write this list again in a year or two it may be totally different, but this is what it is today, 12 January 2008. Oh I forgot…
7. Retire and never work again (actually, that might be higher on the list)
Alright, all of you bucket list bloggers, let us read what you want to do before you punch the pail. Thanks, Steve, great idea. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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One of mine, you've done and have the picture to prove it, visit Australia.
Cooperstown is also on my list.
I'd like to shoot par for 18 holes some day and to also shoot my age for 18 holes. That would guarantee a very, very long life.
I'm sure I'll think of others after I hit submit.
I'm with Chris&Jeremy'sDad on shooting my age when I am very old.
Playing Golf in Australia with My Dad, Truman Sims, Chris&Jeremy'sDad and you, Keith would be awesome.
I don't think they allow 5-somes in Australia, Wigs. It has something to do with the aborigines, wombats, koalas, kangaroos and the rufous hare wallaby.
If you do get to Australia, Steve, you should visit the War Memorial in Canberra. The closing ceremony everyday is an extremely moving experience. The first day I went they had a piper coming down the steps to the Pool of Reflection playing Amazing Grace. Went back the next day and heard a bugler playing Taps. Beautiful place and great museum, as well.
I would put Cooperstown on that list too -- heck twice I was with in 100miles of it and didnt have time.
I would maybe like to try golf 1 more time to see what everyone else see's in it.
another thing I would like to do is something my sister has done. That would be race on the 500 track--I would like to do it in a car not like her on foot.
I don't know about the 500.I've seen a lot of people in the wall over the years. I was standing there in 4 the day Piquet went in nose first. Marcello was another painful day. Just a sonic boom when they hit. My personal field of dreams is Mark Dinsmore's place over at Newcastle. The main backstretch is like 1,200', and you run 70-80 mph in a clutch kart down in to a 90 degree left. That's an amazing feeling when the kart is right, and when it's not there's no wall to worry about.
Sir:
E-mail me at B632X@aol.com with an
e-mail address. I can be reached at MBoyd@Columbuspolice.org as well.
Wow simmons you may have opened up a can of worms with this one. The very thought gets my gears spinning, and by the way i heard the movie disappoints. An all-star cast that fails to improve on that one huge point.
Anyway here goes (with a huge atta boy to simmons for mentioning family before any other gains), with an asterisk.
1. Demonstrate some how, to my parents, just how much they mean to me.
2. Convince myself that my personal beliefs arent completely for naught.
3. Solve one of the worlds simple problems, I will leave the tough ones for Nobel winners, I am not greedy.
4. Watch common sense become a virtue again.
5. Teach a kid that a few scabs and scratches and a days worth of sandlot ball are worth so much more than a days worth of video gaming.
6. Tell all of my friends that I love them, we have very few real friends in life, we should cherish them.
O.K...O.K.....that is my 6 item list of hopes and dreams, but my asterisk list would be a bit different...
1.Giants beat the Dodgers for the NL pennant, and then beat the Yankees for the Series, a true NY champ.
2.Fall in love
3.Eat the perfect hot dog
4.Play par golf(even for a day)
5.Dance like I wasnt having some sort of physical attack.
6.Write a poem that I am not afraid to show people I love.
7.Visit Cooperstown(Seems to be a common theme, maybe we could all mark that off of our list this year), I lived within 200 miles and also didnt visit it.
8.Play a superb scramble with a bunch of average golfers, again.
9.Change a persons mind about something I consider worthwhile.
10.Shake a veterans hand and hug a good friend in the same day. Letting them both know how much i appreciate them.
This list probably did get too long and could have gotten longer. Reminds me of how much I have left to do, and how many things I should already be thankful for. Lists normally arent my forte but this one i could have spouted all evening about. Thanks ol' simmons.
With respect to No. 1 on the asterisk list Rambler, waiting for that to happen should ensure that you will live a long (but disappointing) life. I think No. 1 on the other list is already taken care of.
There's no doubt that it would be a Hall of Fame outing if we all showed up in Cooperstown at the same time. They might have to make another plaque just for that occasion.
Well, hell, now I want to go see the movie .I have not been since the Von Lee closed, so a while, probably one night during a Jack N. week.
Love the idea of making a list. I'm a list maker of all sorts. My number one thing to do after retirement in July is to take the whole bunch of mine to see Mickey's house. After that I'm going to see Niagra Falls then off to stand on that new deck hanging over the Grand Canyon. I live 1 1/2 miles from the golf course and have never played, but I did have a drink on the patio! Movies are a good thing to do by yourself (no one talks to you).
Great to hear from the HillTop again, hope PW is doing good and staying out of trouble. You are going to have to let me know about that overhanging deck when you get back.
By the way, Bballfan, they say they have sound now, no more piano player.
Another opportunity missed. I am always behind the curve. I will just wait for DVD, and I happen to be somewhere when they are showing the movie.
It is admirable the way you speak of your brother. Don't believe it goes unnoticed, he sounds like a bright person. And the question he asked you was on a lot of peoples minds. The two of you together could promote a soccer game in the midwest,something no other group has been able to do. Another one-liner gone, "don't shoot me I am just the piano player." Funny you would mention it but I was at the IU Auditorium when the organ player retired,at one time and for quite a while it was a thing to do. Go to the Auditorium for the silent movies and the live organ player. He was fantastic and it was a good night out. On my list could be to see "The Last Picture Show" again, a good movie and they talked in it, too much. I believe it was the first one with talking that I saw.Ben Johnson as "Sam the Lion" was inspirational, and Cybill Shepard,wow,in the prime. On a serious note,I wonder if a lot of the things people want to do are not what they are doing at this moment, it is difficult to appreciate what one is doing because of all the little things that cloud the essence of what is really important that they are doing. My mind drifts to "Walden Pond" and all the stories of battles, between ants, and other magnificent events noted by Henry David Thoreau, he seems to have penned the anti list of things to do and get the most from not doing them. John Lennon I believe said,"life is what what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Rambler on your first list you only need to see number four happen, good luck, the rest you have in your back pocket. On the second list only one and five are out of the question, delusional.
Rambler's list has me really involved with number 5! My boys are both young, and besides a few wrestling matches with their old man, I just cant get them to do anything besided video games. I often want to take those games, and toss them into the woods, but I just cant cause of my boys happiness. Santa Claus was very good to my boys this year, but it was HIM that brought that Nintendo DS into their lives. The other numerous toys that he brought will have to go to the land of Misfit toys unless I can get this situation under control.
Great Idea Simmons
1. Go back to Memphis in May with my brother, and Rusty.
2. Go back to Augusta National with my son, and Cameron.
3. Go anywhere in the country with my brother and son, ( how could it get any better than that.
4. Not go to the Hall, I would never want to go anywhere that Barry Bonds could be, and Rodger Maris isnt welcome.
5. I sometimes feel just like Dustin Hoffman in Midnight Cowboy, just want to go somewhere warm to expire.
6. Talk my son into passing up the Wardens job at GITMO, and talking him into taking the Wardens job in Arizonia, so I can fulfill no. 5
7. Start playing golf again, after a 4 year leave of absence, and being able to finish a round without having to steal more balls from Bill Heaton, yes Bill it was me that was stealing them from your bag.
8. Go back fishing at the Ocala National forest, only this time actually catch a fish.
9. Walk down the aisle at IU in Kokomo in May with my B. A. ( yes I would assume I will be the oldest), but did finally finish something I started in 1965, yes I know slow learner.
10. Take one more trip with Dave Hash to a racetrack, just top see the look on his face when the police showed up.
My "bucket list" includes, "Watch my old man hit a hole in one....for the 3rd time."
I'm with you on that one, little girl.
Bucket List from the suburbs.
1. Play Pebble Beach with my father, brother and a great writer...know one?
2. Be in a financially set situation where I can donate money to my alma-mater.
3. Hit my fourth hole in one.
4. Am I really writing a bucket list at 26?
---Agent Sims signing off--
Agent Sims, I don't know any great writers personally, but if you accomplish No. 2, I do know a needy writer and he already has his 4th Hole-in-One. 26? In two years, you'll be half as old as I am.
"I intend to live forever - so far, so good." Steven Wright
I thought you would put on your bucket list to be buried in Lewis???
I never actually lived in Lewis. The sign was right at the edge of our property. But I do have a lot of fond memories of my childhood in Lewis. We had a lot of friends there, played a lot of baseball there and I spent about 7 years at Lewis from the 2nd through the 8th grade.
I could have my ashes spread over The Phil. It would probably be on the 14th green, I've got two aces there and I saw my Dad make a hole-in-one there. Plus, Matthew can just walk out of the house and putt over me any day.
However, if you intend to live forever, you don't have to worry about this.
First off, a few corrections are in order. I was only the co-salutatorian of my class, I barely graduated from Rose and I did more Scud-ducking than shooting them down. Although I will admit that during the Gulf War I did have a pretty impressive sounding job title, "Deputy Commander of Administration and Logistics for Joint Task Force Patriot Defender". The title I'm most proud of however is my username, followed closely now by Caleb's Grandpa. Wonder if anyone out there can top our total of 12 hole-in ones for a father-son-uncle combination? Seems we've gotten more than our share.
C&J's dad you are being far too modest, all of those accomplishments are impressive. My uncle and I would be close to you in aces, i think he has 9(LOL). The day I scored my only one was one of the happiest of my life, happened on the first hole at Phil Harris. On the second hole i went in the pond twice in a row, and i didnt care. I just wanted to finish the round with that uno on my card. My favorite part of ol' simmons story of aces, is the fact that his daughter, who doesnt spend a lot of time on any course, has witnessed him hitting two of his aces. The second one of which she was reading something in the golf cart, looked up just as ol' simmons ball was rolling in, and said "nice shot dad." And then went back to reading whatever it was that was much more interesting than dad hitting another hole in one. I dont know if that story is completely true, but knowing both parties involved, none of it surprises me.
midnightrambler, you prove # 1 on a daily basis. # 6 also, because real friends already know it.
If you get a chance read my # 1 on my list, it involves you. As far as playing the par round of golf, dont let that one worry you, it is not nearly as much fun as your # 2 on the second list, and they both will stay with you about the same length of time.
Rambler, that story is probably pretty accurate. After years of being ol'simmons "caddy" I became desensitized to ordinary, everyday decent golf....took a lot to impress me.