Tasks to Complete Before I Die: My "Bucket" List

Before I die, I hope to accomplish the following tasks. This is called a bucket list, because it's what you hope to do before you "kick the bucket." If not me then maybe my friends. Many of them are tourism-related, and many will not happen - OK, honestly, almost all won't. I will force myself to complete at least five of them, just because I took the time to write it and share it with you all.

Scuba dive off the coast of Australia and Egypt
There are so many beautiful fish all around these countries, and in 20 years it may not be that way.

Go jet-skiing
This just looks too fun to pass up on. And it's not too hard or expensive to do either.

Ski down the Alps
This also seems like a whole lot of fun. It would be pricey though, unless I go skiing in Tennessee(I'm not sure it even snows there every year).

Visit Dubai and touch a 2-million dollar Butgatti Veyron
I want to see that crazy city and at least touch the most expensive production car out.

Buy Lunch for a Stranger
It would be interesting to see what they'd do.

Eat a grasshopper or strange insect-food
I want to tell my grandchildren one day that I ate a bug.

Go to outer space
This falls under the category of extremely unlikely.

Learn how to drive an 18-wheeler
I want to see what it feels like to drive a big truck. Maybe it can be a retirement job to consider.

Rent an exotic car and race it at a pro-racetrack
You can rent ultra-luxury and expensive sport cars for prices ranging from $500 - $10,000 a day.

See the Taj-Mahal
In the pictures it looks too nice, so I want to see if it's even real.

Learn how to generate electricity
This shouldn't be too hard with the help of YouTube or some how-to books, and some supplies.

Watch the film titled "The Bucket List"
I stopped watching movies in general, but I should see that one since it partly is responsible for me having this idea to write this.

See the Aurora Borealis near the South and North Poles
These are truly amazing and eerie looking atmospheric phenomena. I'd like to sip kool-aid while enjoying the magnetic light show.

Swim the English Channel with help of floats and a small motor
I don't want to die trying to swim, people. I would try to combine this with visiting London maybe.

Start an internet business
I might sell homemade unicycles or something rare like that. I'll probably try to sell craft items or Swiss Army Knives.

Eat dessert in the middle of a desert
I think it would be fun to go out to the middle of a desert with an ice-chest of Ben & Jerry's, preferably with a significant other to give me company. Late at night we could watch the shooting stars and there should be very good visibility.

Go to the top of the tallest building in world
I believe this is now under construction in Dubai. I want to see how it's like to zoom up the elevator.

Go to Malaysia
This is a growing and prosperous nation and I want to talk to a native Malaysian before I die.

Walk on hot coal
Sounds fun and it's actually not so bad.

Perform stand-up comedy
I want to try my luck with that, and I am working on some funny lines. I just need to get better at public speaking as I get nervous sometimes.

Visit either of the two U.S. Mint locations
This is harder than you'd expect because there are thousands who want to go, and they reserve months in advance.

Learn how to start a fire with only branches and leaves
I feel that we have lost touch with some of the useful caveman roots.

Visit Pitcairn, island tiniest population in word
I want to interview those people and ask them what it's like to live your whole life with the same 50-odd people.

Go to Hawaii -see the night sky from their observatory
They have a huge observatory located at the summit of Mauna Kea to see stars billions of miles away.

Parachute from a small plane and call someone on my cell phone while falling down
This must be so much fun and probably quite scary once you jump out. I think you need good legs for it too, but if I can I'll arrange to have a team of a dozen or so teenagers position a trampoline at the spot where I'll land.

Go noodling for big catfish and cook them afterward
Noodling is fishing with only your hands, I'll make catfish-nuggets afterward. I apologize to the vegetarians who were offended by this.

Go camel-racing
I once a rode a camel in the western desert of Egypt, and it sure was bumpy. The camel goes up and down like two feet with each step. So racing should be fun. A bit dangerous too.

Learn sign language and how to read lips
This would be quite useful and may come in handy.

Memorize the countries/capitals of all countries
I think it's nice to know because it helps you connect with people from all over easier.

Make it onto one TV game show like Wheel Of Fortune, Jeopardy, Price Is Right,etc
I probably have the best shot at getting onto Drew's show and guessing prices.

Sit court-side at an NBA game
This would cost at least $1000 but you get the best view for sure. And I'd try hard to give a high-five to someone famous.

Walk up to a scary looking stranger and start a conversation
Did you ever see someone who looked scary and unapproachable but when they started talkin' they were really nice? Sometimes you are pleasantly surprised by people.

I hope that among all of us who read this, all of these activities get accomplished by at least one person. And remember to look at the bucket as being half-full and not half-empty.