My TTIWTDBIDL as it stands today is incredibly short. I say "as it stands today", because this list is dynamic and often changes with maturity. For example, if asked what was on my list when I was 5, my response would probably be, to "Eat ice cream and then immediately drink a can of Coke". At that age, that was pretty much the only thing I ever focused on, next to defeating Bowser in his castle. Thankfully, my list has evolved. Don't get me wrong, the ice cream, Coke, video games combo is still a weekly occurrence, I have just added a bit more to my wish list.
I divide my life thus far into 3 distinct sections. The DJ from Roseanne Years (1988-1998), The High School and College Years (1998-2006), and Adulthood (2006-present). There were distinctly different Bucket Lists during these years, but from the time I graduated college to now, my list has stayed the same. Just 3 things. Listed below is a COMPLETE rundown (counting backwards), of my entire Bucket List during my adult life:
3) Vacation in Hawaii
2) Attend a game at Fenway Park
1) See Bruce Springsteen perform in Giants Stadium
That's it. That is the entire list. I'm a pretty simple guy - some of the best times I have had in my life are when I am hanging around family and friends on the weekends. I don't really need an extravagant list of activities, because I am quite happy just being me and being around the people I love. I got my wish for #3 when Eileen and I honeymooned in Maui after our wedding in October of 2008. It was everything you would guess Maui to be and totally worthy of being on my list. Snorkeling, waterfall hikes in the mountains, exquisite dining, watching the World Series at 2pm.... Maui did not disappoint, even if we did pay over $30 for a large Pizza Hut pizza on one very low-key night.
The next year, Eileen surprised me with #2 (I have to point out that I laughed out loud while writing "surprised me with #2". I will never grow up), with tickets to see the Indians play the Red Sox in Fenway Park for our one-year anniversary. There are so many reasons why I love her, but to have her sacrifice the typical one-year anniversary romantic get-away to take me to see a baseball game is right up there with the rest. Fenway Park is filled with so much history. I am now so lucky to be able to say that I watched a game in person on the same field that Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, and Alvaro Espinoza played.
Which brings me to #1. For those of you that know me well, it is no surprise that this tops the list. I hate to think that I am obsessed; but the posters, t-shirts, box sets, and pint glasses that I have in my home say differently. I have Eileen to thank for starting this obsession, as her gift to me for my high school graduation was a Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits album and a flask (perfectly fitting if you knew Eileen in high school). That was in 2002. Ten years later, for an early anniversary vacation, Eileen and I are finally traveling to see Bruce Springsteen play Giants Stadium in New Jersey (actually Met Life Stadium, but I'm pretty sure nobody calls it that). She comes through in the clutch again with an awesome anniversary vacation. First Fenway Park, now Bruce. I know that I will have to repay this debt throughout my life going to boring plays and other things that women like to do on anniversaries (I could only think of boring plays), but it will be totally worth it. If there is an equivalent to experiencing that childhood Christmas morning feeling again, this is it.
So in 6 years, I have completed my Bucket List as it stands today. As I grow older, I'm sure my list will expand to events or activities that I have absolutely no interest in today. Once I have kids - all bets are off. Having children will undoubtedly change me for the better in the future, but thinking that a Disney vacation will be my ultimate wish at this moment seems crazy. Somebody I will relish in those kinds of moments, but for now, I am looking forward to finally closing out my current Bucket List. The hard part will be to find more things to add. I'm not planning on going anywhere for a while.
Loved this. I recently found my TTDBID List that I wrote in 7th grade. It had something like 45 items on it. I've marked about 10-15 off and found some no longer interested me. I don't know if I should do them anyways just to fulfill my 7th grade dreams or just leave them. But the others I look forward to doing and crossing off the list. I like the once I have kids, Disneyland one. That'll have to be added to me
ReplyDeleteGotta love 7th grade dreams. I've matured at the rate of a slug, so many of my 7th grade dreams are still very valid.
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