MY BUCKET LIST

I am in good health (as far as I am aware). I work out regularly and do not eat nearly as horribly as I did a year ago. I have no plans to leave this earth anytime soon, but like many I possess a theoretical bucket list. You know the list of to do items before one dies.

I have had this theoretical list for a few years now, but have not really given it much thought. However the recent sudden passing of a friend once again shed light on the fragility of life. The morbidity and sadness of death are easy to identify. The celebration of life is all too often taken for granted.

I have lived a full and blessed life. I have traveled, bungeed, written a book, written a screenplay, swam with dolphins, escaped death, received education via the streets and academia, heard Luther Vandross sing live, watched bull fights in Spain, walked the sands of Copacabana with the girl from Ipanema.

I often hear people refer to their bucket lists, but rarely do I ever hear anyone crossing items off those lists. I know I haven’t and the recent events made me take aim at why the procrastination. Many reasons were included in the answer (Yes I just don’t pose rhetorical questions to myself, at times they are conversational. No, they are never out loud…cause that would just be crazy). The predominant reason fell into I just had not made any bucket list a priority.

So here I am today, writing out my bucket list. Making it less theoretical. I reserve the right to add and change it I see fit, but I am comfortable with this list at this time in my life. So here it is for your amusement:

1a.Sell my company for enough to take care of my non-existent grandchildren.

1.Swim with sharks (okay specifically I want to cage dive in South Africa with great whites, but I am open to open water scuba diving with Sharks in the Bahamas as well.)

2.Skydive (Ideally I want to free dive in addition to a tandem start).

3.Visit at least 30 more countries for the first time. (I have been to 28 countries, inclusive of Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Caribbean Islands totaling 56 times. There are simply so many other destinations I want to visit)

4.Climb Kilimanjaro (It used to be Everest and could change, but Everest seems to be at the top of so many people’s bucket list the crowded conditions have made it particularly unsafe).

5, Open Jeep Safari in Africa.

6.Direct/Produce a movie/television show

7. Have a real conversation and apologize to anyone that feels like I wronged them. (My imperfections in life have led to my growth as a man and even now I am far from perfect, but I would like the opportunity to at least let some of those people know I am sorry)

8. Take my mother to Paris and London

9.Run the NYC Marathon in 3 hours 30 Minutes or less. (No, I have never run more than 8 miles to date).

10.Have a 3some with my girl and Halle Berry (I’m referring to golf… keep your mind out the gutter).