My Bucket List [UPDATED]

I’ve been lucky enough to do a lot of cool things in my life. I really can’t complain. I’ve been behind the bench at Final Fours, been courtside during the glory days of Duke-Maryland, been to a handful of World Series games, a Presidential Inauguration and an NBA All-Star game. I saw Hank Aaron tie Babe Ruth’s home run record, and I’ve been backstage at several rock concerts and even met a few rock stars. Hell, I even stared into a volcano less than 36-hours before it erupted for the first time in recorded history.

Still, there a several things I want to do before I die. Some are going to be pretty easy to achieve. Others, not so much.

Will I make all of these happen? Not likely. Will I try? Oh yeah. I’ll give what I perceive to be my chances of meeting my goals after the description. Let us begin . . .

JUMP OUT OF AN AIRPLANE

Allow me to tell you a quick story. Back in college I led a group of my friends to Xenia, OH where we intended to do the whole skydiving thing. I actually organized the trip. We got there and went through the whole practice routine. Back then you had to jump off a little platform and practice your landing roll and whatnot. Anyway, we got up in the air and I was first in line. They rolled open this big cargo door and suddenly I could see cornfields and roads and cows and stuff down below. At that point every single fiber of my being was screaming at me, “Man cannot fly. You are not supposed to do this.” At that point I just froze. I couldn’t do it. And then, after I chickened out, I got the whole “Well, if Shoe’s not jumping I’m not jumping” thing from my moronic friends, so much to the chagrin of our instructors a grand total of nobody ended up skydiving. Bottom line I’ve regretted it ever since, and although I’m terrified of heights I’m literally taking the plunge. I have to. Who’s with me?

My chances: 90%. God, please help me go through with it this time.

Update: I still haven’t done it yet I still want to. Somebody go with me please.

LEARN TO PLAY PIANO. AGAIN.

I took piano lessons for a few years when I was little. Like the dumbass that I was, I quit to focus on, oh I don’t know, riding my bike or something. At one point I could actually play a few simple songs, and to this day I regret quitting piano. I would love to be able to sit down and play something today.

My Chances: 40%. Time is my only enemy. And I don’t mean it’ll take 30-years to learn, I mean I’ll have to find the time.

Update: Nope. I’d estimate my chances are now about 20%.

VISIT ENGLAND

The Cavern Club.

I’ve always dreamed of going to England and seeing all of The Beatles sites. The Abbey Road crossing, the rooftop where the live “Let It Be” songs were performed, there’s even a Magical Mystery Tour that takes you down Abbey Road and past Strawberry Field. And I’m not sure I could even speak as I stood on 10 Mathew Street in Liverpool and stared at the legendary Cavern Club, where it all began. Yep, it’s still there, waiting for me. I’d also like to head up to The Netherlands while I’m in the area. I’ve always been fascinated by that part of the world.

My chances: 75%. I’ll do almost anything to make this happen. 

Update: Haven’t been there yet, but I’ll say my chances are even better that it’ll happen. I’m doing it for sure.

WRITE A BOOK

I want to write a novel, and I actually have some ideas. Will it be any good? I have no idea but I want to try. And I want to be published, not just do some online book that just about anyone can do these days. Stay tuned.

My chances: 10%. Like I say, writing is the easy part, getting published is another story (pun intended).

Update: No, but I have an outline. I really do.

VISIT DEALEY PLAZA AND THE ALAMO

As a lover of history I have to visit both of these historic sites. I’ve been to Gettysburg, Fort Sumter, and several other places, but I simply have to see where John F. Kennedy was assassinated, visit the Book Depository, and go to the place where Davy Crockett, William Travis and the boys fought so bravely.

My chances: 99%. I just can’t put 100%. I don’t want to tempt fate.

Update: This is another one that will happen very soon. Promise.

DRIVE ROUTE 66

For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to travel The Mother Road, the Main Street of America. Yes, there are places where you have to hop on the interstate for a while, but most of it is still intact. It begins in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles, and it’s mostly two-lane blacktop. It was in decline for years but has been largely restored. As a kid I used to watch a TV show called Route 66, and I’m pretty sure that’s where I originally got the idea. “Get your kicks on Route 66!” Oh, and preferably this trip will take place in a convertible, top down of course.

My chances: 85%.  Don’t have to do this. Need to do this.

Update: It shall happen, except in my Jeep. Currently taking interviews for a wingperson.

GO TO AN SEC FOOTBALL GAME

Preferably Alabama, Georgia, LSU, or Auburn. There’s just something about tailgating down south at an SEC game that’s always appealed to me. Surely there has to be a Shoe: Untied reader with connections. Anybody?

My chances: No idea, but I’ll be positive and say 67%.

Update: Nobody has stepped up yet. Perhaps I should get on Stubhub and take the plunge.

EAT THE BBQ SHRIMP AT EMERIL’S IN NEW ORLEANS

Let’s see. I love shrimp, I love BBQ, I love New Orleans Cuisine. MUST. HAVE. I had plans to go in 2005, I had reservations and everything, when Hurricane Katrina hit.

My chances: 95%. This will happen. 

Update: Not yet, but now that I think about it, a trip down to New Orleans followed by shooting over to Dallas and the Alamo would be fun. Two in one baby.

VISIT EVERY NBA ARENA

So far I’ve only been to arenas in Chicago, Indianapolis, Orlando, Atlanta, Washington DC and Cleveland.  I also used to watch the Cincinnati Royals at Cincinnati Gardens. There are 30 NBA teams, so I have a LONG way to go. I simply must see Madison Square Garden in New York and The Staples Center in L.A. Hey, I have time, right? Right?

My chances: 5%. That’s a lot of traveling.

Update: I have since been to Madison Square Garden and Boston’s TD Garden. The list narrows. A little.

So there you have it, my Bucket List. Can I make it all happen? Who knows, but I can sure try. And after all, the fun is in the journey, right?

Now if you’ll excuse me I have some planning to do.

My Route 66 trip plans are close to being finalized!

So here’s the deal. My old friend Larry Chapman wants to accompany me on my Route 66 trip and recreate an excursion he took back in the 60’s. I suggested renting a ’55 T-Bird, putting the top down on that bad boy, and rolling across America.

Problem is, Larry (Chopper) has expressed concerns about being uncomfortable riding shotgun in a T-Bird, so I have a surprise for him.

Roomy Chopper!

I plan on getting a motorcycle with one of those sidecars for Chopper to ride in. It’ll be perfect. His beard can flow majestically in the wind. I’ll even pitch in and buy him some cool goggles and one of those funky Prussian Army helmets with the pointy thing on top. Everyone who knows us both can picture it, right?

We can be like the two guys in Easy Rider. I can be Peter Fonda and Chopper can be Dennis Hopper. Hopefully we won’t be shotgunned down in the end but that’s not likely, right?

This is going to be awesome. Of course, Chopper will have to hold Sparky but I’m sure he won’t mind.

Note to self: Get Sparky goggles and helmet. 

So keep this to yourself, kids. I want it to be a surprise.

Stay tuned! Another Bucket List item will soon be checked off my list!