The Bucket List
As promised, here is what I plan to do before I die. It will be kept current.
If you want to make your own list, here is the comprehensive guide to making one that you will honor.
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Cities to tour
To tour a city means to spend at least a few days there exploring.
Istanbul
Jerusalem
Montreal – DONE but I will be back
Toronto
Ottawa
Vancouver – DONE 11/2014 – Lovely city. I could live there.
Chicago
Paris
Hong Kong
New York – DONE – 2/17/2012 – I spent most of four weeks here and had the time of my life. I heart NY.
London
Rome
Tokyo
Barcelona
Washington, D.C.
San Francisco
Seattle
Long-term trips to take
Being away for months gives you an entirely experience than being away for a week or two. You start to normalize to the new place and the “on the road” feeling. These trips could last anywhere from a month to a year.
Finally tour Eastern Canada — Visit Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland
Take a road trip through many of the western US national Parks, including Yellowstone, Death Valley, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Crater Lake and Glacier National Park
Take a Rocky Mountain snowboarding tour, spending a whole winter visiting different ski resorts in the Canadian and American West
Spend 4-12 months in a cosmopolitan city working on a writing project (NYC, Montreal, Seattle, etc)
Spend 3-6 months living in a beach town where I can surf all the time
Do a homestay in a French city, to learn French in an immersive environment (either in Quebec or France)
Countries/regions to explore
To “explore” means to spend at least a few weeks traveling overland in these areas.
Thailand – DONE – 11/20/09 – Had a blast, will be back one day.
New Zealand – DONE – Spent six months exploring this wonderful country from Nov ’09 to May ’10. I visited so many beautiful places and am determined to return one day.
France
England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales
Nepal and India
Scandinavia
Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia
Skills and knowledge
Learn French to fluency
Learn conversational Spanish
Understand the implications of Plato’s Cave
Learn photography – DONE – 1/2012 – I am proficient with the operation of a DSLR camera, the basics of composition and exposure. I can take pictures that make people go wow. There is an endless amount to learn and I want to learn more, but I’ve achieved enough to impress myself, which is all I ever wanted.
Learn a comprehensive history of the land known today as Canada
Learn to boost a car without worrying I might zap myself – DONE – 12/13/10
Learn to surf – DONE – Took a four-day surf camp in May 2010. Learned to stand up and surf right away, and now I am in love with surfing. I want to surf all over the world.
Learn first aid and CPR – DONE – 5/12/11 – This had been on my conscience for a long time. I am now certified in level C first aid and CPR.
Learn to dance comfortably – DONE – 2012 – I do dance now — I was afraid to for years. I’m not good at it but I do have fun and that’s enough.
Learn to throw a tight spiral with a football
Learn to swim properly – after all these years I really don’t know what I’m doing
Master a workflow system, like GTD
Learn to swing a golf club properly
Develop a nice, consistent signature (I’m 34 and haven’t done this yet)
Achievements
Become self-employed – DONE – 10/14/13
Become financially independent – This means I am living off the returns of my assets and do not have to work.
Play guitar in a working band
Own a house
Speak in front of a large audience (500+)
Become debt-free – DONE
Try a vegan diet for 30 days – DONE – 3/24/11 – This became Experiment No. 10 and it changed my dietary habits forever.
Become a millionaire
Have my own website – DONE – 3/15/09
Own a suit I feel great in
Make my living doing work I love – DONE – 7/31/14 – “Work I love” income in 2014 will exceed living expenses for the first time.
Get into physical shape I would describe as “outstanding”
Go 21 without complaining once (as per A Complaint Free World) – DONE – 4/3/10 – Had to restart a few times, but I made it. I learned a lot — the final report is here.
Achieve a “location independent” full-time income – PROGRESS – Essentially I’m here now, but I’m not going to check this off until I take my first major “non-vacation” trip, where I do self-employed work and earn while I’m abroad.
Get my Gmail inbox to zero – DONE – 4/16/10 – This is actually super easy, because of Gmail’s brilliant “Archive” function. I just selected them all and archived them. You should do it.
Write my will – PROGRESS
Earn a university degree – PROGRESS – Begun classes as of 6/2015.
Books/films to read/see
NOTE: I don’t believe in finishing books I’m not enjoying. So if I end up not liking it and quitting, it’s still “done” in my mind. Of course I hope I like them all.
Schindler’s List – DONE – 9/13/09
Dr. Strangelove (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb) – DONE – 3/19/13 – I appreciate the political significance of this film but I found it really boring after the beginning. The same joke went on for hours. I wanted to like it, and I’m not saying it wasn’t good. But I didn’t like it. Felt the same way about Catch-22 when I read it. Everyone else seemed to really like both, and they are certainly classics.
Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad – DONE – 11/16/09 – Finished it on the beach in Ko Phi Phi. Fantastic book, everyone who loves the English language should read it.
Walden – Henry David Thoreau
Vagabonding – Rolf Potts DONE – 7/2011
Roughing It – Mark Twain- DONE – 12/2011
Dune – Frank Hebert
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – Robert Pirsig – DONE – 3/19/13 – Did not finish. I expected a novel, with background themes of zen and living in the present moment. But it came off like a diatribe. There was no subtlety at all to the philosophical lessons. Philosophy can be incredibly boring when it’s discussed in the abstract, and it doesn’t take long to discover that that’s what the author really wants to do. Was turned off very quickly, but I think it’s because my expectations were so different from what it was.
The Hierarchy of Heaven and Earth – Douglas Harding
Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov
One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
The Brothers Karamazov – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Sun Also Rises – Ernest Hemingway
Les Misérables – Victor Hugo DONE – 5/2015 – Loved it.
Moby Dick – Herman Melville
To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee
Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell
Experiences to have
Plant and harvest a vegetable garden
Walk the Milford Track– DONE – 2/1/10 – Unforgettable hike. Some of the most dramatic landscapes I’ve ever seen. Had perfect weather. Pictures here.
Hike the Tongariro Crossing – DONE – 12/8/09 – Incredible experience.
Have an article published in The New Yorker
Go to an NFL game – DONE – Saw the Vikings and Packers in Minnesota on October 27/2013
Visit the Sagrada Familia
See the Statue of Liberty – DONE – 1/23/2012 – I was exhausted from a day of walking around lower Manhattan, and suddenly felt a bit crowded out by the busy streets. So I went walking down by the water around Battery Park City. It was drizzly and suddenly quiet, and then I saw her still figure in the distance. Heart almost stopped. Just like the Sydney Opera House — the best way to see world-famous landmarks is by accident.
Visit the Museum of Modern Art, New York – DONE – 1/?/12 – Wandered the galleries for a few hours and had a transcendent meeting with my favorite painting, Des Moiselles d’Avignon. I didn’t know it lived there.
Orbit the earth in a spaceship
Look at the heavens through a huge telescope – DONE – 4/1/11 – I visited the huge observatories on the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii and looked at several nebulae and planets with a 11″ reflecting telescope. Now, that’s not quite “huge” — I did not get to view the heavens through the enormous (some 20m-plus) telescopes in the observatories for two very good reasons: a) they are extremely exclusive and you have to have a lot of academic clout to even have a chance of using them, and b) modern telescopes do not have eyepieces — you can’t look through them. They are operated remotely and the heavens are viewed as high-res digital images. They are basically big cameras, and the images are freely available online.
See the Northern Lights in person – DONE (twice now) but I want to do it again!
See Radiohead live – DONE – 3/9/12 – Saw them in St. Louis. Beautiful, beautiful show. “Reckoner” and “Lucky” were transcendent moments for me.
Travel by train through the mountains – DONE – 2/4/10 – Took the TranzScenic across the New Zealand Southern Alps from Greymouth to Christchurch.
Walk the Abel Tasman Coastal Track – DONE – I had planned to walk the entire length of the track on December 23-27, 2009. When I got to the first hut, I found myself to be the only solo traveler at a beach full of vacationing families. I had left friends behind at the beginning of the track, and decided I’d rather spend Christmas with them than do the rest of the track with all of these couples and families. So I went back the next day. I did not walk the whole track as I intended, but I’m calling it done. I saw everything I wanted to see. It was beautiful, I just didn’t need five days of it at that particular time.
Take a round-the-world trip
Dine at a ridiculously fancy restaurant
Stay at a ridiculously fancy hotel
Share a ridiculously fancy bottle of wine with someone
Go to a movie by myself – DONE – 6/2015 – Done twice now. Saw Jurassic World, which was terrible, and Mad Max: Fury Road, which is amazing.
Participate in the making of a documentary
Fire a pistol
Get a massage from a professional – DONE – 10/14/09 – (There will be many more.)
Hike in a rainforest – DONE – 1/24/10 – Hiked through the rainforest at Franz Josef, NZ, up to the top of 1300m Alex Knob. I am so sore. Pictures here.
Do a ten-day vipassana retreat
Go on a multi-day hike (with a few other people) and sleep rough
Get a quality barrel while surfing
See Cirque du Soleil – DONE – 7/24/10 – Saw “Allegria” at the MTS Centre. Incredible show, exceeded my expectations. Want to see more Cirque shows.
Attend South by Southwest
Live in New York City (for a little while)
Watch a sports game from a luxury box
Try training in boxing – DONE – 9/23/2014 – Went to my first boxing class last night, so officially I have “tried” it. I really liked it and will continue.
Float in a sensory deprivation tank – DONE – 1/2015
“Lift for the cycle” (Reach 1, 2, 3, and 4 plate weights for the overhead press, bench press, squat and deadlift respectively [135 lbs, 225 lbs, 315 lbs, 405 lbs])
Reach the “1000 pounds” club (Bench press, squat and deadlift totaling 1000 lbs.)
Total goals: 114
Total complete: 40
Last updated: July 12, 2015
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Photo by Dudu Viana
I'm David, and Raptitude is a blog about getting better at being human -- things we can do to improve our lives today.
{ 130 Comments }
wow.
That is a Great List and a Long one too.. All the Best…Just a few More to Go….
David- Your site gets me jazzed; thank you sir. Might I suggest adding a book called Man’s Search for Meaning (Frankl) to your list. You of all people will find it profoundly inspiring, I am certain.
I was going to recommend this one as well. – A good read.
New to the site, good stuff!
Just wondering though, what are you doing for income in all your travels? I’d like to do this too one day, but I want to be financially secure before hand (by 40).
Cheers, Sam
On my current trip, I am living on my savings at the moment, which will not hold out forever. I will spend some time (probably in January) working for room and board in the WWOOF program (http://wwoof.org) as much for the experience as the room and board. After that I will find a paying job, and will be experimenting with internet marketing projects.
Long term, I plan to develop a location-independent self-employed income, so I can work while I travel via internet.
Check out this guy’s website. His list involved a lot of traveling and he explains how to trip down one’s life and do it on the cheap.
http://chrisguillebeau.com/3×5/sufficiency/
For me, it was the first time finding someone who got the difference between really needing something as opposed to wanting it. A person doesn’t need much to live a good and productive life but one has to live on one’s own terms and not those dictated to us by society. That isn’t always easy.
Yes, Chris Guillebeau is well-known in the blogging community, I’ve been following him for years. Super nice guy and an inspiration to my whole generation of blog entrepreneurs. He is awesome.
Hi David,
Sounds great man. I truly have always wanted to do what you do, but I’m afraid that once I leave my job and location in San Francisco, I’ll never be able to get it back. I have a fear that I truly do have a good thing going, and will regret my departure.
How do you know when it’s the right time to pack your bags and go solo? Was there an aha moment? How do you know when it’s the right time to come back and work at a traditional job? Never?
Finally, what about trying to montize your blog? It seems to get good enough traffic to earn perhaps $1,000+/month.
Best,
Sam
Maybe it’s not such a bad thing if you never get your job back. It sounds like it is keeping you from doing something you really want to do.
You may be able to negotiate a leave of absence or something, you just have to take the steps. If you want to travel it can be done. I don’t think I’ve never met anyone who has said they regret traveling, but I’ve talked to plenty who have regret not traveling.
I was ready to change jobs anyway, so it was rather easy for me to just get up and go. I was also nearing the age limit for a Working Holiday Visa, so it was sort of a now-or-never thing for me.
I will probably begin to monetize my blog soon. It does get good consistent traffic, I just want to make sure I choose the right way to do it.
David – It’s one of those things where I want it all, but obviously, that can’t happen. I’ve actually lived in 6 different countries for 2-4 years at a time and it was wonderful.
I’m thinking, why not plant my seed now (my site), and when I’ve got the financial wherewithal to really walk away and never return in 8-10 years, use the site as medium for supplemental income and as a hobby.
It’s not like I’m locked in a cage, as my firm provides 6 weeks a year vacation, which probably sounds like a joke to you :) Perhaps i’m looking for just balance. We get a 1-3 month sabbatical every 5 years, so perhaps I’ll take on next year for a month at least.
The ultimate scenario is probably to just have a healthy passive income stream from interest on cash, and then obviously a fantastic website to supplement so you’re never held down. One day!
Hi David,
I somehow stumbled onto your site when I was searching life lists. I teach health & am teaching a high school elective called “fit for life”. I am very impressed with Raptitude and your ability to articulate. I just finished a unit on life direction & I will print your article on “What Were Your Highlights in 2009?” and have my students read it. Thanks for providing an invaluable service. Best wishes on all of your adventures! I will definitely continue reading!
Sincerely,
Susan
Sag Harbor, NY
Hello Susan,
Wow, thank you. I am humbled that you think my work is fit for the young minds in your classroom.
Thank you for the best wishes, I hope to hear from you again.
very inteesting its a long road i should say a wonderful road good luck to you.
Truly remarkable site. I stumbled upon this site using the website StumbleUpon (hah imagine that). But I thought I might suggest Of Mice and Men- John Steinbeck to your list of books. Though you may have already read it and not quite consider it on the level of “The List,” I figured I’d at least suggest. It just touched me when I read it. Hope your current job search goes well! (With the exclamation point, too. Look at that.)
Best
HG
Thanks Hunter. I have seen the play of Of Mice and Men. I remember being quite affected by it (but also a bit disturbed.) I will definitely read some Steinbeck one day.
Robert Pirsig wrote a sequel to ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance’ called ‘Lila’ which I think is a must read if you’re considering Pirsig.
Hi Aaron. I’ve got a copy of ZAMM waiting for me when I get home. I’ll check out Lila when I’m done.
Word of advice, if you do manage to get to Ireland, do not refer to it as a ‘British Isle’.
Oh and let your Guinness settle before drinking it.
;-)
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse: short but exceptionally inspirational.
How much money would I need to make such a tour? Say I wanted a break of 45 days, would this be enough to make a trip around the world?
Well it depends what all you want to see. You could certainly circle the globe in a lot less than 45 days, but it’s the stops that make it worthwhile.
Found your site through a facebook friend and thought you should check my site….sendoutcards/lgeorge.com. You can send a card for free and check out how to make money at it while you travel. Good luck with the list.
Awesome list! Lots of things on there I’ve done, but many more I haven’t. Definitely some good ideas!
This prompted me to look up a list I wrote about 5 years ago to see how I’m doing. Admittedly, it was only 13 or so items long, but I was pleased to see that I’d checked about 3 or 4 off of it.
Good luck with the rest!
Thanks man! I actually just completed another item: Learn to surf. I am in Australia right now and I just took a 4-day surf camp. Now I can surf! can’t wait to do more of it.
Tonight I’m going to pick off an easy one: Go to a movie by myself. It’s an IMAX movie about surfing :)
Very nice! I have always wanted to learn how to surf, seems like an awesome, but challenging, sport!
Let me know when you want to learn conversational spanish and to dance well ;)
Will do Rosa!
Super, my quote for this text is 10.
I get the feeling that this whole website is solely for your own personal enjoyment and ego, and looky up at the list, have your own website is right there. You are no doubt going to deny such a selfish act and say you create for all to enjoy and learn and share, but i have read your articles and blah blah and have come to the conclusion that this must be true. Sorry to be such a debbie downer, now give me one of your little life lesson insights that makes you sound smart and feel better about yourself.
Im not saying this to try to be mean or look down upon you, I’m just throwing my version of the this sliver of reality into the mix
Can’t thank you enough for throwing your version of the this sliver of reality into the mix, Cornelius.
Telling people off on the internet, is that a typical Friday night for you?
Man I’m not telling you off, you have some cool ideas and stuff I’m just saying what I see this roots of this website to be. It’s not like you are the only person in the world that does this kind of thing, it is people’s own personal interest that drives the lives of the vast majority of people. I guess I just wanted to see how my version matched up to yours, sorry if I offended you that honestly wasn’t the point if you can believe it.
Hey, anyone who uses the phrase “Debbie Downer” doesn’t deserve an internet connection.
David I love your list! I have my own too but I got a couple of ideas from yours as well, so thanks!
What surf camp did you attend? Would you recommend it?
I did Surf Camp Australia. We surfed at Gerroa, which is supposed to be one of the best learn-to-surf beaches in the world. The conditions were great every day. It was fantastic, I really recommend it.
This is a ridiculously adorable list. I hope you are able to accomplish them all, and if not…it’s really commendable that you have a list. I think everyone should make a list.
Okay, I just happened on this site by looking up quotes. Perfect, just perfect. Congrats on doing what you love AND thanks for sharing yourself and your process. The greatest gift this gave me was the question to myself, “what am I waiting for?” which was then followed by “what is it I REALLY want?”
Thanks David…I look forward to your email updates. Happy New Year.
I love it. I’m going to steal a few of these. Here’s mine:
1. Win an award/ certificate of recognition
2. Learn how to fly an airplane
3. Learn how to surf
4. Start/ run my own successful and profitable business
5. Do the full splits
6. Learn how to drive a stick shift
7. Become a certified mechanic
8. Learn how to shoot a gun
9. Be a spy (like in the FBI or CIA or whatever)
10. Go paint balling
11. Become fully self-sufficient (live on my own, by a car, etc.)
12. Live in Spain for 3+ months
13. Become fluent in Spanish
14. Get a dog
15. Make and have 1,000,000 dollars in my possession by age 30
16. Have a net-worth of 12,000,000 dollars before I’m 40
17. Start a no-kill animal shelter
18. Write a book
19. Create a wall of art (paintings, photographs, etc.)
20. Join a competitive sports team
21. Become a fitness instructor/ personal trainer
22. Get my real estate license
23. Dine at a self-sustaining farm/ restaurant
24. Dance professionally
25. Travel to Australia, Greece, Bali, Ireland, Brazil, Japan, X New York, X Canada, X Alaska, X Europe, X Las Vegas, X Mexico, Africa)
26. Own/ live on a boat for awhile
27. Direct a film
28. Have a successful marriage that lasts a lifetime
29. Have kids- be an awesome parent
30. Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower
31. Go horseback riding on the beach
32. Get my fortune told
33. Get a makeover
34. Swim with dolphins
35. Buy my parents a trip to Australia
36. Pay my parents back all my college tuition and then some
37. Participate in a dance flash mob
38. Go scuba diving
39. Plant a garden, grow my own vegetables and herbs
40. Make love under fireworks, X on the beach, in a kitchen
41. Own, create and live in my dream home
42. Star in a reality show/ TV show
43. Host a murder mystery or clue-themed party
44. Have a prohibition-themed party
45. Have a meal with someone famous/ one of my heroes
46. Fly first-class
47. Fall in love
48. Get a surprise party
49. Ride an elephant or camel
50. Become a gourmet cook
51. Complete Orochon Ramen #2 Challenge
52. Get kissed under mistletoe
53. Go fishing
54. Go on a helicopter ride
55. Bungee-jump or skydive
56. Take a day-long vow of silence
57. Find a way to positively impact women’s rights
58. Go scuba-diving
59. See the Northern Lights
60. Play badminton or raquetball with my Dad
61. Do public speaking (in front of 500+ people)
62. Jump off a waterfall
63. Take a social etiquette class
64. Go to Marseille in France
65. Ride a mechanical bull
66. Experience weightlessness
67. Attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans
68. Go to Burning Man
69. Attend Oktoberfest in Germany
70. Be interviewed by Conan O’Brian
71. Be interviewed by Oprah
72. Be on the cover of a magazine
73. Build a school in a developing country
74. Build a Habitat for Humanity home
75. Invest in a start-up business
76. Sleep in a castle
77. Live on an Island
78. Own a spa
79. Have my artwork exhibited in a gallery
80. Write a journalism expose
81. Create enough passive income so that I don’t have to work
82. Create a 5-figure salary from a web income
83. Invest in the stock market
84. Become financially literate and savvy
85. Get proposed to
86. Go on a honeymoon
87. Spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square and in London
88. Try bull testicles, frog, alligator, X escargot, X caviar
89. See the Grand Canyon
90. See Cirque de Soleil
91. See the Statue of Liberty
92. Be organized and self-disciplined
93. Go for a week without spending any money
94. Take a milk bath
95. Participate in a food fight
96. Eliminate bad habits, destructive vices and nervous mannerisms
97. Ride in a limo
98. XPlay strip poker
99. X Join the mile high club
100. X Go to Carnivale in Venice
101. X Take a cross-country road trip
102. X Learn how to rock climb
103. X Star in a movie
104. X Go on a Cruise
105. X Sing Karaoke
106. X Go skiing/ snowboarding
107. X Camp-out under the stars
108. X Go skinny dipping
109. X Go to a drive-in movie
110. X Brunch more
111. X Wear teddies and lingerie to bed instead of men’s boxers
112. X Become a film producer
113. X Go white-water river rafting
114. X Quit a job/ Get fired from a job
115. X Dye my hair purple
116. X Learn to play a musical instrument
117. X Perform in front of an audience
118. X Go on a picnic
119. X See the Mona Lisa
120. X Visit the Statue of David
121. X Go snorkeling
122. X Go to Disneyland
123. X Take a pottery class
124. X Graduate highschool
125. X Graduate college
126. X Make the front page of the newspaper
127. X Be a camp counselor
128. X Work a service job
129. X Make a documentary
130. X Meet the Dalai Lama
131. X Participate in an AIDS walk
132. X Write a script
133. X Eat pancakes in Amsterdam
134. X Host a dinner party
135. X Become a published author
Fantastic list…a LOT of great stuff on here. I’ve just discovered your site last night really…and I’ve kept coming back throughout today. As I perused your list, I realized that I could check off quite a few items. I didn’t keep track, but it was around half of them, I’d say. It’s easy for me to forget the myriad blessings and spectacular experiences I’ve had. Thanks for the reminder!
P.S. When you get there, I think you’re really gonna dig Machu Picchu. I’ll also recommend the Cordillera Blanca range for Peruvian trekking too. Ah hell, I predict you’ll dig the entire country! I spent 30 days there in 2006 and I’d go back in a second.
You can cross off “Try a vegan diet for 30 days” now. :)
Just came across your site from a link to your “Try a Vegan Diet for 30 days” post. I am loving what I am reading so far. This list is great, and quite honestly, made me feel pretty good about my own life, as I have done some of the things you have on your list! Good luck!
Great list. If you ever visit Prague, Im ready to show you around. ;)
evtra list got a new one.))
Ciao David,
First off, awesome list :-) It’s got me thinking about what I should put on my list. Have you been updating your list? I hope so!
I guess I’m not quite sure what to say but your website & your writing gives me a lot of… insight. And reassurance. I’m in a pretty high-stress life check-point right now (graduating university), and I’m going mad trying to figure out what will come of my life. But I’m trying to keep perspective and keep my head above the water. It’s hard, but I’ll get through it. You give me a lot of strength to carry on. Thanks for that. I wish I could meet you in person some day.
Best of luck with everything. You’re getting real good with life, I know it!
-C x x
Yep, this list is updated regularly. At the bottom it says when the last update was.
Hi David,
Is it alright if I put up my own tab regarding my own “list” of goals I want to do on my website?
I just thought the idea was amazing and it blew me away when I saw it. I’ve hit a bit of a roadblock regarding my own goals so I was thinking a list could help that.
-Matt
Of course! I didn’t make this up :)
thanks David.
I’m enjoying your site & your list and thought you sound like you might also enjoy Burning Man. Not like you need to ADD anything to the list, I know… but it’s one of the most amazing communities on Earth and you seem like a natural ;)
Best of luck with your dreams – never stop.
This is an inspiring list. I think I will use it as a guide to make my own list. Thanks for sharing and good luck on your progress!
Let me know when your ready to knock that one about taking up a protege off your list
It will be a long time before I do that one ;)
ahh. my heart jumped when i saw “see radiohead live (in England if possible)” on your list. i’ve seen them live twice (once in my home state of Ohio, and once at Coachella music fest in Indio, CA back in 2004). they are magical. they’re one of the few bands i’ll pay a bunch of money to see, even after seeing them twice. that’s saying a lot since most of the shows i go to are under $25 (still bands i adore, but of much smaller fame). anyway, cheers to radiohead! you’ll get to see them, i’m sure of it! and it’ll be worth the wait :).
If ever you find the opportunity to see Radiohead live in England (or anywhere on earth) you should consider seeing them with me, a stranger who loves Radiohead and is a fan of your writing.
Xo
Lily
If you make it on that road trip and head through Colorado, get on SH 50, and make a detour on Highway 149, traveling through the historical and picturesque town of Lake City, 8,700 feet in elevation. I will happily buy you a drink and we can easily summit that 10,000 foot mountain, no problem.
I will be there. One day :)
Add Hungary to the country list. It’s often overlooked, but it’s quite beautiful I can tell (because I live here). After all I can safely say we have the greatest water and spas in the world, also one of the world’s hardest, but most poetic language.
My two cents – read Kerouac before your US road trip. That book changed my life when I was 15 & will enhance the roadtrip experience. Also, if you haven’t already, read Kurt Vonnegut, anything by him!
Great idea. Or maybe during my road trip…
I’ve read a few of Vonnegut’s. I usually like them.
If you want to go to Italy, you can’t miss Cinque Terre and doing the 5 hour “walk of love” hike across the beautiful towns that Cinque Terre is composed of. You MUST schedule this into your trip when you make it to Italy!
It was great to see the canals in Venice– it was beautiful — but I think Venice is doable in a day and a half. Rome and Florence were awesome! Def could spend a lot of time there.
Thanks for such an inspiring site…I’ve spend hours here.
And when you make it to SF, give me a holler ;)
I have many interests and I’m indecisive– I ultimately dropped out of college because of this. My interests include: English, Comparative Lit, Women Studies, Psychology, Advertising/Marketing, Philosophy, Evolution, Religion, Law, Political Science, et al. What do you think is the most important thing one can study in college?
I would study whatever will help you to earn a living doing what you love.
I would like to invite you to consider visiting Africa. I think it is a big hole in your list. Best and good continuation, great website!
As part of your tour of Toronto, you could drop in to one of our ceilis or weekly lessons and learn a bit of Irish set dancing. Two birds with one stone (so to speak).
May I suggest one addition to your list under Books/films to read/see, is the movie “What the Bleep Do We Know?” Everyone should see this, actually more than once.
You can stay with us when you come to Paris.
We can show you the Marais, and get the baguette and red wine thing crossed off, too!
Très bien!
I’m so glad to see that Northern Canada made it on the list. The tundra is my favorite place in the world. This past summer 7 friends and I paddled from Selwyn Lake to Baker Lake, it was an incredible six weeks.
I actually thought of making a list similar to this a few weeks ago, but as I started writing things down I realized that I really had no idea what sort of things will matter to me in five to ten years, or even a month from now. Did you run into this same mindset?
Hi David,
I have just found your website and find it fascinating. Seeing the breadth of the things you would like to achieve in life written down is very inspiring! I particularly like ‘The Experiments’ part of your website and your open minded approach to learning and lifestyle. I will definitely keep checking in to keep updated. You should be very proud of this website.
I would suggest that you also make it a goal to go to the middle east. I am from Jordan myself and I would like to tell you as a fellow blogger, a fellow human, and a fellow observer, that there are some things you should consider adding to your list such us Petra (a city carved in pink stone), the dead sea (the lowest point on earth), and the pyramids in Egypt. If you have any questions, or need help getting there just please e-mail me. Big fan btw :)
hi david
stumbleupon led me to your page. been reading some of the stuff and
greatly enjoying it! thanks for sharing. hope to read it all.
surprised to see your list beginning with my native city!
istanbul is amazingly beautiful and hideous, chaotic and peaceful, all altogether, just like us, the people.
you’re much welcome to stay at my house when you’re here. try to make it sometime in early may – when tulips and judas trees are in full bloom, and when you can enjoy the openair seats of the bosphorus/goldenhorn boats.
i’ve heard a sufi master blessing his guests, saying: “may god increase your wonder.”
great name- raptitude!
be well
David
Love your site, and it looks like a great list- but where is Africa? I came to Mozambique three years ago, expecting to stay 1 year, and now finding it hard to think about leaving. It’s truly an experience. Or you can add a book to your list ‘The shadow of the sun’ by Ryszard Kapuscinski, if you haven’t already read it…. it might even make you want to visit in the end.
Ireland is great too though-nice to see it on the list..although I’m probably a little biased ;)
you should ‘learn your wines’ in Washington. If you study Buddhism for a year any time soon you should post some contact information, I am very interested in doing that and know I will have to venture outside my tiny town to do so.
I see no Henry Miller or Marguerite Duras on your reading list. I highly recommend both. The former’s Rosy Crucifixion Trilogy and the latter’s War Writings are both musts.
I can help with a few things on your list. I have a yearly canoe trip with a friend that could easily be overnight. We meet in Alabama in the summer. If you plan your cross country trip at the right time you could accomplish a few goals at the same time. And firing a pistol could be arranged as well. The Harley is doable if you already know how to ride but honestly they are overrated. Riding, period is an experience. The bike is secondary to the experience.
Sounds perfect DJ. The cross country trip won’t be this year, but I will let you know when I decide to do it
Selfishness is only good if you use it to build yourself up without tearing others down.
Apart from that, I agree with what Partha said in his first two sentences. I think Cornelius’ sponsorship of a successful Nicaraguan entrepreneur who probably couldn’t have made a go of it otherwise was an act of selflessness. On the other hand, letting yourself get *used* by people who don’t respect your time or your goals let alone your well-being isn’t selflessness, it’s something malignant in your spirit. If you’re letting yourself get ripped off in this way in order to be “liked”, “loved” or “accepted” (please note the quotation marks), stop it right now. Stay away from users. Don’t encourage them. Get help if you need it (and beware of users in the therapy business!).
OK, rant over. Congratulations on what you have already accomplished so far, David!
Wow.. I feel like one would have truly lived life if he were to complete this Bucket List, which I’m sure you will..
Cheers! :)
WOW. That’s some list! Like the new photo of you much better than the old one. Good luck in your travels this year. I’m jealous.
What an awesome idea! “Develop a nice, consistent signature” made me laugh – definitely with you on that one… You’ve inspired me to make my own list, thanks. :-)
What an awesome idea! “Develop a nice, consistent signature” made me laugh – I’m definitely with you on that one… You’ve inspired me to make my own lis, thanks! :-)
David,
Almost five years ago I wrote my first “list.” I was 41 years old, and was faced with a huge life change (divorce). For the first time in a LONG time, my life was completely about my wants, so I felt I needed to make them a priority.
As I made my list, the very first item was identical to one on yours, “Hike in the Himalayas.”
A couple of months later, my church announced that one of their upcoming mission trips was to Nepal. I knew this was my chance. If it wasn’t for my list, I would have likely let the opportunity pass by.
As it turned out, the trip was very expensive. Everyone backed out but me. I knew I had to go, so I moved forward with the plans, even though I was going alone. 40 days prior to the trip I had a windfall, so I purchased two tickets so that my 18-year-old son could go with me. He’s an Eagle Scout, and also an avid backpacker.
Since there were only two of us, we weren’t able to do a large-scale construction project for the mission in Kathmandu, which is typical of these trips, but instead we spent the entire trip hiking into remote villages in the Annapurna region in the Himalayas doing needs assesments and first-contact mission work. This was quite literally a two-day bus ride to the end of the road, then backpacking on vertical trails in the mountains (mostly stairs) for days. Amazing.
Not only was this a life-changing trip due to the magesty of the surroundings, the nature of our work and the fact that it was my first trip outside of the US, but most importantly because I was able to do something pretty large from my list very shortly after creating it.
So, for anyone reading this, I highly recommend creating your own list. If you don’t, you very well may let an opportunity pass you by without ever seeing what it is.
Last note for you, David: going to a movie by yourself seems pretty easy. Get to it! ;)
Ever heard of a site called http://43things.com? It’s all about goals, finishing them, starting some and even quitting some. It’s 43 because at some point, you can’t just keep on making goals until you start doing something about them. I’m on there. Find me.
Hey Lorraine! Good to hear from you. I think I have an account there but I do all my list-work here!
I can’t believe that this is the only comment I’m going to make after being entirely inspired by most of what you’ve written… but you should definitely go rock climbing. The feeling of accomplishment you’ll get when you achieve a climb you couldn’t do in a previous trip and swore you could never do is one of the best motivators for accomplishing other things on your list, I’ll bet. I dare you to do it this week.
I don’t believe in “Things to do before I die” lists. As they say, life is not measured by how many breaths you take, but rather, by how many moments take your breath away. Likewise for accomplishments. It’s not about how many things you can accomplish, its about whether or not you can accomplish yourself.
your site is very cool!
This is a fantastic idea.
Great to see you have so many people interested. Be proud of that list, just as it is. Amazing!
David,
I wanted to let you know that I’m really enjoying reading this blog. You have a unique style of taking idea which many people experience everyday and writing about it in a way which allows the reader to become more aware of — and better understand that idea.
I was particularly happy to see how much you traveled around New Zealand. I was there with my family several years ago and it was an unforgettable experience. Have you sat yet on a beach with no trace of civilization other than yourself? The one time I remember doing so was just west of Kaiteriteri on the Abel Tasman Coast!
Jake
Why “done” and not “in progress”?
I’ve just stumbled upon your list. I’ve had one going for the last few years, but there are only a few items and most of them were chosen by friends. Some are funny – one friend had me in ‘chile training’ to eventually be able to eat a vindaloo, another objective is to build a proper igloo. I might go to Finland to do that. The list had me running a marathon in May – I never thought I’d do something as masochistic and downright ridiculous.
Your list is far more comprehensive. I might need to use this page as inspiration (ie, i’m going to shamelessly copy you) to get mine on my website and make myself more accountable.
Oh yeah – and if you fulfil the item about visiting England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, feel free to use our flat futon in Edinburgh!
This is awesome list and quite similar to mine. Although, I must admit that nearly all of my goals are either surf or music (festival) related and every place on my “to see” list is surrounded by warm water waves. Luckily surf trips have plenty of down-time for reading heaps of book and even learning a new language. Many birds, one stone.
I been doing Argentine Tango and love it, also I am a martial artist; PASSIONATE martial artist, and one thing i you need to know before learning martial arts is that you want to join a system that fits you, that you enjoy. it’s like finding a workout you like…you know you hate running. I started off with Kenpo Karate, and then found Wing Chun Do, and by far am at home with this style. Bruce Lee’s modified Wing Chun is what it is. what you notice doing Dancing, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, is it is all similar because your teaching yourself something physical. I look at all these things as instruction manuels for your body which is like a tool you know little about using, thank you for your time!
No falling in love?
If you ever get to New Brunswick and need a guide….let me know! It would be an honor.
Amazing bucket list. This inspires me to start compiling my own list.
Thanks for this.
You should add taking a trip to the middle east ;) Jordan in particular as Petra is one of the wonders of the world and it surely is mesmerizing. And ya skydiving too!
I’m in New Zealand right now and I have learned that they have the “Southern Lights” down here. Witnessing lava spew from an active volcano (from a safe distance) and seeing the Aurora (Borealis, or the Australis) is my top two on my Must See list. I’m hoping for some strong solar activity in the coming months!
I found many items on your list would easily be on my list :)
Among those things you have yet to do, I could teach you the basics of driving a stick and give tips on ordering in French at a French restaurant (easily my fave class assignment in 8th grade!).
A truly inspiring list.
Wishing you much more world travel and the Tango! *hug*
David,
I like your blogs…. you have an unique perspective to the things… would love to read more… !!
I absolutely loved The List!
I sort of stumbled upon your site.. and now i have it bookmarked..
some points brought a smile to my face and some inspired me, even to make my own list!
Thanks David!
Good Luck with The List! :)
tip – do the buddhism thing first then the list may simply be:
do nothing, be nothing :-) the external world of forms is nowhere near as important as the inner world. crave not, just flow :)
David,
This is commendable. I really appreciate the effort You’ve put in to solve problems and what better than sharing it with the world!
May You have the opportunities to have a “100% DONE” on this wishlist.
God Bless,
Ameya.
As a father, I would also add to your list, family. Visiting the world and experiencing all the world offers is great, but there’s nothing like snuggling with your wife, backpacking with your boys (even if it’s only in the North Carolina mountains), and spending time with your daughter. It’s hard work, but a great investment.
Great list! When you’re visiting India and Nepal, you should explore a bit of Pakistan too. :) Hunza and Gilgit are among the most magical places in the whole world.
Glad to see a Chicago visit is on the list. :) When you find yourself here, if you’ve got some spare time I’d be happy to treat you to a float-tank session. I tried out this place last summer, and it was a very neat experience: http://chicagofloatationtanks.com/
Hi there, purely has been conscious of your web site through Google, determined it’s mostly actually useful. I’m going to look out for the town. I’m going to be relieved in the event you proceed this later on. A number of other folks could possibly be benefited through your publishing. Best wishes!
Great text thanks
Great post!
The best!
Hi David,
I really really enjoy reading your blog! huge fan now, just started reading about a month ago now. I’ve found myself clicking onto the link to “the list”
which tool me here for a quick read.
just looking at an item there”
“Go rock climbing, on actual rocks” …..
don’t know if you have done this already David?
I run an university outdoors club in Sydney, Austraila.
if you’re ever in town this way and interested to tick this one off flick me an email!,
would be happy to take you out climbing as a thank you for discovering your excellent blog.
Cheers,
Danny
I am reading the unabridged version of harding’s hierarchy this winter.
Met him a year before he passed.
I own it but haven’t read it yet. Richard Lang is doing a course on it very soon I think, where you read a few chapters every week and there’s a discussion group. I would do it but the pace is too fast for me right now.
I wish I could have met Mr Harding.
Hi David, your list and your spirit is wonderful and simply admirable :) Some of my ‘To Do’s’ are similar to yours but when I think of my age (nearing 30) I sometimes feel that I would never be able to do them as it is too late. But your list gave me the courage to add more and that I could do. At least I can try rather than striking them off. Thanks and Good luck :)
I wrote a ‘list of things to do before i was 21yrs old. ‘I had to cross that out and put …things to do before I die. It had taking acid on it (I never actually did this one) and going to a fetish party(I did this one) my little brother read it out when my family were in my student digs and I ripped it off the wall and threw it in the bin. I wish I had kept it . I have changed so much since my student days. I feel really inspired to make a new one but I think I might add pictures to it and make it like a piece of art if I’m going to hang it on my wall. A sort of vision board. Thanks for the article. Anna xx
Interesting. I have so many that are the same, including books and places to go, and I’m gradually checking them off. My boyfriend and I have a joint list now, divided into watching/reading, eating (we are serious foodies), travelling and just random things to do (pedal boating on the river with prosseco)… Most of them are pleasant, some are wise. Good luck on yours!
Great list! Reminds me a lot of mine. A few I completed that turned out much better than I’d ever expected were:
– Stay at a ranch in the desert and learn how to horseback ride. (Done at White Stallion Ranch, Tucson, Arizona. TWICE! Just the best experience ever!)
– Go on a swamp boat and do a tour of a swamp. (Done at Big Toho, Kissimmee, Florida. I had *no idea* the swamp was as beautiful as it is. And damn, the air boats are a blast to ride in!)
– A gondola ride in Venice. (OK, it wasn’t on my list but would have been if I knew how amazing it was going to be. The perspective of the Grand Canal and the buildings from water level was just… sublime? And it’s so tranquil in the canals–a great getaway from the hoards of tourists in the alleys. Some people may call this a “tourist trap” and never try it, but trust me–worth every single Euro!)
Least favourite:
– Went hot air ballooning over Ottawa. (I’m tall and the stupid torch blaster thing was right beside my head! Infernally hot. And it’s insanely loud. And you’re sort of stuck in a basket compartment. It’s sort of relaxing and the stillness up there is unbelievable, but then the blast happens again. Never, ever do this for a romantic activity. Glad I did it, but not due for a repeat anytime soon.)
Fantastic list! Great inspiration! I’ve just started mine and love reading others, we have a couple cross overs! Good Luck!
My bucketlist here: http://thebukkylist.weebly.com
To this day, Montreal remains an appropriate place for self-employed people. Elsewhere, you mentioned living in “one of Canada’s least expensive cities”. Though things are changing fairly quickly, the cost of living in Montreal is really very low and there’s quite a bit of support available for people with low income.
So… Maybe spending some time in Montreal would work for you, at this point.
(I’m from Montreal and live in “Gattawa”, aka the National Capital Region. Also lived in New Brunswick, Indiana, Massachusetts, Texas, Mali, and Switzerland.)
Yes, I have heard that about Montreal and I am really thinking of relocating in the next year or two. Winnipeg is getting more expensive anyway, and I love Montreal. It’s really one of my favorite cities in the world.
How come I didn’t spot this post before? Really good read, inspirational! Something I wish I’d done years ago, instead of coasting for a good few years. “Bored today? What’s on the list? Oh, read Plato.”
(My take: You can either think about what you want and plan things, or you can follow inspiration as it arises, but if the latter then you must regularly ask yourself “What constructive thing can I do now?” and follow every intuition you get, regardless of feeling, mood, logic, and that’s not easy to do. The danger with the former is that you don’t check for your desires changing through time – e.g. you don’t really want to be an astronaut/fireman/train driver anymore – but that’s what reviewing is for.)
So, interesting that you list Plato’s Cave, and I’d be interested in your take on it (given your semi-Budhhist stated or implied take on other things, Douglas Harding, etc) when you get there. You might also want to check out George Berkeley’s Three Dialogues (available for free here at Project Gutenberg).
– George Berkeley, Three Dialogues Quotes @ SparkNotes
For your dancing, you might find this instructional video useful. ;-)
Oh, and potential film to add if you haven’t seen it already: Richard Linklater’s rotoscoped philosophical lucid-dreaming film, Waking Life.
Great list! Love that you have “Orbit the earth in a spaceship” on there. Also on my list.
I’m curious how you would define your three “ridiculously” goals. The restaurant, hotel and wine. How will you determine when these get checked off?
Great text thanks..
Cities wise I am a little ahead of you : )))
Definitely the classic triple of London, Paris and Rome – and you should add for historical reasons, Istanbul. The four will not disappoint – having grown up in London, and visited Paris at the age of 11 and never looked back. Geneva, Como, Prague and Siena really should be added along with Singapore, Malacca and Dubai – where I now live
So what if someone has a blog for their own personal enjoyment and ego?
Your comment had no point, in my opinion.
A bit late for me to wade into this one, but I think I have the answer to that, Cornelius. There is one and only one really honest and good reason to do a thing: namely, that you LIKE doing it, that it’s good for you, that it makes you feel good. All three are selfish reasons. Selfish, my friend, is good. Selfless is vacuous, selfless is stupid, selfless is a circle that takes you nowhere. I repeat: Selfish is good. And taken in its full sense, selfish is good for others too. Just like this site of David’s (which of course he’s set up for good, pure, selfish reasons) is a great place for many of us readers.
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