I want to start a new discussion called the Bucket List.

Somehow that has become important to me, and I'm sure it has to do with age. All of a sudden it's important, somehow.

I'll start by saying that practically everything I can think of now on my list has to do with experiencing nature and what it has to offer, and that's not necessarily consuming, as in hunting. I could make a long list, and hopefully during the course of this discussion I will. But for starters, I'll say that I want to experience the Amazon, as primitive as it gets, and I think I want to start with the dry season. I also want to visit Costa Rica, perhaps for fishing, and maybe for others aspects of nature, and I'll skip the snakes, especially the fer-de-lance. http://www.therealcostarica.co...bugs_costa_rica.html

Africa may also be on my list, but not necessarily a safari to kill something, but preferably for the experience, and I'm not talking about cities.

Your thoughtful input is requested.

KB

I'm kinda doin that right now. Last year I ended a 19 yr marriage in which I was bullied and battered for years. I finally got the guts to end it, though I'd wanted to for a long time. Anyway, I have always loved music and used to play, but he was jealous and I stopped. Well, I'm back. I bought an electronic piano and I'm taking lessons. I've picked the guitar back up. I'm going places and seeing things I've never seen before. I've joined a shooting sports club. I'm going to Vegas next month. I've ridden on the back of a Harley. I can finally have friends and I'm fostering a few friendships. I'm finally living. I make a new addition to my bucket list often... and I'm doin it!

Good for you. Glad to read it.

Marriage can be abusive. My last marriage was that way. I sorta put up with it, hoping to make things better in time. The difference is for me it lasted about nine months rather than 19 years, before incompatable temperments, as the judge calls it, caused a permanent breakdown. It's amazing, ain't it, being free of that sort of unnecessary stress?

One thing that's permanently off my bucket list is marriage.

KB

So... what have you been able to scratch off your bucket list? After I scratch off Vegas next month, I'll add something new. I just don't know what, yet. I'm thinking about so many things. I want to see Mayan ruins, pacific islands, Branson, the Grand Canyon, I want to ski (snow and water) lol!! I want to volunteer more. I want to help people and make a positive difference in someone's life. So many things I want to experience.

Bucket list is great. And I wish you all the best, but you don't always get to skip the snakes.

Yes, you are right, often we don't get to skip the snakes.

It's late, so I'll think about what I've scratched off my bucket list, through accomplishment and intentionally, rather than resignation. One thing is that I'm writing a book, which has turned out to be a lot more work than I thought it would be. I'll use that as an excuse for not yet getting to the other things. I'm working on a cabin too, but that also will take several years to complete, if it's ever really complete. A lot of progress has already been made though. Also, I rode the train from Anchorage to Fairbanks, so that's not on the list anymore.

KB

I've added to my bucket list. My daughter and I have made a pact to visit each State Park in the great state of Texas. There are 94 State Parks. We've been to three so far... lol. So, we've got a long way to go. She's put up a map of Texas in our dining room with pins marking the parks we've been to. If we can hit 15-20 a year, we can be finished in 5 years.
Also, when I go to Vegas later this month, I've booked a Grand Canyon tour with a skywalk. So, I'll be able to cross two things off with one trip.
What's your book about?

quote:

Originally posted by NavyVet:

What's your book about?

The book is about the events and circumstances of my marriage to a Ukrainian woman, and what I learned from the experience, which includes how to write a meaningful book about it, the law, the social contract, and how judicial discretion is a significant factor.

At first I thought it would be easy, like a memoir, but the more I got into it, trying to sort it out, not just what happened, but also what it means, the more complicated it got.

It's taken several months of thinking about it, and working with the theme to finally just be able to give a simple answer to your question. After all, I think it's obvious that question and answer should be clear to the reader and writer, concisely.

As I got into actually writing about it, the more I realized what I didn't know, or what I thought I knew that wasn't accurate. I had to rethink far more than I initially thought I would. The more I read in research, the more confused I got, mostly because of the depth and diversity involved.

I think now that I'm ready to proceed and hopefully finish. It's not that I've finished researching, reading, or learning from it, but the picture of the finished product is getting clearer. It's a lot more work and more complicated than I figured, especially with a day job. I've got plenty of material, and a good outline. I'm about 1/3 of the way through with the draft. Right now it's difficult to predict how long the editing will take.

However, as simple as it may seem, precisely answering the question "What's your book about?" is central to writing, finishing, and editing.

KB

Since I've never written a book, I have no idea the amount of complexity involved. Your answer gave me a slight clue as to what an immense undertaking your project is for you. What a huge accomplishment this will be. Not to mention what you've already gained in knowledge and self awareness. Congrats on what you've been able to accomplish so far. And thank you for answering.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyVet:
I've added to my bucket list. My daughter and I have made a pact to visit each State Park in the great state of Texas. There are 94 State Parks. We've been to three so far... lol. So, we've got a long way to go. She's put up a map of Texas in our dining room with pins marking the parks we've been to. If we can hit 15-20 a year, we can be finished in 5 years.
Also, when I go to Vegas later this month, I've booked a Grand Canyon tour with a skywalk. So, I'll be able to cross two things off with one trip.
What's your book about?

Navy Gal.....I have been to Vegas, it is a sight to behold. Rent a car and take a day trip to the Hoover Dam and then on to the west rim of the Grand Canyon. Spend one day looking at all the Casinos but get a bus pass and ride then walk....Vegas is a big place. Spend one evening on Fremont Street it is a cool place.

Thanks for the suggestions, Ted. I've already booked a bus trip to the Grand Canyon with a skywalk. And I've got a ticket to the Criss Angel show. I've got a reservation at a Japanese restaurant and I LOVE Japanese food. I graduated high school on a military base in Japan, so I have a fondness for the country that my grandparents could never comprehend. I've never gambled, so I'm not sure if I'll even venture into a casino. And, I'm not sure if I'll be able to fit in Hoover Dam, but if not, I can always go again! I love mixed martial arts and boxing. My regret on this trip is that it's on a weekend when there aren't any fights. But, it was really the only time I could go that would fit my home and work schedule. So, I guess I will need to go again! Lol.

I don't gamble either....my money is hard earned and I can't give it away. But I looked at all the big casinos and walked in most just to behold the unreal beauty and architecture....they spared no expense and are huge!!!

My father was a WW II vet and I doubt he had any use of anything Japan.....but I bet it's a cool place. BTW the Chris Angel show is great!!

Vegas isn't on my list, but the Grand Canyon is. I want to ride a mule to the bottom, which will help me accomplish another goal - lose enough weight to get under 200 lbs. As I understand it, that's a requirment to ride the mule.

Another thing that's almost on the list - maybe after the mule ride to the bottom of the canyon and back, is that I would like to hire an outfitter to take me by horse or mule, pack trip, from the east side of the River of No Return Wilderness to exit on the west side, and take my time in between.

KB

I sincerely hope I do not offend, but in theory I object to a "Bucket List".

I try to do what I can today, tomorrow and the next. I'll undoubtedly not get everything done before I want to regardless my termination date. Important to note the regardless the date part. I'd hope that even if I do live to a very ripe, possibly rotten old age I'll still retain un realized dreams upon my death. I'd not want to be a senior citizen with my "Bucket List" completed and either adding to it since I wasn't dead yet or simply accepting the completion of the "List" and waiting to stop breathing.

I understand where you are coming from. It's just a term to me, with no special meaning other than a simple wish list, which is flexable and changing. I just used those words as a conversation starter.

Regards,
KB

This Vegas trip is FANTABULOUS! The Grand Canyon is the most awesome sight I've ever seen. I got to stand very close to the edge and watch the eagles flying below. It's the first time I've seen birds fly while I looked down upon them. No words can describe how breathtaking the view is. I'm so glad I did this.

The West Rim

Yes. The West Rim. I'm looking at Eagle Point. So beautiful, so magnificent, so free. Words just can't describe it.

The Grand Canyon is my favorite place on Earth. I just haven't found anywhere else that endlessly beautiful and captivating. Regarding Las Vegas ....there's a town called "Lighthouse" (I think that's its name) south of Vegas....and several miles west of there is a dense forest of Joshua trees with a road to the left leading to a big, commercial gold mine. When you see the mine dump. you will see a track going off to the left. It leads a short distance (200-300 yards) to the purported remains of a ghost town (I never found evidence of a ghost town, but I did find high quality and gemmy agates there, and several ancient stone tools). I am told that if one walks further directly away from the mine road, one will come to a valley loaded with geodes. I never tried that, as I was on crutches at the time. There is a large and authoritative rock shop in Vegas, that might help if you are interested. Anyhow....that's my "Vegas contribution".

Well, I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to search for geodes or agates. Maybe some other time. That would have been fun. But, something interesting that I did get to do, was while I was on the Hualapai Nation Reservation, I was taught how to throw a hatchet. I thoroughly enjoyed the exercise and was able to stick it three times. Lots of fun! My tour guide told me that if I wanted to get a husband, I'd better not let any man know I could do that. I asked, "So, I better not bring this up on a first date?" He said, "Not if you want a second one." Lol!! I laughed so hard and he just looked at me with a serious face.

Navy Vet--Texas parks--are you from Texas? If so what town?

Kabluey's book: "More Dear To Me Than the .270 Win to Jack O'Connor the .223Rem America's Deer Rifle".

The great big city of Yoakum.

Parachute jump......

For those of you who like the Grand Canyon....a few pics taken when I took Guillermo there in September....he really loved it as well...

Sometimes you go places and do things that you never planned - things should be on a bucket list that you would never know about.

One of the first was a drive to the top of the hill on the Pacific side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Another was this pass over Greenland.
Brrrrrr.....

If I hit the lottery, then I can starta bucket list. Can't afford the bucket yet.

quote:

Originally posted by conifer:
The Grand Canyon is my favorite place on Earth. I just haven't found anywhere else that endlessly beautiful and captivating. Regarding Las Vegas ....there's a town called "Lighthouse" (I think that's its name) south of Vegas....

The town is Searchlight. In addition, from Las Vegas it's not so far to Flagstaff; the Sunset Crater and the Wupatki Ruins are worth an afternoon drive. Kingman is more-or-less the dividing line between the Mojave and Sonoran deserts; you can see Joshua trees intermixed with saguaro cacti, an unusual sight anywhere else.