The Bucket List

At some point, I made a short bucket list.  Just five items, and only one of which is all that important.  I'd meant to post it before, but now seems like a good time, as I'm about to check off one of the items.  Only four more to go.

So, here is my bucket list in its current form.  I can, of course, add to this in the future.  These are in no particular order.

Go to a San Francisco 49ers game.  The 49ers have been my favorite sports team my whole life, even though I'd never seen them play.  I haven't been to San Francisco.  I haven't even been to California.  But, I grew up in the 80's watching Joe Montana win Super Bowls, and I've been a faithful fan ever since.  Not only have they had a resurgence the last couple years - ESPN.com currently has them ranked #1 in the league in their power rankings - but I finally get to see them play this coming Sunday, when they come to play the Vikings at the Metrodome.  I'm really rather excited, even though we'll be up in the nosebleed seats.  I'll be wearing my 49ers shirt and rooting on my team.  (This is one of only two times I would root against the Vikings - the other is when they play the Patriots.)  So this bucket list item will be checked off in two days.  Go Niners!

Publish a book.  This is really the most important item on this list.  In theory, I could publish a book at any time by going the self-publishing route, but I really want to get a traditional publisher.  I hope, if I keep writing and finishing a book every year or two, that eventually I'll get a publisher's attention.  I guess we'll see.  Eventually, though, if years go by with no publisher, I may self-publish something.

Catch a foul ball or a homerun at a baseball game.  I've come close at some Twins games, and other games, but never gotten one.  I need to start going to more baseball games (I didn't make it to a single Twins game this year).

Hit a home run.  I play on a softball team during the summer and fall, and played baseball growing up.  I've hit in-the-park home runs, but never hit one over the fence.  I've come close, but not quite.  Eventually, it's got to happen.  Time to hit the batting cages.

Make it to all 50 states.  This one takes a little more of a commitment.  I've currently been to 39 of the 50 states (missing Hawaii, Oregon, California, Rhode Island, Idaho, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, North Dakota).  Some of them will be easy.  I'll get out to California at some point to visit my brother.  North Dakota is only four hours away.  A southeastern United States road trip would take care of a good chunk of them.  Others (Rhode Island) will be tougher.