No other movie was responsible for driving interest in creating bucket lists than, of course, The Bucket List. 

Released in 2007, The Bucket List starred Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as two terminally ill old men who decide to spend their last days accomplishing things on their mutually-shared bucket list.  Their list is short - it appears on a crumpled piece of paper throughout the film - but what's interesting is that both men commit to achieving each item.  The movie then takes us around the world to incredible places such as the Great Wall of China (where they motorcycle along the wall) to the base of Mount Everest (where they arrive in the wrong season to attempt a climb).  But some of the more touching moments involved achieving items that required no travel, such as making one laugh until you cry.  Or, toward the end of the movie during a eulogy when Jack Nicholson's character realizes he has helped a total stranger, who then became his dear friend.

The writing is impeccable, such that I hope that more films are produced from the team that wrote this one.  And with two accomplished actors like Nicholson and Freeman, the dialog and acting draw you into their personal stories. 

What do you think?  Was The Bucket List an inspring film?  The comments section awaits.

The idea of creating a Bucket List - the things to do before you die - is something that delights just about everyone. But not always. 

 There are some people I've encountered who don't get it.  They don't like the "structure" around defining a list of things to do before you die.  And, interestingly, there's a movement called the "Anti-Bucket List" that is about creating a list of things you will never do before you die.  An example: skydiving, or bungee jumping.  Anything that involves hurling yourself through the sky.  This something some will never do.  Or, an anti-bucket list might include things that are just too trendy.  Example: Hot Yoga. 

I love the concept of an anti-bucket list. Why?   Because, one way or another, it makes you think of your bucket list! 

If you were to sit down and create a bucket list, what music would you play in the background?  Better yet, what would  you listen to while you take the Bucket Quiz on this site? 

So it's an interesting question: what are the best bucket list songs of all time?

I can think of three songs that fit the bill. 

Let's start with the classic U2 song, "Beautiful Day".  Certainly the title is right, but the lyrics are what speak to a bucket list frame-of-mind:

See the world in green and blue, See China right in front of you.
See the canyons broken by cloud, See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out. See the Bedouin fires at night, See the oil fields at first light. And see the bird with a leaf in her mouth, After the flood all the colors came out.
It was a beautiful day, Don't let it get away
Beautiful day.

Makes me want to get up and start traveling, doesn't it?  Another tune that comes to mind is the theme from Rent, called "Seasons of Love".  It's a reminder that life is truly short:

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife

An inspiring score, don't you think? Finally, a recent song captures the Things-to-do-before-you-die sentiment perfectly.  It's "Live like we're dying" by Kris Allen, of American Idol fame.

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

So what are other "bucket list" songs that come to mind?  The comments section awaits.

Just yesterday I came across a suggestion for the Bucket Quiz that I've never heard of before.  Today, Ilona sent in a suggestion which was simply, "Go Zorbing."  I have never heard of "Zorbing" so I looked it up on Wikipedia.  Here's the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zorbing

As I learned, Zorbing is the "recreation of rolling downhill in an orb, generally made of transparent plastic." 

I had two thoughts after reading the definition.  First, was: I have to do this!!!  Second, was: is it really safe?  As for the first thought, it seemed to originate in New Zealand and is practiced in Australia.  I'm planning a trip there soon so perhaps I'll give it a try.  As for the second, there was no information about safety, but the article did talk about the different padding inside the orb, so I think it's ok. 

In any case, it was a fresh idea to add to the list of things to do before you die.