A "To-Do" List of items to complete before Boot-Camp

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A popular movie of 2007, The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, and Sean Hayes, had two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and try to complete a list of things they always wanted to do before they "kicked the bucket."

Lately, I have been hearing the term thrown around more and more. Mostly by my parents who are still pretty young and energetic. One example is just this last Christmas when my father booked a North Atlantic cruise. They will see such countries as Estonia, Russia and more. The card he used to surprise her had written, "Mark this off the bucket list!" Coincidentally, they are on the cruise as I write this. We haven't heard anything yet, but I assume they are having the time of their lives.

Just the other day, I received an email from Geoff Breedwell, a Future Sailor, who wrote an excellent piece about how to lose weight and get in shape for boot camp that describes the things he wants to accomplish before he goes off to boot camp in late August - he referred to it as his "bucket list." With his permission, here is the email;

This is the last time I will live in Nashville within the foreseeable future.

There is a fear that lives within the back of my head. It's the "what if" factor. What if I can't do everything that I wanted? What if I never see my family again? What if I never see those old friends again? Will I just end up as a picture on Facebook?

With a little over 90 days left to spend in within the Nashville area, those thoughts have been on the forefront of my mind.

My sister recently came to town to help with the flood relief, and I got to finally have a beer with her and my family. I loved the time that we all spent with her, and the advice she gave me has inspired me.

She brought up the idea of a bucket list. Most likely taken from the movie of the same name starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, a bucket list is a list of the things that you would like to do before you die, change locations, change clothes, change underwear, etc.

Here is my bucket list of things to do before I leave for RTC. A lot of these things are things that I can do at the same time; example, "going to a pool that isn't in my apartment complex," and "jumping off the high dive."

Other things, I will need some help completing. That is why I have implored you, my friends and family, to help me with this list. Bobbie is taking care of the items that concern her; however, it is with you, that I will need the assistance. It does not have to be immediate, as in I don't leave until the end of the summer (Aug 25th).

The more people help, the more fun everything will be for everyone. Well, except for the date nights with my wife. Those are just for the two of us. Unless no, she'll kill me.

Without any further or adieu, my list:

  • Hardcore dance at a show (most likely at the June 13th show)
  • See New Found Glory and Paramore (Got Tix)
  • Visit Nashville Shores
  • Try out 1 new recipe from the Simpsons' inspired recipes.
  • Go to the Cheesecake Factory with my wife
  • Have SEVERAL date nights
  • Pay off the television
  • Perform musically one last time (I need a guitar, or mine fixed. Also a date/stage helps.)
  • Perform stand up comedy one last time
  • Swim in a pool that is not at my apartment complex.
  • Jump off the high dive
  • Get drunk
  • Visit Mulligan's with friends (I would like to get drunk here)
  • Read to kids (I will accomplish this at my mom's school)
  • Volunteer at a soup kitchen
  • Go bowling
  • If financially possible, go on a road trip.
  • Run 7 miles (regardless of time)
  • Eat Indian food
  • Visit Centennial Park and have a picnic
  • Go to a Sounds Game
  • Play Hockey at both A-Game and Centennial Sportsplex
  • Dance in the parking lot
  • Play putt putt
  • Stroll through downtown Nashville
  • Go to the Bridgestone Arena one more time
  • Watch the Predators Practice
  • Eat at Panda Express
  • Have a Mohawk for at least a week.
  • Watch all 6 Star Wars movies in one sitting. (I have episodes 3 through 6. Anyone have the other 2? Anyone want to do this with me?)

Let's get to it!! Currently, the countdown is at 80 days and counting. I have 10 weeks left at Cracker Barrel, and even less than that at Taco Bell. This summer is going to be the best ever, and I would like to spend it with each one of you.

A fairly ambitious list, and everything looks to be legal (I'm assuming he is 21) - have fun!

The Navy, in 2011, is projected to ship about 40,000 people on to active duty - a pretty good chunk of those future Sailors have already been identified and are currently members of the Delayed Entry Program awaiting their day. Because the Navy has such a strong DEP posture, you can expect to wait for your ship date, maybe up to a year, and making a "DEP time bucket list" like Geoff has, isn't a bad idea.

I think it might help weeks pass by like days :)

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