It seems to me that the newest catchphrase is “bucket list”.It seems as though everyone I speak to has one. I have even seen several news posts on Facebook of late referring to bucket lists, so much so that it made me wonder if I am the only one left that has not made a bucket list of my own. I had to ask myself, what exactly does one put on a bucket list? I have been accused of over thinking things and this bucket list problem is no different, as I worry about what to add to my list. I wonder about the outcome of reaching the end of your list. Do you keep things simple so you are sure to achieve everything on your list? If that is the case then what happens when you reach that last item on your list. Can you add to it or is that the end of the road for you and your list? I am not sure I want to find out. In order to prolong things do you reach for the stars and take the chance of leaving this world with unfinished business? Could that be worse than accomplishing everything on your list? These are just a few of the questions that are plaguing me as I contemplate starting a bucket list of my own. As I sift through the cobwebs in my mind and determine what things are significant enough for me to add to this very important “to do” list I would like for you the reader to weigh in and tell me do you have a bucket list of your own? Did you keep it simple or reach for the stars? Are you making a valiant attempt to cross off everything on your list or are you constantly adding to it? Do you keep your bucket list private or do you share it with others? If so what is the most outlandish thing you have on your list? One day last week while I was out I had a craving for
Plaza Azteca, a local chain of authentic Mexican cuisine. I looked at my watch, decided I have been behaving so I could afford a splurge, and pulled into the parking lot. It was fairly early in the day so I got there just before it started getting busy. I walked into the restaurant, held my chin up high and with as much bravado as I could muster said “only one.” I must admit it took me a long time to get to this place in life. There was a time when I would have opted for something from the drive-thru, not having the courage to dine alone in a family restaurant. Still, as I followed the hostess to my table I had this thought in my head, look at the loser eating alone! Realizing what direction my mind had taken I got angry and shot back um, no I am a confident woman who has the courage to eat alone. Yes, that is right folks, not only was I dining alone I was also arguing with myself. Yea, sure, that shows you how sane I am! As I sat there eating my chips and salsa I started counting the benefits of dining alone. I wrote them down so that I could share them with you. 1) You get to pick where you get to eat. 2) You do not have to share the chips and salsa (of course if you are limiting your starches, this could also be listed under cons) 3) You don’t have to worry about double dipping. 4) You can check your cell phone without worrying about being rude to your dining companion. 5) They serve you in a hurry. (I think that is to get you out of there so that they can give your table to a larger party. Larger party=larger tip) 6) When you are finished you get to leave. (No waiting around for others to finish.) 7) If you make a mess on your shirt no-one will notice. 8) The waitress will keep checking on you. (Surely you must look pitiful to her sitting alone at a booth designed for four) 9) You get the pity party invite. (um no, just because I am eating single does not mean I want to sit at your table) Drum roll!!!!!!!!!!!! The best advantage or eating alone is…. 10) When you eat too much there is no-one there to chastise you! So the next time you feel like eating out and wish you had someone to go with you, go by yourself. You might just enjoy it. If not… at least you will be able to waddle out to your car in silance! I have a love hate relationship with my dashboard navigator. On most days I love her and appreciate the ease in which she guide me to where I need to go; I turn her on and trust that she’s got my back. On the rare occasion that she drops the ball I find myself talking to the screen asking “are you kidding me?” Okay I normally insert a major expletive between the you
and the kidding but hey, this blog is rated G. On one occasion my husband and I were looking for a Home Depot when right smack in the middle of the interstate she -my navigator- announced “you have arrived at your destination.” Um…unless there is a Home Depot truck follow us on the interstate I don’t think so. Yet another time on our way home from North Carolina, my husband had a taste for chicken. So I hit the search button, punched the go button and we were off. Once again She took us to a field out in the middle of no-where and said “you have arrived at your destination.” My husband and I both started laughing as we realized there was no chicken in that field and if there was it most certainly had not been cooked! Today my navigator dropped the ball yet again however, to be fair, it was not really her fault. You see the drawbridge was closed for repair so the exit she wanted me to take was blocked. Normally if you miss a turn she will re-route you and today was no exception only each time it was her goal to re-route me to the same exit which I could not take. This happened three times before I decided to try and take an alternate route. The problem with taking an alternate route is, I had no idea where I was going. I had an address but having never been there I did not know where the school was. I only thought I did. So I took my own route which nearly gave my navigator a nervous break down. I will give her credit though since, even though I was not listening to her, she never lost her cool. Sadly the same could not be said for me. At one point I realized I was speeding and all I could think of was good maybe I will get pulled over and I can ask the police officer for directions! If I wasn’t heading to a book signing today I would have been content to return home, curl up on the couch and have a pity party but alas, I had promised myself and others I would attend so I continued on my route. The long way that I decided to try did not work and I have to admit to screaming obscenities and laughing out loud when, after taking a forty minute sightseeing excursion, my navigator announced yet again that she wanted me to exit the highway at the closed ramp. Seriously how did we get back here? I am happy to say that after I finally pulled over and studied the overview of where she was trying to take me that I was able to make it to my book signing, albeit 20 minutes late! My navigator was also pleased as she shouted in triumph “you have arrived at your destination.” She was so proud of herself… bless her little heart… |