So I was just watching the movie "The Bucket List" with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicolson. For those who have not see this fine piece of work it is about two terminally ill men (Jack and Morgan) who become friends while in the hospital and decide to travel all over the world completing tasks on their “before I kick the bucket” list (Bucket List). Morgan freeman plays an everyday Joe Mechanic(Carter Chambers) and Jack Nicholson plays a billionaire A-hole(Edward Cole) but likable. Both men are dying from different forms of cancer and neither is happy with where their lives have taken them. Freeman has a loving wife and three great and successful children, even a few grand kids to make everything seem perfect, but is barely making ends meet. Nicholson on the other hand has been married four times and has an estranged daughter who he has not spoken to in five years or more, but all the money anyone could ever want. When the pair finds out they both have at best one ear to live they set out on an around the world adventure to complete as many items they can on their “Bucket List”.
I've watched this movie at least once before and this time I came away with a few thoughts. First, how great it is to have a really good friend. Someone how knows you are not perfect and still wants to hang out with you. These two guys met at probably the lowest points in their lives and built a bond that lasted for the rest of their lives. While at Carter’s funeral, Edward says the following;
“The simplest thing is... I loved him. And I miss him. Carter and I saw the world together. Which is amazing... When you think that only three months ago, we were complete strangers! I hope that it doesn't sound selfish of me but... the last months of his life were the best months of mine. He saved my life... And he knew it before I did.”
This tugs hard at my heart strings and I feel inspired and in awe of the relationship these two men (heterosexual) shared. I added the “no-homo” because it seems rare men are cast in truly feeling roles that are not related in some way to a woman/relationship.
Another thought of mine which I am sure everyone has after watching this movie, what do I want to do before I die? One thing I always wanted to do is stand on all seven continents, I have visited four (N. America, S. America, Asia and Europe). I have three left (Africa, Australia and Antarctica). I have even stood with one foot on the plate of N. America and Eurasian plate at the same time; I was in Iceland at the time, but that’s another story. But really what would be on my list, I wonder and wonder. Go to New York City and stand in Time Square, that would be cool. I want to go into outer space and see the Earth like the astronauts do. I’ve stood on both sides of the Equator in Quito, Ecuador, that was cool. I watched my son take his first breaths, that was truly awe-inspiring. 
Something that just popped back in my head was from Iceland. I was leaving a movie theater in Reykjavik in the early evening; I honestly don’t remember the time because we were in the middle of the 24 hours day and 24 hours night. It felt like evening in my memory, but it wasn’t dark, yet. What I remember is looking across the bay at the glacier cliff and with the sun, cloud, light and water, it as one of the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. It was something that has been with me all these five or more years and I truly do the view zero justice in my description. It felt like I caught a glimpse of heaven and I wish I had a camera, not for me, but for people who have never seen something so amazingly beautiful. 
Lastly, the movie was beat-up by the critics, but was a box office success ($45Million budget/$175Million gross). Writer Justin Zackham and Director Rob Reiner did an awesome job along with the two Academy Award Winners (Morgan/Jack). Two things on their list (See below) I would have on mine;
#1. Help a complete stranger for the good.
#2. Find the joy in your life.
I removed “Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world”, been there/done that… ;)
1. Witness something truly majestic
2. Help a complete stranger for the good
3. Laugh till I cry
4. Drive a Shelby Mustang
5. Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world
6. Get a tattoo
7. Skydiving
8. Visit Stonehenge
9. Spend a week at the Louvre
10. See Rome
11. Dinner at La Chevre d'Or
12. See the Pyramids
13. Get back in touch (previously "Hunt the big cat," added after being earlier added and crossed off)
14. Visit the Taj Mahal
15. Hong Kong
16. Victoria Falls
17. Go on a safari
18. Drive a motorcycle on the Great Wall of China
19. Sit on the Great Egyptian Pyramids
20. Find the Joy in your life
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