A non-definitive bucket list

I'm sure many of us, at one time or another, have thought about things we want to accomplish before we die.

I personally have been meaning to make a bucket list for quite a while but have always managed to put it off. No more. I think a bucket list is a fantastic idea, there's nothing like a goal to strive for. Basically it's taken some recent upsetting events for me to finally put myself into motion and materialise a list of things I'd like to do with my time on this earth, no matter how big or small. After all, the time we have is limited; you could go out tomorrow or 80 years from now but I've realised there is no time like the present to start living your dreams.

Without further ado here is a short list (I'll add to it) of things I wish to achieve, it'll be going on my bedroom wall where I'll look to it every day as a reminder, ticking off goals as I go.

1. Get a job in journalism at an established newspaper/magazine.

2. Have at least one article published in NME/The Guardian/Total Film.

3. Write a column for one of the above.

4. Meet Morrissey, Emily Haines and Shane Meadows.

 



5. Attend Oktoberfest, try ALL the beers.

6. Go to Canada, Bruges, Berlin, Tokyo, Prague and Sweden.

7. Write a novel.

8. Walk the South West coastal path.

9. Pay off my student loan.

10. Go skydiving.

11. Go bungee jumping.

12. Get a tattoo.

13. Travel to all 50 states.

First stop: Vermont

14. Learn to drive.

15. Drive a boat.

16. Watch the sun rise and set over a city.

17. Learn how to play the drums.

18. Go on a Safari in Africa.

19. Take my Nan to visit Ireland where she grew up.

20. Overcome my fear of birds by standing in the middle of Trafalgar Square, surrounded by pigeons.

Terrifying

21. See: Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, Chicago, The Lion King, We Will Rock You and Oliver in the West End.

22. Sing karaoke...solo.

23. Speak fluent German.

24. Go to a festival.

25. Volunteer abroad.

26. Be in a film/tv programme.

27. Swim with Sharks.

28. Fall in love.

29. Climb a mountain.

30. Go to the train station, ask the cashier to print me a random ticket to anywhere, go, explore.

31. Have something named after me.

32. Invent a word, have it appear in the Oxford English Dictionary.

33. Buy a vw camper and take a tour of England.

I will of course be avoiding Eric Cartman like the plague

34. Book my parents on a surprise holiday for their anniversary.

35. Get a matching tattoo with a friend.

36. Adopt a rescue dog.

So that's my list for now. Does anyone else have something in particular they really want to do? It'd be great to hear in the comments!

Gig Review: Metric @ HMV Ritz Manchester 07/07/2012

Its obvious from the sheer atmosphere in Manchester's HMV Ritz that everyone here expects Metric's set tonight to be nothing short of spectacular. The venue may not be sold out (practically a criminal offence) but the crowd are packed like sardines into the middle of the floor eagerly anticipating the arrival of Canada's finest. And disappointed they are not.

"I'm just as fucked up as they say" declares frontwoman, Emily Haines, striding on stage against a backdrop of neon lights. Starting off strong with material from their new album, Synthetica, Metric get the crowd moving at a frivilous pace with tracks such as Lost Kitten and Artificial Nocturne which are sure to be future favourites.

Latest single Youth Without Youth proved to be astounding live, with Haines' hammering away manically at her keyboard, dancing haphazardly around the stage with a tambourine, impressive legs akimbo. Even with the unrelenting guitars on a small stage there's no danger of this lady's voice being drowned out. 


After playing through the majority of their new material, Haines & co send the crowd into a fist-pumping frenzy with a throwback to their earlier days in the shape of Empty and Dead Disco. Looking around at the sweaty yet devoted fanatics as Haines breaks into the first few bars of Help I'm Alive, its clear that Metric are a band built for stadiums. So why then, are they still playing shows at the 1500 capacity Ritz? Surely they deserve better.


After a short absence its in the encore that the whole place truly transcends into hysteria as Monster Hospital and Gold Guns Girls are belted out with a fierce energy. Haines looks like she's having the time of her life, throwing herself into her performance and running off stage and to the front of the crowd. This, I think, is why people come to see Metric. It's evident the band are having as much fun as the fans which in essence, is what music is all about. 


Leaving on a beautiful acoustic version of Gimme Sympathy, Metric have undoubtedly made an impression here tonight which will certainly have their fans old and new coming back for more.


Watch new single Youth Without Youth



Just to add a little side-note to this review, I met Metric after the gig. They were really cool, signed my CD and Emily told me she liked my necklace. Dream realised.