Projects Possible

The subject of death and dying is not a very pleasant subject to talk about.  In the “Bucket List” our lead characters, played by Nicholson as the wealthy billionaire and Freeman as a family man and mechanic, face death head on when both are diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Through the course of the movie, these hospital roommates, become friends.  Friends that learn they must face the fact that they are dying and perhaps some not so “joyful” other things in their lives.  

The concept of the “bucket list” - the list of all the things you want to do before you “kick the bucket” -  is one that Carter (Freeman) shares with Cole (Nicholson) as a college philosophy professor’s exercise to his students.  I seem to recall a similar exercise and my results were actually pretty similar to what Carter remembers.   Money, family, happiness… they are all things that as a college freshman I thought were a long time in coming.  Now on the right side of middle age, my college bucket list is important and certainly has relevance to what and who I am today but I think with life experience there are a lot of other things I think I would add to that list.  Cole and Carter create the list and head off on this world adventure to see and do all the things they wish they could have in their life.  

There is an interesting side plot that I think the movie really glossed over rather poorly.   Carter is a married man and when he finds out he is terminal he makes a choice to spend a portion of his remaining days away from his wife and family doing the things that he wants to do.  I find the way the movie handled this to be very “light” as opposed to how it might play out in real life.

The power of the movie for me was not in the humor, or the very poorly done visits to some of the wonders of the world.  (You would think the digital additions of the pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, or the African Safari would have been better done.)  The power lies in the message.  If you know that you only have a specific amount of time to live what are the things that you would do in your life… what would be your “bucket list”?   Do you have relationships that need mending?  Places to see?  Experiences that you would like to capture?  Are there mistakes you made that need to be corrected?  When the eulogy is given…what’s going to be said?

While I wouldn’t call the movie “life changing” it is definitely one that I am not disappointed that I shelled out the bucks to view and I will purchase it when it comes out on DVD.  Definitely a thumbs up and a movie that I would wholeheartedly recommend.  

And I can’t help but ask… What’s on your “bucket list”?

I’ll start…   I want to learn to play the piano! 

Maybe we should all start Living Like We Were Dying?    Loading...  

Great song from Josh - I’m kinda on a Valentine thing.  This song seems to be appropriate for that.

At this time of the year we often spend quite a bit of time reflecting on the year past and the things we’ve accomplished and those things that we haven’t.   We also seem to spend more time with family, friends,  and loved ones and when we can’t spend time with them we are certainly thinking about them through our Christmas cards and gifts.  

When I bought Josh Groban’s NOEL CD I read through the songs and thought it would be an awesome Christmas album.  The first time I heard Thankful it brought tears to my eyes.  Holidays have always been a time of reflection for me… and this year is no different.   What is different this year is that I was shaken at the foundation with the sudden passing of my Papa Carm.   The experience, the loss, has been very sobering, and eye opening for me.  We can’t take time back… and as each minute ticks by we lose it forever… that minute is now only available in our memories.  I get so busy sometimes that I forget what I am Thankful for…  Josh’s song helped me to remember.

This holiday season I would encourage each of you to reflect on the things that you have… the things that YOU are thankful for. 

When I first heard Josh Groban’s music a few years ago… I actually thought he was an Italian vocalist… he was singing an Italian aria (sorry I don’t recall which) but I was really in a state of awe as this “kid” belted out this incredible love song.  I started doing Internet searches and found he was just starting in the business and that he was actually a classically trained American…  I’ve since purchased his CDs, and I really enjoy his “crossover” style where we are entertained by classic Italian pieces or his own February Song or Remember When It Rained.

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Today I discovered in the DVD cabinet his concert DVD - Josh Groban - Live at the Greek (includes CD).   I must say I really enjoyed it!   I had seen bits and pieces here and there but watching the complete concert was a nice way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon… (better than mowing the lawn that’s for sure!).  His rendition of December on the DVD is great and it isn’t on the CD.

Listen to the song by clicking on the Play button in the Media Player above… would love to hear your comments.