Tag Archives: Aerosmith

My Concert Bucket List

For those unaware, a bucket list is basically a wish list of things that you want to do before you “kick the bucket“.  It was an idea brought to the forefront by a movie that came out in 2007 starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman called…you guessed it…The Bucket List.

I remember watching the movie and thought it was an incredible idea that I needed to follow-through on.

I made a two-part bucket list back in 2009 (part one and part two) and then generated a “final” list the next year (here), since I felt as though my priorities in life had changed.

But recently I was talking with Sunshine in the car about wanting to see somebody in concert and how it would be incredible. Then I thought about all of the concerts I’ve been able to see in my lifetime and how I’ve been able to scratch a few “bucket list” concerts off of my list already (KISS, AC/DC, Eagles, ZZ Top, Barenaked Ladies, Alice Cooper, & Bryan Adams to name a few).

Well…I’ve made a bucket list of who I would LOVE to see in concert at some point before I die. I’ll be quite disappointed if these don’t end up happening…

1. Billy Joel. I realize that Joel doesn’t do a whole lot of touring anymore, but he’s absolutely at the top of my list. It’s funny, because I’ve spent the vast majority of my life as a “casual” Joel fan. It wasn’t until I heard his in-depth interview with Howard Stern last year that I truly got an interest in his music. As I began to experience his pre-80′s songs for the first time, I became an instant fan. It’s great because I’ve only truly enjoyed his catalogue for two years now…and I’m just in love with so much of his older songs. The lyrics are deep and meaningful, the music is compelling, and I’ve seen enough YouTube clips to know that he would be incredible to experience in concert.

2. P!nk. Both Sunshine and I have a huge crush on P!nk (she’s on BOTH of our “Top 5″ lists) and it was listening to one of her songs that had us generating this discussion. The great thing about P!nk isn’t just how awesome her music is, but it’s that she always has a rock “tinge” to her pop music…which makes me enjoy it just a little bit more. I’ve seen enough live performances of hers to know that it would be a fantastic concert to listen to (and it wouldn’t hurt the eyes, either).

3. Green Day. I’ve been a fan of Green Day since before Dookie was released. Because I’m a rock fan and because they’re the same age as me, I always felt a connection to both the music and the band.  Since I’ve been able to cross off some of the artists I had on my Bucket List (KISS, AC/DC, the Eagles, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, Steve Miller Band), there aren’t that many bands that I would absolutely LOVE to see before I die.  This band is definitely one of them.  The problem is that I know Sunshine isn’t much of a fan, but I’m totally willing to see somebody on her Bucket List in exchange for this.  Totally.

4. Phil Collins. Really…this would probably #2 on my list if it were in an actual order of some kind. One of my all-time favorite artists has always been Phil Collins. And honestly, one of the first live cd’s that I ever purchased was …Serious Hits Live and, to this day, remains one of the best live albums I’ve ever heard. Because Collins has retired to spend time with his family, I’m pretty certain I’ll never be able to enjoy his music in person. Still…this would be an incredible concert to see in person.

5. Aerosmith. I kick myself repeatedly for NOT seeing Aerosmith a few summers ago when they performed a couple of hours away on Prince Edward Island.  I just didn’t t have the finances to make the trip there and back (not to mention the bridge fees).  I know that Sunshine has mentioned that she would love to see them in concert, too, so this pick seems like a “win-win”.

6. Bon Jovi. This is another artist that I’ve grown up with and have missed playing in my area a couple of times over the past decade. I mean, from the moment I first heard “You Give Love A Bad Name” I just thought this band was awesome. And through the years…even though they’ve mellowed considerably…their music has always been enjoyable.  They’ve got more than enough great music to fill a two-hour concert.

7. Journey. Yes, I know that Steve Perry isn’t the lead singer of the band anymore. But you know what? I’ve seen their new singer, Arnel Pineda, enough times on YouTube to make me a believer in this new version of the band. And in a similar situation with my love of Billy Joel, I’m a late-bloomer when it comes to the music of Journey. I can appreciate their music for the pop-rock fun it was always meant to be and I think this concert would be a blast.

8. Roxette. Make this another “guilty pleasure” for me. Since the first time I heard “The Look” back in 1988, I’ve been a huge fan of Roxette. For a long time, I was out buying their cd’s and enjoying their pop-rock stylings. Then I just stopped hearing about them for the next decade. Turns out, a cancer scare for singer Marie Fredrikssonstopped the band from touring and recording. They released another album last year and began touring again. Then they actually released another album this year and even toured North America this summer (they never made it past Toronto and Montreal, so they didn’t get this far east). Hopefully, they’ll find their way back some day to this little part of the Great White North.

9. Foo Fighters. It’s funny…I’ve always enjoyed the Foo’s, but never really LOVED the Foo’s. Then last year I realized that they’ve been around for over a decade and I’ve always enjoyed rocking out to their music. Then I saw them perform “Walk” at the Grammy Awards earlier this year and that performance confirmed with me just how awesome of a rock concert this would end up being. Who knew that the Foo’s would end up being so great?

10. George Michael. Okay…I realize that this pick seems COMPLETELY random and really odd considering the rock-influenced picks on the rest of my list, but Michael is an artist that I’ve grown to respect as I’ve gotten older. I know how much Sunshine loves his music and I really think his concert would be absolutely incredible. The guy has an amazing voice and it would be a blast to be able to sit there with Sunshine and sing along with all his cheesy goodness.

So that’s my list. Who would be on YOURS?


My Bucket List

For those unaware, a bucket list is basically a wish list of things that you want to do before you “kick the bucket“.  It was an idea brought to the forefront by a movie that came out in 2007 starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman called…you guessed it…The Bucket List.

I remember watching the movie and thought it was an incredible idea that I needed to follow-through on.

I made a two-part bucket list over a year ago (part one and part two).  Since that time, I feel as though my priorities in life have changed.  I no longer have a bucket list that’s just about me anymore.  Instead, I have a bucket list in mind that includes the woman I plan on spending the rest of my life with.

So without further adu, here is (in no particular order) my Bucket List 2010:

  • The pyramids of Giza

    Pyramids of Egypt. It never ceases to amaze me just how incredibe the minds were that went into creating the pyramids.  Giza…Chefren…Cheops…the Sphinx…it’s all just unbelievable how these were even constructed.  I mean, I won’t even go into the whole “aliens created the pyramids” theory…they are just really amazing structures.  I would absolutely LOVE to see these in person with my best friend.  I can only imagine the wonderment we’d experience.

  • Sydney Harbour Bridge

    Sydney Harbour Bridge.  I can’t tell you just how afraid of heights I am.  I get such vertigo, it’s brutal.  I look up at tall buildings and want to fall over.  I have trouble putting Christmas lights on my house.  Hell…I have a hard time changing a light bulb.  But I’ve been trying my best to overcome my fear of heights by tackling heights head-on.  In November 2008 I went to the top of the CN Tower.  In June 2010 I went to the top of the Sears Tower.  Both experiences scared the ever-loving sh*t right out of me (who in the blue hell thought it was a good idea to put GLASS FLOORS in the CN Tower elevator???), but I think they were both good things to do.  This bridge?  This would definitely be a great way for me to overcome my fears…especially if I had Sunshine there by my side cheering me on.

  • Late Show with David Letterman. I’ve loved Letterman since I first saw him back in the late 80′s.  As a teenager who wanted to stay up late simply to see what it was like, I loved staying up enjoying the 1-2 punch of Carson on the Tonight Show and then Letterman right afterwards.  When he switched to CBS with the Late Show, I watched him practically every night for a very long time.  As the years have gone by, he remains my favorite late night talk show host.  I’ve always wondered just how much fun it would be to sit in the audience of a Letterman taping.  I know there isn’t much time left, though…he’s probably due to retire any year now.  But still…if I ever EVER get a chance to visit New York City, I’m going to do whatever I can to get tickets to his show.
  • The Northern Lights

    The Northern Lights. I’m finding myself more and more fascinated by photography as a hobby as I grow a bit older (and older and older…).  In fact, I’m pondering how I could save up enough money to purchase a new, much nicer camera than the one I’ve got now.  I can’t tell you how much I would love go on a road trip with Sunshine, take an expensive camera, and just click away all night long at the sky.  Because I know how great we are at just spending time chatting away, I can only imagine how much fun it would be to lay back and stare at the sky together.

  • See Green Day in concert.  I’ve been a fan of Green Day since before Dookie was released. Because I’m a rock fan and because they’re the same age as me, I always felt a connection to both the music and the band.  Since I’ve been able to cross off some of the artists I had on my Bucket List (KISS, AC/DC, the Eagles, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, Steve Miller Band), there aren’t that many bands that I would absolutely LOVE to see before I die.  This band is definitely one of them.  The problem is that I know Sunshine isn’t much of a fan, but I’m totally willing to see somebody on her Bucket List in exchange for this.  Totally.
  • Great Wall of China

    Great Wall of China. Are you kidding me?  This is one of the most amazing structures on the face of the planet.  It’s so easy to marvel at the size and scale of this structure, not to mention the history behind it…I can only fathom how incredible it would be to actually set foot on it and walk along it’s incredible path.  And to be able to experience not only the Great Wall, but China itself, with the woman I love…it would be a surreal experience.

  • Ice Hotel in Lapland, Sweden

    Ice Hotel. There are a couple of ice hotels in the world, but the most famous is the one in Sweden.  I may be Canadian, but it’s not like I normally live in an igloo under ten feet of snow 300 days of the year.  How amazing would it be to spend the night with your better half in a place as incredible as this?  I’m sure it’d be cold…but from what I’ve read it’s warm enough that you’re not going to die in your sleep of hypothermia.  Staying the night here would absolutely be one of those “once in a lifetime” events.

  • Grand Canyon Skywalk

    Grand Canyon Skywalk. Again, this is on my list to overcome my fear of heights and to experience something incredible with Sunshine.  But I’m also thinking, why just go visit the Grand Canyon?  No doubt that in and of itself would be simply incredible and worthy of inclusion on this list.  I mean, it’s one of the original seven wonders of the world, right?  But what makes the Grand Canyon something to truly behold is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, which was opened to the public in 2007 and I can only imagine just how incredible it would be to walk around it…even if it I walked around it extremely quickly.

  • Drive across Canada. I love this great country of mine.  I love to drive.  I love to drive with Sunshine because the hours just disappear when we’re together…laughing and talking and just enjoying each other’s company.  Combine those things together and you have a dream of mine since I first got my license.  From coast to coast…from Halifax to Vancouver.
  • Train tour through Europe.  This is very similar to driving across Canada, I suppose.  But the difference is that I’ve always wanted to experience Europe and from what I’ve heard, there are some amazing views to be seen from the train.  Switzerland… Austria… France… Germany… Italy… this would be an absolutely incredible experience for Sunshine and I to have together.
  • See Aerosmith in concert. I kick myself repeatedly for NOT seeing Aerosmith a couple of summers ago when they performed a couple of hours away on Prince Edward Island.  I just didn’t have the finances to make the trip there and back (including the bridge fees).  I know that Sunshine enjoys one song by the band but probably isn’t a fan of the rest of their catalogue…so this would be another case of me having to return the favor of seeing one of her favorite artists.  But with the age of Steven Tyler in addition to his new American Idol judging gig, I don’t think I’ll ever get the chance to fulfill this item on my list.
  • Sing in a cover band in front of a live audience. I’ve long dreamed of being a singer.  I’m absolutely FAR from American Idol potential, but I can still carry a tune.  I’ve done more karaoke that I probably should have ever considered.  But the problem is that the vast majority of karaoke machines…even in bars and pubs…are crap.  They normally sound terrible…just plugged into an amp and then off you go to the races.  I’d absolutely love to be able to get in front of a rock band and just sing my way through songs that I’d love to sing with a full-on sound system backing me up. It would be scary, but it would also be thrilling.  To lead a band, even if for just one night, would be a dream come true.  And thankfully, it looks like that dream might be coming true in just two short weeks.

Well…that’s my list.  A lot of things from the previous two lists combined into one, but the list is one that means more knowing I want to experience these items with Sunshine.

What’s on YOUR bucket list??


Confessions from a Cubicle

Confessions from a CubicleSometimes I drift off at work a bit. It’s not like I actually fall asleep or anything…I just let my mind wander. But sometimes on a break or during lunch I’ll hear or read something online that sticks with me.

It’s been awhile since I’ve had enough downtime during the day at work to actually write down some random comments, but today is the day.

Why today? Danged if I know. But what I usually do is just jot something down and then finish these thoughts once I’m home. And for whatever reason, people seem to enjoy my random take on the world…

  • The Rugrat is scheduled to come visit me over Christmas.
    Rugrat...growing up too fast

    Rugrat...growing up too fast?

    I haven’t seen her since March and I’m already stoked. I miss her tremendously.  I asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she mentioned some Nintendo DS game…and of course, her mom emailed me and told me that she wants to cut back on the DS games because she’s always telling her to “get off of that thing” (#thatswhatshesaid…heh).  But still, to spend the holidays with my daughter never fails to bring a huge smile to my face.  What’s more is that Sunshine will hopefully be able to visit me on Christmas Day, too…maybe even joining my family for a holiday supper. While still another month and a half away, I’m really excited for the holidays this year. It just seems that so much in my life is coming together (finally). I can’t really complain. Well I could, but I’m still waiting on that lottery win.

  • John Allen Muhammad died at 9:11pm EST on Tuesday night.

    John Allen Muhammad

    John Allen Muhammad

    I remember watching CNN during the time he and his accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, were terrorizing the greater Washington, DC area. I can only imagine what it must have felt like to try to get through your day…driving to work, getting groceries, picking up the kids, filling up the gas tank…and to be in constant fear of being shot and killed by a hidden sniper with no apparent agenda. He killed 10 people and wounded 3 more, all the while taunting police with written messages and phone calls. I’m not much of a political guy, but I firmly believe that this guy deserved the death penalty.

  • I have a couple of new obsessions when it comes to TV land. Three of them, in fact…
  • Glee castGlee - This show makes me smile each and every time I see it. Not only is it a comedy, but the music is primarily geared towards people in my age bracket (c’mon…Journey, Billy Idol, Neil Diamond, Bon Jovi, Sisqo, Young MC…it’s not just for kids, people). The music really is incredible and I have found myself downloading singles from iTunes and enjoying them more than I probably should. Most of the actors come from Broadway and there isn’t an untalented cast member among them. It’s like a combination of Fame meets Beverly Hills 90210 meets Arrested Development. I just love this show.
  • MantrackerMantracker - This, no doubt, is a “manly” program. One guy on a horse, along with a local guide, chases after two people running for their lives. Okay…they’re not really running for their lives, but this show is in its fourth season and I’m just hopping on the bandwagon now. I love this guy, the people they choose for him to chase, and the locations they choose to set things up. From British Colombia to Newfoundland to California to Hawaii (the website is asking for applicants on the island now), this is becoming an international phenomenon…even if it’s only seen in Canada (is it seen in the U.S. yet?). Most people, Sunshine included, roll their eyes when I bring up this show and attempt to describe it to them. I was the same way at first, but after two or three episodes I was hooked.
  • Destination TruthDestination Truth- Unfamiliar with this show? Basically, it’s a group of researchers who go around the world attempting to find proof of unusual stories and/or phenomena. Examples include attempting to find scientific evidence of a yeti, the Bermuda Triangle, and even the curse of King Tut’s tomb. They take cameras and microphones and other scientific devices and attempt to do what Grant and Jason have done for ghosts…prove or disprove them based upon evidence, not hype. What I really love about this show is the host, Josh Gates. He’s got a likable quality to him and he can crack a sarcastic joke in just about any situation…whether he’s getting held-up at an airport in Turkey or lost in the middle of the Amazon jungle at night, he never fails to entertain. 
  • Wait…Fergie is a lesbian??  

    Fergie

    She loves the lovely lady lumps

    This is honestly the first I’ve heard of it! Not that it’s a big deal either way, but I just find it oddly fascinating and a bit exciting. She recently did an interview where she not only proclaimed her bisexuality (“I’ve had a lot of fun with women, and I’m not ashamed of it.”) but also explained how she had to go to therapy to truly understand that she’d still be cheating on her husband if she was with another woman. Oh…really? Is that a fact?? Ya don’t say?? I have NEVER understood the whole “I’m a bisexual woman so I can be with another woman and not cheat on my man” thing. If he doesn’t agree to it, it’s cheating. Period. Do you really need therapy to come to that conclusion??? Now having said that…I’d like to stress that as long as the husband has no issues with it and approves, then it’s not cheating in my eyes. So…y’know…if Sunshine ever got any ideas, I’d certainly be open to the possibilities. But that’s all I’m sayin’…lol.

  • Being a huge fan, I am relieved to find out that Aerosmith aren’t breaking up afterall. The “unofficial official” reply from Steven Tyler? “There’s absolutely no validity to rumor that Aerosmith is breaking up, muthaf*cka!” Heh…you stay classy, Steven Tyler.
  • OMFG I can’t wait to see Avatar. Wow.
  • On a day like yesterday (i.e. Remembrance Day in Canada and Veteran’s Day in the U.S.), it was nice to read a wholesome story about a reservist and his near-brush with being robbed. Yes, kids…the unnamed 21-year-old reservist was being robbed by four thugs early Tuesday morning on his way home from work. He was told to lie down in an alley and a guy was placed on the back of his neck. But in “After School Special” fashion, the leader of the 4-man gang saw the reservists’ Army ID he ordered the gang to not only return his personal items, but also walked up to the guy and gave him a “fist-bump”. Yes, Virginia…there is a Santa Claus, afterall.
  • I’m in a football pool with a group of guys at work.

    My fantasy football excuses

    My fantasy football excuses

    The guy in first place doesn’t follow football and has only been in hockey pools up until this year. He picks players based on a whim and really doesn’t have any clue what he’s doing. I am frustrated to no end. I pour over stats and toggle back and forth on my picks every single week and I’m stuck at an unimpressive 3-6 while he sits pretty at 8-1. BAH!! Thank goodness I can still make the playoffs.

  • ThisIsItSaw that Michael Jackson movie with Sunshine last weekend.  Y’know, the guy might have been scrawny but he was FAR from sickly.  I was impressed beyond belief.  The man could sing and dance circles around 99% of the “artists” out there today.  Yeah…he still had it.  What a horrendous shame that he had to die so young.  I’m really hoping that the doctor(s) who attributed to his death are brought up on charges of some kind, because this whole situation just isn’t right.  I don’t care who you are or how much money you have, you shouldn’t be having doctors throwing around perscriptions like they’re candy.  That’s just insane to me.  If they can’t get a homicide charge to stick, surely they can get some drug charges to stick and remove this guy’s license.  Those thoughts aside, if you’re a remote fan of MJ then you’ll probably really enjoy this movie.

Ahhh…these are just some of the things that popped into my head at work yesterday.


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