Sunday, February 3, 2008

Fun Monday - Kicking the Bucket




Tiggerlane at the Neophyte Blogger is hosting Fun Monday this week!



Have you heard of The Bucket List? Well, that's what I want from you! Make a list of things you want to do before you die. It must be at least five items - and you can make it as long as you desire. Photos are optional. And let's hear about some of the wackiest, most bizarre to-do's on your Bucket List!

I thought this would be easier than it was. Oh, sure, I would love to win the lottery and cure cancer and secure world peace but then what would Miss America do?



I am, and I hesitate to use this word, contented with my life. I cannot think of anything I have done that I would do differently because then I would not be right here right now.



Having said that, if I found out that I was terminally ill, and money was no object, I would:

  • Live on my sailboat. Summers in Monterey, CA and winters in Corpus Christi, TX
  • Like almost everyone else that I know, have my novel published. You know, the one I haven't written yet.
  • Endow a library.
  • Travel abroad, to Tuscany, the south of France, Scotland, and the Black Forest in particular.
  • Last but not least. I know this is not Christian. I know it is not kind. I know it would not put me on God's short list. I would break into San Quentin State Prison (where California's death row inmates live out their very long, government subsidized lives) and kill everyone on Death Row. It's California. What are they gonna do? Sentence me to death? I know, I know. I'm also pretty sure that as soon as I did this, they would find a cure for whatever disease I was dying of.

So there you have it. Proof that I am not nearly as nice, as kind, or as morally sound as I know I ought to be. #5 has been on my list since the two murderers who killed my uncle and were sentenced to die were released - yes, released! - when the California Supreme Court overturned the death penalty in 1972. In 1977, the death penalty was reinstated in California, although it would be 15 years before they actually executed anyone in 1992. The murderers who were released in 1972 were never rearrested nor resentenced - that whole double jeopardy thing, you know? Anyway, I just thought I would make sure that some other family did not have to go through what my aunt and my cousins did.

58 comments:

Alison said...

Um...Sandy...when you come to San Quentin you can stay with me!! as long as you play nice!!

Faye said...

Know what you mean about not messing with a good thing. It's great to be contented with the direction your life takes.

Fianna said...

Could you hit other states beyond CA? While TX is, I believe, the only state continuing with executions, the time on death row is ridiculously long...

I also feel quite content with my life as well as with the knowledge that the things that I really desire, I will achieve in due time.

Anonymous said...

Good thing you listed the rampage as 5, because it would negate 1 through 4. Perhaps you could combine the sailboat and novel idea. Once you endow the library, you could autograph your book there. I would suggest numbering them of so many - like 2 of 20,000. This way once you become famous (or infamous) for number five, your book sales will soar. You might want to consider having a beneficiary named.

I disagree on slightly with your view though. I think if there is undisputable evidence and the murderer is convicted - there should be no sentence, no appeal - the penalty of death should be carried out immediately (sans Saddam). It costs money to house people in prison - about 430K a year of our tax dollars. I want my money back.

the planet of janet said...

you go, girl.

Peter said...

Wow!! number 5 sure came out of left field, the concept is fine by me but the plan needs work!!!

Unknown said...

Wow, #5 caught me off guard! I would do #1 with you. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you gave the explaination below your list. I was wondering if your other personality had just popped out or something.

I can understand your fury. The dirty scum.

willowtree said...

I'm no library, but I sure am well endowed.

Gattina said...

And you want to break into this prison before you die ? But then please at the very last minute when you already have one foot in your grave !

Anonymous said...

WT is a dirty little boy. Now go back to your corner.

Hey, I love #1, but then sailing is in our blood over at Chez TLG-land.;)
But I know what you mean about being quite contented with what life has handed you already.

#5? I haven't been through anything like that, and can't begin to fathom the depth of what that situation must feel like.

-Ann said...

Number 5 is very interesting - I imagine it could win an award for most unique item on the bucket list. Maybe that's the novel you should write.

Sayre said...

If you actually did #5 and then were cured, you'd have plenty of time to write your novel... But I'm pretty sure they wouldn't let you out to go sailing or to Tuscany.

Florida still executes Death Row inmates but it takes forever. I was never really a believer in the death penalty until Ted Bundy came a long. He did the Chi Omega murders right across the street from where I was working THAT NIGHT. I then got the dubious pleasure of working on his trial coverage. That man was scary - and an escape artist. Even in prison there was no guarantee he wouldn't do it again. I can't believe they actually RELEASED your uncle's murderers.

Hootin Anni said...

Excellent opening for the week!! I really like that about being very content with your life. Good one!

My Fun Monday is posted. I had a good time this week, voicing my opinions on Fun Monday.
Happy week to you.

laurie said...

your miss america comment made me laugh.

your san quentin comment surprised me.

ChrisB said...

I can fully understand you feelings on 5. Sometimes justice is never achieved for the victims which is so sad.

Anonymous said...

Can I love on the sail boat with you too?

Robocop said...

Great list, especially the last item.

Anonymous said...

Wow. I really love that you thought of (and posted) the last one. I have many, many thoughts on this, but this is your list.... just know that I like 1-5!

Junebug said...

#5 is very understandable on your part. A surprise to read though. My list didn't include the part of money was no limitation...if I had no limitation on money I would eliminate people dieing of poverty all over the world. But Jesus said, "the poor you will always have" so? But just not having to die from it would be good.

Anonymous said...

WHOA! Now, that is something new I've never seen on anyone's list. I have thought about it myself, though (mainly all those child pedophiles who are let loose and shouldn't be)

Megnificent said...

I love your list. Take me to Tuscany with you.

Anonymous said...

Great list! Living on a sailboat sounds awesome.

San Quentin thing...you're scaring me! LOL

Alix said...

It's nice that your so contented with your life and yeah for the unwritten novel - everyone has one right?
Number 5 was a little scary but after the clarification I can see why you feel as you do.

Anonymous said...

I can imagine how heart-breaking it must have been to find out that those men were released.

the rotten correspondent said...

I like the surprise factor of #5. Maybe that's another Fun Monday topic. Things that we want to do that we may not think of as so "nice".

SwampAngel65 said...

I don't blame you one little bit for that last one! I'd feel the same way...100%!

It would be awesome to live on a sailboat! My only problem is I don't know the first thing about sailing! Guess I'd have to stay anchored up somewhere!

Sai Hijara - Ferraris said...

Fun list! I enjoy it... ;) Happy FM!

Jientje said...

that last one is very... surprising!
But I guess I can understand how you feel.

Robin M said...

Wow! I'd say you have all the makings for writing that novel. Just sit down and start writing. Some days it flows and other days its like pulling teeth, but you'll amaze yourself in the end.

Thanks for visiting my blog

Robin of mytwoblessings

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

I can understand your feelings behind No.5. I'd want to do the same.
I like the sound of summers in Monterey and winters in Corpus Christi.

Joy T. said...

Holy crap, I just happened to take a sip of tea while reading that last one and it just about ended up all over my monitor! Where'd THAT come from LOL Although I couldn't agree more so I guess I do know where it comes from. Hey maybe the book you haven't written yet could be about your adventures in San Quentin State Prison while you're getting rid of all the prisoners :o)

ellen b. said...

I can't imagine how I'd react to the injustice of your Uncle's murderers being set free if it happened to me. Ugh. I'm so sorry...

Molly said...

I wish you well on your life on the sailboat, publishing your novel, and endowing the library.

Tiggerlane said...

I totally understand #5 - totally. I'm amazed at how much it costs to keep someone on death row alive - and there are some people, well - I'd better stop. But you and I are on the same page, Sister! Thanks for participating!

Attie said...

good list and real emotion.

Serina Hope said...

That is awful. I can see why you feel that way.

Ari_1965 said...

I like the idea of endowing a library. It's nice to think of one's name engraved in stone above the entrance.

Celeste said...

When I started my list, at first I was at a loss, because I am content with my life. Yes, there are things that I would like to change -- daily, but overall, I feel very blessed in an imperfect world.

Number 5 is definitely food for thought.

Linda said...

You know what, they are sentenced to death anyway - why shouldn't you be able to avenge your uncle's death that way? I like it! I like the rest of you list too!

Sauntering Soul said...

You definitely have one of the more interesting lists I've read so far!

We have some family acquaintances (they were friends until they moved about 25 years ago to another state) and one of their daughters was raped and murdered by a campus police officer in her dorm room at a university in Ohio. The guy was up for parole several years ago and they were fighting to keep him in prison. I'm not close enough to them to know what the outcome was, but I've felt so sad for them and so helpless.

Big hugs to you.

Unknown said...

I love that you like your life as it is! And, when you go to Scotland, I'll go with you & bore you to death with my factual knowlege, okay. I totally understand your #5.

Michelle said...

Love the list!! Especially the last one. I totally agree!!

Anonymous said...

A good list. So sorry for your family's loss. Good luck with the novel, now that I know everyone else is doing it, I might just have to, as well. I don't think I could live on a sailboat, but the travelling sounds good.

Kaytabug said...

"I cannot think of anything I have done that I would do differently because then I would not be right here right now." That is my belief too!

Your list was fantastic! I want to go to Tuscany! LOVE #5! I'm with you and NLM said what I wanted to!
I feel really sad for your family. That just wasn't right.

Pamela said...

Live on a sailboat ... now that sounds like a way to go with the flow





Last but not least...
My sister in law (before she was my SIL) had her husband shot out of her arms on the street after playing pool. Then the guy got out on bail and stalked her at the grocery store..etc

Sometimes justice is impotent.

Anonymous said...

There is a few people who want to do the sailboat thing.

I have come to the conclusion that there is a justice system, but no justice.

Hope you get to do ALL the things in your Bucket List...when you are not ill.

ped crossing said...

The sailboat sounds fantastic!

bichonpawz said...

I love the idea of Monterey and Corpus Christi! Don't you just love WT's sense of humor?

kitten said...

I understand the #5. We are human.

Kim said...

You go, Girl! I believe if you purposely take a life, yours should be given in return. That being said, I am thankful I have never been on a death qualified jury. It would be the most difficult thing to condemn another human being to death because I believe life is sacred.

We live in a state of constant paradox.

Sandy, I am so sorry for your family's loss and the insult of the scums' release.

Detroit said...

I am on the boat with ya!

Alison said...

I have a little something for you...come on over!!

Princess Jewelee said...

Super list. I have amways wanted to do #5...bu then again i am Sincere and Direct.

You are signed up for next week

And so is Dad

And so is Lil Man

Karina said...

Wow, I was going to say that #5 was pretty heavy stuff, but then I read through some of the commenters, and they all made me laugh, and I almost forgot how serious it was. I can understand your fury though.

Tuscany is on my list as well...what is it about Tuscany?

Anonymous said...

Yes, summer in Monterey is beautiful...I spent many an evening on Cannery Row while stationed at Fort Ord. Great List!

Retrohipster said...

#5 partner...

Debs said...

I adore you more now than ever because of your last item on the list!

 
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