I had planned to write a little blog today about trekking to the Dekalb Farmer’s Market on Saturday. It was a pretty interesting place and a lot different than I expected. It was much bigger and filled with a wider range of foods than my imagination had led on. We stocked up on a few things that were good buys and enjoyed checking it out. The capers were about half price, we eyed some good spices for next time and saw they have goat and lamb meat, so that’s something to keep in mind for future dinners.

But instead of talking about the people and workers and strange foods, I have to take a minute to reflect. The reason? I opened Twitter this morning around 11 a.m. and saw that Lou Piniella was retiring today after the game vs. the Braves. While this is not news that he’s moving on, it is unexpected that it comes before the end of the season. And a little sad.

As I was watching the pregame on WGN (and, hell no, I’m not watching the Braves telecast even though I’m in Atlanta), I got a little sentimental because I really think Lou did a great job. This year has blown and will go down with all the forgettable Cubs seasons, which now accounts for about 34 of my 38 years. But overall, in his first three years, Lou got two division titles and helped the Cubbies to three straight winning seasons for the first time since the 1930s. So thank you Lou. This Cubs fan appreciates what you’ve done, even if it didn’t lead to a title (not that that’s any different than any other manager of my lifetime).

But something else struck me while watching the pregame. Lou seemed emotional, but pretty content. He has won more than 1,800 games as a manager, won a World Series title, been a coach and player for his whole life and didn’t have to work a desk job or do anything but go to the ballpark all the time.

That’s a pretty damn good life. And it seemed like he knew it.

So it made me think. I feel like I’ve had a great life so far and I wouldn’t trade any experiences–good or bad–that I’ve had to this point. But with my 39th birthday coming pretty soon, what else is there for me to do? What is on my bucket list that, by completing it, will make me happy when it’s time for me to retire (on Earth or otherwise)?

I thought about this a little bit yesterday actually. Sugar mama made a comment about the good foods and organic bullshit, yada, yada, of the farmer’s market and made a comment about it helping me live forever. My reply to that comment when she said it? “I don’t want to live for fucking ever. That’s too long. I just want to live until I’m done.”

So, if I get my choice, here are a few of the things that I have on my Bucket List, the stuff that I really hope I can experience while I’m still moving around on this planet (in no particular order)…

  • Snorkel in the Caribbean Sea– I’ve been lucky that with my previous job, I was able to travel not just around the country, but around the world. I’ve snorkeled and scuba dived off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and snorkeled in Hawaii. I want to do it again in another exotic location.
  • I ran a half-marathon back in May this year, so that’s knocked off. But now I’m going to put this on the list, and I’m gonna do it with my buddies back home in 2011. Anyone in northern Illinois or Wisconsin who wants to join us next fall, sign up. I have at least 10 people we’re bringing, and it’s going to rock.
  • Play one hand of poker worth at least $10,000 in real money. So, how will I do this? Well, I guess I need to start saving and just enter in the World Series of Poker. That, my friends, would probably be the top of any Bucket List of mine. And would be fucking awesome.
  • Sit in Casey Moran’s during a Cubs World Series Game. Sure, I’d love to go to Wrigley to see the game and I’ll definitely try to get a ticket, but let’s be honest here: that shit is going to be expensive. Even the worst seats for a World Series game in Wrigley will go for at least a grand. AT LEAST. Bet me on it now. How about a grand? That’s the only way I’m probably getting one is by winning some money before they make it, so I’ll set my sights on just being there. Assuming I’m alive, I WILL be in Wrigleyville when they play in a World Series game at home and that will be good enough.
  • Get a motorcycle. I’ve always wanted one and I have a goal to have one before I turn 40. Now, I expected to be employed the whole time until I was 40, so at this point, I may back it up a little depending on how long my “freelance” gig lasts, but it’s still on the list.
  • Me and my best friend have plans to go to the NFL Draft someday. That will be cool.
  • See sugar mama getting her MBA. I don’t say it enough, but I’m so proud of her and what she’s accomplished, and getting that degree this winter will be really cool. I can’t wait to be there with her.

Well, that’s a few things I’d like to get done before I’m done done. Hopefully I’ll be able to do that and if so, I’ll drop you a note here to remind you I did it… especially if you want to bet me that grand.