Life is too short to sit around on the net all day reading about other people’s experiences in life, so we have put together a nice little list of ten absolutely fabulous, fun, naughty, and neat things to do before you get too old. Some of these items might put you in danger of jail time, but that just adds to the thrill!
Who doesn’t love cocktails? There are thousands of spirits and liqueurs out there for the tasting – so go to a liquor store, stock up, and try as many variations as you can. You are bound to stumble upon a great tasting cocktail to show off to your friends next time you have a party. Remember to keep a bucket handy – after a night of tasting cocktails you will need it.
Flash mobs have become a worldwide phenomena in which a large group of unrelated people all converge in one place, perform an unusual action for a short time, and disburse again. Flash Mobs were invented in 2003 in Manhattan, but they can now be found in almost every city in the world. To illustrate the scale and awesomeness of flash mobs, in 2006 the London Underground was overtaken by 4,000 people who all silently danced to their ipods (video clip above).
This one is an easy task for most people living in California, but not so easy for people in other states and countries. But it is worth the airfare to get to a premiere if you can afford it. I was fortunate enough to see the premiere of one of the Lord of the Rings movies and I had a fantastic night – you definitely must do this at least once. Who knows, maybe a superstar will see you and fall in love with you (that didn’t happen to me, alas).
It is possible that many of you will have already performed this task, but for those who haven’t (myself included), why not give it a shot? All you are going to cost someone is the time cleaning up after you. Pick a nice clean spot and go to town with spray paint. Be careful not to put anything that will lead the cops to your door. For added points, try to graffiti in a nearly impossible to reach spot – you are more likely to leave a permanent mark that way.
Disclaimer: If you do this, Listverse and JFrater will not be held responsible. Now this is something that I can say I have never done, though I have left a store with free things that the staff didn’t ring up (accidentally), but I do have friends who have done this. The trick is to go to a very fancy restaurant (don’t forget to dress up), order something from every course – preferably things you have never eaten before – or can’t afford to eat, then do a runner from the restaurant without paying. Just remember: this is theft, so don’t pick a small family run restaurant that can’t afford to foot your bill.
You may have noticed the absence of items such as bungee jumping and sky diving – the reason is that I think they are insane things to do and I would never recommend them. So, in lieu of other “flight” related things to do, I propose that you learn to fly a plane. You might need to save money for a while as lessons can be very expensive. If you do decide to give it a go, I would recommend that you shave off any long facial hair you may have.
This one may be a little risky, but it is worth it for the kudos you will get from your friends and family. First off you need to paint yourself a piece of art; it doesn’t matter whether you can draw or not – most modern art is unrecognizable anyway. Once your painting is dry, sneak it in to the fanciest art gallery you can find and tape it up on the wall. If you want to go for a special extra touch, you can make your own wall plaque to hang beneath it – and include a price tag. Who knows, you may be discovered!
This is something you have to do at least once in your life. Save up some money and book a night at the poshest hotel in your city – and book the most expensive suite. While you are there make sure you saved enough cash to tip well and to enjoy all of the benefits of the hotel – like fabulous food, massages, pool, and spa. There is nothing grander than waking up in a magnificent penthouse suite with a hangover. Just remember, if you steal the bathrobes you may find an unexpected bill turning up on your credit card the following month.
If you volunteer at your local cop shop you can often be invited to participate in a lineup. Doing so can be fun – and you sometimes get a free lunch as well as cash (though not always). If you do get to appear in a lineup, be sure you didn’t commit the crime! Wear something fun like a tee-shirt that says “I did it” and be sure to look shifty. If you accidentally get picked as the perp, you might want to check out the Top 10 Prison Survival Tips.
We live in a fast paced society where gadgets exist for virtually every task – but occasionally you find that nothing exists to do exactly what you want to do. Instead of ranting and raving, why not try your hand at inventing it? It can take months – even years – to invent something, but if you have a good idea, it is worth the effort. Just remember, as soon as you have completed your invention, patent it and give it a truly awesome name. Who knows, you may even get rich off the idea.
Contributor: JFrater
Yeah, let’s commit some crimes. JFrater, you are an iresponsible idiot. I only hope people have the sense not to listen to your pratter.
Hahahahahahahaha.
They had a flash mob up in Portland in December. I missed it but my friend said it was AMAZING!!
It’s now my goal to complete all of these \ o /
I have three things on my “Bucket List”.
1. To fly in a helicopter (have done the vintage plane thing, the hot air balloon thing, and the jet plane thing – now its time for the whirlybird)
2. Visit Tuscany and Provence
3. Learn to play the piano really really well
Sure, there’s more I want to do, but for now, these are top of my list!
Thine will be done.
Seeing your favourite band live is great like nothing else.
sleep with as many different races of people as possible.
I would love to do all of these XD especially number 2, that would be so much fun
I’ve only done one of these (#7), but that was back in my juvenile delinquent days. Now I’m an adult delinquent. And I think “Dine and Dash” is a more popular term for #6 (for a moment, I thought you were talking about the thrill of having relations with an actual runner).
That’s what I thought 2 lol!!!
Oh, and “Writing a list for List Universe” should be an honorable mention
Great list! I especially like no. 6. But seeing as it is me, alas, I would probably get a random to return with some cash to pay for the dinner at the restaurant. (=_=)
Oh and in addition to that… travel the entire world and nearby space.
Sort of did #10, I’ve written it wet concrete before and similar things for #7, Stole some Pokemon toys as a kid for #6, I have conceived numerous ideas for #1.
By that approximation I’m about 30-35% way done with my life.
Instead of doing something destructive, like graffiti, I would like to offer a couple of fun ideas, that will make you feel great: serve a meal or two at a kitchen for the homeless, walk dogs at the local animal shelter (or adopt one), take some underprivileged kids to the zoo, read for a while to an older person. It was a good list, and I will be thinking of things I want to do.
Redcaboose: Firstly, I’d like to shake your hand. Secondly, you make me feel SO ashamed for instantly thinking of what I’D like to do, instead of thinking about how to make this world a kinder place! Your post gave me a much-needed reminder of what I SHOULD be doing – thank you!
I love doing number 3 i always save up enough to have one weekend out on the town and stay in the best suite i can afford i try to do this monthly its good because i can catch a hockey game get really smashed go out to a club and pass out at the suite and wake up for complimentary breakfast
Just think. You could save time and combine #6 and #2. But only is you can’t run very fast.
my partner and i did a runner once at a very fancy restaurant in napoli with an 180euro bill..we didn’t get caught and it was absolutely exhilirating!!! although in hindsight not the best city to ber doing it in!! never tempted again though
*puts pedantic hat on*
I think you’ll find that’s not the London Underground but London Liverpool Street mainline station, which is oddly popular for flash mobs like that. Probably because it’s got nice balconies running around the second floor letting people look down on the large scale and open floor below.
The Underground station entrance can be seen in the video, the one with the white words on the dark blue sign. =)
Xavier comment number 9 – “Writing a list for List Universe” should be an honorable mention.
Thank goodness you said that, otherwise my score would be a rather miserable “sort of a half out of ten”. The “sort of a half” is for various childhood games I invented, none of which will make me rich.
So now I score “sort of a half out of ten and an honorable mention”, which makes my day just a little bit brighter.
Writergal: Thanks for the very kind note. I just retired 6 months ago, and now have the time to do some of these things. I think it is nice to put a little “spin” on your part of the planet.
i’m gonna do all of these things!!!!!!!!!!!! apart from 6 & 7 which i’ve done already. brilliant.
yeah me too had a runner once after eating at one f those McDonald’s, it’s by accident tough ,and umm, by shaving off any facial hair at list #5, it means arabians right? good one
I’m incredibly disappointed an unimpressed that you are encouraging people to commit petty crime.
I work in law enforcement, and that stuff isn’t funny.
You know what else isn’t funny Holly Homicide? Your face. That will be all, prepare to hear from Carpe in another few months or so…
fabulous things? the word fabulous makes me think this list is targeted to those with homo*****ual tendancies- cool list though.
i dont think these petty crimes wont hurt anyone directly if you do them right^^
I have to agree with Holly, J. Committing a crime isn’t funny, and depending on where the person is, and where they decide to put their ‘urban art’, they could run afoul of local gangs.
Just remember if you decide to do #6 that not only are you breaking the law but you have not stuck the restaurant with the check but you have stuck the waiter or waitress. If the server accepts the payments themselves they are responsible for all the money due whether they’ve received it or not.
#10-This was a requirement for the first bar I ever worked at. You had to invent a drink with your name in it. Here is how you make a “Nasty Nicki”:
Fill your shaker with ice, pour one shot banana schnapps and one shot Kahlua, and a splash of milk. Shake it and strain. It tastes like a chocolate covered banana!
When I first saw #6 I thought “Hell yeah, runners have nice legs…”
#5 is easy when your Daddy is a flight instructor! I highly recommend flying (no pun intended). There is no other feeling in the world like that moment when the wheels lose contact with the ground.
#4 My art is hanging in a gallery right now! I didn’t tape it up there, though
Bec up there at No.5 was spot on with the “favourite band live” idea. I saw mine 3 years ago and I still feel elated when I remember that night. It was the best in my whole life. On the other hand I gotta say I invented a couple cocktails already but that wasn’t even near as fun; I don’t know about graffiti or art galleries, but once I participated in an online narrative contest and did better than expected. It might be a rewarding alternative for those who want to be creative but can’t draw a stick figure to save their lives.
If you’re an alcoholic with tendencies to vandalism, kleptomania, and an all-around crime fetish, who loves meaningless debauchery and following a herd mentality like a brainless sheep, then yes, this list is for you!
And before anyone says “don’t like it, then write your own”, then I just might, and it would be without a doubt called “Top 10 ACTUALLY MEANINGFUL things to do before you die”.
I do apologize for the aggressiveness, but this is my honest opinion on this list.
kreachure~
i agree! this list us full of… dare i say-juvenile behaviors & misdemeanors? frankly, at the age of 30+, these are sooo… beneath me…
my top ten fabulous things to do before i die
1.) paraglide
2.) ride a camel caravan thru Australian outback
3.) go snorkeling in Indonesia
4.) go to Crufts dog show (been to Westminster in 2008)
5.) finish college (which will never happen, i plan to stay in school until i die)
6.) find true love (already have it!)
7.) have my art in a gallery…legally
8.) compete in an AKC televised dog sport (obedience? agility? doesn’t matter-i want me & my wonder dog on t.v.!)
9.) submit 100 lists to Listverse that don’t suck
10.) Meet Bucslim, Randall, Kreachure, and Rushfan in reality-land! all for drinks! (except Rushafan’s baby…tooo young still…)
ringtailroxy
sorry jay… never saw a list i completely went ‘meh’ over until now… do you have a cold? must be some mucus plugging up the good lists for now…
rtr
Sheesh! Who *****ed in everybody’s Cheerios this morning? Y’all are taking this WAY too seriously
Dumb list.
You can’t Do a Runner today because every place is filled with cameras duh.
Switch do a runner to a restaurant to do an actual runner. They have great endurance lol.
Writergal- Are you a pilot, too?
I agree with those who are disappointed in this list. I suppose I have just come to expect higher things from this site.
You guys are all taking things so seriously… I mean, graffitti? How *terrible*! I mean, I personally don’t think I would find skipping a bill to be enthralling, but chill out. He’s not asking you to kill someone.
About that graffitti again, what’s the worst that could happen? You write some lovely letters on the side of a freight train, or the inside of some random industrial bridge… so, what, people will see it? Is that bad? Nobody cares if you spray a train.
But for all you pansies, try THIS: If you HAVE some graffitti skills (Which are not hard to aqquire if you practice) show a small buisness owner your work, and they could PAY YOU to do a tasteful, advertising-type graffitti for them. (ie I sprayed a roller derby)
Better?
Nicosia: No, I’m not a pilot. I prefer to leave that kinda stuff to those in the know!
C’mon people! Whilst I agree that crime is not cool, it’s still weekend, and this list is very obviously tongue-in-cheek! Smile a little!
Oh, those were gooood ideas! Let’s try to be as narcissistic as possible. Then when we die, and we find out God really does exist, we’ll end up right where we belong.
Perhaps one more item should be added to this despicable list:
#11. Read The Divine Comedy, especially the Inferno part.
I’m rather disappointed that you labeled skydiving as insane, but think of theft as something you should do before you die. Statistically, you’re more likely to die in a car accident than skydiving. It’s heavily regulated and very safe compared to standards years ago. Flying a plane is one thing, jumping out of one is quite another.
I’m unofficially making it #1a.
Tandem or solo, give it a shot!
Skydiver- I’ve always wanted to try it! That and hang-gliding
Jesus, you guys are acting as if he suggested to kill someone. Most of these, while illegal, are not really crimes. Graffiti is often beautiful, and though it *****es some people off it doesn’t honestly hurt anyone. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t mean the “F**k You, Jenny” “Mike was here” kind of graffiti.
The same really goes for the few other illegal things (Honestly, only maybe three of these are illegal) on this list. I actually really like this list, nice one J.
DaniBee, you said, “nobody cares if you spray a train.” I care. It’s ugly. No matter how good you think you are, graffiti is ugly to those of us that have to drive by it every day. How ’bout we go spray paint the inside of your dingy little apartment with whatever slogans we choose? You wouldn’t care. Maybe we should spray paint your car. You wouldn’t care.
40. Nicosia
A tandem jump is the best way to get the full effect of freefall and canopy flight. It’s simply the most exhilarating experience you will ever have. Be warned however that it is very addictive and it’s possible you’ll end up like me, spending every weekend of the summer hanging out at the drop zone, waiting for the next slot. It becomes a lifestyle!
now that would be so cool to be in a police line up….unless , of course, youre the one being fingered……
Actually, everything illegal that brings with it a jail sentence (or is defined in the law as committing an offense) is a crime.
That said, there are some interesting suggestions on the list. Always wondered about how one would participate in an identity parade.
Also, living in the best suite is a nice suggestion, but it will be hard to find a “best suite” that is actually tasteful – most photos I’ve seen are crassly opulent.
Sell a Senate seat in the state of Illinois.
Having been part of a “community cleanup” and having pressure-washed graffiti off of numerous buildings, most of which belonged to elderly people who were really annoyed/frightened by the graffiti, I’d have to vote against that one. An alternative would be to get together some artistic folks, find a commercial building in need of some color, and approach the owners about doing a mural on it. That’s been done here several times, and interestingly, I haven’t seen anyone graffiti over it. Must be some kind of mutual respect thing.
Also, the idea of ditching the bill at a restaurant bothers me. Even if it’s a big chain of some kind, someone is still going to get in trouble over it, whether it’s the server, the host, or the manager. Why go out of your way to do something that might a) get you arrested, and b) cost someone their job? Equally exhilarating might be to anonymously buy a round of drinks for another (random) table, or maybe invite a person who comes in alone to join your table. Sucky things happen to people enough by themselves; why not try removing a little “suck” from the world instead?
“Equally exhilarating might be to anonymously buy a round of drinks for another (random) table”
What a great idea!
Some of those are great, but I will have to agree with that the idea of “doing a runner” isn’t a great one – when I was waiting tables I got stuck with more than one dinner check that way.
If you want to go do graffiti in a major urban city please leave instructions for the disposal of your mortal remains.
BTW – I hate cocktails. When I was drinking I was a straight up drinker. Why ruin perfectly good booze with crap like liqueurs and juice?
I have a selfish bucket list, but I agree that it wouldn’t hurt to have a goal to do things that would benefit the world rather than cause problems for others.
Sounds like a good subject for a list.
I support the death penalty and I hate microwaves… but skipping on a bill or doing graffiti is OK. Ugghhh…
I dont know what to think sometimes. By the way, tipping is a bad idea at anytime and should be abandoned.
Flash Mobs are already dead. Generation X was a bit too old and slow to make it on time. Too busy putting on their embarrassing Obama t-shirts.That trend is over over.
Stay in the best suite IS a nice idea though. I recommend The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong or The Imperial in Tokyo.
ringtailroxy (30) as for Number 10, you would be terribly disappointed. Save your time and drop some E at an amusement park. Now thats fun…
pretty good list. I recently crossed off from my bucket list climbing a crane and taking a crap from the top. It was unforgetable
#4 “First off you need to paint yourself a piece of art; it doesn’t matter whether you can draw or not – most modern art is unrecognizable anyway….” That one made me laugh! I’ve worked as an artist assistant for a couple different artists and often I’ve wondered what my boss was smoking right before I got to work that day…
I’m surprised by how many angry comments are on here! This list isn’t a mandatory, ‘must do or trade your soul to the devil’ kind of obligation. It’s just a list. Take the stick out and loosen up. That also doesn’t mean I’m demanding you to perform depraved acts. It means just what it says: CHILL.
Oftentimes I find graffiti to be far better to look at than the industrial appearance of its original form. I agree that tagging by a middle schooler is quite ugly (especially those that spell stuff wrong. That’s just a reflection of bad education and of being surrounded by a negative influence that probably can’t spell either) but there are some great graffiti artists. Banksy, Basquiat… I believe A1one was the one who spray painted images of children at play in various post-battle areas of Iraq. Imagine an image of a little girl holding a red balloon spray painted on the remnants of a wall from a blasted building. Haunting, no? Sometimes, I find graffiti artists have smarter things to express than those with “legit work” hanging in a gallery.
And instead of cleaning up graffiti, it’s easier to simply prime it and cover up with something far more beautiful. CityArts in DC puts out some wonderful murals as a city beautification project. There is still tagging but I haven’t seen anyone attacking these murals. They’re just too good to deform.
OH MY GOD, Ponyboy! I laughed out loud at that. Did you really? That’s pretty creative….
Paint graffiti on a nice and clean wall-that’s a terrible idea. Why would anyone think it is a good idea to take something clean and cover it with some spray painted picture or words that only you know what it is. “All you are going to cost someone is the time cleaning up after you.”-That’s the kind of attitude that causes problems in this world. And suggesting that people steal from restaurants-I don’t know what to say, just another awful idea.
I have always wanted to learn how to fly a plane, though.
I can say that Im actually incredibly *****ed that you put “do a runner” on this list… #6
I’ve previously held lots of waitressing/bartending jobs in the past and I can tell you first hand that, especially in large corporations,
THEY MAKE THE SERVER PAY THE BILL IF THEIR CUSTOMER WALKS OUT. I’m not joking. I had to pay an $85 tab because some fat hoes ate and ran, and that was at APPLEBEE’S, not some “little ma & pa store that cant front the bill,” cause I’m a poor college student that cant f*ing afford to front your damn bill for pathetic little kicks, So suck it.
I would highly recommend not doing the runner idea. I’ve learned that some restaurants (even big corporate franchises *cough* Applebee’s *cough*) make the server foot the bill. The restaurant may be able to pay for your meal, but I could almost guarantee that the server’s budget would get a lot tighter that month.
LOL, the person just above me said the same thing…and it was Applebees…weird.
Really interesting list, really interesting responses.
My own “bucket list” has some overlap with this one, and I’ve accomplished parts of it.
I have been to a film premier; James Bond ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’
I have stayed in the best suite in the hotel; The Princeville in Kauai’i, Hawaii.
When I was very much younger, I left some graffiti in the bathroom of my school’s church; Tyrannosaurus rex died for our sins.
I once snuck into Chitzen-Itza, in the pure blackness before dawn, and climbed El Castille, to watch the sunrise.
I am, right now, getting my photography portfolio together, to submit it to galleries. I am also submitting my short stories (finally!), to magazines.
I want to learn to scuba, but my complex central apnea is a problem there. Still, it maybe overcome.
I got arrested once. It’s amusement value is highly overrated.
I still have items left on my list. So I can’t die yet.
I did #10, I think. I asked the bartender at the pub across town for a root beer with dark rum and a splash of grenadine mixed in. I thought it sounded good at the time. It tasted awesome, and the bartender agreed. When I went back the next week, he had my drink up on the chalkboard menu, and even named it after me–the Billy White. Although humbled, I’m sure my boatdrink probably already exists…but it’s nice to believe I ‘invented it’.