100 things you don't need to do before you die

[Dillytante]

Although I don't have a bucket list because I'd find it guilt inducing (more things to do that I just don't have time for) I am a bit of a sucker for feeling like I should do things. So was pleased to read this Graun article 100 things you don't need to do before you die so I could cross a few things off.

I'm already crossing climbing Everest off as I have just read Into Thin Air about the 1996 disaster where a load of climbers died. And the ones that didn't seem to have such a miserable time anyway. So defo not doing that.

Anyone else got any more I can cross off my list? Places I don't need to go? Books I don't need to read?

Don't go camping, or anything where you need to share a toilet

Don't go to New Zealand, it's like Wales but further away

Venice is pretty but it's a bit of a museum, and nowhere near as fantastic as Rome

Everest- I agree. I'm fascinated by it but it's too expensive (you need to spend your life's savings and more to get a shot at it), too dangerous and just too difficult to get to (a week's trekking for the south, a flight to the world most dangerous airport and a long car journey for the North) I think I'll stick with the Alps instead.

Huge weddings are expensive and overrated

Procreate

The cathedral thingy in Barcelona, hot, crowded and meh.
This ^.

Was great a few years ago- the unfinished cathedral all dark and atmospheric with artisans in the scaffolding making clever architectural details.
Now unbelievably it's almost finished. Too new looking and over bright lighting.

Also Venice.
So you might do this to cross if off the list. In reality they should just be done with any pretense this is an Italian city and admit it's a theme park where no one actually lives. They should charge you E100 admission to walk around the "attractions" with all the other tourists, meet the characters (gondoliers chappies) and use the overpriced gift shops and eateries.

And don't go to Venice and conveniently forget you're not that fond of water!

Barcelona is a great city, although I have never been to the Gaudi cathedral as it is over crowded and over touristed. But there are many fantastic things to see and do.
I love Brussels, especially at Christmas; gemutliche bars with roaring fires, the Grandplatz with its amazing buildings, moules frites, the bizarre and surreal merrygoround, the cathedral at midnight mass and the wonderful fact that Christmas lasts half a day.

don't waste your time cleaning the oven.

I've had mine for almost 15 years, I use it everyday and I have never cleaned it with an oven cleaner!
I do wipe the bottom of it probably once a year.

Oysters

Fruit de mar

But I disagree about the Ice Hotel. I had to do the -20 dash to the loo at 2am and saw the Northern Lights. Fair blew my mind :-)

I used to live in Venice! Just never go to the centre in the summer. That's why you won't see any locals in the centre in the summer. They're avoiding it too.

I disagree with Paris, too. Except for the Eiffel Tower. Never go to that fucking thing unless you want to be cold, windswept, disillusioned, possibly propositioned if you hang around the park at the base, get into an argument with the staff and have to walk miles to the nearest Metro.

Venice - We went in February....

I disagree about Venice - is a great place, especially in the winter.
We happened to be there on Valentine's day once (half-term hols) - it's always been such a romantic place to me.

Agree about Brussels, camping, and oven cleaning

Have children.

I have. I think they are over rated.

If you have them, don't anthropomorphize them between the ages of 0-2 years, and then 16-25.

I like both New Zealand and Sagradia Familia. But I agree that you don't have to see them before you die, and they might not be everyone's cup of tea.

not interested in going on the London Eye.
looks utterly boring.

barbarian make that 13-25, and if you do have to have them , sack off the natural childbirth crap, take whatever drugs they will give you, after the event no one cares if you did it without pain relief, after all when you go to the dentist you dont say, I'll take that root canal without pain relief do you? you dont get a medal for doing it au natural.

Don't bore the arse off your friends about how talented/intelligent and gifted your dc's are at the toddler stage. They are just toddlers and I have never met one that has turned out to be a rocket scientist/brain surgeon/Oxford professor etc.

Whoopeee doooo. He/she can do a jigsaw!

Yawn.

Bumsex (Yes, yes, yes - I know it's not Friday...)

Not the worst thing in the world (DH nodding vigorously!) but just about the worst thing in the bedroom that does not involve a chainsaw (DH, worryingly, is headed for the tool shed...)

I'm so excited about St Austell being a fair stand in for Indonesia.

Don't bother learning an instrument. Or if you do, make it a piano or something else people can sing along to, don't take up the bassoon or whatever because there is almost never an excuse to play it at parties.

My post above was to all my friends who have over the years practically grabbed me by the lapels and thrown me at their dc's with the words;

"He/she is soooo intelligent it is frightening".

Yes you are right Life, and I nearly made it 13 but then I thought too depressing.

Don't bother with home cooked baby food, lovely wooden toys, family games, candlelight (definitely don't read them poetry), music lessons and art galleries. Deprive them of books and force them to watch Sky. Smoke, swear and nick things from shops in front of them.

have no regrets

I wouldn't bother with France myself.

Or Wales.

Or sitting on horses. Bikes are much more practical.

Don't bother trying to teach anybody anything (especially the 13-25s).

Don't share things. It's not natural. Especially cars.

No need to travel anywhere, unless required to by the person you are paid by. There's always a book about it to read instead.

No TV programme is 'unmissable'.

No band or recording is a 'must-hear'.

If you haven't always loved dance, don't bother spending your hard-earned on a ticket to the ballet. Dull and noisy.

Any critic who makes something 5 stars does so because they already love that sort of thing. You are very unlikely to, unless you already love that sort of thing.

Elephant-don't WATCH Atonement. two words-Keira fucking Knightley.
Dont go in a Jeep safari in Cuba-unless you want to die sooner.

Most of most art galleries.

There's a few things worth seeing in real life; some more which you can see by other means ; and a lot which really isn't worth the time.