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?

Ski, go to lego land or indeed any theme park, iceskating, watch reality tv, read any Dickens apart from Christmas Carol. Or any Georgette Heyer- esque type stuff. Or Barbara Vine etc. Or watch Breaking Bad

Disagree strongly about marathon - fab achievement, for life! Fat Duck great when i went, v memorable.

Art pointless?????!! Heathen thinking!

Agree about bungee jumping, bowling and Luton and Leicester Sq.

Don't do porridge. (Prison, that is.) Something most of us really would not want to do! (I haven't, before anyone asks.)

But I have done many things people have listed, including a bungee jump (which I loved). I didn't finish the Lovely Bones though, I found it very heavy going!

No need to spend 3 years doing a phd.

Yeah, PhD's, unless very specific to your career. A lot of people IMO seem to do them for the kudos of calling themselves 'Dr'. We had a secretary in my last job who did a PhD. She went from

Jane Smith
Secretary to blah; to

Dr Jane Smith PhD
Secretary to blah.

Ridiculous. You're a secretary, ffs. I think letters after your name are naff, anyway. And I've got a few if anyone thinks I am just jealous.

No need to spend 3 years doing a phd.

There is if you want to be a scientist ... in some fields don't bother doing a BSc unless you're going to go on and do a PhD.

2 very good friends of mine did phd physics and didn't really use it in their jobs.

And another in maths.

But those were the days when studying for PhDs was not necessarily a means to an end (jobs)....

Sorry Errol - there is no need to spend 4 yrs doing a Phd in science (biochemistry at least) either ...
You have an average 9 year career as a post doc research scientist (3 x 3yr fixed term contracts) unless you are
a) extremely successful in a very competitive field (and can get your own funding)
or
b) extremely lucky to get a post with a group leader who appreciates/needs experience and is prepared to find the money in the grant to pay a senior researcher salary rather than get a much cheaper Phd student/newly qualified post doc...

And whatever you do - don't take a career break for children
If you don't take a break to put the hours in to compete you will need a partner that can do most of the childcare ...
And you now can't get a technician role - you are over qualified for that ...
I know this - I have...and where I live there are lots of other Drs who are SAHM -knowing they are unemployable and not knowing what the hell they are going to do next...

Or sponsor self through a fucking masters why oh why oh why-

No need to do a PhD or a Masters unless you would enjoy it might be a better instruction.

I should say it seems lots go onto to do a PGCE /teacher training - so you may as well just do that...

Trills - I loved my Phd - I love research ...but I would have been more employable as a keen technician...

"Things to do before you die" aren't generally about what makes financial sense, are they? :)

at the 'don't travel to this amazing farflung place' - chance'd be a fine thing!!!

I like Niagara Falls, especially in winter with the coloured lights on....I wouldn't bother going to the American side though except in the gondola since you come straight back . We once spent more time queuing to get back into Canada than we did in the States when we took my exchange partner over.

Good to know I can skip Paris. My advice is: Just say no to colonic irrigation.

Ooh, do helium balloons do interesting things on car trips Errol ?
I never knew that.
< puts on bucket list - well, now there's so much space on it from all the things I've crossed off >

My advice is: Just say no to colonic irrigation

I don't really get random offers of colonic irrigation from some dodgy bloke that I have to turn down....but no shit, point taken.

Think that you are ever more to the company you work for than just a number - everyone is expendible and frankly if you saw the ref my old boss filled in for me you would know it's true. one and two word answers all the way, when I think of the efforts I made to help keep that heap of shit going before they went under I could weep...

Don't go to Stone Henge. You can see all you need to see on a picture of Stone Henge.
Don't go sailing. Cold, wet and uncomfortable.
Don't go to Morocco. It's dirty and it stinks...and they try to rip you off everywhere you turn.

Oh gosh, I forgot about Stone Henge. I went there recently and, after much walking on a very hot day, emerged from the little tunnel and thought "Oh! So this is what an anticlimax actually feels like..."

The swallows and swifts there were lovely to watch, though - there were loads of them, and they flew so beautifully.

Don't visit Bradford (not if you like decent shops anyway)

I know a BLW 'd child who choked on a piece of banana and who now has brain damage!

Don't waste time on it! One less thing to stress over!

The pencil museum in Cumbria is every bit as exciting as you might think. Don't bother.

Don't bother watching the weather forecast. Just get up in the morning, look out of the window and dress appropriately.

And you'll get the added bonus of not having every single weather event described as 'treacherous' or having a 20 year old boy wearing his Dad's suit remind you to put your sun cream on