Anti-bucket list

People, when experiencing new cultures, tend to focus their energies on the things they want to do. The things that excites, thrills and generally fulfills their desires. This can be something simple like saying “I really want to go to Disneyland” or something complicated like making a bucket list (a list of things to do before you “kick the bucket”).

Then, eventually, you either forget the list or finish the list and never speak of it again.

When you have lived in a place long enough and you have seen the sights and done the attractions, you start to think in terms of “things you ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT TO DO”. These are called anti-bucket lists.

Here are the three things on my anti-bucket list when living in Japan.

1. Seeing one of those Giant Asian Hornets in person.

To be honest, I don`t see this happening any time soon, since I don`t go hiking and don`t enjoy the outdoors that much anyway. But I have the internet and I have heard stories of these giant monstrosities and my curiosity is completely zero. I hear they have a dangerous sting too.

2. Getting a job near a busy station.

Having to commute every morning is a chore. Getting up, going outside, eating breakfast is difficult enough without having to have to deal with other, similar minded zombies on the train and in the station. If I ever got a job located in or near Osaka, Ueno, Shinagawa or any of those horribly busy stations, I would have to think really hard before accepting. The money would have to be really good!

3. Being a shrine-holder in one of those festivals in the summer.

Festivals, to me are fun. I get to eat and drink as much as I like, I wander around, the colors are pretty and everybody seems to be in good spirits. However, there are the festival parades with those big shrines that people carry and chant. Sure, they seem to be having fun, but to me those things are just heavy burdens and obligations written all over it. Sure, everybody should help each other and it`s good luck and all that, but I think I will let other people handle it. I`ll be in the corner eating my squid in peace.

There are plenty of other things that you couldn`t pay me to do. Let`s take a moment to think about all those things and be grateful we have the options to say no. (most of the time.)