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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Another Wake-Up Call!

Sir James of Taylor and I have spent a lot of time discussing things we’d like to do before we die – mostly regarding careers. Lady Suzanne and I have had countless discussions about getting away (Suzanne would like to visit every beach). Recent posts here have highlighted “The Bucket List” and Sir Dayvd has introduced us to his favorite saying, “If not now, when?”

So, I was not surprised when Sir James sent me the following ironic headline from recent news:

Dave Freeman, 47; the ad executive who co-wrote '100 Things to Do Before You Die' has died.

47!?

Freeman died after falling and hitting his head at his home in Venice, said his father, Roy.

Published in 1999, "100 Things" was one of the first contemporary books to create a travel agenda marketed with a title that reminded mortal readers that time was limited.

The title meant "you should live every day like it would be your last, and there's not that many people who do," Neil Teplica (who co-wrote the book) told The Times. "It's a credit to Dave -- he didn't have enough days, but he lived them like he should have."

"This life is a short journey," the authors wrote. "How can you make sure you fill it with the most fun and that you visit all the coolest places on earth before you pack those bags for the very last time?"

Together, the authors had visited almost every site in the book, which included the familiar (the Academy Awards ceremony, the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain) as well as the more exotic (the National Hollerin' Contest in North Carolina, Australia's Nude Night Surfing contest).

Freeman also saw some things he certainly wished he never had:
On Sept. 11, 2001, he was eating breakfast in his sixth-floor New York co-op when the first plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. From the roof of his building, he saw the second plane crash into the south tower, just blocks away.

Deeply affected by the terrorist attack, Freeman decided to move back to Los Angeles in 2002 to be near his family.

To be honest, I have not read the book, but I know that it – and many others that followed – have me thinking of Freeman’s motto: "Do it before you die"

3 comments:

  1. I apologize for all the crazy fonts and sizes -- I can't figure it out.

    Sir Bowie

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  2. Touche Bowie... Nice one... glad you used that...as i too saw that item in our Newspapers. The headline was a bit long winded and went something like " Author of '100 things to do before you die' dies with only half done"

    I too was shocked to see he was only forty-seven. Tripped over at home and banged his head. I imagine that #1 on his list in that book should have been ' Tack down the loose carpet edge in the hallway' ... but of course that is a typical Brit joke on such a day.

    I have looked at his book in the book shops, and naturally while i agree with the ethos...the list is really subjective...ie: most of it i would have no interest in doing.

    I think what i got out of it was ...go home and make a list of a 100 things of your very own and make your way through that.

    I haven't quite got that far but what i have done these last three years is on january 1st each year, in my pocket " day to a Date " diary ( which i fill in each night)... is write a mission statement on the page marked 31st December of all the things I expect myself to have done, and how much i expect to have in the bank on that day.

    I try and make them something i have always wanted to do, and also feasible. Likewise the bank account should be a sensible target that just stretches me.

    This year i got to June and checked the last page and found i was a little behind...so I have ratcheted up the pressure and now feel a bit closer.

    Obviously this all sounds just like a New Years resolution...but i never write down anything vague like, go to the Gym and lose weight or such like. It is things that typically you find yourself saying year in year out.." Oh I've always wanted to go there..." or Oh I've always wanted to do that" This is where the "If Not Now , When " motto arose.

    One of them this year was to draw up my family tree, which up until now has just been a stump and a couple of twigs. The real surprise there is I soon found out i was Swedish just three generations back in 1864, on one side of the family... If you'd have told me that on January the 1st i would have laughed into my beer...

    so i recommend writing down a mission statement... because i was genuinely surprised and very happy when it worked in the first year..

    Sir Dayvd..

    BTW your doing a great job on the blogging...this is why i send mine to you to put on....

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  3. I know all too well how short life can be. My mother died of cancer at only 42. I laid on the open heart table at 45 and faced a broken back and surgery again at 50. For all practical purposes I should be already dead twice! I have been fortunate; however, to have accomplished many of the goals that I have set for myself during my tenure here on this earth. Of course, the more you do, the more you want to do. I agree with Sir Dayvd about setting goals every year. I have done this every year for the past 15 years. Much like if you build it they will come, if you write it...it will happen for the most part. Mind over matter. I must say that at 45 I emerged from my near death experience changing how I live my life. It's never been the same sense. Like I've said many times, I may not be as wealthy in the monetary sense as I use to be, but I am a hell of a lot happier and wealthier in spirit as a result! Live and love each day to the fullest...it might just be your last!

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