Crossing an item off my backpack list- visiting the Shark Tank

I don’t have a bucket list, I have what I now think of as a “Backpack List.” The things I have to go out of the way to do but aren’t exactly lifelong dreams. Things I can strap my backpack on at the front door and set out to do or see or experience. I also have a hard time committing to possibly un-achievable goals like a bucket list contains so this is a way for me to have little dreams. Here’s the story of how I got to thinking of this concept. 

NYE 2024 we spent celebrating at the San Jose Sharks game. The atmosphere was fun and exciting and the teal was on display. It was our first time watching the Sharks and the first time for me and the kids to see a hockey game in person. The stadium lowers down a giant fiberglass shark’s head that the players skate out of at the beginning of the game which was both exciting to watch happen but more fun for me to watch the shark handlers in the rafters getting the whole thing ready. I am really a sucker for logistics. 

On the way home we stopped for a bowl of soup and were all talking about different aspects of the game and what we enjoyed seeing or were surprised by. My daughter quite liked the penalty boxes and my son the sticks being flung around. I mentioned that going to the Sharks game was a bucket list item for me and I was happy to have finally experienced it. My husband challenged me and said, “If the Sharks make your Bucket List, it’s not much of a list.” Taken aback, I just moved the conversation along.

Later, on the drive home (SJ is about 45 minutes away from us) I brought it up and we started talking through what belongs on a bucket list or is just something you want to do. On a side note, I am glad I decided to talk this through rather than just be salty about my husband’s comment. 

That’s when I had the idea of the “Backpack List,” it’s all the things I’d like to do and they never fall in your lap. At least none have fallen in my lap yet. Since this is the year of Peace I plan to cross out a few of these Backpack List items to make some space for other dreams to start building.

Here’s a few items on my Backpack List right now: Watch the sunset over the ocean; Go to Chase center and see a show; Hike a section of the cross town trail; Go to tea at Lovejoy’s.

Here are the Sharks entering through the big mouth. 

Here is the Shark being prepared for the entrance event. It was on these giant hooks in the rafters covered up like this. When they finished the raised it back up but left it uncovered.