If you could do one thing before you die, what would it be? To some, that may sound like a morbid question, but isn't it also kind of beautiful? Maybe I’m just a sucker for overly romanticized ideas about living your life to the fullest and pursuing what brings you joy and happiness. However, it seems I’m not alone in that.
A recent work of art was put up on display at Sky High in Bay View. I’ve mentioned Sky High Skate Shop in a past blog post and commended the efforts of Aaron Polansky, not only for his local community but also for the greater Milwaukee area. This work of art is no different. The recent "Before I Die" piece was created by Kristina Rolander and will remain outside of Sky High until Dec. 4. This wall often features the work of local artists, but the fact that I could contribute to this piece brought me to Sky High.
When I made my way over to take a look at the mural Thursday evening, all 36 spaces were filled. People were now beginning to write on any open space available. Polansky wondered how long it would be before people began moving from the boards to the brick building itself – an idea he’s not opposed to.
The idea for this wall was not the first of its kind, but the sentiment holds true. Originally created by Candy Chang in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, similar projects have sprung up throughout the world. A wall like this was previous erected in Milwaukee at Marquette University to commemorate Hurricane Katrina in September 2011.
Anyone remember the MTV show "The Buried Life?" The show focused on this same theme, with the group setting out to complete their own bucket list. For every thing they were able to check off, they also helped a complete stranger check off something they wanted to do before they die.
Truthfully, the theme itself is age old. Haven’t we all at one point wondered this exact question?
So what did I write? Well, a few things crossed my mind: sober up, listen to a country song I actually like, but I kept it healthy. Before I die, I want to finish a triathlon.
As a self-proclaimed aficionada of dive bars, Lisa Simonson knows a thing or two about drinking and our city’s bar scene. She now calls Milwaukee, one of America’s drunkest cities (coincidence?), home after growing up in world-famous Port Washington (“Step by Step,” anyone?) and spending time in both Minneapolis and London.
Now, back in her favorite city in the world, Simonson blogs about her adventures in Milwaukee, one bar at a time. Although her primary focus is sampling the best the city has to offer in beer, wine and whiskey, when not abusing her liver, Lisa can be found cruising on her bike, obsessing over Adobe products, jamming to her favorite bands or attempting to teach her cat to walk on a leash.
