Nobody wants to die. Well, almost nobody. And yet, for many of us, entire weekends were spent dying over and over again as we pumped quarter after quarter into out favorite video game machines, or endlessly pressed RESET on the console. It’s probably a good thing video game characters don’t buy term life insurance. They’d put the insurance companies out of business, dying three, four, or even five times in a matter of three or four minutes like that.

Have you ever considered the life and death of a video game character? We mean, really, one second you’ve just arrived onto the scene (or, screen, if you prefer), having been birthed from that shiny silver disk with George Washington’s (Daddy?) picture on it. The next second, with no nurture, training, or upbringing whatsoever, you are put through the most dangerous scenarios the sick minds of human beings can conceive. And in most cases, your short lived existence would be snuffed out in one of the most horrific ways imaginable. Imagine:

• Frogger. As soon as you receive life, you are immediately made to cross a busy freeway with motorists who show no desire to avoid you whatsoever. Heck, most kids aren’t allowed to cross the street alone until they’re ten or twelve years old, but you’re expected to do it five times within seconds of birth. And even if you get across the street, you have to avoid drowning and dangerous snakes and alligators, all of whom have a taste for frog legs.

• Q-Bert. If you’ve ever had to do the Harvard stress test, you know that jumping up and down repeatedly can wear you out fast. But if you’re the little orange guy with the funny nose, you’re expected to hop up and down a whole pyramid of steps. Don’t want to? The jumping snakes, and assorted colored balls and giant insects might convince you otherwise. To make matters worse, if the guy playing the game goofs, you jump off the edge of the pyramid, apparently into an endless void.

• Pac Man. Or Ms. Pac Man. Or Pac Man Jr. I don’t care who you are, ghosts are scary. Death by ghost touch is not a pleasant experience, especially when you have to experience it three times.

• Mario. This poor WOP bastard is just trying to do his job as a plumber (or was it construction worker, we were never sure), yet he’s been killed more ways than you can shake a joystick at. First Donkey Kong knocked his ass over with barrels, then he started taking LSD and ended up in a world with deadly flying turtles and carnivorous mushrooms. Of all the damned things to have on your headstone, “Eaten by a Mushroom.” No thanks. Let’s just hope Princess Pauline took some term life insurance out on the guy.

If you’re like most of us, there’s not much that you like better than a day at an amusement park. And if you like amusements parks, you’re probably with us when we say that roller coasters are our favorites. Turns out, though, that you might want to double check and make sure your term life insurance is paid up before you get on that roller coaster you’ve been waiting all summer to try.

While only one in 124,000 roller coaster riders detect any kind of injury, and only a fraction of those are serious (only 1 in 15 million need to be hospitalized), there remains a chance, however small, that you could die as a result of riding your favorite coaster. While the odds are heavily in your favor, statistically you stand a one in 150 million chance of dying on a roller coaster ride. With 900 million riders getting on coasters every year in the US, that means an average of 6 people will die by thrill ride annually. Fortunately, such deaths are not excluded by most term life insurance policies.

Most of the deaths caused by roller coasters are the result of brain damage or internal bleeding. Deaths from actual roller coaster accidents are really rather rare (though not unheard of), and often the result of improper use of safety restraints. Many of the accidental deaths involved people unhitching the safety restraints and either falling or striking their head while standing up.

For the most part, roller coasters are a fun and safe amusement ride. Nothing beats the thrill of experiencing the incredible speeds and G-Forces that the best coasters reach. But riders with heart or serious blood pressure conditions should consult their doctor before getting on these rides. Or, failing that, at least make sure that your term life insurance is current.

Whether you go to Walt Disney World and ride the Artic Expedition and the Rock ’n Roller Coaster, Cedar Point’s Blue Streak and Gemini, or any of the exciting coasters at amusement parks all over the world, make sure that your restraints are on properly before the coaster starts moving. You don’t want to be one of the 6 unlucky ones who die an “amusing” death this year.

Image by Andréia

No one likes to think about dying. Some people think about doing things before then though. Most people want to live their life to the fullest. Sometimes it takes a health report to start you thinking about those things but sometimes it is just a will to take life day by day. What would you like to do before you die? Have you ever thought about that? Maybe you would love to bungee jump, ride a horse or learn to skydive. Make yourself a bucket list to keep and mark them off as you do them. Do not wait until life has passed you by to think what might have been. Tackle it today and know that your life was full and what you always wanted it to be.

1. 101 Things to do Before You Die: Create your bucket list with this list of things to do before you die.
2. My Bucket List: Check out the first fifty things on this bloggers bucket list.
3. How to Create a Bucket List: One blogger shares how you can create your list. Learn ideas on creating and picking your to do list.
4. 10 Tips for Creating Your List: Discover ten tips in helping you to create your own bucket list.
5. Bucket List -o- mania: The movie The Bucket List has sparked many into making their own lists to do before they die.
6. My Bucket List Adventures: Share this bloggers bucket list and see if it compares to yours. Find out what he is doing on his next adventure.
7. Create A Bucket List: Learn how to create your bucket list here.
8. How to Create a Bucket List and Improve Your Life: Did you know you could improve your life by creating your bucket list? Learn how you can do just that by reading this article.
9. Bucket List- Life’s Adventure: Read this interview with Andy Miller on making your bucket list.
10. 5 Steps for Creating Your Bucket List: Use these tips when you are considering your bucket list. These help you to find out what you really want to do.
11. 525 Ideas for Your List: One blogger shares over 525 ideas to add to your bucket list. Stop by here to get great ideas to do before you die.
12. Diva’s List: Check out this bloggers bucket list and see if you have the same one or if you have done these things.
13. Checked off My Bucket List: See what this blogger has been up to. They are busy marking things off their bucket list. Are you?
14. Popular Life Goals: Here are a few goals that many people put on their bucket list. Are they on yours?
15. College Pastor’s Bucket List: Follow this young pastor as he fulfills his bucket list. See what adventures this may take him on.
16. My Bucket List by Molly: Take a look at this bloggers bucket list. She would love to own a cat one day and have a great collection of purses.
17. Summer Adventure Bucket List: Stop here to look at this mom’s summer bucket list. It doesn’t always have to be before you die list. It can be before a season is over type thing as well.
18. Finishing My Summer Bucket List: Read this students plans and adventures for this past summer. All sounds amazing and see what she had to say about completing the list.
19. American  Bucket List: One writer shares his ideas for his bucket list.
20. A Mans Bucket List: Take a look at these fifty things men should do before they die. This is the man’s list of must do’s that most men only dream about.
21. 40 Jazzy Things to Do: If you love jazz this is the list for you. Try the things on this list to take in some great jazz history.
22. 101 Things to Do Before You Die: Discover the top 101 things you must do before you die.
23. Before You Die: Read this article on a few things you must do before you die. Find out if you have tried any of these or if you want to add them to your list.
24. 10 Most Incredible Things to Do Before You Die: Stop by this great list of things to do like skydive and space walking. Are these on your list or do you have more daredevil type items?
25. 50 Things on Your List: Take a look at other peoples bucket list and also make one of your own all in one site.
26. Guy Things to do Before You Die: Uncover some of the most popular things for guys to put on their bucket list.
27. Are You Working on Your Bucket List: Have you started working on your list yet? If not stop by this site to get tips on making your list the perfect one.
28. 10 Amazing Things to Do: If you have not finished your bucket list yet, think about adding these amazing things to do as well.
29. 109 Crazy Things: Take a quick look at these crazy things to do before you die.
30. 1001 Things to Do: This blogger gathered up 1001 things you simply must do before you die. Have you got these on your list?
31. My List of Ten: Join these others in planning your list to do before you die. Take a look at what they have on their list as the top ten.
32. My Bucket List- Fifty Things: Share this bloggers list of fifty things he wants to do before he dies.
33. 47 Amazing Ideas: Add some of these great ideas to your bucket list. See what this blogger has found and if it is a fit for your list.
34. Julia’s List: Connect with Julia as you read her bucket list. See what fabulous things she has been able to accomplish so far.
35. Marc’s List: Find out what Marc wants to do before he dies. Has he crossed any off? Read here to see.
36. 100 Things to do: Check off this awesome quiz to see what you have done on your bucket list.
37. 141 Different Things to Do: Take a look at this list while you are creating your bucket list. Find out if you have already done some of these things or if you want to add them to be done in the future.
38. David’s List of Ten: David shares his list of ten things he wants to accomplish before his time is up. Are any of these on your list?
39. 250 Things in San Francisco: Whether you live there or are just visiting, here are 250 things you must do in this city before you die.
40. Woman’s To Do List: Discover what some women say should be on your bucket list. Stop by and take a look at this list of ten must do’s before you die.
41. Things to Do and See Before: Have you ever flown in an airplane or smiled at a stranger? These are some of the things on this list of to do’s before you die.
42. Those 100 Thins to Do: One blogger takes a look at the 100 things you should try to do before you die. Get her take on it in this wonderful blog post.
43. 8 Must Do’s: This blogger talks about the top eight things on her list she wants to do. Compare these to your list and see if you forgot something.
44. 1000 Places You Must See: Have you ever been to any of these places? Here is a great list of must see’s to use in your traveling.
45. My 50 Places: Mark the ones you have already seen on this list of top 50 places to go before you die.
46. See Before You Die: Need suggestions? Stop here and look at all the wonderful places you need to see before you die.
47. 50 Places to Go: Look at this blogger’s list of places to go and see how many they have knocked off their list already.
48. Uninhabited Colorful Places to Go: Take a look at these breath taking places you simply must see before you die.
49. 100 Places to Go: If you love traveling these places should be on your list. See how many you have already visited and get ideas for your next vacation.
50. Ten Places NOT to See: Watch out for these! Look here to find the top ten places not to see before you die.

Image Credits: Valerie Everett

• Shark. Duh Duh. Duh Duh. DUH DUH. You know, if we’re in deep water that isn’t a good environment for us to protect ourselves knowing that we’re sharing the space with the apex predator of all apex predators, there’s at least some cause to believe we might get what’s coming to us if we get bit. Fortunately, most sharks prefer seal, and spit us out after a taste. Unfortunately, if you don’t get out of the water quickly, your blood will attract more. And, what could be worse that dying and realizing you were only an appetizer for the whole pack?

• Bear. We don’t care which kind. Grizzly bear, black bear, polar bear. It all sounds equally unpleasant. Most people who get nibbled on by grizzlies and black bears just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Those bears generally bite people more because they’re pissed off than hungry. Polar bears, on the other hand, are one of the two critters on earth known to hunt humans under normal circumstances. The worst part of this is that you’re going to be eaten by an animal that people think is cute.

• Crocodile. This is the other critter that will intentionally kill and eat humans under normal circumstances. Unlike the polar bear, though, it’s nothing personal. It’s just that if you get close, and he’s hungry, you’re convenient. Kind of like a TV dinner. Not the best meal in the world, but easy to prepare. Not that it’ll matter to you after he ambushes you, drags you under and drowns you. We just hope you had your term life insurance policy paid current.

• Snake. Now this one’s just gross. The worst part is, the only two snakes big enough to potentially eat a grown person, the anaconda and the reticulated python, would have a bit of trouble jamming you into their mouth (it’s the shoulders that gives them trouble). The long and short of it, being eaten would be a slow, painful, rather gross process. Of course, you’d be dead by asphyxiation, so it wouldn’t matter, but the idea is enough to give you the heebie jeebies.

Photo via longhorndave

Consider the cast. Who could have dreamed in the ‘80s when most of these stars were in their heydays that they would join forces in one action movie? Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Dolph Lundgren, and Mickey Rourke. That’s a lot of bang for your movie ticket buck. And you can bet, by the end of the show, the body count will be astronomical.

• Bruce Willis: OK, he spent his early career being a funny man. That’s OK, by the ‘90s, he had settled in and was starting to show his violent side.

• Jet Li: Most of his killing took place in Chinese films that most of us will never see. Even if we do watch them, they’ll have horrible, Godzilla-style voice-overs. But have no fear, this is one dude that can really stack the bodies. And he doesn’t need a gun to do it. The real life actor is a master of Northern Shaolin styles, including numerous martial arts weapons. His body count in American films is already impressive. We can’t wait to see how many he takes out in The Expendables.

• Mickey Rourke: with action roles ranging back to 1979, Rourke has an impressive number of movie kills under his belt.

• Dolph Lundgren: The guy killed Apollo Creed. Obviously, Stallone was able to forgive him that little indiscretion, but still. Who can forget the ice cold stare as Lundgren, portraying Russian boxer Drago calmly muttered, “if he dies, he dies.”

• Arnold Schwarzenegger: Commando. Terminator. Kindergarten Cop. OK, he didn’t actually kill anyone in Kindergarten Cop. But he didn’t need to. He already had one of the most impressive on screen body counts in the business.

• Sylvester Stallone: For a guy whose most iconic role, Rocky, didn’t involve killing anybody (though being his manager was a hazardous occupation), Sly has probably accounted for more on screen deaths than any other actor, most of them in his four Rambo films. Not bad for a guy whose first movie contract involved $200 for a part in a soft core porn flick.

Photo via Paul Lowry

Rock stars seem to drop like flies, and when they do, they generally die just like they lived: loud and a tad on the obnoxious side. Here are some examples of rock stars who went before their time. Let’s just hope someone had some term life insurance on them:

• Buddy Holly. Rock ‘n Roll wasn’t even five years old when it had its first serious set of martyrs. Buddy Holly, along with fellow rock n’ roll pioneers Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, got into a small plain in the middle of some nasty winter weather. The plane didn’t make it very far, and to this day February 2, 1959 is known as the “Day the Music Died.” What’s worse? Holly’s bass player gave up his seat, jokingly telling Buddy, “I hope your ol’ plane crashes.” The bass player was none other than country music legend Waylon Jennings.

• Jimi Hendrix. Wine and vomit don’t mix very well, but in the end, that’s what got Jimi Hendrix. He choked on the mixture after taking nine of his girlfriend’s sleeping pills. The normal prescription dosage was half a tablet. The good news is the sleeping pills work. The bad news is rock n’ roll lost an icon.

• Janis Joplin. They just can’t seem to space these things out. Jimi Hendrix was barely buried when Janis Joplin died, leaving the rock world shy one more legend. She died of an overdose of heroin. They think it “might” have been mixed with alcohol. Not that Janis had ever been known to overindulge or anything like that.

• Jim Morrison. He’s never been equaled. Probably never will. He died on July 3, 1971 in Paris, France. He was found in a bath tub, but no autopsy was performed because the French don’t perform them unless foul play is suspected. The cause of death is believed to be an overdose. You think? Of course, Morrison’s death has always been shrouded in questions. Of course, from the 20 paternity suits against him at the time he was proclaimed dead, the fake death conspiracy theories do have some plausibility.

• Keith Moon and John Bonham. Two of the greatest drummers of all time. They played for The Who and Led Zeppelin, respectively. Both of them died by drowning in their own vomit because they were left lying on their backs drunk. To think, these two could have been prevented by simple T-shirts that read “Roll Me Over.”

Photo via oddsock