Monday, February 19, 2007
So, What's Next?
Small airplanes didn't kill me. Skydiving didn't kill me. Scuba didn't kill me. Motorcycles didn't kill me. Firearms didn't kill me.
A pundit might want to add the word "yet" to each of those sentences, but I've accepted the more-obvious conclusion: I'm invincible.
Being invincible, I have no further reason to confront my fears. I think my next few obsessions should be things that are not dangerous, as a way to keep my karma balanced (and my mom's blood pressure down).
Here are a few things I'm considering trying out. A couple of them fit the "James Bond" theme of earlier hobbies, but most of them are pretty mundane.
- Martial Arts: All the self-defense material I've been reading in the firearms-related books and forums has led to an interest in unarmed defense. Due to my age and reluctance to get punched, I think I'll try one of the arts focused on holds and throws (judo, ju-jitsu, aikido, etc.) rather than any of the striking-based arts (karate, taekwondo, etc.).
- Evasive Driving: Also known as "bodyguard driving," "anti-terrorist driving," or "executive protection driving." There are schools that will teach you how to avoid ambushes and evade pursuers. I think this would be fun, but it has the downside that I wouldn't really be able to practice the skills outside of the class. As an alternative, maybe one of those auto racing schools would be fun.
- Golf Lessons: I've been "playing golf" for twenty years, but have never had a lesson, and I really have no idea what I'm doing. (Dad taught me everything he knows about golf. It didn't take long.) Taking a few lessons from a professional would do me some good. If I can shoot under 100, I'll feel good.
- Piano Lessons: I've owned a couple of keyboards, and have bought several teach-yourself-to-play-piano books, but have never really devoted myself to it. A teacher would help keep me focused. I'd like to be able to play so that I'll have something to do in the senior-citizen retirement home.
- Peachtree Road Race: Every year, I tell myself I'm going to enter the Peachtree Road Race, and run the full distance, but I've never done it. I can run a few miles at a steady pace now, but I'll need to get serious about training if I want to be able to run a 10K in July.
- Helicopter Lessons: I've written about this before. It's really on the back-burner for now. I need to put aside a lot of money and lose about twenty-five pounds before I can take helicopter lessons. I need to prepare to explain to a future wife and kids why I blew twenty grand of their money on a completely impractical skill. Also, this one might be an unnecessary test of my invincibility.
So, what you do all want to read? Endless articles about golf swings, hand positions for playing scales, or how far I ran yesterday? Or would you prefer more death-defying stunts?
Martial arts lessons also sound interesting, as do helicopter lessons (the latter in a more abstract way, since I don't think I'll ever try piloting a helicopter).
Death-defying stunts make entertaining reading. It would also be entertaining to read about your attempts at something less action-oriented, e.g. meditation or tai chi.
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