Wants and Lifestyles

I've found it curious that a few people have asked me recently about why I want certain things. Things I've talked about on my blog and on Facebook. Stuff that smacks of mid-life crisis. Stuff like Corvettes, motorcycles, and climbing.

Perhaps no one really cares, but I'll try to explain. I've come to a point in my life in which I've realized that life shouldn't be boring. A gentleman who frequents the library once described a climbing route to me as "like life: Exciting in the beginning, boring in the middle, and scary at the end." His comment made me laugh, but I also found something troubling in what he said. That I didn't want my own life to follow the course of that climbing route.

For a long time, my own progress through life was hampered by various factors. But in spite of them, I managed to build a satisfying career, own a beautiful house, maintain my health, marry a remarkable woman, and developed some of the best friendships I could ever hope for.

But I'm not ready to settle down. In fact, I feel the years peeling off me. I feel younger and younger.

So, I want some exciting stuff! Is that so bad? Some people want children, I want hot rods and to hang from 200-foot cliffs. Does that mean I'm superficial and lack depth? No, people. I just want some zip in my life, OK? I'm cutting loose, so lay off.

What I will tell you is that I don't personally subscribe to the lifestyles that often accompany the things I want. Do I want a powerful Corvette to see how many gears I can get rubber in and to push the car to its limits? Absolutely. Am I going to join a car club or hang posters in my office of women draped over exotic cars? Hell no. Do I want to ride a wheelie on a crotch rocket at 60mph? You bet. Am I going to hang out with my biking buddies at the bar in our leathers? Nope.

I don't have anything at all against those other lifestyles. It's just that they're not for me.

I love my quiet life; I love my books, I love birds and nature, and I love all that I've ever loved. I just want to add a bit of ruckus to my everyday living. A little noise and chaos makes those quiet moments even richer. That's all.

Does that help?