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Its your turn to tell of an adventure
Field Trips
_________________________________________________________________
[12]Laura Marble
May 9, 2007
_________________________________________________________________
Given what I do for a living, Im always looking for my next adventure
-- sometimes desperately.
Recently, a friend discovered three fun books chockfull of ideas for
achieving a decidedly unmonotonous existence. They recommend
everything from shouting Drinks are on me" in a local bar to taking
part in a police lineup. I snatched them up for $15 on eBay.
I share this with you because Id love to hear your tales of venturing
into unexplored territories and emerging with new insights. In fact, I
offer this challenge: Before the coming of the monsoon, do something
daring and send a full report to lmarble@explorernews.com. Keep in
mind that your story may appear in print.
This reading list should inspire:
101 Things to Do Before You Die"
by Richard Horne
Scavenger hunt enthusiasts will like this one. Its shaped like an
oversized passport, and the challenge is to stamp" each page with a
star sticker from the back of the book.
But before you do, you must engage in edgy acts and answer the
pertinent questions that go with them. For skydiving: Did your
parachute open correctly? For crashing an A-list party: How many free
drinks did you have? For tornado chasing: Did you see flying animals?
Ill warn that the list of needed items includes a fast car, a ski
mask and more than one can of spray paint. But few of the 101
challenges involve actual illegality. Many are as harmless as milking
a cow, meeting somebody who has your name and -- for the scavengers --
owning a pointless collection.
This book wont do much to prepare you for taking on intimidating
challenges, but it does include a credit-card-size tick list so you
can mark milestones on the run, such as when you unexpectedly find
yourself performing as an extra in your favorite TV show or romancing
a rock star.
No Opportunity Wasted"
by Phil Keoghan
Self-help junkies, look no further. This book not only suggests
appropriate excursions for a daredevilish life, it coaches you through
them.
It starts by debunking excuses -- my dog would miss me, I dont care
to die -- and then goes into a discussion about overcoming fear.
The author starred as the host of the adventure reality show The
Amazing Race, and he knows a few things about fear -- namely that the
underlying one is fear of failure.
Keoghan devotes a chapter to each of eight adventure categories:
getting lost, testing limits, taking leaps of faith, rediscovering
childhood, shedding inhibitions, breaking new ground and aiming for
the heart.
He introduces a collection of inspired adventures -- a mailman who
takes a shot at pro hockey, a nun trying for a triathlon record and a
young surfer who wont let paralysis keep him off the board.
Underlying it all is his philosophy: Live while you have the chance
and dont forget to swerve off that predictable road youve been
following for years -- onto a strange and bumpy path that just might,
with a bit of luck, get you lost.
2DO Before I Die"
by Michael Ogden and Chris Day
This book is for creative types who enjoy free association. I marked
up the margins with yearnings that floated into my consciousness as I
read about other peoples notable moments.
Youll find no gimmicks or pep talks here. This is simply a
compilation of adventures large and small that people found
meaningful. They include growing a beard, walking on fire and teaching
Grandmother to use the Internet.
Ogdens visit with his dying grandfather inspired the book. He
expected to hear much reminiscing about this self-proclaimed
workaholics career, but instead, he heard a stream of stories about
people. On his drive home, he scrutinized the way he spent his time.
Its worth asking how life is sizing up now," he wrote, "if only to
confirm were heading in the right direction.
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