Alright, Eleanor!

I understand the premise behind this. I guess after the big scare you get a rush of adrenaline, a feeling of accomplishment, and an "I did it" to add to your experience belt. A feeling of being alive. Because there is nothing that can make you feel more alive than coming close to death, or at least thinking you were coming close to death. The lure of the amusement park roller coaster.

But I don't like being scared. I have never been a fan of horror movies. I was always afraid of the dark, always thought something was under my bed (probably stems from watching horror movies!) and I have fancied safety in my life. Yes, I have been following Downton Abbey, if you're wondering about the Englishy way of speaking. 

The scariest thing that I do would have to be my annual fishing trip to Alaska and the occasional visit to a Walmart when I am forced by a friend to accompany him to purchase some jeans or soap, or some other item that you just find elsewhere at a better price.

For the past 10 years, I have gone on a fishing trip to Alaska. We sign waivers, signing away our right to sue if anything should happen. Like dying. Yes, dying. There are scary things involved.  Float planes, bears, fishhooks, massive halibut that can pull you overboard, and having to pee in a bucket. But you come home with a year's worth of salmon and a lifetime worth of stories.

So, I guess what might even be scarier than signing that waiver, would be staying home, playing it safe, and reading or watching about other people's adventures. I've always admired the brave and brilliant Eleanor Roosevelt, and I'm not about to question her now.