I’m currently who-knows-how-many thousands of feet up in an aluminium cattle-cart expertly piloted by Air Canada’s finest. I’m here…but I’m not. Somewhat like the blog posts.

A friend commented last night that I haven’t been posting enough, a comment I’ve heard a number of times in the past couple of months. Odd, really, I don’t see my life as being all that exciting for others to read…but okay, I’ll play along.

I’m still here, living life but posting less…which I suppose is where the ‘here, but I’m not’ idea comes from.

Why am I posting less?

Part of it is because I haven’t been participating in any ridiculous adventures lately. Work has been incredibly busy, and so I feel like I’m only getting small ‘tastes’ of craziness. The summer months seem to bring about silly adventures like the wine story with far more frequency. But the real reason is I’m busy planning the next big adventure, which is probably the biggest under-taking I’ve ever done. Purging my stuff is just a small step towards completion, but its taking forever!

The next big adventure is set to start Jan ‘06. Call it a new years resolution if you’re so inclined (I’m not, but feel free). Already some of the changes slated for life have started to seep in. I’m getting more organized, and purging the un-needed items in life. I shocked some friends last night by showing up at a party dressed well and ‘trendy’. I’ve downsized the fleet of cars, and reduced my frivolous spending somewhat. But, to be honest, life feels a little boring right now.

I’ve had a couple of my ‘nuts’ friends who are into silly adventures move on to other things. I’ve lost a good one, had another move and have scheduling conflicts with another. Work has been busy, the weather is changing and life is ‘in motion’…just not in ‘the adventure ride’ motion.

I’ve been reading an issue of Outside magazine while on the plane. Outside is my escape for adventure when I’m unable to get there myself. Its been a good year, my subscription has been stacking up unread for many months.

I’ve just read about a huge trekking adventure though the eastern most portion of afganistan, complete with mine fields and other stories. The group has entered the former soviet country(?)of Tajikstan, the end of their journey. 10 miles into Tajikstan, the three americans were arrested…

“That night our interrogators gave us their own bunks while they slept on the hard floor of the office. I was so thrilled I couldn’t fall asleep. “We did it, guys” I whispered “we crossed the Wakhan!”

“And now we’re under arrest,” said Teru (the photographer).

“I would call it temporarily detained” said Doug

”

Doug’s thought is the mark of a true adventurer. I’ve heard Andrew make similar statements so often you’d think we have a goal to find the hardest route through any situation. A complete car failure is only ever a temporary issue to Matt, there is always a rescue plan that can be created. Temporarily detainted takes on a completely different meaning to Steve, who seems to believe you can always make time go longboarding, riding or skiing…there is always time, right Steve? Willson is only temprarily detained on the east coast…and Aaron never blinked when we were lost, driving an SUV thousands of feet up on a mountain side, on a ‘road’ that was only as wide as we were. Adam and I speak with terrible infrequency, but each phone call sonds like we just stepped away for a moment. Warwick…Warwick takes the most insane dreams and within days comes back with a plan to make it happen. The list could just keep going. But what about me?

I think I’m ‘temprarily detained’ in life at the moment. Going through the motions, making the plans, securing the details for the next adventure.

No worries I suppose, I’m a few minutes from landing in Vegas. I’m looking at it as a brief ‘vacation’ from the planning. A chance to ‘live life’ and enjoy some adventure. Andrew is joiningg me on Thursday, and we have plans for a driving trip on saturday. As I stated just before the two of us left for the Grand Canyon two years ago…What’s the worst that could happen?

I guess adventure is a mindset more then an activity thing. Who knew a simple bottle of wine would end up so hilarious for us? Or that a mere dropping of a set of keys would solidify a friendship so strongly?

Yes, perhaps its all just in how you see it…in which case, I’m happy to have my eyes back open and looking for the fun and excitment life has to offer.

-Dave

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 30th, 2005 at 12:22 pm and is filed under Thoughts from the Podium. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.