2010 is supposed to be our “year of fun.” That’s right, Christy and I made a resolution in January to make 2010 a whole freaking barrel of monkeys. (You know I just said that to catch you off guard. Anyone who knows me will testify to the fact that I never actually use the phrase “barrel of monkeys” – Ever… Under no circumstances!) So far 2010 has been great. I’ve found myself addicted to the latest PS3 game Battlefield 2. It’s very strategic, but also full of non-stop action – A combination I love! Of course, me planting my butt in front of the tv to play a video game isn’t exactly what Christy had in mind when she agreed to a super fun year.
So this doesn’t count! See, when we describe having a “fun” year, we’re not talking about just good times. Rather, the mind wanders into a trance-like state as we contemplate all the unusual things life has to offer. So far, we’ve placed on our list:
Zorbing (Scheduled in May)
Zip Lining (Scheduled in May)
Chicago (Scheduled in 2 weeks)
Kansas City (Scheduled in 3 weeks)
Flying a plane (Pending an agreement from Christy)
Ok, I have to admit. Zorbing sounds goofy doesn’t it? I mean, who sits around and fantasizes about what it’s like to be a hamster? I DO! That’s who! One of my biggest fears in life is to find myself on my deathbed lamenting the fact that I never got to experience being thrown down a hill at 30 mph in a giant, bouncy, hamster ball. No regrets remember? Thus we must zorb, if only in the name of having no regrets.
Zip lining also falls in the “exciting” category. Where else can you feel as if you’re smack in the middle of some action movie as you fly 100 feet in the air as you just miss crashing into the tree-tops? Sounds like fun to me!
In Chicago, we’re finally going to make good on a promise from 2006. To see the Blue Man Group Theater. Of course there’s plenty of other things to see such as teh Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry (Which happens to have the fully preserved Mastodon on display – Call it the nerd in me, but I cannot resist going to see an ice age creature that still has its skin in tact! Ever curious). Of course I’m sure we’ll stop by to see some of our old favorites such as Lou Malnati’s and maybe even go see the Miracle Mile. (Some of the most famouse shopping in the country here)
Kansas City made our list because Christy has been wanting to go see STOMP Live. I’m expecting a performance somewhat similar to that of the Blue Man Group, but I’m sure it’ll be a barrel of m…. Fun… Most concerts I’ve gone to see in the past were disappointing to be honest. But anytime you have something this unusual, if anything you walk away appreciating the creativity, talent, and hard work that went into the show. I’m sure it’ll be great. I expect that we’ll visit some great restaurants and other sites in the area while we’re in Kansas City.
Flying a plane has been on my radar for years. No, not some wimpy old plane ride. Anyone can do that! I want something a bit more tactile and engaging! Check this out: http://www.fightercombat.com/
Doesn’t that look great? You get to take control of the plane after the instructor gets you into the air. I wouldn’t be so headstrong about doing this if that’s where it ended though. To spice up the flight a bit, there’s yet another plane circling, waiting pounce on you at any moment. That’s right, a fighter pilot experience! Even if the idea of flying a plane doesn’t appeal to everyone, how fun would it be to learn how to do barrel rolls, dodge laser shots, and “shoot down” the opposing plane of death? (It’s not officially deemed such, but I think it just makes the experience sound that much cooler if we call it the plane of death. Humor me ok?)
Of course all of this is done with sophisticated lasers and targeting equipment, but to make the experience more authentic, the plane that gets shot down vents smoke, rolls over onto its side, and makes a free fall for a thousand feet or so – Just long enough for you to mentally celebrate your victory before it comes back around to try and exact its deathly revenge. (Please, let me have my fun?)
My take on this is that life is short, you work your butt off, why not try completely new, and off the wall experiences? Sometimes things feel lie the same old thing right? It’s nice to try things you’ve never quite imagined yourself doing. Seeing as how my current profession doesn’t exactly find me behind the cockpit of a fighter plane engaging in white knuckle duels 15,000 feet in the air, I think it’s high time I give it a taste don’t ya think?
It’s either that, or Christy just may find herself putting up with me sitting in the lazy chair with my fingers spread wide to simulate an airplane as I make “zooming” sounds to simulate air battle. Seeing as how I doubt she’d like to try her hand at explaining THAT one to friends (Hey, what’s Chad doing, and why is his imaginary airplane shooting at my face?), I think I just might get my way with this one.
So let the “year of fun” begin! I figured a corny blog post would herald its beginning as we prepare for our Chicago trip in 2 weeks. Can’t wait!