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| Cesna 152 - The one I flew was blue! |
Last Friday I took a flying lesson—as in private pilot
license lesson. It was really more of an introduction but I was shown the
basics and got to take the controls to climb from 1000’ to 2000’, turn, bank,fly
around the countryside and descend again. Of course, I didn’t take off or land,
but doing something I’ve wanted to do since I first climbed into a private
plane in my late 20s was thrilling.
Getting a pilot’s license has been on my Bucket List
forever. Actually doing it has always been too expensive, too time-consuming or
otherwise inaccessible and yet the dream has lingered. I realized as we landed
that the choice was mine—was the time, money and hard work worth the end result
or not? I haven’t decided yet. I’m leaning toward yes. My DH is sure the answer is no-- the risk isn’t worth it.
Oddly enough, physical risk had never entered my mind.
Perhaps all those outlandish adventures I survived in my youth have given me an
unrealistic sense of immortality, or maybe focusing on the experience didn’t
leave room for trepidation. Whatever it was, I’d still like to go again, learn
to fly, get a plane and have adventures. Ati, my instructor, videoed a few seconds of me flying with my iPhone:
I had a ball and I’m sure I’ll never feel the pure terror in the skies
that I felt the first time I pitched my novel to an agent and editor. THAT was
scary—really, really scary.
What’s on your Bucket List?
Have you ever forced yourself to try something that scared the bejesus
out of you?
7 comments:
Lark!!! Whoo hoo on your flight! I played the phone-camera recording, and you're cool and competent at the controls. What's more, you're an inspiration to me. I'll never fly a plane, but surely I can giant-step outside my comfort zone.
I know you've had to do a lot of brave things in your life, Pat. The challenges you've faced have been much more awesome than steering a Cesna with an instructor in the other seat.
You're a good friend, Lark. (And now I'm teary-eyed.) Don't, however, discount the courage it took to go up in that plane--and to fly it well enough that your instructor is smiling in that video.
congrats on your first flight. that is so wonderful. I have never been in a small plane and never considered flying one. that would be too cool. bucket list? Mine is mostly places to see...thx for sharing the fun
There are plenty of places on my Bucket List, too, Louise. So much to do, so little time! Thanks for stopping by!
SCARIEST STUFF I'VE EVER DONE:
1)Treating a head injury pt who'd held his family at knife point before hospitalization. My treatment goal was to convince him he'd done this horrific act, because he thought all hospital officials, 911 tape, police reports were a conspiracy against him. (That he'd never do something so awful.) Therefore, when anyone in authorty tried to broach the subject he'd become violent towards them. So, after therapists, techs and psychiatrists attempted the goal and got hurt the hospital director gave ME the job! (?) 1992
2)Tandem Skydiving in '95
3)Pitching to my first agent in 2006
BUCKET LIST:
1)NY Times Bestselling Author
2)Retire with DH to my quaint, fully-paid-for villa in either the French or Italian Riveria.
Skydiving has been on my Bucket List, too, Sarah. Not thinking that'll go over well with the DH either.
Can I come and visit you in your villa? I'm a very good guest and I speak some French and a tiny bit of Italian. (The hills above Nice and St. Tropez are divine!) That one could very easily be in your future!
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