I'm a Dreamer

Reading was one of my favorite things to do as kid and still is now. Even when my own kids were growing up - although the volume of reading was greatly reduced - great pleasure and a sense of control can be found in a few minutes of reading. Having time to stop the "real" world and get lost in another is very empowering.

I'm not a big fan of the "classics". I guess I'm not sophisticated enough for them. I've recently challenged myself to read "Pride and Prejudice" after hearing that it is 100 years old this year. It is slow going though. I downloaded it to the Kindle app on my IPad and when the mood strikes I slog through a few more chapters. It may be 101 years old before I finish.

As a child my favorite books were "A Wrinkle in Time", "My Side of the Mountain", and books like "The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler". Today the most used card in my wallet is my library card. "Pride and Prejudice" notwithstanding I am not afraid to return a book I don't like without finishing. And I usually have at least two going at once.

I've been blessed with a vivid imagination and reading fuels that fire. For as long as I can remember my imagination has been an integral part of my life. As a kid, before falling asleep or on long car rides - things like that- I would imagine all kinds of adventure for myself. Some were an extension of what I was reading; some were an extension of the day's events and some were completely new and made up. I still do this but not while driving. :)

Reading is like an imagination assist. It allows me to drift off into imagination with a little less stress on my brain.

My love of reading and daydreaming is probably the reason why I try things like marathons and 100 mile bike rides. Being able to see myself doing it makes it seem less crazy --- to me anyway. It gives me the encouragement to try ......and stick with it. Fortunately, I'm married to a very good sport and supportive person. He never says ( at least out loud ) " You want to do what?". Thank you, Dave. Love you.

The adventures I worked out as a kid have been replaced with visualizing myself pushing through a tough part of a race or getting through a weekend training run, walk or ride. Or getting through a challenging presentation at work. In the last few weeks, I've crossed the Bob Potts finish line at least a dozen times. Awake, I analyze training schedules and advice on how to do this and that; Daydreaming, I just do it. I'm sure it's the latter that makes a difference in reality but I need the analysis part to satisfy my type A evil twin.

Here is part of my current bucket list - in no particular order

Complete a century bike ride
A relay event
A multi day walking adventure
Go on a deep sea fishing excursion
Learn to wind surf
Run in a trail event
Overnight Backpacking trip
Navigate a river from beginning to end
Run a marathon or half marathon that crosses the US-Canadian border
Pace someone in a race (that's PACE not PASS)
Achieve an ultra marathon distance in running
Go snow shoeing
Write a book

Interestingly (is that even a word?) the one thing that I have difficulty imagining is being able to write a book. So for now I'll just imagine and do other stuff.

What's on your bucket list?
What were your favorite books as a kid (or now)?
Are you in tune with your imagination?