Thursday, May 5, 2011

Getting To Know You Thursday....Conservative or Adventurous Risk Taker?

It seems this week I have been bombarded by adventurous stories on the news and on TV.  Hubby was telling me about an article on the biggest roller coastersin the world he read on the internet.  I watched Kate Gosselin walk along the edge of a skyscraper on her show the other day. 



After the skywalk came the skyjump.  She was fully harnassed and was supposed to "step off" the ledge of the building, but was screaming and crying out of fear.  I've seen countless people on Amazing Race who bungee jump, repel down the sides of buildings and go down zip lines that are hundreds of feet in the air.  So, this got me thinking about my adventurous side and how I compare. 

My dad tells me that when I was a little girl, about five years old, we stopped at one of those little carnivals that had set up in a store parking lot.  I begged my dad to take me on the squirrel cages.  Ya know the one?  It's like a ferris wheel, but instead of cars, there are cages that spin end over end.  I don't remember it, but he says that I had a great time, while he was sick as a dog. 



I grew up going to Six Flags in Dallas/Ft. Worth at least once a summer for my entire life.  We had many family trips and youth group trips there.  I was always afraid of the roller coasters, but gave in to peer pressure, rode it and loved it.  There were several to choose from.  I loved the big steel one that had two big loops in it.  It was sooo much fun!  I don't think it's even there anymore. 



I vaguely remember flying on an airplane when I was about seven.  Mom said I loved it.  I didn't fly again until I was 30.  I was terrified!  Hubby and I flew to Dallas for the weekend when we were first dating.  I was a nervous wreck!  It was only a 45 minute flight.  I was crying and would NOT let go of my then boyfriend.  I don't know how I thought he was going to save me from falling out of the sky, but if I was going down, I was taking him with me!  I did better on the flight back to Arkansas. 

I had adventurous friends in college.  The loved to go rock climbing and repelling. 


Hmmmm.  Let's see.  A huge cliff, with a tiny little rope holding me?  MMMM.  No thanks.  You see, riding a roller coaster is about as adventurous as I get.  One big reason is my fear of heights.  I am terrified of heights.  Actually, I'm afraid of falling from heights.  I do okay on things that move really quickly and that aren't physically demanding, like roller coasters.  But, I don't have it in me to jump off of a perfectly good sturdy structure into the air, even with a harness.  I'd have a heart attack for sure.  You'll NEVER catch me skydiving.  WHY would you want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?  No way! 

Nope, guess I'm not a risk taker.  I'm pretty much a big ole chicken butt!  And proud of it!  I know my limits.  You couldn't even get me up to the top of that skywalk building.  No thank you!  I think I'll stick to the Tilt-a-Whirl.  Rides that threaten to fling me through the air, I don't find amusing.  Nope.

I think I'm pretty conservative in other areas of my life too.  I'm not a big gambler.  I have been to a few casinos.  I take in about $25 and when it's gone, it's gone.  If I ever did win some $$, I'd be outta there with my winnings. 

Deal or No Deal had a big open casting call several years ago in Arkansas. 



I went and tried out, but didn't make it to the show.  Bummer!  I wouldn't have done very well anyway.  I probably would've taken the first deal Howie offered me.  $3,000?  DEAL!  Thanks Howie!  And back on the plane, clutching my Hubby, with my $3,000 check I would go.  I would't be willing to part with my $3,000 just for the chance to make a little more.  What if I ended up with nothing?  Nope.  I wouldn't be good at it at all!  I'm definitely conservative with money. 

I think the only area of my life where I would be considered a risk taker, would be in my relationships.  I've never been one to hold back.  If I love ya, I'm gonna let ya know no matter what.  If you don't love me back, then it wasn't meant to be.  All cards on the table, no game playing, no regrets.  You always gotta take a chance on love. 

Yep, he was definitely worth the gamble!

So, what about you?  Would you consider yourself conservative or a risk taker?






Signature

6 comments:

  1. I'm a lot like you. When I was younger, I was a big risk taker. I thought roller coasters were too slow! I would have bungee jumped in the second! Now, I'm much more conservative when I think of all the bad things that could happen. I'm not afraid of heights or anything, but I just think a lot of those things are not safe. You will never catch me gambling even a penny! The only thing I'd say I'm a risk-taker at is driving. I'm a typical Chicago driver that's aggressive & impatient! I risk switching lanes when I shouldn't and driving over the speed limit, but hey, I think it's fun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think I'm a mixture of both. I don't like roller coasters, but I'd like to try zip lining! Bungee jumping...I think I'll pass. It just kind of depends, I guess. When Chris and I went to Vegas several years ago with his company, I got hooked on the "Wheel of Fortune" slot machine. In fact, it might have become a major problem had we been there longer. ;) You know what my hubby always tells me? He says that when he came along, I won the lotto! Yeah, right, honey...keep telling yourself that! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am such a big freakin' chicken. And PETRIFIED of heights! I like roller coasters as well, but yeah, you know I was super scared of my flight in March. Big tall buildings? Cliffs? You won't catch me looking over the edge!

    It actually even makes me a little sick to my stomach when I see a picture, or am watching TV, and someone is looking out over the edge of something high. I want to shout "step back! You're going to fall!"

    I am an emotional risk taker as well, though. Sometimes it pays off - sometimes not so much. You and your hubby are so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I tend to be conservative but hubby can get me to be just a bit more adventurous . You tow are adorable!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am very conservative. There's no way that I'd sky dive, bungee jump, or do anything scary involving heights. The older I get, the worse I get about being afraid to do something because I'm scared of getting hurt. I love roller coasters!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Before I answer, I have to tell you that I LOVE the way you ended this one. It gave me the biggest smile.

    In answer? Oh, please... my idea of a ride at the fair is the merry go round. I can't stand the big dips and whirls. I did ride the mind bender with a big loopity loop once in high school. I only did it because a boy wanted me to, and I was boy crazy.

    What a blessing that I married a boy who doesn't expect me to enjoy his passion for rollercoasters.

    I don't fly.
    I don't bungee jump.
    I don't even take the sky buckets across the amusement park.
    I'm just a pathetic 'fraidy cat.

    And I've said the same about myself watching Deal or No Deal

    ReplyDelete