Take The Risk

CONTENTS:
Take The Risk
Summer Question
Weekend Puzzle
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You must pray that the way be long, full of adventures and experiences.

Constantine Cavafy
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"How did I get into this?" Why did I ever decide to do this?" "What am I doing?" These are the remarks of a person who has taken on an adventure that looks too big for them. I've said something similar myself on occasion.

The other day I was explaining to a young person who Charles Lindbergh was. In this day of almost daily space travel it doesn't seem such a big deal to a young person, I suppose, that someone flew solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. But on May 20, 1927 Lindburgh took off and 33 1/2 hours later landed in Paris. He was the first person ever to do it. I wonder when he turned East and left all sight of land if he said "How did I get into this?"

When Charles Blondin, the tight rope walker, first stepped out on the 1100 foot rope 160 feet over the abyss of Niagara Falls did he say to himself "Why did I ever decide to do this?"

On April 12, 1961 when Yuri Gagarin blasted off to become the first human in space did he ask himself "What am I doing?"

The answer to those questions is probably "yes" or some variation. Few of us ever have the opportunity or the madness to have such experiences, but the adventurous spirit of the human being is evident in many lesser dramatic ways.

People who accomplish amazing things are initially called foolish risk takers. Pioneers who tame the wilderness and grow crops that feed people, Others who have found a route of commerce across endless dessert, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbed Mount Everest way back in 1953 to prove it could be done. Now climbing Everest is an industry.

Fortunately one doesn't have to risk one's life to be a hero. Other things can be risked: safety, security, reputation, money, health, self respect, just to name a few. It's a calculation. It's an adventure. It's an experience. Is it worth the risk? Everything and anything is worth the risk for a more fulfilling and interesting life.

I rue the hours I spent doing nothing but watching inane television, arguing with people over unimportant things, wandering through the streets with no purpose or design.

The long road of one's life is worth living with adventure, purpose and, above all, enthusiasm. The prayer of the truly alive should be "Please let me not be bored."
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Never give up.
DB - The Vagabond
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SUMMER QUESTION

It's a long, hot, sticky summer, so here's a hot, sticky question for you.

Same sex marriage. Should it be legal or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

dbdacoba@aol.com

7 answers so far.

You have until the last day of summer, but don't dally.
I eagerly await your answer.

DB
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WEEKEND PUZZLE
(It's easy.)

What do the following names have in common?
For extra points, identify them.
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Beethoven
Champion
C3PO
Ed
Hal
Lassie
Louie
Ollie
Scout
Toto
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dbdacoba@aol.com