I'm not what you would call a daring person. Sure I push the boundaries every once in a while like when I went white water rafting down the Ganges River, but for the most part I choose the safe bet.
Take yesterday for example. I was driving Jess and me home from her violin lesson, a 45 minute drive. The little gas light had bleeped orange on our way to the lesson. But I knew we had enough to get us back home, so I wasn't too worried. Until we got stuck in rush hour traffic. We sat on the road inching along and I watched the orange needle continue to sink past the red line. I thought, we have enough to get us home, I'll just get gas there. I was in an adventurous mood. What's the worst thing that could happen? We would run out of gas...and that would make for an interesting blog post.
But was it worth the risk? Did I really want to make a life decision so I could write about it? I let fate decide. There was only one gas station left. The next one was 30 minutes away. If I could work my way to the right lane and turn into the gas station I would, if I couldn't get over, I would trust that my tank was big enough. Just as I needed to pull over, the big truck beside me turned off and left a large gap for me to get in. I pulled into the gas station.
I examined my decision. If life is about experience, had I made mine less full by being cautious? or was it simply the smart choice? Did I avert disaster by playing it safe? Maybe I "experienced" it in my mind anyway by visualizing the scenario of being stuck on the side of the road.
I'll never know the answers to these questions but the rest of the drive home was much more relaxing. Jess and I talked and I didn't have to even glance at the gas gauge again. I'll have to push the boundaries another time.
Do you play it safe? or are you the big risky type? Have you taken a risk you wish you hadn't, or vice versa?
Have an awesome weekend! And Happy June 1st! :)
Kathy :)
Take yesterday for example. I was driving Jess and me home from her violin lesson, a 45 minute drive. The little gas light had bleeped orange on our way to the lesson. But I knew we had enough to get us back home, so I wasn't too worried. Until we got stuck in rush hour traffic. We sat on the road inching along and I watched the orange needle continue to sink past the red line. I thought, we have enough to get us home, I'll just get gas there. I was in an adventurous mood. What's the worst thing that could happen? We would run out of gas...and that would make for an interesting blog post.
But was it worth the risk? Did I really want to make a life decision so I could write about it? I let fate decide. There was only one gas station left. The next one was 30 minutes away. If I could work my way to the right lane and turn into the gas station I would, if I couldn't get over, I would trust that my tank was big enough. Just as I needed to pull over, the big truck beside me turned off and left a large gap for me to get in. I pulled into the gas station.
I examined my decision. If life is about experience, had I made mine less full by being cautious? or was it simply the smart choice? Did I avert disaster by playing it safe? Maybe I "experienced" it in my mind anyway by visualizing the scenario of being stuck on the side of the road.
I'll never know the answers to these questions but the rest of the drive home was much more relaxing. Jess and I talked and I didn't have to even glance at the gas gauge again. I'll have to push the boundaries another time.
Do you play it safe? or are you the big risky type? Have you taken a risk you wish you hadn't, or vice versa?
Have an awesome weekend! And Happy June 1st! :)
Kathy :)
I play it safe! I would've bullied my way over to that gas station if needed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we miss a lot. I think we're just smarter.
I'll take smarter! :) I think my life is pretty exciting anyway.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think it's probably better that you experienced it in your mind rather than break down and have to get rescued! I mean, I guess that's what we do anyway. I write about situations that I would have a complete panic attack in if I was actually there!
ReplyDeleteYeah I guess it's more fun to imagine the scene than actually going through it!
Deletei will certainly take risks, but never with the gas tank!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I won't ever really push the limit on that one. :)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs an engineer, I always like to test limits. So when the low fuel light comes on, I calmly reset the trip odometer and then go up to 15 miles before filling the tank. I note how much fuel it took to fill up versus the size of the tank and then, knowing how much theoretical reserve there was, I decide that next time, I will go up to 20 miles...then 25 miles,,,until it gets too scary even for me (there are build tolerances at work here for the actual versus published tank size). I like to know how far I can safely go after the light comes on.
DeleteBut one time I did get a scare. Coming home from the airport in the evening (as in dark), I remembered that the light had come on on my way to the airport, I had reset the trip odometer, and my calculations told me I should be safe going at least 30 miles which would put me into a better part of town before stopping to fill up. Cruising along in the left of three lanes, the engine suddenly (I can't say unexpectedly) started to sputter. I pumped the accelerator pedal to see if I could squeeze a little more out (I don't think this actually helps with electronic engine controls, but it felt helpful) as it continued to sputter.
Then I noticed an exit coming up in less than a mile. So I signaled right and started working my way over to the right lane just as the engine died. I immediately shifted to neutral to reduce the engine drag and stretch my coasting distance as I went onto the uphill exit ramp. As I reached the top of the ramp I saw a Total gas station, at the intersection, on my side, just BEFORE the light! So I continued coasting right into the station, up to the pump, and actually had to use my brakes to stop, meaning I was still good to go another hundred feet, or so.
Then I remembered the then current Total Station ad campaign that said (set to encouraging music) "You can always make it to Total!" And that is why I now trust advertising. I hope my comment isn't longer than your post. I just needed to tell this story to someone. :)
Wow! I guess I'm glad I'm not that daring!
ReplyDeleteLol yeah, that was a little scary. I thought we'd be stuck there forever if we ran out of fuel!
ReplyDeleteI tend to play things safe, especially when it comes to the gas tank. I spent too many years on the road and know that the unexpected may always be around the next corner. I start thinking about filling up at half a tank and start looking seriously at a quarter of a tank. Besides, if I'm on a long trip I like taking a few breaks now and then.
ReplyDeleteLee
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