Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Flights of Fancy
When I was little, I wanted to be a doctor. I had a plastic doctor's bag filled with toy syringes, bandages, a stethoscope, and candy "medicine." I practiced my doctoring on anyone who would sit still. But after a sledding accident resulted in stitches when I was ten years old, I realized the sight of blood makes me feel woozy, and maybe this wasn't the right occupation for me, after all.
When I was in college, I wanted to be a photo journalist. I wanted to travel. I wanted to be in the thick of things and--okay, I'll admit it--I wanted to wear one of those cool, khaki photographer's vests; you know the kind, with all the little pockets and zippers. I took every photography and writing class that was offered, and did a six-month internship on a city paper. The pay was lousy. The hours were worse. My assignments were either boring board meetings, or police reports. But early one morning, I happened to be the only reporter in the office when news came in about a small plane crash. The staff photographer grabbed me, and away we went. I was so excited; it was my first real news story! We traipsed for thirty minutes through dense woods to the crash site. I'll never forget my first glimpse of that twisted and mangled plane hanging in the branches of the trees, the bodies of the pilot and his passenger still inside. I decided right then that I wasn't cut out to be a news reporter, and probably not a photo journalist, either. This definitely was not the occupation for me.
Two weeks ago, I attended an air show in New Hampshire. There was a B-2 Spirit (the Stealth Bomber) flyover. There was a WWI bi-plane with a wing walker, and several WWII-era bombers flying in tight formations. But the most thrilling event was an aerial demonstration by a Super Hornet fighter jet. I stood as close as I could to the flight line and thrilled to the roar of the engines as the jet screamed past and performed maneuvers that made the crowd gasp and cheer. The thought occurred to me that in another life, I would love to be a fighter pilot, streaking through the skies at Mach speed. Realistically, this would never work, as I'm a total wimp.
Luckily, I discovered that I love writing romance. In the pages of my books, my characters can do anything. They can do all the things I've only ever dreamed of doing, like being a doctor, a fighter pilot, or a photo journalist. In my first book, FLYBOY, my heroine is an aerospace engineer. This is something I could never have considered for myself, since I'm not all that keen on math or physics. In fiction, however, anything is possible.
That being said, is there anything you've wished you could do, that for obvious (or not so obvious) reasons, you know you could never realistically do? What's the most fantastical, whimsical, dangerous or exciting thing you've dreamed of doing? And given the chance, realistically, would you do it?
»
what a fun blog!
I loved reading this - how much fun! You and Mike share the same pilot fantasy, btw. ;) And neat that you tried out several of your dreams, got to taste them, anyway...
In grade school I wanted to be a scientist/physicist, until I realized I suck at math. LOL In high school, I wanted to be both an interpreter (I took 4 foreign languages for 4-5 years each, and can't remember any of them now, LOL), and a writer (and there we have it... ;)
Later, I wanted to be an environmentalist, saving the world, like a National Geographic type who gets to go to exciting places and save rare plants and animals, etc. I did get my Masters in Geography, though, and so like you, there are little bits of dreams and things that come from them, even if we don't pursue the whole thing...
In the real fantasy world, I think it would be ultra cool to be a super-spy, the Jason Bourne type, you know a super-fighter (his fight scenes give me the same feeling you describe about flying -- I watch those and it makes me want to go sign up with the nearest place that could teach me to fight, LOL). Mike takes karate and has invited me along, but I don't really have much interest in the philosophy or the katas, etc -- I really just want to learn how to fight. But as I have slight arthritis, and I don't like pain (and I suspect suffering some pain is a price of learning how to fight), I obviously haven't pursued this, but it's one of those fantasy things, to have that fighting skill, and know you can always defend if you have to. There has to be enormous freedom in that. But also, it looks fun -- well, except for the pain. ;) But being the super-spy would be the crazy fantasy. ;)
Sam
Move over, Lara!
Very cool, Sam. Personally, I love the Lara Croft movies and am always amazed by her fighting skills. She makes it look so easy! When I was a kid, my older sister was always getting into trouble, and I was always being recruited as her "lookout." I hated it! My heart would pound and I'd be so afraid of getting caught! I think I'd probably make a lousy spy, LOL!
Nothing dangerous for me!
I guess I'm boring, because I never dreamed of doing anything nearly as dangerous as piloting a fighter plane. Or anything even remotely as interesting. I just wanted to be a teacher, which could be dangerous, I suppose, depending on how you look at it! :) I still wouldn't mind doing that either, but, honestly, my biggest dream was/is to write. And since I'm working on a novel right now, I'd say, yes, given the change, I would definitely do it!! :)
Oh, no, no!! I don't think
Oh, no, no!! I don't think that makes you boring at all. as far as teaching goes, my mom was in the education field for years, and she has some great stories, like the time two Secret Service guys showed up at her classroom because one of her 6th grade students had sent a not-so-nice letter to the President! Hey, in today's world, being a teacher can be a dangerous occupation. And good for you for pursuing your dream, Sassa. Fingers crossed for you!
I never wanted to do
I never wanted to do anything dangerous because I was born chicken but I did want to be a physical therapist. Unfortunately I never got the chance because my father got sick and the money wasn't there for me to continue along that path. Instead I turned to teaching which when I was young I swore I would never do. I believe I was pushed in this direction by some higher being and I have never regreted that path. I won't say I enjoyed teaching every day (no body would believe me if I did.) but there were way more good days than bad. I loved the job in spite of the problems that are part of dealing with teenagers. But 35 years was enough so I retired two years ago.
Wow
Thirty-five years!! Wow, Ellen, that's impressive. I think it takes a special kind of person to teach. Period. And more so when we're talking teenagers. You definitely earned that retirement! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Don't laugh but...
Inspired by Top Gun, I wanted to go to the Naval Academy and learn to fly fighter planes. In reality, I'm way too nearsighted, plus I'm deathly afraid of heights. (Yes, this would have worked out somehow in my imaginary alternate universe...)
Anyway, I'm quite content to read about real-life pilots :)
Wonderful!
Fedora, what a great story. Just before I graduated from college I had this idea that I wanted to join the Peace Corps and go to Africa to teach school in some little village (a friend's uber-hunky brother had done just that, and I was swept up in the romance of it all, as he ended up meeting this wonderful girl--a Peace Corp teacher...). Fortunately, my dad reminded me of all the reasons this wasn't a good idea...enormous bugs, no running water, malaria, civil wars, BUGS...
Flight
I always wanted to be an an airlind flight attendant. Not very realistic, because I am only 5' tall. Could never have reached the overhead storage to close the doors.
so funny
reading everyone's stories.
I wanted to be a jet pilot, too - especially the Harrier Jump Jet, but in those days they didn't let women fly fighters. Just as well - can you imagine it, flying along, "oh, look at that nice cloud! Hey! Check out the rainbow... mountain? what mountain? " *kabooomm......*
Before that I wanted to be a jockey and ride in the Grand National, but I'm way too tall, and the GN is a very cruel race.
I wanted to be an astronomer, until I learned that astronomers didn't just sit about looking at stars going, 'oh, aren't they pretty....'
I'm so with you, Karen, about letting your characters live out your fantasies. I realised that writing is the perfect career for someone like me who wants to do -everyting- !
So True!
Love that you wanted to be a jockey! Yes, there are so many possibilities, and it's such a bummer that we can't pursue every one of them! I agree with you; writing is the perfect solution!
good question
I've wanted to do many things over the years, but the one that never goes away, is swimming with the dolphins. I would want to train, and/or take care of them somehow. I really love the beluga whales too. I feel such a conncection with animals of all kinds and have done lots of work with them, but I feel the need to be in the water with those gentle giants.
Dolphins
We went to Seaworld earlier this year, and I have to tell you that I was just in awe of those gorgeous creatures! Watching the trainers perform with those animals was amazing. I loved the dolphin touch tank, where we were able to feed and stroke the dolphins. I can understand why you'd want to spend time with them! I did!
Hi Karen
I wanted to be the first female astronaut. I was very into the NASA program when I was growing up, and was determined to be the first female astronaut until, I discovered how much education and schooling was involved before they would even consider you for the program.
I still dream about being an astronaut but, I'll settle for just a ride with The Blue Angels and the thrill of sitting next to one of those handsome pilots and going faster than the speed of sound. And yes, I would still be an astronaut if I could.
I should have Fly Boy in my hands by the end of this week and I can't wait to read it. Mads:)
Thank you, Mads! I totally
Thank you, Mads! I totally agree with you! At least about riding with the Blue Angels! After watching Top Gun, and seeing what those guys had to go through for their qualifications, I decided I could never be a pilot. That one test where they get launched to the bottom of a swimming pool, while strapped into a flight seat made me sweat just watching it on television!
not quite
I've always wanted to be lead singer in a very obnoxious rock band ( loved Alice Cooper as a teen). Of course, being past the 'would I look ridiculous doing that now?' stage , I have just joined the Sweet Adeleines, a barbershop singing group for women. Not rock, but at least I'm singing!
Rock Stars
Barbershop harmony singers rock! I'm totally humbled by anyone who can sing, as I can't carry a tune to save my life! I always thought my husband should have been a singer; he has a voice that gives me goosebumps (the good kind). We went and saw the Sweet Adelines locally a few years ago, and they were wonderful! I was so impressed!
When I was really young I
When I was really young I wanted to be a farmer...I thought how great it would be to be taking care of all sorts of animals..of course that was before a goat at the petting zoo tried to eat the skirt of my best dress..after that I was very leary of any animal coming too close...I am mostly over that now...mostly:)
Kendra
Oh, I still want to do that...
When we go to the Fair, I want to take them all home -- they actually raffle off baby animals, and I want them all, LOL And chickens and rabbits...
And then I remember how expensive it is to kennel my two dogs when we go on even a short trip, or how difficult to find help to come by and feed the cats, and how limiting that can be -- seriously, animals are so much harder in this respect than kids, whom you can just pack up and bring with you. I love my animals, and would love more, it is directly at odds with my longing to travel... we would be taking many more impulsive trips and weekends away if not for these things -- even leaving for an overnight has to be planned for...
Sam
So true
It's so true and if I were rich, I would have soooooo many and have someone to take care of them, like Oprah does. I already have a small zoo and it does take work to keep things clean and to have sitters when we go away. Summer is easier because we take two dogs to the campground with us and leave the old grumpy one at my moms. In the winter, we have to figure out boarding, since she can't stand to watch all three at once. lol Two are very young and crazy, so I understand. Some days I wish I didn't have so many, but I just love them:)
A Few Things
I studied ballet for years. I would train 5-6 hours per day, in addition to school. Just before my 17th birthday, I ruptured a disc in my back and had to learn how to walk again. There went my dance dreams.
I also considered becoming a nurse. I'd always been fascinated by the healing arts. My last year of high school (after learning to walk again) I took a first aid course. We had to watch a film the second day of class and it showed someone with a bone jutting out of their arm and I fainted. A few days later, we were watching another film and I fainted. I ended up doing paperwork (delivering stuff to the office, making copies, etc) whenever we had a film. I did well in the written/orals but not in the actual viewing of stuff. Later, when I had kids, I'm fine in the emergency but when it's all over, I fall apart. No more fainting though.
Later, I wanted to become a paralegal. The company I was working for was even willing to pay my way but I opted to follow my fiance out of state. Then I ended up doing secretarial work instead.
But I figure all those experiences make me the woman I am, so it worked out the way it was supposed to!
ani
Fly!
I have always wanted to fly. Not fly a plane, but be able to jump off a cliff and soar. I've seen photos of the guy in the birdman suit that does just that. Scares the bejezus out of me, but I'd still love to fly one day...
Cathy, one of my favorite
Cathy, one of my favorite movies is X-Men III, The Last Stand, where Angel (the mutant who can fly) snaps his amazing wings open and shoots straight up into the skies. I don't think I'd actually have the courage to leap off a cliff, even with a birdman suit on, but if I could hang onto someone like him...maybe!
I wish I wish
I want to be Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham). Okay, not HER, but my dreams were always to be able to wear hot, sexy clothes and KILLER shoes. Sadly, my body does not agree with that dream LOL. (although I've got the shoes... not enough, but some of them.)
But in practical terms... I wanted to be 3 things when I was a kid;
A mom... which I love being.
A gypsy... which if I squint when I look at the wish, I figure I made. I spent two years doing the fair circuit, reading Tarot, and am a certified hypnotherapist. And I've been known to wear scarves on my head and drawl "cross my palm with silver." Of course, thats usually to my husband after he hits the ATM, but still...
and the last dream was to be a writer. Woot.
Not super adventerous dreams, but they were the ones I've had since I as twelve and its amazing to realize I'm living them.
Okay, I'm sorry
This is off topic, but am I the only one who just caught on to the rather strategic placement of the nose of the jet on Karen's cover?
Oh my....
Sam, evil grinning
Snicker
*ggg* Ya think it was a freudian slip? Everything is phallic, don'tchya know ;-)
No Kidding!
I actually didn't notice this right away, but my husband did!! I have a poster of a jet engine in my office that actually has the motto, "Thrust You Can Trust!" Tell me THAT wasn't designed by a guy! It cracks me up every time I see it, and actually made it into my book.
I wish I could wear
I wish I could wear expensive clothes... which is not going to happen soon... I am still a student!