To Venture from the Zone or not.

 I was reading an article in the New York Times about taking chances and living outside your comfort zone. This got me thinking - how far am I willing to venture outside my comfort zone. For instance, given the chance, I would drive a foreign sports car on a test track at a fast rate of speed. However, the idea of sky diving scares the you what out of me.

I would gladly try a glass of absinthe, once thought to be a dangerously addictive psychoactive drug and hallucinogen. But, I would never get a monkey for a pet.

Trips to India and Istanbul are at the top of my travel bucket list. However, at this time I doubt the US State Department would be too cotton on a US citizen going to Istanbul. And with the surge of COVID cases in India, I have put that trip on hold - for while. That said, performing on stage is something that I have nightmares about. You know when you wake up, and pray that the scene of you being on stage, stark naked, and not being able to speak, was actually a very bad dream.

I have friends who have gone bungee jumping and loved it. Me, not so much. As my Mama would say, "That would give me the heebee jeebees." But then again, I'm more than willing to try a very difficult recipe for the first time the night I am entertaining 12, guests, some I have never met. In truth, I have done this several times, with success. My thought is, if my attempt fails in a glorious manner, then at least there will be a great story to entertain my guests with as they dine on either a burnt meal or some other barely edible entree.

To add to my "Not ever going to try it, so don't ask" list, I would never dye my hair blue, go cliff diving, or ride a large roller coaster (think of the possible loose screws that may be barely holding it together, given the the high, drunk, and/or idiotic carnies who are hired to assemble said carnival ride (of death)), or get a tattoo. 

Maybe we should all take a few steps out of our comfort zones and partake of some feared or forbidden activity. On second thought, I'll pass. I like my little zone, it's quite cozy and suits me very well. As I have often said, enjoying life is all about grabbing as many brass rings as you can. But I have no desire to be forced to redeem them posthumously. After all, who knows what idiots put the merry-go-round together.