Money & Adventure

I know from experience that money can't buy happiness. I also know that money can buy adventure. Adventure makes me happy. Go figure.

I took a tandem skydive two weeks ago. These are my two favorite photos from the experience.

I had been skydiving before. I went when I was 18 or 19. I don't remember much about that first experience except that I CHOSE a tandem skydive over a solo one. Going solo was an option and I was gung ho about doing it. Then I took the mandatory 5-hour class and got a little scared. I didn't want my life to be my responsibility. I'd rather put it in the hands of a professional. When it was all over I thought about the prospect of becoming a certified skydiver. That idea quickly faded. Now it's resurfaced. This latest skydiving experience was pretty damn cool. It has given me yet another goal in my thirst for adventure. I'm determined to become certified.

I'm not an adrenaline junkie. I don't feel like I have the kind of extreme personality that goes along with such a person. But I like adventure. I like doing cool things. I see something "cool" on television or in a magazine and I think, "I want to do that."

More and more, I'm realizing a lot of the things I want to do cost money. Lots of money. I'm not a rich man so, needless to say, I get frustrated. Here's the rundown...estimated costs only.

Become a certified skydiver: $3,000 (plus another $3,000 to buy personal equipment)

Get a helicopter pilot's license: $40,000

Get a pilot's license: $10,000

Go to acting school in NYC: $80,000

Study Spanish in Chile: $10,000

Volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa: $5,000

Do some serious mountaineering: $10,000

Go to an acrobatic school: $4,000

I've done some cool things in life. I was a seasonal wanderer/worker for 4 years. I lived in New Zealand. I got to ride in a Blue Angels F-18. I'm currently a zip line tour guide.

But I want more. Sadly, I can't afford more. (Forget the issue of spare time. I'll address that if I ever get the money).

Sigh.