I don't sky dive. I don't climb big mountains. I don't scale vertical cliffs. I don't stand in the way of hurricanes or chase tornadoes. I don't hunt serial killers, crash airplanes or sink ocean liners, but I do read about all those things, living vicariously with danger and disaster.
The ordinary life, such as mine, provides plenty of excitement and adventure.......dodging creditors, tolerating a disagreeable boss, finding new ways to cope with boredom, deciding among several dismal choices for dinner tonight, etc. The ordinary life, except for a fortunate few, needs to be spiced up with things outside of itself, such as surviving a storm on Everest or taking an unexpected swim in shark-infested waters. The safest way to perform such acts is to experience them vicariously, such as through books.
I read for hours every day. WHAT I read is something I don't always want to reveal. It can be said that I have a morbid curiosity, and that may be true. I prefer to think I am trying to kick-start my mind and attention out of their comfortable state, comfortable but completely ho-hum. How else would I meet the heroes and villains of real events, grow my compassion for victims of tragedy, gain admiration for those who survive against all odds? Wonder at those who knowingly sacrifice themselves to help someone else, often a stranger?
Morbid curiosity, adrenalin junkie, or just an ordinary person on an extraordinary quest? I may never figure it out and don't care if I don't.
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