Life on the edge or life like a veg?

frontenac.blur, originally uploaded by impactmatt.

Ever thought of doing something crazy... nothing illegal... although it may have been the case. Why didn't you do it? Why did you do it?

I think its funny how hard we push our limits as humans. Yes, there are some of us that sit on the couch and eat chips all day, but some of our species get out there and do the wildest things. These guys in the picture put on skates and then bomb down a sheet of ice half a kilometer long, the whole time pushing and fighting with other guys trying to get to the end first. (kind of paradoxical "getting to THE END, FIRST!) Who would have thought this sport should evolve into being? Let's take rugby, downhill skiing, hockey, boarder cross, insanity and mash them all together!

Another extreme example was from the movie, based on the book, based on the true story, based in Alaska.... "Into the Wild." A young man leaves a university degree, car, credit cards, home, family, security, and prime time television to live in the wild world by his own wits. His ultimate goal is to live in the middle of nowhere, Alaska and fend for himself. I won't ruin the end if you haven't seen it, but it kind of goes against my point here... but regardless...

Living dangerously... living on the edge... actually living! Imagine that! We live in a society that fills us with fear. We have to get insurance, lock doors, get alarm systems, take extra vitamins, look both ways before crossing the street.... (some of these are good things, I am just on a roll.) Ever hunted for your own food? It tastes so good!!! We once speared our own fish and grilled it over a fire and it was delicious... no spices no nothing. The whole process of getting it spiced it up!

I am not against modern society... there is a great beauty in museums and grafitti. There is music in the symphony and the homeless guy playing his harmonica for change. But I wonder if we are missing out on life by not pushing ourselves, by not hurtling down a mountain of ice and fighting guys off at the same time... Jump out of our bubble baths and into the middle of raging rapids and over the waterfall into the pool below...

or maybe I'll just go to McDonalds.