25 points
Fear Factor by Cthulhu Kitty
February 8th, 2007 12:19 AM
I think my biggest fear is that oh so pedestrian phobia - acrophobia. I have actually, deliberately, attempted many things purely to spite this phobia with pretty much the same result each time. Here is a list of activities I remember:
1. Volunteering to do Antenna Maintenance on my first ship, the USNS Laramie. I got geared up in the safety harness, climbed up to the top of the mast, looked down and prompltly forgot how to accomplish the maintenance. Luckily, it was a group effort, so I mostly just hung on the to the center support and handed tools out to the braver of my crew members.
2. Going to the observation deck of the sears tower and trying a Ferris Beuler maneuver. I honestly can't remember if I did it or not, but I think my friends did while Iwatched from a safe distance.
3. Taking a flying lesson. This was probably one of the silliest things I have tried knowing my particular fear. I was fine when we were flying level, but of course, fairly quiky, we had to turn back. Turning, or banking as it's called involves tilting the plane on its horizontal axis. Which meant, in practice, that I felt as though I was going to fall out of the plane. It was the slowest, longest bank turn ever accomplished in the history of flight.
4. Accepting an invitation for a balloon ride. When I was teaching English in Japan, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Saga International Balloon festival. As a reward for my donation of time, I was offered a ride in the DHL Balloon. This was actually GREAT! I cannot explain it, but I truly enjoyed this experience, even looked out over the sides, and never once felt my usual fear. Any other ride of this nature (sky cars for example) result in me crouched on the floor of the car until the ride is over. And I will never go snowboarding again, not because I didn't enjoy going down the mountain, but because if I want to do it again, it will mean riding the ski lift up - Forget it! Anyway, I still don't know why Ballooning is the one thing that doesn't phaze me, but I hope to have another chance some day.
I am still terrified of heights.
I bet you can't guess what task I can't wait to be eligible to complete...
1. Volunteering to do Antenna Maintenance on my first ship, the USNS Laramie. I got geared up in the safety harness, climbed up to the top of the mast, looked down and prompltly forgot how to accomplish the maintenance. Luckily, it was a group effort, so I mostly just hung on the to the center support and handed tools out to the braver of my crew members.
2. Going to the observation deck of the sears tower and trying a Ferris Beuler maneuver. I honestly can't remember if I did it or not, but I think my friends did while Iwatched from a safe distance.
3. Taking a flying lesson. This was probably one of the silliest things I have tried knowing my particular fear. I was fine when we were flying level, but of course, fairly quiky, we had to turn back. Turning, or banking as it's called involves tilting the plane on its horizontal axis. Which meant, in practice, that I felt as though I was going to fall out of the plane. It was the slowest, longest bank turn ever accomplished in the history of flight.
4. Accepting an invitation for a balloon ride. When I was teaching English in Japan, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Saga International Balloon festival. As a reward for my donation of time, I was offered a ride in the DHL Balloon. This was actually GREAT! I cannot explain it, but I truly enjoyed this experience, even looked out over the sides, and never once felt my usual fear. Any other ride of this nature (sky cars for example) result in me crouched on the floor of the car until the ride is over. And I will never go snowboarding again, not because I didn't enjoy going down the mountain, but because if I want to do it again, it will mean riding the ski lift up - Forget it! Anyway, I still don't know why Ballooning is the one thing that doesn't phaze me, but I hope to have another chance some day.
I am still terrified of heights.
I bet you can't guess what task I can't wait to be eligible to complete...
