This may not sound like ‘fun’ to some people but the few times I have gone to something like this I have really enjoyed it. Some of the things I have attended in the past are: Pooh Corner with my daughter (at the library), a half-day Introduction to Digital Photography course (through a groupon with Inspired Photography), and an evening of storytelling for adults (put on through the local library).
Tonight I went to see Greg Johnson, a professional tornado hunter.
I have a confession to make: I have an almost morbid fascination with destructive forces of nature. You name it, tornados, volcanos, earthquakes…I love to hear about them, read about them, watch them…as long as they don’t happen anywhere near me (I like to keep a safe distance). When Hurricane Sandy hit the Eastern Seaboard I couldn’t get enough of it. I was watching news clips, reading articles, I even linked to a site that was given constant updates on the hurricane.
That’s why, when I read about this public lecture, I knew I wanted to go. Now, there have been other public offerings on other topics in the past, and even though I was interested in going, I very often would let the opportunity pass me by. I’m not sure why – maybe I thought I was abandoning my family, maybe I thought something else might come up so I shouldn’t commit, I’m not sure. But since I’m in the midst of my “40 Days of Fun”, that gave me the reason to go, guilt free (mostly).
It was a good talk. Greg talked about what it’s like to hunt tornados, what kind of technology they use, some information on supercell storm clouds and tornados and how they work, etc. There’s even a truck that’s been designed (by another storm chasing crew) to sit on the ground INSIDE a tornado. Their plan is to launch probes into the tornado from the truck and monitor the wind speed, temperature, etc. inside the tornado. I think that’s pretty awesome! (Did I tell you I own and watch the movie “Twister” at least once a summer? I love it!)
But there was something else that Greg talked about that was pretty neat. He talked about pursuing your passion. Putting the practice and learning into that passion. To follow your dreams. If you are unhappy with your life (like he was at one point), do something to change it. That was encouraging and good for me to hear.
What a great evening!