On Flying & the Pursuit of Control

I took a flying lesson last weekend. I know I'm amazing, fearless, like Amelia Earhart, blah, blah, blah.
         I did feel pretty fearless ... after getting off the plane at the end.  I did not feel fearless on my third bathroom visit prior to boarding the tiny Cessna as I cursed Groupon for making flying a small plane with my husband seem like a good idea.   
Could my smile be more forced?
The flight instructor was brave to
snap photos while I was at the helm. 
         I had a steady balance of fear and excitement, which probably wasn't surprising. The thing that did surprise me about flying was the relationship to air.
         "Well, duh," you're saying.
         But really, holding the yoke (that's the steering wheel thingy) is not a smooth experience like driving a car on a straight road.  It's more like driving one of those old time cars at an amusement park, where the wheels hit the metal track in the middle and you veer left, then right, then left again. 
         You are both working with and fighting against the wind at all times. That's the thing about air: it just does its own thing. And you need it to do that.  You need it to push down on the wings and also hold them up. 
         But it doesn't know (or care) what you want to do.  If you want to go left, it may push you right, making you fight for the left turn. If you want to climb, it may hold you down, making you pull harder on the yoke to gain the altitude.
For you pareidolia fans:
clouds on the water
         Though I was at the controls, I never really felt in control. Though I tried to grip the wheel into submission, I found I had to loosen up and let go (actually, the instructor had to gently remind me several times that my knuckles were turning white.) This is a hard lesson for a control freak like me.
         In the plane, I could only move the wheel and the pedals.  As a writer, I can't control publishers, readers, agents, fate, luck... I can really only control my pen and paper. (Goodness knows even my computer has a mind of its own too.) 
         Sometimes the wind will push you down, and when the wind is too strong, it may seem impossible to write at all. And sometimes the right character, the right feedback, the right opportunity will push your wings to the sky and you'll soar.  All you have to do is let go.

         So what's the dumbest thing Groupon has made you do?? : )


Comments

  1. Oh yea paradolia, thou dost raise thy poetic head again!

    DD showed me the smiley face in her chocolate chip muffin this AM - also counts!

    My hubby is the Groupon groupie...so far nothing more exciting than oil changes and semi-exotic ethnic meals.

    I think our life insurance policy precludes us being in the SAME plane while piloted by one or the other of us. Good for you!!

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    1. I actually thought of you while I was flying - I thought "I need to find an animal shape in these tree tops or something pareidoliac for Cathy!"

      Hmm, could be our life insurance policy has an exclusion for death by groupon...I should check the policy!

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  2. What's Groupon?
    Erik
    P.S. It is pretty cool that you flew a plane! How many people do you know can say they did that?

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    1. I only know my husband and a friend who have flown a plane! It was a very cool experience.
      Groupon is this site that sends you deals for stuff or local activities, but there's a limited number, so you often end up buying stuff you don't need.

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  3. You are the coolest writer I know! It was fascinating reading your experience- you and the air. The only dumb thing Groupon has made me do was purchase doughnuts and pies. I try to stay away from those and yet, the lure of a good deal conquered my battle to eat healthy.

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    1. yes! why is it so enticing? I'm sure I could write an equally compelling post about me and a doughnut :)

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  4. Wow. I'm very impressed with your flying experience. Always good to try something new . . . spreading your wings, literally.

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    1. You're right about that Gail, trying new things is important for anyone, but especially writers. In this case a scary new thing really lets you get your mind to a primitive survival state which I think can breed good writing.

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  5. Oh my goodness, that is amazeballs! You are so brave. I bet you'll want your pilot's license next.

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    1. Amazeballs?! Wait, are you a fan of the show Awkward on MTV or does everyone say Amazeballs? (love it) I have often described myself as a "cautious adventurer" which encompasses both the wild part of me and the safety girl part :)

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  6. I've been seeing that Groupon deal and so wanted to get it! You go girl! I love the comparison of flying to writing.

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    1. You have to do it Tracy! It was a great deal, and the trainer was very professional. (though I will say the other trainer was covered in tattoos, had grease backed hair, and was wearing a white t-shirt with a black leather jacket - he may have a different approach :))

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  7. Did you ever know that you're my hero....
    I'm so impressed. Flying is one of my BIGgest fears.
    Groupon got me to buy three sessions of some exercise class for which I'm embarrassed to admit, I never attended. Whoops. :)

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    1. If it makes you feel better, exercise is one of my BIGgest fears!
      You know your groupon dollars are still good at that exercise place- but now you have to pay full price :(

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  8. You are so brave! I love that you did this! I bet Groupon makes a lot of people do a lot of things they thought they'd never do. ;)

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    1. There's someone at groupon right now laughing maniacally!

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