I've been blessed to have numerous "passions" throughout my life.
As a child, one of my biggest passions was art. I loved to draw, paint and create. I even won a few contests (which fueled the passion further).
Reading has always been a major passion of mine - I especially enjoy books/articles about history, wildlife and the old west. To this day, I still prefer a good book over a movie or television show.
Hunting, fishing and camping became major passions in my early teen years and carry on - to some extent - to this day. Outdoor activities were always my favorite; my mother used to say I was born 200 years too late. She's right in the sense that freedom has always been the driving factor in my passions, and in the sense that I'm far more comfortable in an "uncivilized" environment.
My "win the lottery" dream has always remained the same: buy as much of Wyoming as I possibly can, build a small log cabin (no electric, no running water) and live off my land. Now that I'm older, the dream isn't likely to happen even if I did win the lottery. But... had I won in my youth, I most certainly would have made it happen.
Other youthful passions included common activities on a farm. I have always loved operating big machinery; there is something special about that "oneness" you have with the equipment as you are working the fields or pulling some big, heavy, load down the road.
That passion for operating big equipment extended into adulthood: I still get a thrill when I climb into the cab of a Peterbilt (I hauled propane all over the east coast for years) or visit my cousin's farm and help out with the fieldwork by jumping into one of his Case tractors.
Motorcycles were also an early love that continues to this day. My fist bike was an old Yamaha dirt bike that I bought without my parent's permission (I kept it at a friend's house). The thrill, the freedom, even the feeling of a bug smashing into my face is exhilarating. I'm not quite as thrilled with the splattering bugs anymore, but the ride remains exhilarating to this day (it's a Harley nowadays).
As an adult I got into metal detecting - something I still enjoy to this day. I think it is funny how I used to ignore pennies laying on the ground, but now I'll spend hours digging them up. I really enjoy the history behind my finds and often wonder (when I find something really old) who owned it and how they lost it.
But my biggest passions - outside of my kids (they're adults now) - are photography and politics. I am absolutely enamored with both and spend untold hours studying them in order to become better informed.
The politics came about when I moved to New Jersey and discovered the fact that most people (here) don't know a damn thing about the Constitution (specifically the Second Amendment). I was (and am) very pro gun and it absolutely horrified me to learn there are people who would gladly take away my rights. That got me into the Constitution, and studying the Constitution got me into politics.
The photography thing came about much later. I became ill and couldn't work, so I had a lot of time on my hands. I didn't feel well enough to do much of anything, so I would sit outside (on my patio) and play around with the crappy camera we had. I began noticing that (on rare occasions) my shots would turn out well. I then attempted to duplicate the actions, and settings, that brought about the rare good shot. One thing led to another and I found myself deeply involved with photography. I'm self-taught and still learning, but I've managed to turn this hobby into a business of sorts and I've won numerous competitions. My favorite style (of photography) is "low-key" photography (the picture is dark with only a few highlights visible) - usually in black & white. I hope to someday open up a gallery of sorts, where my shots are sold to art fans all over the world.
Oh, I also love to write. But you gathered that much from my long-winded post. Most of my articles are politically related, but I have published a book and am in the process of finishing up another book to be published.
No matter the passion, past or present, for me it is always about freedom. Always.
And that - freedom - is my single biggest passion in life.
Every dog I go past around my area barks/chases for at least a few feet, I've never been bitten or close to it really but it's always a jump when one jumps out. I'm glad you and your buddy get to enjoy each others company that way though.
