When I was 19 I had a dream.
I envisioned myself cruising across the American deserts on a motorcycle.
But like a lot of teenage dreams, it never happened.
Why?
My parents talked me out of it.
“Too dangerous,” they said.
Then they bought me a car and the discussion was over.
The years went by, and I forgot about my dream.
It became buried under the sands of time like a long-lost temple to the gods.
Whenever I saw a motorcycle on the road, I would tell myself, “I can’t do that. I’m too absentminded. I might tune out and go off a cliff.”
(What does “absentminded” mean? Listen to today’s Atomic Homework to hear the story that will make it unforgettable.)
But is that true?
I like to challenge myself and my beliefs.
So when a friend invited me to join him on a motorcycle journey through the mountains of northern Thailand, I accepted in an instant.
We’ll be setting off Saturday morning.
To prepare, I took a safety training course last weekend.
Though it wasn’t at all what I expected.
I’ll tell you about that tomorrow.
