Making an Adventure

    I often find myself imagining or writing adventures from a fictional point of view. Because, let's face it, ridiculous amounts of either guns, swords, or magic always makes for a more engaging and exciting adventure than what happens to me on a daily basis. In order to let one's self drift away to that secret place where wizards cast spells, heroes battle with swords, and somehow someone incorporated guns (Final Fantasy, anyone?) it is necessary to have one's mind in the proper mood. Here is my list of top ten things to help get the figurative fictional adventure party started. In no particular order, or combined, any of the following will suffice.

1. Visit a renaissance fair. (Visiting in costume with friends works best, take money to buy cool stuff.)
2. Take the smell of that renaissance fair (Dragon's Blood incense) home with you and let it permeate the setting in which you will be doing the dreaming of adventures.
3. Take a walk in the woods with your buddies, discussing exactly how cool you are for being there.
4. Write with a dip, or fountain, pen by oil lamp light. A friend of mine also finds it satisfying to write letters with an antique typewriter, and seal the envelopes with wax. One may wish to try this.
5. Dress in dark navy blue and gray with a bunch of friends and pretend that sneaking around in the dark actually has a purpose. Worthy purposes might be, but are not limited to: Eliminating a nazi cell, holding off a Russian invasion force, executing a pretend bank job, or perhaps stalking the neighbor's dog and scaring it with firecrackers.
6. Make something particularly dangerous, I.E. a cannon.
7. Watch a sunset or sunrise, preferably from an breathtaking view, however watching from one's porch if often a way to inspire an appreciation for the adventures that can be had close to home.
8. Take a poorly planned road trip with a bunch of friends.
9. Watch The Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, or The Last Samurai.
10. Go into a town you don't (or think you do) know very well. Then spend some time trying to find cool shops and attractions that you've never noticed before. Particularly with the goal of finding an establishment which either sells good food, or good gear. Antiques districts often work exceptionally well to suit both purposes.

    Now you are armed with my top ten list of things that will help get the mind in an adventurous mood. Of course there are many other such activities, many of which I plan to post about later. For now:

Seek Adventure,

Casey.