A longer post than usual

Today I started reading Julia & Julia, and it got me to thinking about the Internet. (Because she starts a blog and stuff...) And I started wondering how it is I even know what I do about the Internet - because I look at my sister, and I realize I was a lot more Internet-savvy than she is when I was in 6th grade (at least, I like to think I was). And while I'm no expert, I like to think I know a little more than the Average Joe.
But anyway, all that's weird because really, what prompts this type of thing? What is it that gets us started in on these things, until we know what we do about them? I don't know about you, but I never remember the underlying cause, the second when I thought, "Ah yes, I'm going to read webcomics." so that now I follow ten or eleven of them.
And for me, it's because I liked to explore.
The only reason this would be revolutionary is because it's something I never associate with myself. I'm so used to thinking of myself as a scaredy-cat, and a bit of a wimp - both are which are completely true statements, but perhaps not as true as I once thought, if you know what I mean. And in case you don't: I'm not as much of a scaredy-cat and a wimp as I thought.

An example: I hate shots. I mean, HATE them - I once suffered through some serious vomitting and stomach cramps rather than use my EpiPen. But shots are a part of life - you have to get vaccinations all the time, and I have to get flu shots every year thanks to asthma - so I learned to deal. And they aren't so bad anymore; I'm not afraid of them anymore. And roller coasters - I love them. Not afraid at all, something I thought was totally natural, before trips to Valleyfair with friends. So I've slowly begun to realize, I'm not so pathetic and weak, like I thought.

And this realization relates to exploring how? Well, my point would be that when you think explorer, you think bold; certainly not a wimp or someone who's afraid to take risks (read: me) And because I suck at athletics (like, really. Asthma, and also, I'm lazy) and I've read too many books to think going into spooky abandoned houses is a good idea, I'm not the ideal model in terms of curiosity or fitness, another two traits generally associated with explorers.

But I do enjoy it, just not the conventional, backpack-all-day-in-the-Amazon version of it. Really, and I express it in music and books and the Internet, by spending hours researching and looking for things, and clicking random links, and writing down all the books mentioned anywhere in the books I was reading (yup, I did that last one). And sometimes I will express it with actual, conventional exploring: at camp, or when camping with friends, with trails and things. And at home sometimes, wandering around random neighborhoods, sneaking through people's backyards (okay, I don't do that last one much. Or, you know, ever.)

And, well, this isn't all that relevant to you in life or anything, but it was an interesting thing for me. It's just a thought, and this blog seemed like an appropriate place for it. Also, it seemed like a fun coincedence that my dad brought home a coonskin hat right when I realized this.

In other news, I lost my library card and had to buy a new one; also, the tuba I use at school is officially broken.

Yesterday's lyrics: Through Heaven's Eyes from The Prince of Egypt
Today's: "One listen up loud and clear/because we got a little something to put in your ear/I know you came to have a good time/so kick off your shoes and relax your mind"