Code Name: Indiana Valdez

I posted a link to my blog on the fan page for The Arrogant Texan. Part of what I love about The Arrogant Texan is their whimsy. Whoever maintains the fan page reposted the link with the following comment: "We assume it's like Juan Valdez meets Indiana Jones." This got me thinking about the idea of adventuring. I do sometimes feel a bit like Indiana Jones, exploring new territory. Then I stopped to think, have you ever wondered why "Indy" went on all those dangerous adventures in spite of having a stable professorship? It was something he was passionate about. Starting this blog taught me about what a creative outlet really is. I have gotten more work done each day since starting the blog than I would get done in a typical day before I started the blog. Other than the 10-15 minutes spent crafting a blog post, embarking on this adventure only resulted in one change to my usual schedule: I have been more adventurous, trying coffees I might never have before. So why did adding 10-15 extra minutes to my list of to-do make me feel more refreshed than just vegging in front of the TV or reading a leisure book? I think that's where a creative outlet is different from a leisure activity where your brain checks out. You still invest time and thought, but you get a better return on your investment, feeling renewed afterwards and accomplishing more than if you hadn't set aside that time. Like Indiana Jones, I have a whole academic, professional life separate from this blog, but this brief escape into adventure lets me return to that life with some of the excitement as a carry-over. My next adventure to blog about? Wild Mountain Blueberry flavored coffee!!