Searching for a new hobby

Add snowmobiling to a growing list of things I've tried once in my life and probably won't ever do again. Jumped on the back of a two-person machine this afternoon, driven by a first-timer who will remain nameless. A minute into the ride, I broke into a panicky sweat, wishing I had agreed to cross country skiing instead of suggesting renting these Satan's sleds.

Eventually, I calmed down, even drove the thing up some crazy hill here in the U.P. By the end of the afternoon, I almost wanted to keep going. But at the same time I realized that this wasn't for me. Man versus nature I can handle, but man on machine versus nature is another story. I am just not good on engine-driven toys.

So it'll be back to Chicago tomorrow. And here's a New Year's resolution worth trying: Find a new hobby. Something that will scare the crap out of me, but something I can handle. So ... what will it be? This year, I resolve to try:

* Sky diving.
* Water skiing.
* Bungee jumping.

And why not throw in a city hobby or two into the mix?

* Pub crawling on bicycles.
* Garage jumping.
* Political activism.

Hope I make it to 2007.