Thursday, September 09, 2010

Great Expectations

Hooray for the new paperback version of NEVER CRY WEREWOLF by our own Heather Davis!
This week we're chatting about things that are better the second time around. The types of things that pop into my mind have to do with:

1. My taste changing with time.

For example, music, art, and food. Avocados used to gross me out, but now I find myself actually craving them, whether in salads, on sandwiches, or guacamole.

2. Being in a better or different mind set the 2nd time around.

You know, when you aren't really enjoying yourself because you're not in the right mood? For instance, vacations, books and movies. Vegas was a bit of a blur my first time, but the more I go, the more I explore and enjoy it. And sometimes a book or movie is better the 2nd time I read or watch it because I look at the details instead of just the big picture.

3. Knowing better what to expect and therefore being able to relax the 2nd time around. This is close to #2, but a little more specific. It is what happened to me with my first kiss.

Since I was older (almost 18) when I finally had my first REAL kiss, I'd been playing the moment over in my head for eons. And when it happened, I was so shocked, I literally fell over! I recently told this story on Nisha Sharma's blog, so if you want to read it, click HERE. But then, as can be predicted, subsequent kisses went much smoother--with him, as well as with future guys (Notice I didn't write "boyfriends" because I admit that when I got in college I kissed my share of random guys. ha!)

Want to win 1 of 5 signed copies of NEVER CRY WEREWOLF (in its new paperback version) by Buzz Girl Heather Davis? Of course you do! So leave a comment here, as well as on the other posts made this week, for a chance to win. Here's your prompt for today: What have you enjoyed more the 2nd time around 'cause you knew better what to expect?

14 comments:

msdarcy said...

The Tower of Terror. I was so scared the first time I rode that I kept my eyes closed. The second time was so much more fun.

Wendy Toliver said...

I loved the Tower Of Terror, and yes, I enjoyed it even more the 2nd time around. Although, that might have to do with the fact that the first time I rode it I was (unknowingly) pregnant. Yikes!

Anonymous said...

Kneeboarding this past summer. It was also my first attempt at staying on a stupid dinky fiberglass board being drug behind a boat around a big lake without flying off and crashing like everyone else did. lol. I didn't crash bad but just pulling myself up to kneel on the board was soooo stinking hard. I had to give so many thumbs down to stop the boat so I could rest my arms from trying. Never made it up the first day, but the second attempt a few days later I was so scared it was just going to be another repeat of me being drug around the lake trying my hardest to pull myself up to kneel onto the board with no success. But after my brother Bill finished laughing his butt off { seriously doubled over tears streaking his cheeks laughing } he suggested I start out already half way in position { laying like a frog, lol } and then just "hop" into place. I actually managed to get up and kneeboard and it was awesome. Even if my brother laughed his butt off at me. lol.

{ And I love the Tower of Terror!!}

nymfaux said...

I know this post is about giving things a second chance, but one time on Tower of Terror was enough for me!!! I always keep my eyes closed on roller coasters and high up stuff, but during the middle of the Tower ride, it seemed to be going ok, so I thought I could handle opening my eyes--Big mistake! I could see a bright light through my eyelids, and I thought that meant it was safe--I opened my eyes and realized that the "bright light" was the sunlight coming in from the GAPING HOLE in the building. My eyes slammed shut and stayed that way the rest of the ride!!!!

As for giving things second chances, I'm always telling myself that if I have to do something again, now I'll know what to do--unfortunately, the chance doesn't come up that often.

One that does come to mind, is my second driving test. My first one was horrible and painful. I'd practiced, not enough, but I was hopeful...My hope started fading after I got the Old Guy. Where I grew up, for your driving test, you either got the Old Guy, or the Good One. The Old Guy was beyond old, gruff, grouchy--everything you'd picture an Old Guy to be--And he was NOTORIOUS for not letting people pass on their first test. So naturally I was terrified. It seemed like everything I did was slow and jerky. When we got to the first 4-way intersection, the Old Guy wanted me to turn left, but a guy coming the opposite direction came to a stop at the same time I did. It was an agonizing bunch of stops and starts and stops and starts, until finally the other guy waved me on. I managed a perfect Y-turn, but then, on the way back, I ran a stop sign--In my defense, all the streets around our DMV were totally set up to screw with people--The DMV parking lot is off of the only one-way street in town. And the aforementioned stop sign is in the middle of a street with no cross-section. Needless to say, I didn't pass.

The second-time around, I'd practiced a lot more, was a lot more confident, did another perfect Y-turn, got the Good One, and passed with flying colors.

p.s. I was really disappointed that neither one asked me to parallel park--I haven't had to do it in a while, but back then I was GOOD!!! I actually OFFERED the second time, but no go.

GirlforChrist said...

Reading an exciting book... I'm never afraid that the main character will die, so I get the chance to re-read it without being worried. :)

Jenny N. said...

For me its travelling and going to new places. I feel like the first time I go I don't take in everything and enjoy it as much as I could have. Once I'm back home I realize that I should have explored more and done different things so want to go back a second or third time.

Margay Leah Justice said...

Either re-reading a great book and/or watching a favorite movie. Like Pride and Prejudice - the book is definitely worth more than one read and I love the 2005 version of the movie with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen (sorry all you Colin Firth fans).
Margay

Precious said...

Watching Matrix. I was young when it came out. I didn't really get what the story was about aside from the bullet slow-mo scene. But after a few years, the movie was used in a presentation in school about human consciousness and I watched it again. For the first time ever, I finally understood what it means. Maybe because I knew what to expect and of course, I've grown older.

Thank you!

brendajean said...

Um,...kissing. Yep, just got better and better:)

Wendy Toliver said...

Wow, great answers, guys! Thanks so much. You're all entered to win a signed copy of Never Cry Werewolf its second time around--paperback!

Steph said...

Right now, the only example I can think of is when my aunt had her first kid. I didn't know what to really expect because the last time there was a baby in the family, I was only 6 when he was born. So, I didn't really know what exactly was right and wrong. I learned pretty quickly, though, so there weren't any real issues. Then my aunt had a second baby, this time a boy (my other cousin- his older sister- is a girl) and I wasn't so worried about how to take care of him because I knew from experience what worked and didn't work.

As a simpler example, I have to agree with some of the other comments- the Tower of Terror. I rode it 2 or 3 times, but the second time I went on, it was much more fun because I had a better idea of what to expect. Even though you hear from other people about it, that doesn't help calm your nerves because it's the first time you've ever gone on the ride. However, the first drop is always nerve racking, but so worth it. The thrill is just so exciting! Rockin' Roller Coaster is similar to this (minus the drops, but replaced with the loops and lights and music), so both were even better the second time around because I knew what to expect. :)

Jessy said...

I would have to say trying different foods is better the second time around. I have a super strength nose so it's hard to eat anything that smells funny. Once I get through that first time though it gets a lot easier!

Rosemary said...

I think a really good book and/or movie is better the second time around. You find stuff you missed the first time which makes it so much better. :)

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