Am I Becoming Nosey?

I’m having images of Michael Paine peeping through the curtains as I write this, haha!

For a few months now I’ve been feeling the need to get my head back in to the books, both academically and as a means of chilling out in my spare time. I usually play football, relax with my lady in front of the tv or play computer games in my spare time, but with the latter usually being before bed, it takes me ages to get to sleep, so I thought books would break this cycle.

I decided that I needed to get a copy of David Attenborough’s Autobiography – Life on Air, because he is possible the most accomplished man alive today and he has dedicated his life to two of my major interests, technology and nature. I dived on to Amazon, as you do, and found his book. Just as I was reading about some of the finer details, to wet my appetite, I spotted the link to an audiobook! This was something I have never considered before, but given that having the great man himself read it out me would mean less stress on my already over-worked eyes and the fact that I own an iPhone, it could be something that works for me. To follow this brain wave up I looked on iTunes, but it wasn’t there … huh?!?!

This was seriously disappointing, so I decided to look at what other autobiographies where available. I found 4 that where of interest to me; Race to the Pole by James Cracknel and Ben Fogle, Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know by Ranulph Fiennes, Pole to Pole by Michael Palin and Business Stripped Bare by Richard Branson. I was highly tempted to get all four of there immediately, but as I never rush in to things I thought I should play it cool and just trial one to begin with.  I listened to snippets of each and decided that I needed to have Race to the Pole first because with the exception of Top Gear, its the best program on TV at the moment, so this was to be my the one to pop my cherry!

I have listened to tasters of the others and decided that I couldn’t cope with Ranulph Fiennes monotone style of reading, despite his amazing adventures and deep personality, so I have ordered this in the old fashioned paper format, so I’ll be needing to spend some time lying in the sun and learning more about the greatest adventurer of our times. The other two are ready to be bought as soon as I’ve finished Race to the Pole.

I’m hoping this leads to a greater amount of reading and learning, but for now I’m just happy to be having a fantastic story told to me from the men who made it come true.

In answer to the original question… Yes I am, but only if your story is one of great risk, adventure and success, despite massive odds.