Some parts of this writing may sound like I am blowing my horn. That is not my intention. Plenty of folks already blow it for me. Some of the information is needed to set the stage in order to present the point I was attempting to make. Animal Jim Feurer 3-16-12
Considerable Risk
by Animal Jim Feurer
Some comparative choices of words and phrases my Webster New Word Thesaurus gives for the word risk are: gamble, hazard, peril, jeopardy, danger, to go out and beyond, take a chance, etc. It seems life is an accumulation of all types of constant risks. There are risks of physical danger, financial risk, emotional risk, risk of reputation and even risks of ones sanity. Some risks are successful--Some not. Reasons for taking risks vary.
* Like showing off just to impress whoever.
* Needful risks, like a soldier, policeman or fireman.
* Also Political risks.
* Business risks.
* Desperation certainly is a reason for people to take risks.
* Medical reasons harbor infinite risks.
* Entertainment and Art risks. Such as painting, writing, producing movies, stage plays and TV shows involve all types of risks. Also included would be circus performers and dare devils.
* All of Sports has risks. Ball players, skiers, or race car drivers. The list is endless.
As for my own risk taking. I would fall in two main categories. Sports and Entertainment.
My risk story example I chose involves my professional drag racing career. Before the story I will briefly try to describe drag racing for those reading this account that may not be familiar with that sport.
Drag racing is an acceleration contest from a dead stop between 2 opponents in vehicles in separate lanes. The distance traditionally is ¼ of a mile. In the professional drag racing category there is normally a 16 car eliminator determined by the quickest 16 elapsed times during qualifying sessions. The 16 cars are put in a pairing ladder by ET. (Elapsed times) The quicker ET of the pairing always has lane choice. Then the qualified contestants are run two at a time tournament style to a final two and then the final two run to determine the event class winner.
At the starting line an electronic multi-bulbed starting devise called a Christmas tree signals the two racers when to leave and electronic timers down track and at the end of the quarter mile determine the racer’s elapsed time, mile per hour and most importantly the winner of that round. There are also huge score boards at the end of the quarter mile. After each run each racer receives a time slip containing various pertinent information for both contestants that also reveals the winner.
In my drag racing career, by the time I reached the professional ranks, my daring risk taking drag racing style earned me tremendous popularity with fans, media and promoters.
There was a slight down side of my daring reputation. It sometimes discouraged corporate prospective sponsors to be involved with me. Even though they admired me and loved what I did, (so they would say). Many of those corporate decision makers considered me too reckless and were skeptical to invest in my possible demise and premature loss of their investment.
One such proposed sponsor incident back in my prime days I recall is: I accompanied with my sponsor rep who also served as my PR person were attending a face to face meeting with the sponsor proposed company board of directors.
It was the final stages of negotiations for a major sponsorship decision with this huge company. The crotchety pious old board president tells me this: “Jim your resume and what my people researched are very impressive. You seem to have a lot going for you.
The media, promoters, sponsors and especially you’re countless fans -- and even your peers praise and idolize you to high heaven”. He hesitates --- “I also hear through the grapevine you are a considerable risk taker and not easy to control.”
Hell, I thought the risk taking and not easy to control part was also a compliment. Not giving that statement a defense, instead, I said, “Thank you.” LOL!
I later discovered when my proposal with that company for major sponsorship was rejected, the risk taking and not being able to control statement was not a compliment but a criticism. I blew it off in my mind with an “Up Yours! No one controls me!”
I think my risky and rebellious attitude that glows from me is what my fans love. They rally with me and experience a release, at least temporarily that removes them from the daily tiresome establishment bull crap by associating their attention with me.”
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