Q: Quixotic Amy the Ingenious?

​I love “Q.” It includes fun words like queasy and quirky. But my favorite is quixotic, because, quite frankly, I feel this way all the time!
 
For the record, quixotic refers to something or someone who is “exceedingly idealistic.” Some synonyms: romantic, visionary and extravagant...oh yeah, and also unrealistic, impractical and starry-eyed. If you’ve ever worked on a project with me, you know that I dream big. I spout off extremely ambitious ideas and people look at me like I’m crazy. When I give gifts, I go overboard. And I always expect the best out of people. It’s not just disappointing but shocking at times when someone is unkind. Exceedingly idealistic, that’s me. OK, maybe I’m more realistic than I give myself credit for. But I like to imagine a world full of love and kindness, and I’m not at all convinced it’s not possible.
 
The word quixotic became popular after the publication of Miguel de Cervantes’ classic work The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. In the novel, Don Quixote is so affected by chivalric romances that he sets off on a series of adventures guided by fantasy rather than reality. Who does that sound like people? Don’t we always complain that watching romantic movies sets false expectations about real relationships? For those of us who love a good romance, does it ever make real life seem a little bit dull? Maybe we all feel a bit quixotic from time to time.
 
That being said, I just booked excursions for my honeymoon including tours in “Romantic Austria” where I foresee a lot of kissing and cuddling going on. So, I guess real life can be pretty fantastic too. Eat your heart out, Elizabeth Bennett.