The First Time...

As I am writing a section of my book, the character's mind falls to his varied notions about the richness of a first brush with any experience in life - 'the first time'.  

From a personal perspective, I've been stuck in the spine with so many needles that it has become nearly 'old hat' at this point....but I can tell you that, laying on my stomach waiting for a needle full of radioactive dye to be inserted the first time was a harrowing experience that had my full attention.  Also, I'm reminded of the first time I broke a bone and the disorienting sickness in the pit of my stomach that I've become all to familiar with over time, as attested to by my private collection of x-rays.  Other less-than-enjoyable first times (that I can remember) would be my first speeding ticket, first arrest, first motorcycle crash, etc.

And some of the better ones?  First cigarette, perhaps?  Although I rarely smoke now, I still remember the illicit rush of sneaking a first butt many, many years ago....smoking weed, by comparison, was a non-starter and just sort of seemed normal at the time.  And sex?  Losing your virginity is nothing if not a harrowing amalgam of thrill, fear and anticipation that is never quite recaptured in such visceral terms as your sexual experience increases with time....And of course, the first time I rode a motorcycle - as near a perfect mix of life, death, sex and reckless abandon as I've ever found in the world.  If you've never tried it, you're missing out.


Anyway....just a few random thoughts on 'first times' and the fact that, no matter how awful something seems as it is happening, its an education nonetheless.  As a final consideration, I definitely would like to steer clear of finding out what death feels like for 'the first time' for many years to come - its something that I'm much quite happy to avoid, even for the sake of education.