Sidequest Sixteen
Pilot
This is the exact same image of a poster that used to be in the mansion's den.
Just... not for your son, correct?
I can't remember if it was grade seven or grade eight.
I was taking flying simulator classes with a small group of mis-led boys. I don't think any of us were particularly good students.
To the school & teachers credit, this was a great example of trying to introduce a reason to take school seriously, to strive for more, and it fell on deaf ears.
I had just started go-karting around this time. I think we were racing at Gamebridge but I could be incorrect with my details.
"Treat the go-kart like your office. Get comfortable, go to work!
I guess Dad was only open to one option.
It was a practice day, meaning it was on a Saturday, and I had to decide between flying a plane for the first time, or showing up to the track for practice.
Guess which one I choose?
A little background on me and my Dad.
I've always felt I wasn't good enough for my father and I've always wanted to be just that, good enough for my Dad to want anything to do with me.
Like for example, I was never strong enough to work on cars. So I was never allowed to be around Dad when he was working at the shop.
Dad didn't want me to learn how to be a mechanic, so I never got to spend time on a weekend for example just hanging out with Dad in the shop working on cars.
I was expected to do better for myself in my life.
So why did he make an ultimatum that effectively grounded me for life.
I sacrificed my first and only chance to fly a plane in exchange to be at the track for practice on Dad's program.
He took away my reason for pursuing a higher education.
And he had no shame in pulling me out of school for racing.
Dad "You don't actually learn anything there anyways!"
...
What kid in this world is going to choose going to school VS going to a racetrack with Dad?
To paraphrase Hegel, advancement cannot occur without both thesis and antithesis...
If I can pick one spot to challenge your statement to me before I stopped working at the shop and started the DLC.
This is the one.
I think driving racecars on weekends, and educating myself to be a pilot pair well together looking back.
I wouldn't remember this if it wasn't for my most work environment.