Facing up to things that won't be happening

January 6, 2009 12:35 am

One daydream involves an interview with either (from left) Dana Delany, Sandra Bullock or Kate Beckinsale in which he turns down the prospect of romance with the actress.

I'M NOT a big one for New Year's resolutions.

Ones I've adopted in recent years have been toast by Valentine's Day.

But I do believe that the arrival of each new year is an opportunity to see where you stand in this big adventure called life.

For some reason, this year is one when I've faced up to some things that, at this point, are probably never going to happen.

You know those daydreams we all have, those Walter Mitty moments when we imagine ourselves doing something larger than life?

It hit me one recent afternoon that my favorite ones probably aren't ever going to happen.

Starting with the one where I'm at a rock concert, somebody like Dave Matthews or Bruce Springsteen.

In this fantasy, the crowd gets restless after the concert goes an hour past its designated start, then is surprised to see the star stride out through parted curtains.

"My friends, I'm sorry to report that our drummer has come down with a sudden case of botulism," says Dave or Bruce, looking quite chagrinned.

He then adds, "Unless there's a world-class drummer out there, I'm afraid we're going to have to cancel the concert."

Which is when I run up on stage and pound the skins with such aplomb that I earn not only the crowd's appreciation and cheers, but a career as the band's new drummer--botulism being pretty tough to come back from.

Sure, it's a silly daydream.

But because you never want to give up on the most far-fetched chance that it, or something similarly fantastic can come true, you file it in your subconscious under "stranger things have happened."

Along with one you could call "The Big News Breakout."

In this daydream, I'm doing a routine interview for a feature story and all of the sudden a big disaster/presidential kidnapping/alien encounter takes place.

Without batting an eye, I shift from feature mode to high-intensity reporting, throwing my body and soul into the story.

By the next day, big newspapers and TV networks all around the globe carry my byline and spoken word, telling the world what it needs to know.

Leading, of course, to a plush contract for a specially created international correspondent slot. Paying me obscene money for providing my own unusual outlook on the world.

Hello, beach house in Belize.

It's another fun daydream, but after 30 years of waiting for it, I'm forced to admit that it probably won't be happening.

Like the one that involves any one of the most beautiful women in the world.

Dana Delany, Kate Beckinsale, Sandra Bullock, any one of those beautiful women will work.

I'm somehow lucky enough to be interviewing one of them, and am ever-so disarming as we spend several hours discussing career, thoughts and ambitions.

At the end of the discussions, the gorgeous creature suddenly reaches out and takes my hand, looks at me with those beautiful eyes and asks what I'm doing for the rest of my life.

Which is when, quite properly, I say that I'm happily going back to my wife and children.

Thrilled to know I could have been a contender.

Rob Hedelt: 540/374-5415
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com