Steve Irwin, R.I.P.

You're probably familiar with the animal lover and hardcore wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin. He's the hyper Australian dude on television who handles crocodiles like golden retrievers. Websites and news stations have all reported their top story tonight as his freak death resulting from an encounter with a stingray.

I was not a huge fan of Mr. Irwin post let-me-bring-my-infant-son-with-me-while-I-feed-a-crocodile, but now that he's gone, I can't help but ponder over his legacy. His wife and two small children will continue to keep his memory alive, I'm sure. He was so passionate about nature and its wildlife. His energy was almost draining when I would catch him on the Animal Planet or as Jay Leno's guest on The Tonight Show. And as exhausting as my infrequent encounters with Mr. Irwin may have been, I always admired his enthusiasm and delight for his life mission. If I were to go right now, I'm afraid I'd have nothing to show for mine. Heck, I don't even have a life mission, commitment or purpose. I would pale in comparison to Mr. Irwin. That makes me really sad.

So...what can I do to chase this dream to lead a productive and happy life? People always ask me what I want to do and usually I have a couple things on my mind, but nothing really and truly catches my eye. I really only yearn to be happy and secure. That could involve living abroad, simply leaving Philadelphia, marriage, kids, maybe even being single my entire life, yada yada yada. The problem is that I just don't know. I don't expect a firm answer to this ridicuous dilemma of mine (I usually tell myself to shut up and just be grateful that I'm healthy), but I have gotten myself into a tizzy over this matter. It makes me want to just curl up into a ball and sleep in a cushy bed covered in sheets recently laundered with nice-smelling Snuggle sheets. Ah, yes, this is the only relief I can get my hands on at the moment...