The Idea vs. the Reality. Did you ever think you really wanted to do something, but when it got

[raccoon]

down to the wire, you discovered that you really didn't want to?

That you liked the idea of (whatever it was you thought you wanted to do), but not the reality?

If you've experienced this, and you know how to differentiate the two, please share your experience, strength, and hope.

[Populist_Prole]

1. A ride in a fully aerobatic Pitts Special biplane

I liked the idea, or not even really liked, more like "well this should be an interesting thing to experience". When my turn came up, I chickened out. More out of being wary of the potential embarrassment if I freaked out or hurled during wild maneuvers.

Later, I was disappointed with myself. A few years later I did get a ride in a friend's home built RV4. It was full aero capability but he just did a couple of aileron rolls and I did get to experience briefly being upside down in an aircraft. It was out of 5 parts: 2 parts "Wow, that's cool" and 3 parts "OK OK, I believe that's enough of that!"

[HarveyDarkey]

4. I did that back in my younger days

It was 3 parts "Wow, that's cool" and 2 parts "Can we go up again?"

[OriginalGeek]

2. Butt sex turned out not to be

all it was cracked up to be.

[Chan790]

3. True dat. n/t

[Manifestor_of_Light]

5. That's what Christopher Hitchens said.

I think the other overrated things were picnics and champagne.