2 things I really wanted to be that were "dreams"...
Stock Car/Race Car Driver... My father raced when he was young. He did drag racing with his old corvette (I believe it was a '58) and he also raced a 1940 Ford Coupe at a dirt oval track around the Pittsburgh area called Lernerville. He raced a couple other small local tracks as well.
He was going to build my older brother Sean a car when he got old enough, and at that time it was still feasible to go out and build yourself a car without needing sponsorship and a vast fortune.
My brother, in his infinite wisdom decided to rebel against my father tremendously though, and my father didn't do this for him.
I wanted a car too... I am partial to sprints myself, or modifieds... But, unfortunately when "my time" came the sport of auto racing became one that only the wealthy can enjoy (Even going to a race costs you an arm and a leg, and I'm talking LOCAL racing, and World of Outlaws shows, not NASCAR or the big game!)... My father wasn't able to just hop into racing like he was with my oldest brother, so there was no chance of me going into it.
The sad thing is, I know I would've done well... I'm not good at MUCH in this world, but I can push any car to its limits and beyond, and bring it back in one piece. Unfortunately that just wasn't meant to be, what with all the sponsorship needs, and dramatically increased costs.
The second thing I wanted to be...
Play in the NHL... This was a pipe dream if there ever was one. I started to play hockey later in life, and professional hockey players are most often groomed to be professional players from the time they're born. I didn't start till around 10/11 years old though.
To top that off, I am not overly skilled... My skill came in that I was a leader and a bruiser. I didn't take much crap from other teams, and lead mine by example (Captaincy of 2 teams, and alternate on 2 others). I played hard-nosed hockey by standing in front of the net and taking a pounding from the other team's D. I got crappy BS goals that were shots that went off me, or rebounds... Never had that moment in the spotlight when I had the gamewinning breakaway goal where I faked the goalie out of his skates because of my "dazzling" moves.
That just ain't me.
Still, I wanted to play in the NHL so bad, and still get a lil teary eyed every start of the NHL season, and every start of the cup finals...
Now I live vicariously through watching hockey on TV and live. Hell I couldn't even last a pick-up game anymore the way I feel. I still just love the game though, even if my Pens suck.
I'll always support em!