Tuesday afternoon, I unboxed my first drone. It’s pretty cool: it’s tiny, it has a camera, and I can drive it with my phone.

Roughly fifteen minutes later, I’m watching in horror as it falls from the sky... bouncing twice off the roof of my house, then the hood of my car. The drone lands in one spot, the battery in another, and one of the blades in a third.

No, it wasn’t shot down... except maybe by a splash of stupidity.

Let me explain... I’ve never gotten into remote control cars, planes, or really anything. Guess you can say they never really interested me.

The idea of aerial photography, however, fascinates me. I love the idea of hovering a drone near a subject I want a picture of and shooting... perhaps from the top of a statue, or a neon sign, or a historic building. I love the unique viewpoints.

However, considering my inexperience with remote controlling, perhaps a pricey camera drone wasn’t the best starter vehicle.

Looking back, it has occurred to me that it’s been ages since I’ve taken the time to practice and actually learn something... like driving a car or riding a bike.

Another sign I don’t take enough risks, I suppose, but I digress.

It’s time. Time to start small and practice, practice, practice. Time to take the drone to a park, learn how to hover it, learn how to hop it, and eventually, learn how to control it without having it fall out of the sky as I panic at the controls.

Realistically, I know accidents and incidents where I’ll have to cut power to it will occur... but if I can keep a level head AND know how to control it better, maybe it will be less traumatic.

I intend to get a bag full of spare blades—just in case.

Ready for the next adventure. One that will again teach me patience.