Replay

There's a new book out, a novel, called Replay, by Ken Grimwood.  The premise is that a man is transported from his midlife ennui to his college days, and he remembers everything that happened afterward. Which is to say, he knows then what he knows now. He keeps going backward and forward in time, living his life in what he hopes is a better manner. 

I find this a fascinating idea and can't help but wonder what I'd do differently, besides the obvious sports gambling. All those jobs I wouldn't have taken, the guys I wouldn't have dated as well as the ones I would have, and mostly, the things I wouldn't have said. After my little mishap (okay, it was huge) with a certain urban university, I would have gone to Northwestern. I wouldn't have eaten all that ice cream the summer I graduated from college. I would have gone running with Dilbert when he started doing it. I would have gone to grad school sooner.  I could go on. 

I am a great believer in the butterfly effect, and besides, time travel is currently impossible so this line of thinking is pointless.  I guess I just realize how many regrets I have. Well, guess I'll always have company.