Off the Grid

There are few things in life worth getting worked up about. There are even fewer that actually need you to be stressed over. Things like a Nuclear Reactor casualty drill or a broached sailboat in the middle of the Atlantic make my personal list of things that should get me stressed. Most things in every day life just require you to chill out.

I imagine that people in other professions also have equally stressing ordeals that can cause them to freak out. I'm pretty sure surgeons in the O.R. get there. I'm pretty sure racing your pregnant wife to the hospital to give birth counts. EMT's come to mind. What I can't comprehend is how, in general, most city-dwellers seem to have imminent catastrophes that drive them through their every day lives. It must be exhausting. In fact, I know it is, because I've lived like that.

Out in the country, I could drive a Big-Wheel tricycle down the double yellow lines and passing cars would slow down, go around, and wave hello in the process. In the city, when I pedal my bike down a road all I get is honks and fingers. While I'm pedaling my heart out down the pavement getting buzzed by cars doing 60 and the temperature is in the 90's I'm not in the best spirits. I'd much rather be on that country road on a leisurely ride.  But I have to get through the city.

My consolation: I wave hello. I wave because I am not stressed by the fact that I had to move my finger 3 inches to the left to avoid a cyclist. I get to exist in a world where the only stress I experience for months is the 20 min I spent riding through Atlanta.

My catharsis: Atlanta drivers who honked at me or almost ran me over...Bite Me... I'm sorry the awesomeness of my life has caused you seconds of delay in your daily routine that is most likely you just inventing stress for yourself.

My word to everyone: Slow down and move over for pedestrians and cyclists. It takes so little effort and time. 

Any situation you're in is probably on account of either your preparedness or lack thereof. In other words, if you're behind, it's you're fault, not mine. My dad once told me, "Lack of preparedness on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part." At the time, I replied, "Yeah, whatever, get in the car and drive," ...or something like that.

Thanks Dad, I get it now.