What do you do on weekends when you have no specific plans? I get introspective. I’ve mentioned on several occasions that I’m a pretty shallow guy (change the punctuation a bit and that becomes marginally funny), so introspection tends to be a painful experience for me. And what do I think about when I get introspective? Road markings, of course.
A couple of months ago, they decided to change the road markings at an intersection near my office. The idea was to improve traffic flow but unfortunately, the majority of people appear to be oblivious to the alteration and carry on as before, blithely ignorant of their unwitting transgression and secure as lemmings in the strength of their faith. The result is that there is much anger and fist-waving when they inevitably clash with people who actually DO adhere to the new lane layout.
Now this (in my humble opinion) is a near-perfect metaphor for life and relationships: Things change and you need to adapt your behaviour in response. The signs are usually there if you are prepared to look for them, but you probably won’t notice them if you take the attitude “this is how we’ve always done it”.
So… anything changed in your life recently?
the other side of the mountain 
Wow. I’m first. Obviously nothing is happening in anyone’s lives.
(Mine included.)
Anycase, that’s not why I’m posting. I’m more interested in the traffic intersection. Is it the one near the common?
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Lucky for those lemmings there was no cliff there – – or is that unlucky….
Anyway, nobody – and I mean people in general – likes change. We all like to stick to the things we have been doing for as long as we can remember which is why even if the signs are up – we still do it the old way. Creatures of habit and all that..
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Dramatically, in subtle ways, every day.
And for this, I count myself very lucky indeed, even when it’s tough.
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Mandy: What was that you were saying earlier about choice? Anyway, the intersection near the common is the very one I am referrring to.
Spookie: That’a not true. I like change. In fact, I demand change from vending machines.
Jam: That’s probably why you’re exceptional 🙂
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Kyk (and Mandy) I must admit to being one of those lemmings (and will continue to be)…. but HONESTELY THOUGH… am I the only one who thinks no-one actually put any thought into the new road markings, If I want to take the offramp I will stay in the lane directly opposite that ramp so that when I cross the intersection I am in the CORRECT lane.
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Changed my job. And that change has been incredible!
It was the lack of change that was causing all the problems beforehand. But this you know.
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A lot has changed in my life and whilst adapting to most of the changes and seeing other areas where I need to meet and engage changes made, there are some changes that have fallen throughthe cracks which I have not been able to divert my attention to and have gone on as if nothing has occured.
My apologies to those on whom I have inflicted my self-indulgence.
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Well my life has always been one big change. The first one was horrid & I am still gonna have a word with you-know-who when I get to see him/her. Otherwise I am a change junkie & I don’t just mean the kind you find in newspaper stands … although the last encounter was another wild one!
OK, so here is what I have for you Mr. Kyk … and it ties into change/fortune, natch! Yesterday I got a fortune cookie with my yummy dinner. I though … I am gonna give this fortune to some blogger & based on your post … it’s yours.
Funny, I cracked it open and low-n-behold … 2 fortunes, so take your pick Kyk.
“It is time to help a friend in need.”
or
“You will soon meet a dark stranger.”
Which is Kyk?
Smooch,
The Tart
; )
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M: Well okay then – as long as we’re talking wilful disregard, I suppose I can’t argue with that.
Champagne Heathen: I could see that one coming 🙂
Robert: I’m sending you a SAY NO TO CRACKs T-shirt.
The Tart: I choose both. Did I mention I was the greedy kind of shallow?
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Excellent metaphor. Before I even got far enough to read it from you, it reminded me that one of the most irritating phrases in the English language is, “But it’s always been done this way.” What’s even more irritating is to find oneself using/applying it… 🙂
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It may not seem like much to anyone else, but my daughter became a young lady overnight. Chances are it was not over night, I just didn’t see it.
She has been “my little rugrat” for 12 years, and then she dressed up for Orientation at her new Jr. High School, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. This isn’t a little rugrat. She has grown into a beautiful young lady. I don’t remember this happening, it was just tiny little subtle steps, that I took in stride. And then, here she was, rugrat to young lady overnight. And my attitude has to change with her. I don’t know if that made sense to you. Or to anyone but myself. But it was a recent discovery for me.
3T
PS. Hope your Monday is a good one kyknoord.
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Everything in my life is changing. I planned it that way.
I’m going from an immature kid in the Navy to grown-up guy in college.
I look for the signs on the side of the road.
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I somehow doubt you’re shallow…
Be that as it may, we all drive in a fog, asleep at the wheel at times, as we drive home rush hour.
Unless we’re hit in the head with a 2 x 4, we don’t notice the things we don’t think are there.
Even though the signs are in plain view in front of us. Then, WHAM! Injury. Call 9-1-1.
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Changed the road markings?
Now there’s an idea to cause chaos in new realms!
Perhaps I’ll steal a couple of traffic cones this weekend and see what happens. 😉
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andrea: Too true, although I suspect it’s not only restricted to English.
3T: Makes perfect sense. I suppose the trick is to try and step back from time to time to maintain your perspective. Easier said than done.5:50 PM
Bryan: Obviously sailing the seven seas didn’t set your mind at ease. Let us know how the growing-up thing goes – I’m keen to try it someday 🙂
Within Without: This is Africa. We need to be hit in the head with 4 x 4 before we notice the things we don’t think are there.
Peas: Make sure you pack your video camera.
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Change, unavoidable, like death, taxes and road markings!
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freaky dude- the same thing happened near where i work and it took people weeks to register that there was a whole extra lane open… got a fist waved at me on more than one occasion when i tried to take advantage of the new facility!!
ah me, resistance to change, the bane of my life!
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Not nearly enough has changed. If you’re the greedy kind of shallow, I’m the excessive one.
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How shallow to admit you’re shallow. How shallower to admit you’re expensively shallow.
Me too!
I love being rich and shallow and sod the poor!
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Definitley wilful disregard
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i heard the other day that many years ago sweden changed from driving on the left hand side of the road to the right hand side, practically overnight. One day, everyone just changed at the same time.
Can you imagine the chaos if they tried that here?
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Katt: That’s not to say that some people aren’t going to try.
angel: Can we exchange a few of your people for some of mine? It’s been months and the penny still hasn’t quite dropped here.
anne: …and that is how the universe remains in balance.
Robert: Greed does not necessarily imply wealth, you rich bastard!
M: No argument here.
moonflake: I’m afraid my imagination doesn’t stretch that far.
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Change?
Usually like it, in a “woo-hoo, off for another metaphysical road trip” kind of way.
But then I may be that person who drives up the sidewalk to avoid both the lemmings and the adherents.
Recent changes?
All minor:
Mood.
Deadlines.
Attention span.
Pixels.
The way I see it, that minor-ness is a counterbalance for years of major flux and flow.
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“Yeah, yeah, blah, blah! Here, have some cake.”
xo
Dharma
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I changed my car 😦
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Instead of road rage you get Life Rage when things change.
Despite the fact that our species has overrun the planet thanks to our adaptability we HATE CHANGE!
I find that quite interesting.
On the road of Life we have to accept certain rules but hey we are all trying to get somewhere so people have to recognise that they need to
Lead,
Follow or
Get the HELL out of the way!
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kyk, your marginal funnydom induced subtle hilarity.
Speaking of signs – i keep seeing ‘no smoking’ signs but depite all that, i continue to smoke myself to death. Moral? Even when we see the signs, we don’t necessarily take heed. God this is far too deep for this time of night. Better pour myself another orange juice 😉
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