I enjoyed my afternoon drive home. It is obvious that time has changed; particularly since it's dark when I leave and dark when I return. It is an ugly day by most standards or outside appearances. The rain is falling, if not pounding—the darkness is thick, if not solid. I enjoy the drive despite all the possible degrees of drama and plague. The lights are so bright even through glassy, sometimes foggy windows. Granted that may complicate the driving processes; it would be ideal with very little traffic.
Once upon a time I could make this drive and never see a cellphone. Now, I can hardly pass 4 out of 5 cars without one. It seems that we are driven to be entertained, distracted or just in touch with someplace/where other than where we are. I find myself having to be reminded that really the phone is there for ME to call out and emergencies; not just to kill time or be distracted. If there is an important call — beyond delivering someone from boredom or dismay; then I should take it. Not only does it cut down on the inevitable cost; but the potiential for accidents. Oh but you have a headset, you say!!! Well, unless your brain is also disconnected or double-flanked, its unlikely that your dilligent focus is on the matters at hand. YES, cellphones are great...so is candy and wine; but not all the time. Movie theaters, church, restaurants, airplanes and a hundred other places are not among ideal locations to become distracted or become a distractor.
Anyway, hmmm....I must have gotten distracted. I am always fascinated by the dark. It tends to reveal the light and it tends to free more darkness. Unlike land; it makes more of itself. There are a million things people would do in the dark that they would NEVER consider in the light. (hmm....that may be another blog). [There I go conversating with myself again; but isn't that what I do best? hmmm] The red lights are always prominent and sometimes preferred because they tend to just discolor without blinding or hiding what you can see. Headlights which typically are white or bright, especially for me in the rain, can be blinding and harsh. In fact, I have noticed that I have to look to the edge of the road until the car passes. Hmmm......(that could be age-related). Anyway a light in the light is easily lost; if even seen; but a light in the darkness is a target for extinguishing. We tend to follow its trail; but hope that it isn't glaring in our eyes. For all the perks of being famous, I would hate to think my every move, word, mistake, mood or failure would end up on national TV for everyone's viewing pleasure. What pressure. It is "stuff" that seduces us with pleasure; but rewards us with emptiness and separation. "They" say that the best things are free. That's a lie! Nothing worth anything is free. Friendships, relationships and dreams all have a price. Even smiles aren't free....you have to "choose" to do it; there are costs to everything — ....and the good things are typically worth that cost. The return on some payments are never seen by the customer; but the storekeepers register notes every receipt.
Ah...I click the little button and my garage door opens, a light comes on, I drive in, the door closes — no more rain or cold. What a world this would be without remote control, electricity, wheels, motors, commerce or technology. What a country! Ahhh....home sweet home.
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