Living in New England comes with its unique hazards and hassles. Due to the extremes of weather and the stereotypical-but-true stinginess of local legislators, one of these is sidewalks that exist in an almost comical state of disrepair. The heaving and shifting of ice beneath the cement sidewalk squares has created a surface that only the most dedicated fashionista would traverse in stiletto heels.
However, note: on the way to the grocery store, there are no less than nine places where the edge of the next square has thrust up above the square before it by two inches or more, creating an upward step. On the way back, the number of these upward steps (as the previous steps are now, of course, downward steps) is only two.
Think, then, of me, trundling to the grocery store with my red old-lady cart. On the way there, my cart is empty. It is easy to force the wheels of the light metal cart to leap the accidental hurdles in the sidewalk, all nine of them. On the way home, loaded down with Diet Coke and kitty litter, it is infinitely more difficult to navigate the cart upstairs - but there are only two of these obstacles between me and home.
When I am faced with adversity, when the world seems to be conspiring against my every happiness, I should remember this statistic and take comfort. I tend to notice the trivia only when it annoys me, but here is evidence that I am a chosen child, smiled upon by fate, aided in small ways by nature herself.
How many are so lucky? Surely this is a sign of great things to come, an omen that my path will be smooth.
Posted by hilatron at May 26, 2003 02:10 PM
wow... if only i could muster a fraction of that optimism!
Let's hope that the mere writing of this entry has not jinxed you such that you will find your Diet Coke is flat and faintly chemical tasting, and thus have to return it.
I'm sure that won't happen. I'm just feeling snippy.
Posted by: EV at May 27, 2003 02:17 AM