Tuesday 13 May 2008

I live near a fairly busy street. Not a huge one with a million lanes, but by my neighbourhood standards, it's pretty busy. The traffic is steady. On this street, the traffic lights are a real bitch. Because it's a steady street with few lanes and parking, the lights stay green mostly in one direction. Especially on the smaller streets, it takes a long time for the light to change, even when you press the button for the crosswalk several times. Sometimes I walk to the other side of the street and press the other one too, because it's taking SO LONG. I have missed my bus this way before.

I hate that light.

As a result, I would run when it was green. My bus stop is one long block away from it, but if I got off the bus and saw it green, I'd run for it. Really fast. And I am very out of shape. So by the time I get to the other side of the street, I am wheezing, out of breath, heart pounding, chest in pain... I know, hint hint, get in shape. But the main point here is that I was always a little bit more miserable for it.

So the other day, when I was about to run, I asked myself what I was in such a big hurry for anyway. All I'm doing it going home. I shouldn't rush.

I walked home slowly today. I waited for the light. I just missed it, so I pressed the button and waited. It changed in remarkably short order. I feel that this is a sign.

3 comments:

XUP said...

You could move to the other side of the street. That would save you all sorts of time and literally add years to your life

EK said...

I have no idea why I never thought of that! I'll get right on it.

XUP said...

Ha ha. Yes, it's usually the most cumbersome, outlandish solution that turns out to be the right one in the end