I'm trying to break a bad habit. I check a clock or watch about 15-20 times each day (I've done a few informal counts)- it's always on my mind. I'll ask Ankit what time it is when I have nowhere to go and all the time in the world to get there. On more than one occasion he has responded, "It is evening." And it strikes me that he is much more accurate than whatever clock I might look at.
When is dinner time? Whenever I eat dinner. Will my watch tell me when to eat? Or will I eat when I am hungry and there is food?
Obviously some things require scheduling. But what difference does 5 minutes make? Or even 15? Is it anything but troublesome to deal in such minute accuracies? The more accurately you measure time, the more time you have to fill up with more tasks. And the danger is to be ruled by some narrow understanding of time - to become endlessly linear.
The trick, then, is to make sure there is free time. I mean this in two senses - first, to make room for leisure in whatever schedule you keep. And second, to work on a system of "soft time" where late and early are not easily pinpointed and deadlines are approximate. Being on time may make a good impression, but it also becomes an addiction. Being off time is difficult and liberating, as is kicking any habit.
Time is a natural resource and should be used responsibly. Like lumber and oil and water, time can be put to positive use, but if abused can be equally detrimental to public (and personal) health. Nature reserves help to protect the beauty and health of the world, and create space for exploration and wonderment. Time reserves do the same for an individual.
All that behind me, I had planned to leave my house at 2 today and make my way to the market. The time of writing is 2:07, and I'm wondering if being intentionally late will become as habitual as being on time.
P.S. - I realize that I'm using this blog mostly for musings. If you want me to give something more informative and less talky, either send me an email (friendlyneighborhoodsasquatch@gmail.com) or just tell me and I'll see what I can do.
4 comments:
I want to know about your mountain overnight of course! And the sad brothels and what you saw at the markets, all the fun stuff for us armchair travelers, who are stuck home nursing a baby and living vicariously through you!
You are ridiculous. I am amused by your musing and using of intellectual prowess. Don't worry too much about time, you have plenty of it, unless you get KIDnapped and entombed in a sex dungeon. Humboldt is this weekend. We are taking 22 guys, 17 girls, total gnarly madness.
Wounded Bear is alive and thriving. Sundays, 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. That is one thing you have to maintain in your Trapper Keeper.
Deny Obedience.
Abstain from conformity.
WB
Firstly, I am so pleased that someone posted as Wounded Bear. Anyhow, glad you are asking questions. I second the question about the mountains and wonder what other conspicuously tall buildings you found. I noticed today that Spike Lee is coming out with a new movie and thought of you. Go wash your feet in the river... if you have one.
Wounded Bear and I have geology together and much "mica" is discussed. Logically, we think of you every day of the week except Thrusdays. And there is a giant stick figure of you on my notebook cover that says "mega hungos". In addition to that, our professor always talks about liquids percilating through rocks. Forming geodes and other cool crystal shit. Anyway, I always get "its an egg, its a spoon, its a snapshot of the moon, it's a coffee percilator going wheeeeee" stuck in my head.
Your adventures sound amazing. Keep posting. We miss you and your picture is on the fridge in my house. The current caption is "Sleazy Russian Round Looking Friend". Please understand word magnets have a limited vocabulary.
That is all.
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