Consistency and conformity vs freedom & unknown
Trip Start
Oct 25, 2008
1
2
49
Trip End
Dec 31, 2008
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Domestication, Consistency and conformity vs freedom & the unknown Future.
As my time in Edmonton once again narrows down And Winter fast approaches I find the change in season constantly causing me to reflect On a past life, My life when I knew what tomorrow would bring for it would be the same as today I think the average person takes comfort in knowing/thinking they know What tomorrow will bring.
Adventures in wall-mart
While reflecting upon my past I also had a Fearful Glimpse into my Possible Future.
Today I Went to wall-mart to get some last second supplies That they had in there travel section, This is where i learned i am not very domestic.
The very mammoth size Of this new "super" wall-mart Was intimidating to say the least, Everything one could imagine under one roof...
Now just if I could figure out where...
So I wondered the carefully labeled isles in search of some travel supplies I found those easy enough.
Then it was on to the tough ones Milk and diet coke, Who knew they would be so difficult to Find or perhaps I was too distracted by the constant screams and cries of small children fighting with there Obese mothers, Both of which Had probably consumed in excess many sugary treats This morning.
Work
Well everyone knows how I feel about my job... Thankfully I am not very materialistic and trying to watch my weight which cuts my expenses down by 80% And thus adding to my saving ability.
Being alone Vs Loneliness.
2 common questions I get from most people who haven't traveled/spent A great deal of time away from there Birth nation is:
"Isn't it lonely and don't you get bored?"
Yes I will admit there definitely are lonely Times, I find The actual act of Travel to be the loneliest part to do alone mostly because of the lack of options to keep one entertained.
IE: Sitting in a bus station for 2 hours then taking a 24 hour bus.
The window Only supplements for T.V at times of civil unrest.
As well as Catching a flight These days with all the security measures you must give yourself ample time Before the actual departure time Which equals Spending an extra 2-3 hours Bored Waiting to catch a flight And then additional time Bored sitting in a uncomfortably small space.
I think part of the reason of why these 2 specific parts of travel are so lonely is because they usually involve parting ways with loved ones/ friends newly made travel companions. Thus adding to the intensity of the situation.
In doing this You are leaving a comfortable situation And the Guaranteed tomorrow.
For a future of much more uncertainty.
For starters You will be alone in a foreign land, may not speak/understand the local language and customs.
If your like me You have no where planned to sleep and no idea how to get there.
If you will make friends fast, Or be lucky enough to meet a fellow traveler heading in your direction to share the adventure with If even for only a few days.
All these feelings and emotions Are what make travel so addictive and Rewarding.
Giving such fond memories to enjoy for years to come.
While Traveling one tends to experience much more in a shorter period of time With a far greater intensity.
IE: Living life To its fullest/ Living each day as though it were your last.
Tuesday now becomes, The day I climbed a volcano Rather then Tuesday 4 more days until the weekend.
What I'm getting at is When you experience say 13 days Of everyday being exciting and new, By default Adds to the intensity of the latter IE: an off day, Or a day spent alone Which otherwise in Normal life would go un-noticed.
I'm not alone because the T.Vs.
Now i ask Everyone out there, Do you not Get bored or lonely While living life in your desired manner?
I'm Sure most people do, Its just not so apparent For example When I'm living The Canadian Dream i spend 1-2 hours a day commuting to work Alone or car pooling either way I'm to damn tired to care Regardless This act is no more enjoyable then Being alone on a bus in a foreign country, its just more familiar and generally accepted as an unavoidable part of life. (sorta like working itself)
Then I'd spend 8-12 hours working with Co-workers That I either despise Or for very least I Got along With However would never spend My "free time" With these individuals.
Thus i am spending the majority of my time/ life with individuals I have little or no in common with beyond our mutual employment Yet i spend more time with them then Friends or loved ones.
Finally Once i would get home I would shower Have dinner with my T.V and then shortly after go to bed exhausted from a hard days work.
Once again an extremely lonely And bored situation however It is not as noticeable or apparent because The T.V supplements human interaction and I'm just to Tired to Care.
Settling down.
Now Granted All of the situations described Are From my perspective as a bachelor.
It is Human nature As we get older To search out a partner.
I know I may sound cynical
In north america The fantasy is to Fall deeply in love With your perfect match From Match.com Get married Move to the suburbs and Start popping out lil bundles of joy And live happily ever after.
Which is a Great dream However Its a dream I myself Have Rarely seen materialize.
The more Common Situation is You date a bunch of losers/ Are single and lonely and never truly have enough Free time To get to know someone.
When you Finally Do meet someone that seems Alright and since your getting older and everyone around you seems to be doing the same thing and keep suggesting you "settledown"
Eventually The peer-pressure gets to you and you give in And marry someone Who you get along with but never did get those sparks and passion you dreamed of when you were younger.
I'm sorry if Anyone Sees this as an attack of how they live there life, It is not. The point of this Is just to say Live your life And be happy Whatever way that may be, Societies definition and assumed happiness rarely materializes into happiness Now I'll admit i've gained my cynical attitude towards all those over the past 9 years Of working with miserable men Who rather work 12 hours a day up north Then spent quality time with there wife and kids Which usually ends in a bitter divorce.
The reason this happens is Our lives are so busy With meaningless tasks and goals we no longer put the proper time and energy towards things that should be the priority.
Well Thats the Random Ramblings Of a lost soul Trying to make sense of this life of mine
See ya in Cancun.
