Anomalous Data - "Guest Blogger II"

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

It's embarassing to admit I could get so upset about something so minor. The world, the nation, the people across the river at the drug rehab center- their problems have teeth. Mine done even have gums. In fact, my excuse to rant cannot be effectively justified. However, I believe the unique method by which I recovered from my rant, makes my shameful story worth sharing.

You see, last night, after much deliberation, I purchased an iPod mini.

[Editor's Note: As far as I know this is the first non-essential extravagance Susan has made since a stereo system in college. She still owns it.]

The excuse? Music to inspire me to workout regularly. Music to run to. In short, music to keep me moving and healthy. This was no small purchase for me to make. It is only recently that I could even afford to consider spending that kind of money on something that is not an absolute neccessity. However, seeing as how I'd just signed up for a yearly membership at a health club near work that was much more affordable (read- "bare bones") compared to Lifetime or NW Athletic Club, I took the plunge.

Hours later- approaching midnight- WAY past my bedtime- I had managed to load 3.5 hours of music from my cd's onto my computer, to be downloaded to my iPod. In the morning, I would simply hook up the iPod which I had been charging, the songs would automatically transfer as I dressed in workout garb, and off I would go. Except it didn't work. The songs did not transfer. Plus a warning flashed that I should under no circumstances, disconnect the iPod from my computer. According to the help screen, if absolutely neccessary (I deemed it was!) one could pull up the menu and select the "eject" button, and then perform the disconnect. Only I could not get to any menu, and therefore could not elect to "eject". Distress was mounting as I searched in vain for answers. I missed the time deadline required to squeeze in any kind of a workout, I was now in danger of being late to work, and STILL had no clue what was wrong, and not one song on my iPod. Messy haired and frazzled, I quickly brushed my teeth, combed my hair and raced out the door, with everything still plugged in. I did not DARE disconnect.

In the car, I fumed and sputtered, now fearful I'd be late, on top of feeling like a dismal gearhead failure. I knew I needed distraction or I'd be in danger of driving off the road or into another car in my hopped up state. I pushed in the audiocassette book on tape I'd been listening to, "Seabiscuit." a wonderful story about a knob-kneed horse, one of the greatest race horses of all time.

Within a few minutes, I was completly engrossed. Was Seabiscuit going to win the race? Noticing that I was going to make work with several minutes to spare, I decided to detour slightly to the Caribou coffee. In line, I listened as people ordered their luxury brews with an aristocratic air, "Tall hazelnut latte." "Grande cappiccino, no foam." "Caramel macchiato, espresso shot." My turn. "Small white mocha, no whip, with soy." Our coffees were adorned with one dark chocolate coffee bean, then announced and presented in grand fashion by a graceful, cheery, tall, server.

Back in the car, overwhelmed with feelings of well-being, I wondered why the transformation. It was just an overpriced coffee, and a horse tale. It dawned on me that my problems were the result of overabundance. Because my cup was overflowing with blessings; it was flowing over, thereby creating a tiny "mess" to clean up. As a struggling single mom, it was not long ago that I could not have such wonderful problems to boast about. There was little overflow to spill. Even as I visualized a still-flashing "Do Not Disconnect" sign, I praised God for the underdog horse and an overpriced coffee, for unveiling my blessings.

Susan

Wednesday, December 29, 2004 9:29:25 PM (Central Standard Time, UTC-06:00) | Comments [0] | Philosophical

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