Speaking of panicked masses, I searched for a word that meant just that to take with me. I couldn't find one I really liked. I searched for both "panic" and "hysteria" but didn't come up with any decent synonyms. I had planned to write it in the water aisle, which I assumed (and subsequently confirmed) would be cleaned out. I left the Giant more prepared for the hurricane but no closer to completing my challenges for the day.
I spent the day doing things around the house like vacuuming and straightening and went to the gym while I killed time waiting to pick John up from his golf vacation. I didn't have any interactions with other people except for a few texts to my mother for a possible lunch date. Another challenge in jeopardy! John having finally arrived, we decided to go out to the bookstore so I could finally get my dictionary. This is what I had to choose from:
The store we were in is a used bookstore which has a Buy 3, Get 1 Free deal running all the time. I decided that I would buy both a dictionary and a thesaurus. I also found a book titled "Words You Think You Know" about commonly misused words and phrases. I figured it couldn't hurt, especially for only $3.99. I made another discovery while choosing which dictionary/thesaurus combo to take home with me:
What you see here are two index cards with the lyrics to "Ice, Ice Baby" written on them. I can't even begin to fathom who would have written these down, why, and perhaps most importantly, leave them behind after such an effort! I put them back on the shelf where I found them...just in case.
On our way to the store, I started searching for a word that was a synonym for dictionary or definition or something along those lines. Again, less than impressed with my options, I finally settled on "Elucidate." Now, where to put it. I stood in front of these two bookcases, conveniently in the back of the store in a corner but was struck once more with pangs of guilt. I knew I could get away with doing it without getting caught but none of the other shelves had any graffiti on them. And yes, I mean to say that I would have been more than ok with continuing to desecrate this structure had someone else already started it for me.
But I couldn't do it. I even thought about writing it on the tape labeling the shelf so it could just be replaced, but there wasn't enough room. In the end, I left the store with my new materials and without completing my challenge. I'm really disappointed that on only day four I have completed one of three challenges. I clearly need to come up with a way to do this word challenge that won't allow me to be restrained by such a sense of maturity and reasonableness. It's a challenge, it's not supposed to be easy. I just can't get past the fact that I'm inflicting something on an unsuspecting, undeserving stranger who shouldn't have to worry about removing my mark or having a piece of their property damaged because I'm bored. Worse, with the Hurricane barreling down on us, I'm not sure I'll even leave the house tomorrow which means two days in a row with a failed challenge.
Sure, I thought about firing off a quick text to someone in my family telling them something I like about them, but that felt like a cop out just to get it done. I even thought about writing one to John based on his stated intention to plan a romantic evening soon just because he felt he hadn't in a while. But I want to save him for last. Again I'm looking for a reason someone has earned a note. I think tomorrow I'll just pick someone and send them a note and see how that feels. I'm skeptical but maybe if I remove the context of having to interact with them before I write to them, I'll be able to legitimately identify something I like about someone and make a point of sharing that with them.
*Note: All of a sudden feeling very self-righteous like I am some almighty decider of what's good and bad about people and how nice of me to deign to share my not-so-humble opinion with them and expecting them to be grateful. Hmmm, maybe I'm just thinking too much about it.
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