Run, Jump, Skip, Hop

In my line of work, I have to look at the Internet for many hours a day. As a steady diet this is not good.

As you all know, the Internet makes it drop-dead easy to find at least 30 things that really piss you off before your first cup of coffee cools. I don't care where you're coming from, this axiom (15 Minutes Internet = 30 Things That Frost Your Cookies ) is universal. [See: Godwin's Law / Van der Leun's Corollary for an earlier iteration. ]

So it is, I have to remind myself, always in my best interest to get up and get out of the house on a regular basis. Normally, and this is especially true on weekends, but "knowing how way leads on to way," hours can pass and this resolve is still waiting to be acted on.

During the weekdays, however, I have a great break clock just across the street from my house. It is probably the best break clock a man can have. Its alarm is made of children's laughter.

Three times a day, the elementary school across the street throws the doors to its playground open and several hundred children blast out onto the blacktop. They're out there right now. Whoops, and shouts, and laughter. Just a second, I've gotta go check....

... tick... tick... tick ....

.... Back now. Great break. I took a walk to the end of the block. Then I walked back again. Then I walked to the corner market where they've had an unusual run on donuts. Only three sad sprinkle-cake donuts left. Pass.

While walking I noticed something that we all notice and that we all forget. When it comes to children and recess, there is no "walk." There's run, jump, skip, hop, dash, sprint, bounce and lope. But there is no walk. I mentioned this to my neighbor who also works in the market.

"I know what you mean," she said. "I love to skip. But, let me see, the last time I skipped was.... ten years ago with my niece... it was a skipping race out on Lopez Island in the summer. I was pretty much laid up for a day after, but I loved it."

She handed me a bag and gave me a look. What could I do? I skipped out of the store and all the way home. It's tougher than I remember it being. But I commend it to you. It's a way of walking that changes your view of the world. Things, well, things don't piss you off so easily if you throw a skip or two into your day.

It's still recess at the school across the street and the kids are not slowing down. How wise they are for people so young.

Posted by Vanderleun at April 11, 2008 2:31 PM | TrackBack