Thursday, October 23, 2008

Epistemic Energy 10/23/08


A clever person solves a problem.
A wise person avoids it.

Einstein

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And what about a dolt like me? He invents problems.

In the early 20th Century there were vending machines for cigars. You put in a nickel and a cigar came out. On the front of the machine was a hole. You put the cigar in the hole and it cut off the end. One day my uncle, in his boyish curiosity, stuck his finger in the hole. He survived, but he learned a lesson. One I never learned.

One day, when quite young, I put me head through the railings of a banister and couldn't get it out. I cried for help and my mother simply said "Well, you got yourself into that fix. You get yourself out." I did. But did I learn my lesson?

It seems to me I've spent my whole life inventing trouble for myself. And some of it has been quite imaginative and often severe. It has been said that a fighter who has to invent an enemy to fight is no warrior. There are enough problems in the world, why do I have to devise and engineer my own? To give myself something to do? No, there's plenty to do. To show my mettle? There are positive ways of doing that. The agony and the ecstasy? Perhaps.

I've never been a sky diver or a bungee jumper, I've never wrestled alligators or been in battle. I'm just an authority at tying myself in Gordian knots and burying myself under New England rock piles.

My uncle went on to live a secure life as one of the richest men in America. I'm still working on that one.

Just think, I could have done something quiet, peaceful and safe with my life like being a counterspy for the CIA, stealing eagles eggs or milking cobras. But Nooooo! I had to go into show business.

DB - Vagabond Journeys

8 comments:

Beth said...

D, I'm laughing! I really got a kick out of this entry! Hey, it's never too late to take up a cobra-milking career!

Love, Beth

Dannelle said...

Family Motto: "If you're not in the middle of a crisis,create one."
I understand your position, I can get into enough trouble without adding reckless abandon (cobra-milking, bungee etc)to the mix! Love, Dannelle

Big Mark 243 said...

Gonna spare you dime store pyschology (hey, I remember Woolworth's!) ... and I do think that accepting the adventure that our lives have been, is hard. Me, having literally bumbled around the world, I have wondered what is like in the 'safe and stable homes' of other who weren't so adventours, but accomplished in their own way.

Little envy? Sure, but I think that is normal. Taking all that I got and enjoying it? Hey, I have earned the gray in my hair, and I am glad for it!

Adventure is problems in retrospect. Believe THAT!

Joyce said...

I laughed out loud at this entry DB. I'd say your life was much more exciting than cobra-milking.
Hugs, Joyce

Arlene (AJ) said...

Always enjoy reading your site, there were things in life you could have gone into besides acting....it's been a real plus for all of us who read your words, know they hold me captive. Take care.
Arlene(AJ)

Searching for Peace said...

I have enough problems. I never need to create any for myself. I think they follow me. But I do know people who need to create drama for themselves. I just want to be in peace. ..hugs, Christine

Lisa said...

LOL, what a cute entry - hey you can start milking cobras and wrestling alligators anytime you want...you got your own cheerleading squad here. ;)

betty said...

I can just see your head in that bannister; I think your mom gave you wise advice to get yourself out of it, cute story :)

betty