Life has taken some unpredictable turns lately. I've been creatively constipated and reluctant to write as I feared not putting out my best work. However, recent events have convinced me that my best isn't required; I just need to write something. I am hopeful that today's blog will kick off a renewal of my commitment to this little-known and even lesser-read writing experiment.
I'll keep this short today as I am working on a new project and I have much to learn. For those of you who are interested, please visit www.oregonalimonyreform.blogspot.com. Which brings me to my theme today: people evading responsibility. I have two photos for your consideration:
This is a bag of shit. And my dog.
This is the bumper of my car.
You may be wondering: what could these two photos have in common? Well, I'm going to tell you! The first photo was taken this morning on my run through Forest Park. Like me, many walkers and runners bring their dogs to accompany them on the exploration of this unique urban paradise. I include the Blonde Goddess so she can exercise and also because despite her short stature and slight build, I am confident she would tear out the throat of anyone who threatened me, or even gave me a dirty look without a good reason.
On these runs, I am consistently annoyed and surprised to discover these discarded plastic bags along the trail. In case you are wondering what is in the bags, it is canine fecal material. I know. I checked. So there are people out there using the trail with their dogs and subsequently littering the park with plastic shit-filled bags. What is especially infuriating about these folks is that they are in the middle of the forest, for thegodIdon'tbelievein's sakes! Why not just kick it off the trail? Flick it with a long stick if you are especially squeamish about these things!
These people want to be seen by others picking up the crap, but don't want to carry it with them until they can properly dispose of it. They leave the dirty work to someone else.
The bumper photo illustrates what happened to my car in the gym parking lot last month. Someone backed into me with such force that this repair cost over $1,000. There is no chance they were not aware of the accident, given the damage to my car. That must have been quite a thump. Did they leave a note? Insurance information? Hell, even just an apology?
No.
So I had to clean up someone else's mess, and it cost me a pretty penny. And it made me grumpy for a good long time.
People, please listen: if you want to own a dog, clean up its mess. If you do damage to someone else's property, own up to it. On a larger scale, own up to your life choices. I have made some bad ones, both recently and in the distant past. I accept those mistakes, learn from them, and move on to hopefully what amounts to a clearer perspective and focus on my goals. I don't expect anyone to take care of me or assume responsibility for my choices.
