Mike and Ploy

There’s that old saying,  ”You don’t know what you’re missing until you don’t have it”.  The idea is that we often take things for granted, whether it’s a person, some material item, or even just something.  No matter how small it may be perceived to be, as soon as its gone, it’s impact is immediately noticed.  Example:  what would you do if you flipped your light switch, and the room remained dark?What if it remained dark for the rest of the day?  What if it were as long as a week?  What if the lights never came back on? Though I would consider it a preposterous idea, the possibility does exist.   Think of all the businesses that couldn’t run because there’s not enough light in offices.  Subways would be completely dark.  Think of how the candle business would explode (and by affinity, matches)… Personally, I even live in an in-law unit – one room doesn’t have a window.   Not sure if I could live there anymore.

We’ve all experienced black-outs.  Though inconvenient, we’ve come to expect that the power will come back on eventually.  Perhaps some food will spoil, perhaps dinner won’t be of the warm type, but “by golly” that light is gonna come back on.  We’re comfortable with that, it’s reasonable to expect that.

Take away someone’s car who drives to work everyday.  Or try losing your cell phone.  Heaven forbid – take away your computer or the internet and we’re lost.  If you’re reading this blog, you’ve got a strong attachment to the internet.  It’s not just something to do – it’s a part of life.  Something dies inside of us when we don’t have it anymore.

Or is it a crutch?  Certainly, no one would die if we took away the internet.  I’m sure kids are grounded off of it every day.  Life also existed before it.  I grew up in the 80′s when the corded phone was the main form of long distance communication, and even then you didn’t do it that much for relatives because long distance was expensive. (Not like these free cell plans now – call anywhere in the US or Canada, it’s all free – sorta… gotta factor in your monthly fee, don’t forget.)  The other option was snail mail – which when you did get a letter, was a pseudo Christmas Morning.  Never knew what was inside the thing.

But does it make your life better?  We have access to more information, we’re more connected.  I’m bombarded by news, ideas, and cool gadgets aplenty.  I can play games on my iPhone while talking on the phone, woohoo!  But does it make my life better?

For that matter, how do you even measure the quality of life?  The most common measure is by income.  The more you make, the more stuff you can buy, or the better things you have.  That’s gotta make your life better, right?  Eh…  one would argue, the more you can spend…  The tabloids are full of celebrities who party hard – is that a good life?  Maybe it’s more like Bill Gates or Warren Buffet – billionaires who are now giving those billions back to charities – is that happiness?

Woah, time out – big tangent.  Back to the original thought.  Missing something when you don’t have it. Comfort zone.

The last few days, the wifey left me home alone while she drive 400 miles to take care of business.  It was planned, I knew about it – but she wasn’t there for 2 nights.  She was somewhere else (having lots of fun I might add).  I was home – preoccupying myself with video games mind you – but that doesn’t mean I didn’t miss her.  I wish I coulda gone with her, or she stayed with me.

Anyway, she asks me if I miss her, which I think if a ridiculous question.  Of course I miss her.  Duh, that’s a given.  But I think she likes hearing the answer anyway.

So there’s small things that i notice when she’s not there.  The bed’s still messed up at night – my clothes are everywhere, and the dishes are where I left them.  I clean up.  I watch a giants game.  I expect someone to come through the door panting – overstuffed bags under her arms.  But no one shows.  No one to turn off the computers after, no one to ask me to wash my hands.

By the way, why are the things that bug someone, the things you remember about someone when they’re gone?  The “yes hunnie” nod + smile does not exist apart from the question that is asked.  The response cannot be responded to if no one is there.

Appreciate what you have, all things are precious.

Miss you!