Surreal

Have you ever been going about your business when suddenly things around you seem so surreal? Things that were normal one moment and whoa! the next?

The first time I had this happen was about 20 years ago. I was sitting alone on a plane waiting to take off reading a book and casually peering out of my window down the runway. There were a good 5 planes in front of mine in line and one by one I watched each plane taxi off and lift into the sky, disappearing into the gray. It was the technology, the defying gravity, the efficiency, the modernity of it all and pretty soon I was absolutely fascinated with this otherwise routine occurence and a little afraid at the same time. I wanted to stand up and yell, "Do you people realize what's about to happen here?! This capsule we're sitting in is going to speed down that concrete strip and then LIFT INTO THE SKY PEOPLE!!! This is madness!"

Today I left home early for an appointment and found myself flying down the six lane highway with hundreds of commuters. As I zoomed through the countryside, curving left en mass, curving right en mass, weaving, entering, exiting Andy Williams' smooth voice was loud on my radio singing, "Silver Bells" just as peacefully as can be. All that peace blending with all that intense racing. I remembered the tarmac and watching those giant metal creatures lifting into the air. "One false move! We're one dropped coffee, one read text message away, people, and there's death in a twenty car pile-up!" No one was listening to me. Their cars carried mine fast to my appointment and off into my busy day.

While I was out and about, I stopped at a bookstore and bought Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" cd. You cannot have road rage while listening to that beautiful album. Buy it for all your busy friends this Christmas.

Woo Ah mercy, mercy me Ah, things ain't what they used to be, no no