Showers and Car Rides: Why I Like Them, Why I Don't

Obviously, I fail at this whole blogging thing...It's been two years since my last post, and I thought about just starting a new blog, but decided to breathe some new life into this old one instead, so, here it goes...

A few months ago, I was challenged to go on a "journey of self-discovery," as I call it. Basically, I was told to "find myself." I recently came to the conclusion that I often define myself based on others' definitions of me, rather than my own. And, not really sure where to start, I decided that I would try and discover my favorites. You see, in general, I hate those icebreaker questions that ask your favorite this and your favorite that, because I never know how to answer them. My favorite color is blue, and beyond that, just don't ask. So, I decided to go on a journey to find my favorite movie, and well, I got really far on that journey, before abandoning it. And by really far, I mean, I watched two movies and then stopped. Oops...eh, maybe I will pick it back up someday. However, while knowing your favorites is important, I think knowing yourself goes much deeper than that, and so I'm intentionally picking back up this journey of self-discovery, hopefully with some depth this time, and if I discover my favorite movie along the way, great, if not, who cares?

Let the Journey Begin...With a Shower and a Car Ride...

"Why the title?" You ask. Let me explain...

A few days ago, my roommate made a very profound comment, she declared, "Showers are my enemy." Such brilliance, such insight, such genius in that one simple statement, that is spawned this blog. Now, some of you may be wondering, why are showers your roommate's enemy? Is she anti-hygiene? Is she uber-concerned about water waste? No and, no. She declared showers to be the enemy because they give you too much time to think with nothing to distract you. And I agree, while she saw only the negative, I see the positive. You see, while showers can be dangerous for that very reason, I also think they can be positive. With no distractions in the shower, I have gotten over writer's block, have planned out whole papers, speeches and conversations. Let's be honest, I have gotten some of my best thinking done in showers. So, I see them as a good thing, and that's why I like them. Why I don't like them, you got to be naked to take them, only once have I ever gotten in the shower fully clothed, but that was an unusual circumstance, for the most part I'm naked when I shower, which isn't may favorite thing to be.

Now, to the car rides portion of the title..

One thing, I can say with certainty about myself: I don't like driving. I don't hate it, but honestly, if we're going somewhere, and someone else wants to drive, I let them. However, as much as I dislike driving, I do find some good in it. Long car rides by myself, much, like showers, give me time to think and clear my head. Sometimes, these are productive, sometimes these are not, just depends on the mood. On the other hand, I'm not always alone when I'm driving, sometimes, I'm driving people somewhere. And, while that often stresses me out, and I will explain why later, I find taking a long trip with someone can be a good way to get to know them. Most recently, I drove some of my students to Fall Conference. And on the way home, the student who had the very important job of keeping me awake and I had some really awesome conversations, and it was truly one of those rare times that I didn't mind driving. We talked about everything, and I learned a lot, and honestly, wouldn't have traded it for anything. Now, why does giving others a ride stress me out? Simple, I have this irrational fear that my passengers are always criticizing my driving. And since I also have no sense of direction, I am likely to get lost, which only makes my fear of judgement worse. So, don't judge me, and give me some directions.

Anyway, these are some of my most recent insights and first pit stops on the journey of self-discovery. Oh, wait, one more thought on driving, I despise the middle lane, it stresses me out to have cars on both sides of me. And with That, I conclude my pit stop on the journey of self discovery...join me, if you dare.