Sunday, June 13, 2010

The Future is Scary.

As I'm coming to my last year of college, I realize more and more that I'm about to be a grown adult. I'm about to be the kind of person who pays his own bills in a house (or apartment) that belongs to him. I'm about to be the kind of person who goes grocery shopping for whatever he wants--at which point I will have to care about the quality, price, and nutritional value of what I purchase. I'm also about to be the kind of person who tries to do this in a new country, which just may be biting off more than I can chew.

I think what I find most scary about it is that I have to face a challenge that I don't really mention much: I am physically incapable of driving. I have a strange, yet-unexplained eye condition in which I see double out of each eye on its own, which, yes, means that I see four of everything. Now, I know what you're wondering, and I will answer all of the questions you have in the order that you will ask them: yes, right now; yes, four of YOU; I can't see your fingers, but I'm guessing you're holding up two or three; no, the glasses don't correct it.

I suppose what's scariest about it is that I've been so dependent on others driving me for things like groceries. I guess that's really the only thing I've ever needed a ride for, but for some reason, it worries me to think that I could be moving into an apartment and I have to get furniture delivered because I can't pick it up, I'll have to buy groceries in small bits and use public transportation, etc. I just don't ever like being dependent.

At the same time, I have a feeling I'll fit in beautifully as an Englishman. But I have a whole video to explain that coming up soon.

Sleep: O (never, ever drink soda with dinner if you're not used to it!)
Clarinet: X
German: X
Blogging: X

4 comments:

  1. Maybe I shouldn't be so intrigued by your sight impairment (but then I reasoned you wouldn't blog about it if you didn't want people to pay attention) and yet I find myself interested by your predicament. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to live somewhere on a good bus route or even a walk from a quality supermarket. Or, failing that, we have an amazing thing in England called home delivery. Although you cannot rely TOO much on it for high quality when it comes to veg or fruit it is perfect for any boxed or tinned products etc. Order online and the supermarket will deliver to your door!

    I can drive myself but I plan to (when Uni ends) not get a car and rely on public transport because I prefer it and it'll be less expensive and better for the environment to boot!

    Would love to know your reasons for coming to England so your video will be awaited by me. :)

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  2. Steve, don't worry so much.
    1) Growing up is not about how many pieces of furniture you have, whether or not you have a car, or where or how your living situation is. Growing up is about a general attitude towards the world, about responsibility and experience and all that malarky ;) And none of that is related to IKEA.
    2) They have a shop on every corner, buses going past every five minutes and excellent biking opportunities.
    3) You harness the awesome power of fizzylimon and rule Limonshire with an iron fist (or fluffy towels). You could probably muster up some Britush minions to do your shopping for you. ;)

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  3. If you survived America without being able to drive, you will thrive in Europe.

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  4. Hmm, this begs another question.... How do you read music? Also, is there a technical name for it?

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