Tuesday, July 27, 2010

As Time Flows By

"The measurement of time is a human invention.
It exists only because humans agree on the ways time is measured...seconds, minutes, days.
When we change from daylight to standard time,
it's only because we agree on it.
But time itself doesn't need a clock or us.
Time flows measured or unmeasured.
It flows with or without us." ~Jok Church

This is a wonderfully accurate observation by Jok Church (of "Beakman's World" fame). While humans may think we control it, time requires no help from us - it marches onward with or without our wall clocks, wrist or pocket watches, bedside snooze buttons, cell phone clocks, calendars, Day-Timers and iPhone alarms. I'm comfortable with that...

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Theater of the Airport

Sitting in the airport (many hours logged in the past few months) I find myself physically incapable of reading a book or magazine. The goings-on around me are far too fascinating than any novel I've ever read. Business-men and women, families with kids, a high school group with chaperones, a Dad and his son visiting colleges, the airport staff and restaurant-workers. Young, old, joyous or not, fit or carrying an oxygen tank. I'm pretty sure I'm staring rudely (please accept my apology), but I can't help myself. I want to know what you're wearing, eating, reading, talking about - what do you do for work? How old is that kid with the nose ring playing the hand-held video game and why is she traveling alone? Why is that woman reading a trashy novel rather than talking with her husband and daughter over a late dinner? I'll never know the answers, but people-watching in any airport, day or night, is great theater....