I find it intriguing just how mediocre some of the most plaguing problems are confronted. Take, for example, milk. Many people will tell you, rather abruptly, just what kind of milk you should be drinking. It is almost like watching some of those stupid midterm election campaigns, "Well, this one is much better for you because it won't kill you in the long run, and I'll make you prettier by making you not jiggle," (obviously I'm referring to 2% here), followed by whole milk's rebuttal, "What you see is what you get with me, think about his atrocious past, all of the horrible things he's done to get to where he is."
The thing is I don't buy milk on its packaging, (unless of course it comes in a nice thick glass bottle, that is just damn sexy). I don't buy milk on its merit or history, frankly, I'd rather not know that something that came from cow nipple. I don't buy milk because it's the only morning thirst quencher or the best compliment to cookies, rather, I buy milk because I want to. I buy milk because I know it will keep for a while, is quite palatable, and is fortified with a healthy dose of some vitamin I know nothing about. But you can't get it any other way, unless you own cows.
Now anyone that knows me would know that I am a whole milk drinker. Anyone that has ever seen me would understand why: could use a little jiggle, or so I'm told. But do the people doing the telling influence my final decision? No. Why, you ask? Because they are not me. I am me. I choose. Perhaps a sage tells me to buy 2%. Depending on the sage, my response would be one of several similar variations:
1. Nod and smile.
2. "Oh, curious."
3. "Bugger off."
Note the evident lack of agreement and resignation. Why? I am me. I choose.
It is difficult to continue without becoming hypocritical, but I'll try my best to be sanguine. What the hell is with all these cheeky labels? Whole or 2%, salt or pepper, Nissan or Toyota, left or right, the list could go on for some time. Why not simply: Milk, seasoning, auto, opinionated person? I just don't get where all this division comes from, I mean, come on, don't most common people loathe math anyway? Why not just be your own person with your own ideas and values and leave it at that? All this division only creates an opportunity for misunderstanding and hostile disagreement. If I can make my own mind up about which particular milk I choose to drink, keep it to myself and not lambaste everyone who drinks otherwise, can't the greater populace make up their own mind without all this, "You're wrong, I'm right," shit? Come on peoples.
By the way, it was really foggy this morning.
--R.
