Just a drive-by this time...

Having recently gone down LiVEwiRe's Memory Lane, I found another tidbit to add. This was a report for an English class a number of years ago (1998 I think) when I went back to school as an adult for the first time. This is just a paper from that time; a simple drive-by as opposed to another full walk. Most of you will be able to identify with the point.

Do We Covet What We See?

She is the epitome of content. She has the ability to block out the world without even trying. Although my cat Tahiti has been with me for the past eleven and a half years, I suppose I've never given her catnaps much thought. Until today. As I sit here watching her, she seems so relaxed, yet so completely in control. Her back curves slightly, forming a gentle arch that seems to come naturally. All four paws lay stretched out before her, displaying tufts of white fur that peek out from between her toes like tiny feather dusters. The warm gold-green glow of her eyes is now masked by leaden eyelids. Deep, slow breathing is the only noticeable activity from the couch cushion on which she is draped.

When I returned home from work at the veterinary clinic earlier today, I knew I needed to unwind. I had to find a way to mentally escape the day I had just endured. My day had been flooded with demanding clients, ill patients, inept co-workers, and a fiercely impatient boss. It was the kind of day that supported the slogan, "Calgon, take me away." So there I sat, enveloped in comfortable gray sweats, trying to relax, but failing miserably. Grasping the remote control, I surfed the television stations; no luck. Stretching out on the loveseat, I began to read the latest novel I had purchased; no luck. Deciding that perhaps a nap would help, I repositioned myself on the loveseat and gave it a try. Once again, no luck.

My mind wandered, recapping the day's events, and I noticed the stress building in my shoulders, neck and jaws: all of the ingredients to make the perfect tension headache. As I lay there wondering what else I could possibly do to cleanse myself of this day, my focus turned to Tahiti. Her sense of peace echoed that of only the most devoted Tibetan monks. If only I could experience that level of tranquility, even for a brief moment. I found myself watching her with an almost wistful gaze. What would it be like to obtain that sense of equanimity? How can one banish all of their cares? Who could be so totally serene while being fully reliant on another?

I began to think if what life may be like if I lived it Tahiti-style.

To begin with, I would take full advantage of the absence of alarm clocks, ignoring the sunrise and disregarding the sunset, waking and sleeping when I felt so inclined.

Luscious meals of the highest quality would always be provided in my own personal dish at practical intervals. Sumptuous morsels of tuna, salmon, and turkey would be mine for the taking. No more grocery lists, meal preparation, or post-meal cleanup; I'd only need to show up for victuals and nosh accordingly. This could even provide an opportunity for proper meal structure, possibly leading to a more fit physical being. How wonderful!

Money would no longer be of any consequences. All of my material needs such as food, shelter, health care, entertainment, and exercise activity would be appointed to my person, whom I'm sure would supply me with the best of everything. No more loan payments, rent checks, car insurance, or investments to be concerned with. What a new feeling that would be!

Never again would I be faced with the dilemma of what to wear. My permanent outfit would always be in style regardless of the season or the latest trends.

With great joy, the realization hit me with the force of a wrecking ball demolishing a frail, intricate ice sculpture. I would no longer have to participate in the often self-defeating competition we call employment. The thought was almost overwhelming. Gone would be the insatiable, perfectionist employer that is unyielding to the basic requests and feelings of his employees, Gone would be the unending task of attempting to train new employees that are no brighter than a brittle twig in winter. The chore of educating clients who have absolutely no intention of putting to use the suggestions and information I have worked so hard to compile would be on its way to extinction.

In my journeys, I'd never be at a loss for words. For any dealings with others, I'd always have the responses: meowing, chattering, purring, growling, hissing and spitting. It's a universal language after all, which brings me to the flawless unspoken language. With a flick of my tail or the unsheathing of claws, my point could always be made clearly and concisely.

A feeling of independence could surround my daily rituals. The comfort of knowing I was lovingly cared for and needn't concern myself with life's little inconviences would be a welcome change. A change that could grant freedom. A change I would welcome.

So as I lay here pondering my newly invented fantasy, I began to notice that my recipe for a tension headache has been put on the back burner. As I watched Tahiti, I also watched the built up anger, stress, and frustration of the day dissipate. It gave me a wonderful feeling of freedom: freedom from the frustration and anxiety of daily living. Finally, I had found the relaxation I have so frequently sought, but was never able to find. And to think, this sense of peace was found by closely watching a friend that I have known for years. She is beautiful. She is wise. She is the epitome of content.


Final mention; Tahiti passed away unexpectedly in January due to severe complications of ketoacidosis related to Diabetes that had been diagnosed only days before. She was 17 1/2.