Friday, September 23, 2005

Of Annoyances and Revenges

For a while, I've been thinking of, and speaking about, using masking tape to affix a rock to my handlebars for use (read: throwing) whenever a motorist honks or yells or whatever (spooking someone on a bike who is moving 10mph slower, weighs a ton less, and is inches from your car is dangerous). Most people are fairly considerate to cyclists, but it only takes one to be annoying.
Even though it may not be as dangerous, it's still annoying while running. Today, I was on a long run coming down a big hill approaching an intersection when a car was waiting at the stop sign to go straight across. (See visual) I was coming down pretty fast on gravel, so there wasn't really a way for me to safely stop or slow enough to let the car cross without hitting me. Naturally, as any sane human would do, the car waited for me to cross the intersection before moving.

Unfortunately, there was some traffic coming up the hill and the stopped car had to wait for this to pass, also, before moving. As the car accelerated with unnecessary speed, I heard someone ni the car yell something to the effect of "You're gonna die, fag!" Now, I thought, would be a good opportunity to use a rock. (OMG! You had to wait 10 seconds. How awful!) But, as I continued down the hill, a thought occured to me that completely eliminated my desire for revenge: Those who mock cannot understand. I was grinning the remaining five miles home.
This whole situation turned my thoughts toward the indescribable feeling that a runner/cyclist/etc. feels while partaking in his sport(s) and how other people just don't understand. I've spoken about this with my Uncle Bill. There's really no way to explain it to someone who hasn't experienced it, or even someone who has, really. I don't think I can explain it in my own head. That's just the thing, though, it can't be rationalized, turned into mere words. It's just something you feel.
Oh sure, there's a scientific explaination that speaks of endorphin, seratonin, receptor sites, and the like (a website), but that can't tell you how it feels, only how it occurs. It's something that you have to feel to truly understand.