Behind the Ironic Column

O.K., I call it inertia, but really it’s probably sheer laziness.  Just depends on whose voice I want to hear in my head while I’m discussing my failure to do something or other.  In this instance, I was reminded of it by one of the few forces that inspires me to take action.  I’m sitting comfortably ensconced in my window chair, the sun is shining in, which makes it pleasantly warm, and I have my laptop propped precariously across my legs which are extended across to the other chair.  I could exert myself and go get the desk board I normally use when I’m planning to sit and type for a while — but I don’t.  It’s much easier to do this and not have to go off to the other room where it’s neither sunny nor warm.  This, of course, is not what I was intending to do this morning, but intentions are only a general guideline — not a set of marching orders. 

So what does all this have to do with inertia?  Well, I’m perfectly comfortable in this position and typing away, when the radio program changes.  I forgot to mention that my usual habit on Sunday morning is to listen to NPR.  Will Shortz is one of my favorites and, if I get up early enough, I can hear the show twice on Sunday morning, due to the local station replaying some segments for later risers here in Oregon.  Anyway, I’m happily listening to whatever discussions the various shows have — culture, politics, the downturn in the economy.  That’s all fine.  But then, the dreaded auto show comes on.  I know a lot of people adore this show and find the hosts charming — but it’s not my cup of tea at all.  So much so that I get up within the first minute to go turn it off.  That’s a lot of effort to me — having spent quite a while getting set up just so in this position.  But I can’t stand it — I’m not even sure whether it’s the characters or the topic.  I’ve listened to car shows before, but not very much.  The days when I understood how cars worked are basically gone — I’m glad to let someone else worry about them.  Having grown up in the rural south, in a very much do-it-yourself or do without economic situation, I remember all too well some of the tricks associated with older cars and how to make them function.  Days when you could use a bobby pin or a piece of wire and perform some maintenance on the engine.  Be that as it may, I really don’t like this particular show, so off it goes. 

This behavior is mildly interesting to observe because I will tolerate obnoxious political reporters for far longer — even if I violently disagree with them.  Whatever my real association is with this show, it overcomes inertia, laziness, and everything else.  Just another example of finding the right motivation to move an obstacle.

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