Miel et Lait

Winter 2007, I needed to escape. A change of scenery, and a change of pace were called for. Ambitiously, I moved to the City on a hope and a prayer. Not just any city, but the City with a capital “C.” Manhattan! The city that is overflowing with locals, commuters and tourists who can navigate the streets with varying degrees of skill. I wasn’t there for the glitz or the glamor. I wanted to get lost in the crowds.

Naturally, I had needs. Employment and housing to name a few, and without the former, I couldn’t pay for the latter. Responding to an ad on Craigslist, I found myself freelancing as an assistant for an accomplished violinist. She was creating a show and needed me to write her a few scripts for the skits. My first paid gig!

Image courtesy of Kriss Szkurlatowski

The story she needed was based on the myth that explains why the Gypsies wander. The story goes that when Pilate ordered the execution of Christ, he needed four long nails made especially for the occasion. Each blacksmith the Roman soldiers approached had refused to participate. When the Romans came across a traveling Gypsy, everything changed. Unaware of the town politics, the Gypsy agreed to make the nails. How could he not? The soldiers offered him a price substantially higher than merited.

After he completed the three nails, he made casual conversation and asked what the nails would be used for. When he learned that he was participating in a crucifixion, he refused to complete the task. The fourth nail was never made. Fleeing the town, he thought that he prevented the killing.

The accepted interpretation of the myth is that the Gypsy wanders because he is constantly haunted by the fourth nail, which symbolizes work that hasn’t been completed. But, I offer an alternate explanation. Could the fourth nail represent the memory of work he accepted without knowing the consequences?

So often, I find that I don’t extrapolate the consequences of my actions. The simplest choice to sit in front of the computer, in lieu of running around with the dog, might seem innocuous, but in reality, carries great consequences. At what point do I reach an equilibrium between being active, and being the definition of sloth?

Consequences are on my mind a lot today. I didn’t back up the blog, and I lost my data. I ate several brownies, several months ago, and my warm weather clothes are more snug than I would like. Simple choices, small choices, could’ve changed the outcome. But, in both instances, I chose to be lazy.

Like the Gypsy, I didn’t consider the aftermath of my choices. I chose the path of least resistance, and am being haunted by the consequences.

What is haunting you?

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