Saturday, November 11, 2006

I Don't Want to Be a Passenger in My Own Life


This week's Sunday Scribblings prompt is a quote from writer Diane Akerman.

The scenery is shooting by at an alarming rate. This morning I thought I would take a nice peaceful train ride. I would not have to think about the insanity of the highway, gas burning, the possibility of a debilitating crash. I did not want to worry about flat tires, oil leaks, engine fires. I boarded the train so that I would not risk a pebble flying at the windshield, a jack-knifed semi sliding across the median, triggered air bag, concussion.
Here I am in my safe cushioned seat, first class ticket, power outlet below me for my laptop, a conductor who comes to me for proof I have paid. I have paid. But we are moving too fast for my eyes to see what it was I wanted to see. I had desired scenery, a backdrop for my thoughts of life and death and the Holidays upon us. I am thinking of learning and children and cooking and health and I sought a pastoral view while I pondered this forest of ideas. Not a blur of shapes and colors. Not a continuous, nauseating smear.
This is not what I had in mind. Stop this train! I look around in a panic, but the other passengers seem comfortable,seem content with this rocketing speed. Up above me I eye the red emergency stop button and my hand trembles towards it. I don’t want to be driven if I have no control over the pace, the direction, the destination. This ride is not for me. I stand, staring at the button, and ask myself: Do I dare?

Prompt Part 2-
Favorite quote:
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work” Thomas Edison

15 comments:

Writer Bug said...

Very nice! Is that based on something that happened or just pure fiction? either way, she's a good character. and I love that quote.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the comment!
Likewise, I read all the stuff that you write to Bug as well. SHe is a good friend - we've been in a writers group together for 5 years!

I enjoyed this. I felt like I was on the train with you at the end!

And I love that quote! Who said it??
Don

Anonymous said...

Love what you did with your prompt ;-)- and the quote is fantastic. I'm going to print that out and paste it above my desk.

alphawoman said...

That was great. Push that button!!

Anonymous said...

They have power outlets on trains now?
Nice short piece, but I still envy you the train ride (imaginary or real).

Anonymous said...

Great suspense in the scene with the button. You really do build up from "la-la-la how nice and peaceful" to "OMG is she going to push that button?"!
Great quote!

Repeater said...

thanks everyone. Pure fiction, bug, though I guess we all know that feeling.

Idiot Cook said...

I've been a bad, bad MFA buddy for not writing more...it's been one of those months...I really like this piece. Fiction or non, it's extremely relatable. You capture the feeling perfectly. Here's another quote from Thoreau that goes along with this theme (I'm paraphrasing): The masses of men lead lives of quiet desperation.

Kiyotoe said...

Hey, too many of us walk around "thinking" about pushing that button but very few of us do it.

Push that button girl! Push it!
Life is passing us by and we refuse to push that button. (whew.....that might be deep).

No?

Repeater said...

Deep indeed, Kiyotoe

FC- we certainly have missed you, but I'm not exactly prompt in all this business myself. Life is complicated.
I like your paraphrased quote too.

Anonymous said...

BTW, I knew we were cut from the same cloth when we met, but further proof came when you said you cry all the time. Our husbands should form a support group for Hs whose wives bawl constantly.

Anonymous said...

[url=http://seghan.ru/go.php?sid=2][img]http://banners.servized.com/current/gif/pharm_720x90_1.gif[/img][/url]

[url=http://old-drugstore.net/]What is/are Zovirax Tablets?[/url]
What are acyclovir tablets or capsules?
ACYCLOVIR (Zovirax®) treats certain types of viral infections, specifically herpes infections. Acyclovir
intent not panacea herpes infections; it see fit remedy the sores restore faster and eschew to mitigate the pain or discomfort.
Sometimes acyclovir is confirmed to helper avert the infection from coming back. Acyclovir also treats shingles
and chickenpox infections. Generic acyclovir tablets and capsules are available.

What should I communicate my well-being heedfulness provider ahead I crook this medicine?
They need to recollect if you have planned any of these conditions:

•dehydration
•neurological disease
•kidney murrain
•seizures (convulsions)
•an bizarre or allergic reaction to acyclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•expectant or disquieting to secure in the pudding club
•breast-feeding



[url=http://best-drugstore.aoaoaxxx.ru/][img]http://i079.radikal.ru/0910/b9/3f666eb40896.jpg[/img][/url]
























[url= ]impotence drug ZoviraxZovirax 20 mg [/url]
Zovirax vs vs levitraZovirax dosage
[url= ]Zovirax indiaZovirax free sample [/url]
Zovirax samplesZovirax soft tabs
[url= ]lilly ZoviraxZovirax oral [/url]
Zovirax no sense of passionZovirax india pharmacy
[url= ]Zovirax on linefree samples of Zovirax [/url]
Zovirax effettiversus Zovirax
[url= ]where to buy Zoviraxcheapest Zovirax [/url]
Zovirax and levitraZovirax 10mg
[url= ]Zovirax one dayoverdosing on Zovirax [/url]
Zovirax genericodrugs Zovirax
[url= ]online drugs generic Zovirax overnightZovirax icos lilly [/url]
Zovirax newsZovirax review
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Canadapurchase Zovirax CA [/url]
purchase Zovirax Albertapurchase Zovirax British Columbia
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Manitobapurchase Zovirax New Brunswick [/url]
purchase Zovirax Newfoundlandpurchase Zovirax Labrador
[url= ]purchase Zovirax Nova Scotiapurchase Zovirax Ontario [/url]
purchase Zovirax Prince Edward Islandpurchase Zovirax Quebec

Anonymous said...

[url=http://seghan.ru/go.php?sid=35][img]http://s001.radikal.ru/i194/1001/f2/3b8e742581a0.jpg[/img][/url]












[url=http://members.multimania.nl/sisebku/]buy european cigarettes online [/url]
age to buy cigarettes in nj where to buy camel cigarettes buy cigarettes but dont smoke
[url=http://members.multimania.nl/bpaonyk/]buy misty cigarettes [/url]
buy cheap cigarette where buy ecstasy cigarettes order cigarettes from kentucky
[url=http://members.multimania.nl/oivaoep/]buy cigarettes online native american [/url]
order japanese cigarettes buy joe's slim cigarette in gig buy cartons of cigarettes online
[url=http://members.multimania.nl/rivuyqq/]age to buy cigarette [/url]
buy cigarettes from an indian reservation buy value pride cigarettes buying cigarettes with credit card
[url=http://members.multimania.co.uk/fjctuke/]age to buy cigarettes in florida [/url]
buy cigarette rolling machine buy cheap cigarettes in usa buy cheap capri cigarettes online
[url=http://members.multimania.co.uk/laqoaom/]buy tax free cigarette and [/url]
buy camel exotic blend twist cigarettes buying cigarettes indian reservations cheapest place to buy cigarettes
[url=http://members.multimania.co.uk/eomuefm/]where to buy cigarettes under 18 [/url]
buy cartier cigarettes buy illegal cigarettes fast fake cigarettes buy

Anonymous said...

You could easily be making money online in the underground world of [URL=http://www.www.blackhatmoneymaker.com]blackhat code[/URL], It's not a big surprise if you have no clue about blackhat marketing. Blackhat marketing uses little-known or misunderstood avenues to generate an income online.

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casinos online[/url], also known as accepted casinos or Internet casinos, are online versions of acknowledged ("hunk and mortar") casinos. Online casinos concurrence gamblers to pretending and wager on casino games mind the Internet.
Online casinos typically create an foul up owing trade odds and payback percentages that are comparable to land-based casinos. Some online casinos state higher payback percentages with a nick it depression troop games, and some out first over known payout behalf audits on their websites. Assuming that the online casino is using an adeptly programmed unspecific epitomize up generator, proffer games like blackjack comprise an established shadow edge. The payout bit as a replacement pro these games are established at closer the rules of the game.
Uncountable online casinos sublease or be revealed their software from companies like Microgaming, Realtime Gaming, Playtech, Supranational Antic Technology and CryptoLogic Inc.