Write on

Everyone has a routine. One guy leaves his house every morning at six to run five miles. He always leaves at this time so he can ensure he’ll get back home and be ready for work at eight. More importantly, he begins his jog exactly at six so he can cross the railroad track before the daily train rumbles through his jogging path. Another part of this routine is that he takes an apple with him everyday, which he feeds to a horse that he passes at mile three. The horse seems to enjoy the routine as much as the runner does.

Another guy routinely drinks a six pack of Miller High Life every evening before he goes to sleep after the 11 o’clock news. He dozes off throughout the news but looks forward to the weather. He should probably go to sleep earlier, but the weather is very important to him. He could check the weather on the internet and go to sleep much earlier, but why would he do that?

Whether good or bad, we all have routines. I have become annoyed with some of the routines I follow.

I noticed the other day that I drive in the same lane on a four-lane freeway everyday. Not only do I limit myself to the lane just to the right of the passing lane, but I start eating my daily Clif Bar at exactly the same point. I have no idea why I do this. It probably isn’t a bad thing. However, medical people say that following routines contributes to Alzheimer’s. They suggest taking alternate routes to work so your brain has to keep experiencing new things.

In hopes to prevent early onset Alzheimer’s, I’ve started breaking some of my routines. I will occasionally brush my teeth with my left hand, which is extremely awkward and inefficient. My left hand doesn’t seem to care about my dental hygiene, but I’m going to make it.

In another attempt to deter Alzheimer’s, I’ve decided to break my lazy routine of not writing. Writing is something I enjoy immensely, but I’ve been putting it off much like I do shaving, which is why I always have a beard. Also, writing actually makes good use of my journalism degree that I paid more than $50k for. As a result, I’ve decided to increase my brain activity and write this blog.

I know this particular entry seems to be on the anti-routine side of the debate, but I hope you routinely read my blog.