Getting to and rounding a corner is seemingly the universal objective of living.  That at least is my perspective. There are no doubt those who consider life is unremarkably drifting along a stream, going to and ending wherever the current happens to flow or eddy. Indeed that particular view has some transcendental cogency; for as much as we prefer to fashion our behaviour as determinative it may by contrast be nothing more than intuitive (whatever enlarged or exoteric meaning that may have) though perhaps at times as plainly illustrative (and equally stunning) as a squirrel preparing a nest. Life can by some account be summarized as little other than reaction to events or fulfillment of native appetites howsoever grand or intellectual they are touted or perceived to be.

For my part however the project is directed to a specific end which more often than not is preceded by a number of hurdles or prerequisites. Rounding those corners is the means by which I achieve satisfaction.  This is not to suggest that without the intervening hedgerows I haven’t any merit to derive; it merely acknowledges that in my estimate accomplishment is not without effort. And frankly I gain pleasure from having succeeded to get around the corner.

The odd thing I have discovered though is that removing oneself from those initial barriers or complications (which are sometimes nothing more glamorous or obstructive than waiting for something to happen – if indeed inactivity qualifies as enterprise) may inadvertently dissolve the anticipated thrill of accomplishment. It is a state of mind usefully captured in the quip, “Is that all there is?” And while I don’t reject or dismiss the reality of that psychological condition, the further matter to keep in mind by way of relief from impending dejection is that there will always be another challenge. There will always be more corners to round. We never quite get there. Achievement is as much a fluid evolution as any other (recurring) appetite.

The other thing I am dutifully bound to acknowledge is that paramountly there is nothing of great consequence in my daily endeavours.  I would not say that my life is boring; but neither will I pretend to be eternally diverse or especially ambitious.  Life for me is also a trip down the same river though with some predicted stops along the way. The minimal nature of my objectives does not for me diminish their pleasure. I balance the opprobrium by recognizing the manifest genius of what others have done.

Cars for example represent to me an extraordinary accomplishment. While I have only to sit peacefully listening to music of my immediate choice from a superb sound system, ensuring the engine maintains its noted cruise control, occasionally switching on and off the wipers to clear away an unfortunate collision with a bug, there was somewhere a number of others who unfolded the astonishing means of creating these things called cars. And then connected them with my iPhone and Apple Watch!  Miracle is hardly the word I know but honestly it is a superlative achievement by any standard.

I mention cars because today I have baptized one in the pool of my own amusement. Though it may sound to be a simple undertaking, it is quite astonishing how many corners round about there are to go to perfect one’s diversion.  Curiously my experience is amplified by the fact that I play the piano by ear, which means I am attuned to the smallest noise and its particular repercussion. These ripples from under the hood are not lost on my otherwise static appearance. We further embellished the new car venture by travelling eastward to Maxville where we briefly visited a remote country estate complete with a galloping pony, barking Great Pyrenees and peaceful sheep. It was an idyllic resort from which we happily travelled westward on the 401 into the setting sun and the coffee shop, car wash and bakery around the corner!