Street Corner Profundity

[Hornius Emeritus]

So I'm riding my bike through downtown Austin a couple of days ago. I come up to the corner of 15th and Lavaca and there's a street person there sitting on a bench, waiting for the bus --- or so I assumed.

My mountain bike is a pretty big, pretty weird looking, pretty colorful machine. I guess it attracted his attention. He says "Hey man, where did you get that bike?" I said "Oh, I bought it about 12 years ago when I was out in California." He said "That's a bitchin' ride." I said "Thanks. You know, it's actually faster than riding the bus."

He just looked at me and said "Only if you're going somewhere."

I had to admit that he was right. It's only faster if you're going somewhere.

From the mouths of babes, or of street people ...

 

[El_Oso]

That made me smile.

 

[OrangeBlooded]

how depressing

 

[toucan82]

he had multiple mouths? that's crazy

 

[BrûléeOrange]

Good story, although sad at its core. A reminder to those of us who always have somewhere to go that we should remain grateful.

 

[Steinbeck]

In reply to:

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[accuratehorn]

That was cool. Deep. Profound. He has weighed the issues of our time, and condensed them into a coherent philosophy, one which we should all consider carefully on our life's journey.
A statue should be erected on campus to honor this deep thinker.

 

[notreally]

i thought it was a typo and was expecting to hear about a homeless man that cussed you out. i need to expand my vocabulary.

 

[pulque]

I'd have squirted my water bottle in his face!

 

[HoosierHorn]

"you could just enjoy the ride, which is what i'd be doing if i had your bitchin ride, but instead, i'm sitting at a bus stop admiring your bike as you try to get somewhere fast. hope you enjoy the ride."

A reminder to those of us who always have somewhere to go that we should try to enjoy the journey, too.

 

[gardere_owns_OU]

In reply to:

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[wacohorn27]

Wow. That reminded me of a story from my youth.

My parents and I were serving lunch at the Salvation Army and I sat down next to this homeless man. He looked at me and said: "One sees beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness."j

This made me reflect on the great dichotomy of humanity and our perceptions. It touched me, mind, heart, and soul.

Then he offered me a belt from an Aqua Velva bottle and proceeded to describe in detail the journey he took the previous weekend on the spaceship with the little, green men ... anal probe and all.

I was thankful, I'll leave you to decide why.

wh