In every person's life, there are turning points. Alot of the times, these moments may be random and seemingly inconsequential, but then it's only after time passes that you realize how important they were. In fact, many times they send your life down a whole different path. Think Drew Bledsoe getting injured and allowing Tom Brady to step into the starting role and eventually win 3 Superbowls. Or George McFly punching out Biff in Back to the Future.
I've had a few of these situations, and though I may have said them with my mouth to people, I don't think I've ever documented them on the super-documenting-machine, aka this here Xanga. The funny thing is, I was blogging throughout this timeframe, but again, it's only through hindsight that you can really recognize the crossroads.
The E-MailTime Frame: Fall 2004
The Situation: It was around the first semester of my sophomore year where I realized how much I hated school and my major (Chemical Engineering), and how I started sucking at it. I was even about one phone call away from changing my major. I wanted nothing more to get a co-op (internship) for the Spring semester so I wouldn't have to go to school, and could go out and make some cash. I interviewed for a few, but I was really too young and with too little coursework to be considered. However, one night, I emailed one of the companies I interviewed with with a heart-felt virtually begging manifesto, asking for them to hire me. They mailed back saying that I was less-far into my coursework than they usually go for, and they'd made all their offers, but if anyone backed out, they'd consider me. I figured nothing would come of it, but a couple of months later, they made me an offer and I took it.
The Fallout: I went to work for a semester where I learned alot about work habits, organization, and maturity. It also gave me a view of the light at the end of the tunnel. I came back reinvigorated with Chemical Engineering, and would eventually work at that company two more semesters, where I got even better at working and skillz. I eventually graduated ChemE which I am now.
Alternate Timeline: Without having sent that e-mail, I would never have gotten that internship. I would have gone to school for the Spring semester instead of working. I would probably have continued hating/sucking at school and probably would have changed my major to something like Advertising. I would have a job right now making half of what I do now, or I would have not gotten a job and I would be in graduate school right now getting deeper into student-loan debt.
Water Time Frame: Spring 2006
The Situation: Due to about 3 horrible situations simultaneously kicking me in the balls (to write about another day), I started getting more depressed, but fighting it by working out more. My (now ex) step-mom noticed my newfound commitment to health and wellness, and on one weird afternoon explained to me all this random crap. The main thing I got out of it was the necessity of drinking water. She even told lies like "the only way one loses fat is through urine." Up to this point, I never liked drinking water and preferred root beer or cream soda. But after this lesson (the only good thing that step-mom ever did in her life) I decided to start drinking half my body weight in ounces of water today, per her recommendation.
The Fallout: Replacing sodas with water is the single most important health move I ever made. I became even greater at working out and fitness. To this day I gorge myself with water, and I probably really have added another 15 years of life to my kidneys and liver.
Alternate Timeline: I keep drinking sodas and never achieve the health and wellness goals of the time. I lose my lust for exercise, never gain confidence that comes along with being awesome, never improve my lot with the ladyfolk, and fall into perpetual depression.
The GirlTimeline: May 2007
The Situation: I had been in a comfortable, yet not totally fulfilling, pseudo-long term relationship at this point. I had some qualms about it, but never anything epic enough to make me pull the trigger. One day, I rode the bus (which was totally rare for me at this time) and I saw the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. She had purple-colored tips on her hair which totally confused and captivated me. It was at this time I realized I couldn't stay in the relationship I was in, because seeing girls like the purple-haired-girl around would haunt me for the rest of my life.
The Fallout: Although I never saw the purple-haired-girl ever again, it was the impetus I needed to get out of that relationship. The jury is out whether that was a positive or negative move in the longrun.
Alternate Timeline: The girl I broke up with ended up getting married to some other dude like a year later. That may have been me instead. I would be going to a flea market today looking to buy new drapes.
The 5KTimeline: December 2007
The Situation: I walked into class a bit early and some of my friends were registering for the Jingle Bell 5K in Austin. At this time, I had always hated "running in real life", and preferred the elliptical. They told me I should run it with them, so I decided to register right then and there. I ended up going to the race, and with the adrenaline of running with so many people, I completed the 3.1 miles, making it the longest run of my life.
The Fallout: I fell in love with running, and have sense made it a major hobby. I went on to doing four 10K's and 2 Half-Marathons in the next year and few months or so. I went to the park today and ran 10 miles in the 93 degree Houston heat, and it was on this run that I thought of writing this Alternate Timeline post.
Alternate Timeline: I don't sign up for the 5K, and I never discover my love for running outside. Since I always run inside on an elliptical with a TV, I have no need to download music for my iPod, and I never discover the indie rock and other awesome stuff that has become such a big part of my life. Instead of running 10 miles today and coming up with this post, I lay around watching TV and blog a few paragraphs about why the childhood traumas that were the root of my current fear of wasps and crosswalks.
Comments (3)
Plus, your dad is hot, so i'm happy to hear he's not with some 'wicked' stepmother (um, for you, not him)
Yes, of course you are the official best friend who isn't married. I assume you will notify me at the slightest hint that a relationship is headed that way so I can plan accordingly.