Frontier

America has long been fascinated with frontiers. Definition: Frontier-A region just beyond or at the edge of a settled area. I think this is the best definition because it encompasses both the physical as in a frontier of land and the non-physical, like the frontier of something abstract such as science. I don't know the underlying sociological, political, religious or economic reasons for American's fascination with frontiers. All I know is that for the first time I feel like I'm approaching a frontier. Something about learning about the law, learning about its evolution, how it is created, learning about its frontiers is fascinating in a horribly boring and dorky way. It's weird because I'm trying to reconcile why here, in Chicago, I am so happy and back home with so many amazing friends and such such a loving family, I tended to get so depressed. I've written before about how my motivations are different, how I'm drinking less. I suppose I'm exercising on a regular basis that should have something to do with. Still, it's troubling to know that what I had back home wasn't enough to make me happy and that here, I'm completely lacking so many of those things I had, but am still incredibly incredibly happy. I mean, I don't get enough sleep, I work my mind a lot harder than I had to, I have no family to speak of in the area, I don't have a car or a lot of money, I don't have a girlfriend, I have a couple of pretty good friends but not friends like the ones I had back home. It's strange. Don't get me wrong I'm glad I'm happy, but there's still that question of why I wasn't back in Athens. I suppose its a combination of all the changes that have happened-being healthier physically, challenging myself mentally again, getting not enough sleep but doing it on a healthier schedule. Who knows. Still I think there is something to be said about frontiers and the fact that I'm at some frontiers in my life right now. I'm at a social frontier-having to make new friends, having no family to fall back on within a couple hundred miles. I'm at an intellectual frontier-having to challenge my mind on a daily basis to understand the complex concepts involved in the law. I'm at I suppose a physical frontier in that I'm farther from home than I've ever been. There are frontiers of the city I encounter everyday-I haven't been north of this street, west of that street, out in this neighboorhood, etc. I mean I guess I'm using a very very liberal definition of the word. In all actuality the only reason I wrote this post and thought about frontiers is because I just listened to a song that had the word in the lyrics and it triggered this line of thought. I don't know if there is any substance to this whatsoever, but thinking about things helps me reconcile why I wasn't happy back home and understand just what aspects of my life are different and how those aspects result in happiness.
-Why does Chicago seem to have the most cell phone that hang from your ear (you know the handless ones) per capita and not one person is ever talking on them. What're we trying to be like Old Navy employees here. I mean honestly, are handless cell phones really necessary if you're riding the bus. You don't have a car. Holding a cell phone to your ear poses no threat to anyone. There should be requirements for these people to keep them from looking like fools. You should have to talk on your cell phone for at minimum 2,000 minutes per month and you should also be required to drive on a regular basis. This Navy Pier employee was riding the bus today and had one on. I wanted to be like "Dude, you really think that's the best way to spend that 3 dollars an hour plus tips?" The only person I've ever met that should own one of these monstrocities is my mom.
Lyric of The Day:
"I count the days the Great Frontier
Forgiving, faced the seventh year
I stand in awe of gratefulness
I can and call forgetfulness"
Sufjan Stevens The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders: Part I: The Great Frontier/Part II: Come To Me Only With Playthings Now -for the record the second longest song title on Illinoise.