I'm standing in (a long) line at Panera right now. The church across the street must have just let out, freeing steadfast churchgoers to go forth, make disciples of all nations, and, as I will soon discover, get to all the whole grain bagels first.
A man and three women, all old babyboomers, are bullshitting about something in front me. They're intently focused on their conversation as if nothing else on earth is this important. I suspect this is the highlight of their day.
The women behind me gets on her cell phone. "Do you like a lot of cream in your coffee or just a little?" she asks who I assume is her husband on the other end. "...Coffee and a muffin, you said. Get you a coffee, you said... and then a blueberry muffin, you said. ...How much cream do you want in your coffee?"
"I can help someone down here," another waitress calls. An older man from somewhere behind me races the group of four in front of me for the faster service but stops short to politely let them go first.
I feel such disdain. I hate waiting. What lives they lead. They go to church every Sunday, listen to life stories, morals, and allegories from ages ago. But they walk out that door, cross the street, and get annoyed by the long line they're creating and the lack of enough seating. They enjoy their Sunday chit-chatting in a coffee shop. Their asses get fatter by the year. Their most pressing issue of the day: "How much cream do you want in your coffee!!!!!"
Moments like these illuminate the stark contrast a deeper meaning for me. Standing here, I grasp the strength of the human spirit while watching people who've had no need to summon it, no hardships, no battles... no tests of courage. Baby boomers...
Men are born and bred to overcome all the difficulties the universe can offer. We are defined by our struggle. We are meant to defend what we hold in our hearts. Wars rage on around us. There are goals to be attained, missions to be accomplished, and battles to be won. Our lives as adventures. Mythic legends worthy of scripture. The great battle to reduce one great man's waiting time at Panera. My failed hero's quest for two whole grain bagels. Truth and Freedom slowly die, but, but by all things holy and using the greatest advances in technology, I will make sure you have the proper amount of cream in your coffee!!!
"Get out of my way, fuckers!!!" ...I say it only in mind. "This is our world now, and if all you're going to do is wait around for your turn to die, then stop wasting my fucking time (and stop electing bullshit 'leaders')."
