Untitled

Photo courtesy Flickr

“Untitled” is the computer file of a shopping list I couldn’t bring myself to complete. Somehow I made my way onto the mailing list of a major photo, video, and music equipment supplier. The summer catalogue showed up last Friday. I called my kid the photographer, and he agreed that, like a certain grocery chain, the photo outfit is a “whole paycheck” operation.

I leafed through the book as if money were no object, but when it came time to make up a wish list, I found that right now my deepest wish is to manage nothing. The technology this catalogue represents is so sophisticated and wide-ranging, it simply overwhelms. I closed the Mac with the peace of simplicity in my hand and the comforting knowledge that should I want some of this gear, I can scout it on line.

A few years ago New Orleans rhythm and blues elder Mac Rebennac, aka Dr. John, commented that it’s impossible to keep up. Letting go of the rat race makes me a smarter, faster, more competitive rat. Whether being a rat is advisable is another matter, but I do enjoy feeling relatively nimble and not stumbling over an infinite number of obligations.

-30-