An education is what you have left over after you’ve forgotten everything you learned.
Somebody said that, or something along those lines. I’ve seen it attributed to Einstein. And Lennon.
Whoever said it, I find that it mostly holds true for me. You know I have a bad case of CRC (Can’t Remember Crap), but there are a few things that stuck. Like the theory that you will fill as much time as you have. Okay, okay, I can’t remember the name of that theory, but I know that such a theory exists. Or the concept of a eureka! moment happening when you give up and finally are not thinking about a problem. That’s a real thing, too.
Another thing I particularly enjoyed – and actually remember – learning about: Pavlov. And his dogs.
I felt an immediate kinship with those dogs. Perhaps because I think their work spotlights the fact that people and dogs have more in common than we like to believe. Or perhaps because I like to eat. At any rate, I got those dogs and their lab coat-induced drool.
Pavlov may feel that I’m oversimplifying here, but to me his work proved that we’re creatures of habit. Man in lab coat arrives, dogs get snack. Doorbell rings, people pretend nobody’s home. Don’t tell me you’ve never done that.
On a recent flight I noticed a Pavlovian response of my own: ride airplane, get gummy bears.
Until now, I always bought gummies to take on the plane, but I never realized that my psyche expected a gummy bear when flying. Then I find myself at the airport sans bears, and realize I have a sudden, overwhelming desire for the little guys. In my mind, all gummy bears are male. This is non-negotiable.
I mulled it over – lots of free time on an airplane – and am now aware of a few other habitual connections (and yes, a disproportionate number of them are food & beverage-related) :
:: Rainy days and soy lattes.
:: Christmas season and Lifetime TV movies.
:: Cold weather and chili.
:: Yard work and cold beer.
:: Sick days and tabloid magazines.
:: Car trips and comedy albums (Having small children really put a kink in this one – it’s either over their heads, meaning they whine and complain, or it’s totally inappropriate. But you know, they usually really listen when bad words are involved, so at least they’re quiet. I joke, I joke. Only things rated E for Everyone in our car, I promise.)
I wonder…
:: Do you consider yourself a creature of habit?
:: What are some of your Pavlovian responses?
:: Do you think gummy bears are boys or girls?
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I live for routine. When one thing moves out of synch, I shriek. I’ve gotten better through the years of working around it, but it still bothers me.
I have no idea why, but my instant gut answer was, gummy bears are boys.
Hmmm. Let’s see.
Waking up and checking blog comments
Friday night sunsets and good red wine
Losing a few pounds and shopping
Driving lessons with my teenage daughter and home for a glass of wine
CRC! I am totally stealing that. It sounds extremely medical and legit.
I AM a creature of habit, and I have the hardest time breaking from it. Just this morning I was stumbling through the kitchen pouring cheerios, peeling bananas, and my husband had to snap me out of my autopilot for a mere hug. Poor guy.
Having twin babies meant that we were on a strict schedule for their first 12 months. A they got older, and we had more flexibility in their nap times and bed times, I realized that not only had I trained my children, I had trained my husband as well. He had a harder time being flexible than they did.
Delightful again. Heart your stuff. Your questions:
1. absolutely
2. Lately the biggest one is feeling what others are feeling, I mean really feeling it. I think it’s a good thing, but it’s complicated, and exhausting, and hurts a little. I don’t think I can return the gift. Can I God?
3. And I prefer not to think about gummy bears in terms of gender.
Oh, and congrats – your selection must make you smile.
God Bless and keep.
This is fantastic! Yes, I’ve got my own responses.
fried foods —->diarrhea
bad day —->junk food (any kind will do)
kids misbehaving —->stop at local bakery we love to bribe with treats
erin @ the mother load
@erinlynn76
Me? Ride airplane, get trashy magazine. so yes, I’m a creature of habit.
Um, chocolate and caffeine MUST come with a bad day. The end.
we are so freakin’ routine oriented, i fear a list would shame me forever…
Oh, they are most surely all male. My daughter concurs.
And I have many, many of these little Pavlovian things going on, too. Thank you for making me feel normal!
Airplane ride: tabloid magazines and candy of any sort
Sick day: trash TV and junk food of any sort
Road trip: Dr. Pepper. Large.
…and the list goes on and would be embarrasing.
Yes, total creature of habit but embraces change when I am prepared for it <—if that makes sense!
If you bite the legs off of gummy bears, you are left with the nubs for arms and they resemble bewbs…so says my perverted husband.
Either way, they are facken deeelish.
Love gummy bears. Love ’em. And don’t think I have ever considered them male or female which is kind of odd because then what are they? I am absolutely a creature of habit. I think we all are… Now must sign off and find some gummy bears 🙂