Coming full circle on a situation is a funny circumstance to find yourself in the middle of.
The setting is the same. The people are the same. The context ends up being near identical.
But even when you go from Point A back to Point A and are now where you once were, the journey you took is what ultimately made you a different person when you landed there that second time.
It’s a bittersweet feeling, having everything right in front of you that once was all you needed. It’s nostalgic, really. And it’s okay to be mesmerized and slightly enchanted by the fact that you’re fortunate enough to have a beautiful past reveal itself a time or two again in your present.
Just make sure you’re strong enough to realize that once you’re back to that initial point — once you’ve traveled the circle and made your way around — it’s then that the red flag should wave, giving off this warning: going in circles never drove anyone anywhere except for crazy.
When life hands you lemons, sometimes it makes you a little bitter. And by lemons, I mean traffic tickets.
Initially this may seem like a bit of a rant, but bear with me until the end. It all comes together, I promise.
I coach the JV cheerleading team at North Tonawanda High School. In order to coach, you have to have your fingerprints done. My scheduled appointment was for 9 a.m. this morning. I let my boss know the day before that I would be a little late to work and I was set to go.
Here are the events leading up to my tiny little prints getting scanned:
Sleepy little me decided to press the snooze button one too many times. I mean, have you listened to the new alarm tones for iOS7? They’re so relaxing! I couldn’t help but stay snuggled up in bed for a few extra minutes.
Already a little behind, I of course took way too long deciding which color blazer I wanted to wear. God forbid my color combination wasn’t on point for a day that entailed sitting behind a giant computer screen. If only I were allowed to wear crew neck sweatshirts to work…
Finally dressed, out the door I went. I walked down the street, hopped into my car and was ready to go. But wait! I left my lunch box on my dining room table. Since I am trying to eat healthier and didn’t want to fall back on buying cafeteria food, back up to my apartment I went.
Okay, okay. Now I’m ready to go. I hopped on the 190S to head to North Tonawanda. Four exits later I realize I AM GOING THE WRONG WAY. Muscle memory is a real problem when you’re taking a quick break from a normal routine. I got off at the next exit (way down by the Outer Harbor if you’re familiar with Buffalo,) and started my journey yet again.
With my mind on where I had to go rather than where I was, my heart dropped down to my tiny toes when I saw a cop car up on the side of the road ahead of me. Checked my speedometer. 64 in a 45. Good job, Katie.
Flashing a pitiful and worry-ridden pout face, I said “Yes, officer. I know why I’m being pulled over. I really apologize.”
She had zero sympathy. Not even a little bit. Dangit all.
20 minutes and one court date later, I finally made it to the high school for my appointment which I was now 40 minutes late to.
IT TOOK LESS THAN THREE MINUTES TO GET MY FINGER PRINTS DONE.
Yes, capital letters were required.
If I had just woken up at the sound of the first alarm, If I didn’t make a crime scene out of my room by going through my entire closet, If I had remembered to grab my lunch, If I had gotten on the right highway the first time…
If, If, If.
I played the events of my morning in my head over and over again and then I realized it was doing me no good. I can’t go back and change how it all happened. You’re going to make mistakes, wake up late, have a lead foot when driving to get somewhere “important” and kick yourself for it later on.
Sometimes you really just have to forgive yourself for being a total and complete idiot.
Buffalo, in the four years I have had a car in this city, I have officially given you $560 in parking tickets and I’m sure that number will go up by a few hundred after my court date for this incident.
You’re welcome for all of my money. Go buy yourself something nice.
Confidently Katie 