by Mariana T.
Member since:
May 10, 2006

TOO MANY LEFT TURNS

May 28, 2006 12:55 PM EDT
views: 72 | rating: 9.6/10 (14 votes) | comments: 43

I'm just waking up and have yet to have my three cups of morning coffee.  Let me explain what's on the top of my coffeeless brain for now.  The water is boiling so this won't be that deep. 

I do believe that everything has a quota.  Now, this may sound like fatalism but I'm not going there just yet.  What I am saying is that when we are born there is a list of quotas etched in our DNA.  For example, Mariana T., you only have 2250 left turns you can make in your life.  Maybe the Universe, God, my Guardian Angels all know these things and somehow managed to give me these messages in the form of intuition.  I avoid making left turns.  I will go five blocks out of my way to avoid making one. I may have been issued only 300 left turns so I'm going to use them only for emergencies.

Just think about everything that has ever annoyed you.  For example, people who just leave their grocery carts in the middle of the parking lots.  Let's call this particular person, Joe.  His quota for doing this is a total of 29 times. He knows he should put the grocery cart in a secure place but he never does.  He uses up his last chance and forever wonders why the cart rolled into someone's Mercedes, a kid tripped on it, he is getting sued for everything he doesn't have.  See, he wasn't paying attention.

Mary, a smoker, tosses her cigarette butts down on the ground wherever she goes.  She doesn't realize that she was given a big quota of 3,403 times that she could do this.  She throws down her 3,404th ciggy butt and guess what...A frozen piece of airplane poop hits her on the head.  Yes, a million in one chances of that happening.

The list is endless.  I could go on and on but my brain needs some fuel.  It may have its own quota of how many top-of-the-head, without-coffee articles, I can write.  What do you think your DNA list of quotas contains?

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Comments: 43

Colonel Possum May 28, 2006, 1:07pm EDT
M.T.

I think I only have about 23 left turns to go. I will look out for airplane poop. Thanks for the heads up!

Cheers,

Colonel Possum
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 1:36pm EDT
Madame Mo - Absolutely take your good time. I think one knows everything about one's self - it's deep down - it's intuition. Perhaps it's something like only 40 times that you can lose your keys! Have a great day!!!
Bonnie L. May 28, 2006, 1:42pm EDT
Mariana -- Great article, lots to think about! In one way this reminds me of that video, though I can't remember the song, where the man is walking down the street and see's numbers atop everyone's head ticking down but he keeps stopping to look in mirrors and at his reflection in glass for his own. At the end he sees a woman stepping into the street and she's almost down to .1 when he jumps to her rescue and pulls her from getting hit by a speeding car. I think you might have been seeing my numbers ticking down and wrote this to pull me back.

And in another way, it reminds me of situations where I constantly say, "How many more times am I gonna take this?"

Anyway, great job of enlightening and delighting as usual! Cheers!

*clinks coffee mugs with Mariana since too early for wine!*
Leah G. May 28, 2006, 1:42pm EDT
I love the TV ad that's out right now about going on vacation and only taking left turns while on your trip. I could not get to my vacation home in Maine with only left turns...but I could get to Canada. :)
Leah G. May 28, 2006, 1:44pm EDT
Bonnie,
It's not too early for wine here (1:43 on Sunday...and I'm headed to a college graduation for a photo gig)...so bring on the wine! Whoops, did someone say "don't drink on the job?" Damn. Oh well, there will be beer tonight around the campfire for sure...

:)
Clare Stella May 28, 2006, 1:45pm EDT
What an interesting way of looking at our lives. I have never thought about things in this way. On some things my quota must have been quite small. I feel as if I have paid big for certain misjudgements. How was I to know that I could only do this thing 3x before my luck would run out? How should I have known that I must avoid that thing? I didn't at the time and rushed willy-nilly into ill-conceived life choices. How many times can one marry before they admit they should stay single? How many trips do I have down Rte. 3A, a windy narrow road where there have been so many fatal accidents, and where I have been safe so far? Do I need to alter my path to work? How many gym visits can I miss before I find my body is weak? So many questions, so little time. Thanks for wonderful morning musings that have given me a world of new things to ponder.
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 1:46pm EDT
Bonnie and Leah - wow - I always love yalles's comments<---how many times can I get away with that!! haha...Bonnie - I've yet to see that one but am surely going to look for it!!! Thanks for writing all that...wow Leah, vacation home in Maine - here I come!!! (but no left turns)...
Leah G. May 28, 2006, 1:50pm EDT
Mariana,
it's a labor of love (our Maine house). It's been 'under construction' for 4 years. But no need to rush. We're only 29...for now it's a place to dissapear....from the daily grind (our jobs, our side biz, our grad school hellish projects, our primary house in MA). Our friends that have gone up and given us their sweat labor love it too. I think working with your hands is the best medicine. :)
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 1:55pm EDT
Clare - I just posted a comment - where did it go? Humm if this shows up twice, I ain't senile - ok...Clare, I think we just have to trust our intuitions. If something doesn't feel right, then think about changing something. You'll know. Sometimes I believe one of my many guardian angels flies ahead of me moving obstacles. Oh, yes, I am a philosopher and live in my own little world of beliefs...it's all good. Thank you for commenting, Clare. Many blessings today.
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 2:03pm EDT
Leah - write an article about it - or send me the one you wrote - sounds like something I'd love to read about!!!
Nathan Schauer May 28, 2006, 3:08pm EDT
You think of the best topics - hummm - I have exactly 40 "But, I did my work mister" s left in me. If I hear one too many I will explode in front of the class.
Laura Serena aka AstroGirl May 28, 2006, 3:52pm EDT
My quota for some things is quite low:

Number of times I can vote for anyone who called Hillary Clinton a liberal or George Bush a compassionate conservative: 0
(Unless of course the candidate is Stephen Colbert and he's running for first democratically elected dictator of the universe.)

Number of times I can drink a cup of coffee ever in my life without feeling sick: 2

My quota for other things is quite high:

Number of times I can listen to the Grateful Dead and still dig it: 6,955,872
(I'm not quite there yet.)

Number of times I can watch "The Frodis Caper" (the final episode of The Monkees, directed by Micky Dolenz) and still laugh my head off: 8,963
(Since I've only watched it about 30 or 40 times, I still have a long way to go.)
Darcy Altaville May 28, 2006, 4:31pm EDT
gee Mariana, in light of my recent article, I would have to say that maybe somewhere in my DNA I have a limited number of internet sales!! lol
And to think, you thought of this without all the java....hmmmm.....wish my brain worked that way in the morning.
Linda Douglas May 28, 2006, 6:31pm EDT
Mariana, I have long felt that I have a quota for the number of times I can have sex and that I met it a long time ago. I keep hoping that someone will transfer the remainder of their quota to me. Is that possible? I also fear that there may be a chocolate quota. I guess my quota of grandchildren was four.
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 6:36pm EDT
Lindaaaaa - you are so hilariously funny - quoto on times one can have sex - hummm well, that's something to think about...chocolate - oh hell Linda why did you bring that up - I eat that and drink wine and justify it by saying and researching and they are good for my health...so there! Well, it's really your actions I believe I'm referring to - as far as having quotas - you know action, reaction...I have my moments of existentialism...I wish I didn't have so many personalities and an inner child to raise...ohh well...
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 6:42pm EDT
Astro Girl - you are suchhhh a trip - you're crazy - you are your own person - I like you so much - wow - great comment...are comments given ratings? They should be - heyyyy Gather folks are you listening?
Laura Serena aka AstroGirl May 28, 2006, 6:49pm EDT
Mariana, I like you too. Thanks for so many thought provoking questions. I liked you other topic about our functions in life too!
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 7:37pm EDT
Oh well my wheels are turning Astro Girl - a dear friend told me once - always do what's inside of you - but do it before you have time to think...I figured if I just channelled it out first thing - I'll be ok! I'm outside drinking wine trying to figure out my taxes - yuck - but thinking of a new article - Thank you so much my friend - all these compliments are making me feel Good!!!! ok Haiku thoughts about Purpose vs. Function...if anyone can - you can!
Stephalicious B. May 28, 2006, 11:10pm EDT
Interesting concept. I like the idea. Will have to think about it.
Anita D. May 28, 2006, 11:57pm EDT
Interesting thought that our DNA is the scientific explanation of predestination. I wll have to think on this, but you have definitely touched on one of my beliefs that all things have explanations ... but we may not have the right questions or technology to reveal the answers.
Mariana T. May 29, 2006, 12:05am EDT
a very gray matter Anita - however, intuition and of course, the pineal gland - we must learn more about it and take care of it - It is our Third eye - it is very important...stay close to Nature and observe your body...we know the answers - they are inside of us...
thank you for commenting,Anita. Always nice to see you.
John Dice May 29, 2006, 1:22am EDT
wonder how many Pina Colada`s, budwisers........an chilled Jack Danny`s
...i got left.......
Mariana T. May 29, 2006, 1:25am EDT
John...good question and one to ponder as remember for every action...
and you have to remember
that you may only have been dealt 5 times to drive while intoxicated...
think about it seriously...our Guardian angels can be in disguise.
Diana Raabe May 29, 2006, 12:06pm EDT
My God-given quota probably has something to do with one more cup of coffee I insist upon before starting the day. Interesting thought - personal quotas.
Tony Close May 29, 2006, 12:11pm EDT
Mariana, interesting and entertaining article. Raises the question, though - just how many quotas do each of us get?
George Corneliussen May 29, 2006, 2:06pm EDT
Ah, but are we issued a quota of incorrect theories ? And, if we are, does that mean when we use up our quota, no matter what our theory is, it's correct ?
Jose Wolfster M. May 29, 2006, 6:00pm EDT
Quota, hmm, I am free and enjoy the achievements of accomplishments that seem to number in the lows but you know I can only try to keep adding them up but I love my coffee so...wheres my next pot? lol! Great article, great left turns but my left turns sort of go ...SSSCCCRRREEEeeeech!!LOL!
Mariana T. May 29, 2006, 9:40pm EDT
George - are you pulling my braids? However, being the physics buff that I am - I am going to have to think about this one...and dern it, George, I gave up having to think about these things - I just want to let my mind fly and be free....can anyone answer George?
Ludie Gee May 29, 2006, 10:02pm EDT
17 Airplane poops on head, 220 moonings, 8320 middle fingers, 23006 cig butt flicks, -16 goosings, 552 lecherous leers, 871 flirtatious emails, 4 traffic tickets, 82 free blockbuster videos, 187 free wine and pretzel tastings, 22 super market trolley incidents, 18 first class upgrades, -5 plane trips and emmmmm a partridge in a pear treeeeeeee!
Ludie Gee May 29, 2006, 10:03pm EDT
The answer for George is: Theoretically Yes - but my quota for number of correct answers might outweigh that of incoorect theories - oh no that should be the other way around!
Molly Pockets May 29, 2006, 10:04pm EDT
I hope I'm not going to hit any quotas anytime soon...
Peter M. May 29, 2006, 11:11pm EDT
Mariana, sounds to me like you're contemplating the karmic wheel here... finding the points where the "free ride" turns into "accidents." As for me, I am one of those "make 3 rights to take a left" people.... especially in large cities I don't know.
Tony Close May 30, 2006, 12:22am EDT
I've got an answer for George but, unfortunately I've exceeded my daily quota of characte
Mariana T. May 30, 2006, 12:46am EDT
Peter - Why are you soooo damn smart? Yes, that's what I mean...in a matter of speaking!
Dolphi D. May 30, 2006, 1:01am EDT
Interesting theory. The doctors may be dismayed to hear it, but the theory neatly explains the compulsive behavior. Having different quota for different things will give rise to a hell of disputes over unused quota in some areas. Perhaps the quota allotted for the number of heartbeats overrides all the rest.
mona d. May 30, 2006, 12:10pm EDT
1. i love the way your brain works.
2. 3 cups of coffee is too many!
3. frozen airplane poop is hysterical and brilliant.
4. i hope my quota contains anxiety attacks, i'm afraid it contains orgasms, and i think it contains poems.
Mariana T. May 30, 2006, 9:10pm EDT
Mona - You are a trip!!!! thanks so much...
love your quotas...hahaha
Great Icon too!!!
Mariana T. May 31, 2006, 12:15am EDT
Dolphi - Yes, there is something to it and the connection with the Pineal gland...and everything - it's all connected...I really do appreciate your comment!
Kathryn E. May 31, 2006, 12:18am EDT
Whoa, gives me lots to think about...I'm left handed, drink coffee, love to make left turns. Holy moly, it's Wednesday, already, time to turn in...

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