Thursday, September 28, 2006

Maturity...Don't Believe The Hype.

Back in July, while waiting for the results of my T.B. test, I introduced my readers to the two sides of my much-overworked brain: Hysterical Mind and Rational Mind. Rational Mind is the voice of reason who takes a mature view of events and makes logical decisions based on the facts. RM is not swayed by emotion and can be counted on to know where the fire extinguisher is. Hysterical Mind, on the other hand, is prone to thinking the worst and is easily distracted by irrelevant details like whether or not the use of a fire extinguisher will release cancer causing chemicals.

They are rarely in accord. Sometimes it is very loud inside my head...

But, in an historical meeting of the "minds," the Rational and Hysterical have found common ground. While it is for differing reasons, they are finally in agreement.

For some time now, I have been toying with the idea of heading down to Rhinebeck. The idea that I might be able to roam wild and free among those who do not raise a quizzical brow at the mention of such things as "gauge" and "niddy noddies" or fail to see the tragedy in a misplaced cable sounded quite nice. I was happily exploring the various lodging facilities and wondering if I might catch a glimpse of a famous knit blogger or two.

However, there have been a few setbacks in this plan. First, we had the interrupted pay cycle issue. This has depleted the funds somewhat and The Sheep household is in the process of resuming normal fiscal activity. Rational Mind reviewed the data and pronounced us unable to travel under the current circumstances. "A prudent Sheep is a happy Sheep," is RM's motto.

Hysterical Mind, who also has a few issues with the concept of delayed gratification, could not have disagreed more strongly. "It's only money, after all and you can't take it with you...onward, ho!!!" HM is a fun-loving sort who makes life so much more interesting.

It seemed unlikely that a decision could be reached and, I must admit, Hysterical Mind (being the louder of the two) was really making some strong points. That is until a certain vehicle began acting up. The two sides returned to the table and talks resumed.

And it seems that neither side wants to make the drive in a truck that is displaying a glowing picture of an engine. Their rationales were markedly different. Perhaps predictably, Rational Mind stated that this was just the logical thing to do. No one wants to be riding in an unsafe vehicle in a strange land, after all. Hysterical Mind is convinced that, at any moment, the truck is going to spontaneously combust in a fiery ball of death. It further believes that it is highly likely that the explosion will occur just as we are passing a bus carrying the Sisters of Charity as they make their yearly toy delivery to the local orphanage. Thus, The Sheep will go down in the annuls of human history as the killer of nuns and the dreams of small children. Hysterical Mind is nothing if not true to it's name...

With both sides in harmony for once in my life, it is time to throw in the towel. Rhinebeck is just not in the cards for me this year. I will make the responsible decision. I will save a few dollars and, perhaps, the smiles of small orphaned children.

Maturity is not all it's cracked up to be...

So, to all who will be congregating at the mystical, magical land of fiber, please take lots of pictures and blog heavily on the subject. I will read every word as I review the estimate to fix the truck and begin budgeting for next year. Buy some fiber and some pretty sock yarn and enjoy the day!

Maybe I'll see you next year...

SA

17 comments:

Knittymama said...

I constantly live in the state of Hysterical Mind. Rational Mind? That's my husband. Just mention VOC's, phlatlates, lead paint and watch the two of us talk in neverending circles. We are either very frightening or very entertaining, not sure which one:-)

missemilysmom said...

i hear you!!! I had even mapped it out!! But blasted money!! Why does it get in the way!! Look for my next post on fiber!! Wait until you see what i was given!!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you don't get to go this year. Where is it? I've been hearing about this event, but don't know anything about it. I'll have to Google.

Sheila said...

Yes, I remember being a child and wanting sooo badly to be an adult...ahh naivety.
With a year to plan, you will surely be buying a fleece at Rhinebeck next year!!

Anonymous said...

But what if you were SUPPOSED to go because your neighbor's oven was going to blow up (or the furnace) and you didn't, and you were trapped inside your house, and everyone in the area said, "Oh, we don't have to worry about her, she's at Rhinebeck? See? The truck's not there..." And all the while the truck is in the shop, and the sheep is trapped inside her home...

Just wondering...

sheep#100 said...

Aw, poop!

And what Debby said.

Anonymous said...

Oh that's too bad. I can't go either. I have to be a grown up and raise children. I can't go gallivanting about the country side carvoting with knitbloggers. It stinks to be mature.
I do suggest that you take a bit of money (you're saving money staying home)and treat yourself to a little something.
Karen
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/

Mia said...

Oh sheepie... um, can you go get that hysterical mind girl so I can talk to her for a minute? We must come up with a plan! if you lived in NY you could ride with myself and Big Geek...

Is there no one around that would loan a car to a Sheep for a day or two? Is a rental totally out of the Sheepie budget? Bus? Train? ::laughing::

I'm not sure I hear total agreement between the two quite yet *grin*

And I think you should DEFINITELY listen to commenter Debbie's plan.. she's just lookin' out for ya..

I'm still thinkin....

Anonymous said...

Please excuse my (heh, Im in Canada) ignorance, what pray tell is this Rhiney event???

Ill take hysterical mind any day, the rational one ain't no fun lol...

Have a great Friday, G

hillary said...

It really is a horrible thing when Hysterical Mind and Rational Mind agree. Nothing good can come of it. Mine agreed and I'm not going to Rhinebeck either. Fortunately they arrived at a compromise - local fiber fest and, perhaps, a very big new toy. They're still hashing out that last part.

April said...

What is this Rational Mind you speak of?

Lorraine said...

Being in MN, I've been so jealous of all the Rhinebeck talk anyway. Let's just talk about all the attendees behind their backs while their gone and pretend we're having a good time. ;-D

Mia said...

oh my... ye who have no knowledge of Rhinebeck... ::laughing my ass off::

Sorry to comment again Sheepie, but this post of yours is a good one :-)

Another reason for hysterical mind to take over.. just IMAGINE the blogging possibilities the Sheepie could have after a visit to Rhinebeck.... Just sayin.

Ok, I gotta go relax a little more now ::laughing::

This Weary Traveler said...

Wow! I don't think my RM and HM have ever agreed on anything. Being a grown up kinda sucks sometimes.

Hannah said...

Oh, I am so sorry you will not be at Rhinebeck! I had no intention of going at all and had not even considered ways to get there--and then a friend offered me a ride with her and her children. How could I resist? I was so hoping to meet you! (And the key to survival is that I have about $25 to spend....)

Teri S. said...

It sounds like you took the prudent approach. I'd be very nervous, too, about heading down to Rhinebeck in a cranky truck. I agree with anonymous who recommended that you treat yourself to a little something, just to take the sting out. Something like some more luxury sock yarn...!

missemilysmom said...

It is Tracy.... She is due in Feb.