Wizzy 

Wizzy’s Wackyweed.....HELL ON WHEELS

Shady has provided a follow up for those curious minds who like to see a story completed......

Hello Ladies,

It’s me again, the timeless wanderer.  I received some very interesting mail offering me all sorts of assistance with my current inability to keep up with time.  I thought they were interesting and would like to share with you.

"I sympathize because I, too, feel incomplete without a watch.  Whenever I seek a new one out, considering the alternatives, perusing the rows of faces peering back at me, I groan with indecision.  Which one to become involved with?  This one, or that?  Which will be good to me for a long time?  Which will treat me well?  Do I go flashy or do I look for quiet confidence?  And what about intelligence?  Do I really want one smarter than I am? After all, I'm a simple kinda person.

So, at those times, I try to remember what my dear father tried to tell me about choice.  First, don't be seduced by a pretty face, he said.  A flashy exterior may cover a multitude of inner imperfections.  More jewels don't necessarily mean more class.  Frilly numbers may make this face hard to read, and you've got to be able to discern what you should know from the face.  The face has got to reflect honesty, and honestly.

Second, look to the hands.  Although we take them for granted, he said, the hands are expressive of the workings.  Are they well-tended, strong, capable, always pointing without question or indecision?  Graceful, pointing with dignity and poise?

Third, will she be around for a while, or will she disappear or "break up" (so to speak) and let you down in a couple of months?  This isn't always "crystal" clear (har, har) but listen to your inner voice on this one.

Ah, the big one.  Digital, or traditional?  Up to you.  My preference: graceful, assured hands and an expressive, honest, easy-to-read and interesting face.  They're strong inside as well as outside, and can stand the knocks of life.

But did I listen?  Naaaah. 

I became involved with a digital one, a really sporty model, once.  We just couldn't communicate with each other, although she looked really great clutching my arm.  I guess I could never figure out which buttons to push, and her attempts to instruct me were badly translated.  To put it simply, she was much more complex, much smarter than I was, and we went our separate ways.  I just failed her.  I blame myself for that one.  Guess I should have learned to handle her differently, with more smarts, and become more fluent in her native language.

Now, there's a sturdy, water-and-sweat-and-exercise-resistant one in my life, one which seems as much at home in the gym or on the sailboat or on a casual evening out. She fits my lifestyle.  Not flashy, just neat, sweet and has that, er, "timeless" (?) quality.  She even seems to glow, sometimes, perhaps because I treat her with the utmost respect and affection.  A bit higher-maintenance than some, but well worth it. 

Does that help?  Guess it all "stems" from one's experience, and this is a "case" in point.

So much for wrist-watches. That is what we were talking about here, wasn't it?

Anyhow, I wish you luck.  It's a jungle out there.  (Sorry, I believe the proper term is now "rainforest", isn't it?)

Now, if'n I could just have that kind of success with lovers, I'd be in hog heaven!"

DJ Belt 06-05-2004

I also got this wonderfully thought provoking diatribe regarding time.  It, too, is worthy of sharing with our readers.

"I read the ramble about your watch ... it's hard to lose something you've depended upon for so long but when it comes to watches I've had my heart broken a few times. So, now I have several but only really one which I use. The reason I keep a few is that because they don't seem to last. I don't know what is it about them - I'm sure I'm not more or less magnetized than the next person, they go wherever my wrist goes. They don't make watches like they used to anymore, I think. Or I should stop wearing swatches and get that Rolex *w*.

Anyway, faithless baubles that they are we still get hooked on 'em. Although I did go without for about 5 months, it was quite liberating. I read a short piece about time - did we create it? I'd say we created a measuring instrument for it but  aren't we supposed to be masters of our tools? Case in point, how many more are slaves to the clock? Even without wearing a watch, I knew other "sources" of time eg the clock on the 'puter screen, the big clock on the tower or by the jeweler's window, the monitors at the train station, the clock on my mobile etc. 

I'd like to think I have shaken off my dependence on The Watch, then why do I still eye it's siblings in the shop window?

Re a new watch, personally, I prefer a chronograph rather than a digital watch. I also like those with a date window inside coz I always forget the date. 

Hmmm the reason I wrote my reply was to point out that there are those in other time zones you could chat with! "

Have a good day
cheers
EC 06/06/2004 

I now had so many thoughts circling round in my head that I felt like a cuckoo clock ready to burst out the door at any moment.  So many choices for such a simple item that we take for granted every day of our lives.  As I was shuffling around on my messy desk, grabbing pen and paper to mark down the qualities I wanted in a new watch, low and behold but what should come slithering out from under a piece of paper.  You guessed right.  My old and faithful Timex digital watch, unaffected by being neglected for the past two weeks.  I lovingly stroked its face and touched each button on its body.  Then I deliberately set the alarm for 1am to buzz should I ever misplace my timeless beauty again.  Hopefully with continued love and care and an occasional new battery, she will be with me until I no longer worry about where I need to be and what time I should be there.

In closing, I would like to say thank you for all who shared advice with me and leave you with this thought from Jim Bishop:

“It is difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future, and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.”

Thank you,

Shady Lady

Should anyone else have the golden urge to have a ramble, don't hesitate to get in touch with me.  This is a site for all and any time you have something to say, jump right in.

Later Taters,

Wizzy