Monday, April 11, 2005

Life altering events

There are certain things that happen in one's life that are hard to believe. Events, words, actions that are not characteristic of who we are or what we do. Things happen that are so significant that at that moment intuitively you know something truly unique had just occurred.

I experienced this yesterday after grocery shopping. I rolled my cart out the front door and headed into the liquor store. I am still somewhat upset that I can't buy my liquor as I buy my food but that had nothing to do with what was about to transpire. I quickly located the area I needed to be in as they have these signs sticking out of the shelves telling you what is where. Whisky, rum, gin, vodka, all highlighted to make shopping easier. I have never had any problem finding my way around a liquor store, but I digress.

I walked up to the whisky area knowing exactly what I wanted to purchase. I figured the store would have it. It is not a common item but I also believe it to not be a rare item. I looked at the different bottles, fighting the drool back as I looked at the Maker's Mark bottles. Focus. Must focus. I scanned looking for the bottle I specifically wanted. But I couldn't find it. They didn't have it.

Ok. Don't panic. I could go with a back up bottle but it would have the desired effect I was looking for? I looked intently on one bottle. I visualized in my melon the scene. It could do the job, but why take chances. I now knew what I had to do. Go to a different liquor store.

That is when something significant happened. It was like writing a letter to Penthouse. "I never thought this would happen to me...." I grabbed my cart and walked out of the liquor store without buying anything. Yes, you read that correctly. I went into a liquor store and left without a purchase. I still find it hard to believe myself, but I did it.

I felt strange. It seemed so, so.....unnatural. I must admit, I just about lost my composure. When I decided to go to a different store, I thought about grabbing the nearest item and buying it. The Stevens Point Honey Light six pack just about made it home with me, but I stood strong.

I thought I might break out into a heavy sweat but that didn't happen. No hives to report. I simply drove to another liquor store where I found exactly what I was looking for.

Now that I have had time to reflect on this life changing moment, I wonder if it could happen to me again. Stranger things have happened.

2 comments:

James Wigderson said...

What usually follows is you'll be in a restaurant or bar and you'll order your favorite beverage. When you discover they don't have it, you might order a substitute but you'll never open those doors again.

J. Gambino said...

That reminds me of the time I walked into a Payless Shoes and left without, dare I say it?... I left without buying anything. But I did go home with a pair of those try on booties in my pocket.

Let's try to look at it from an Amazing Race standpoint. It was a Detour. You still got to your destination, you just took a bit of a roundabout way to get there.