Here's a scenario for good change - the family is going over to someone's house for a nice meal and Packer game. That someone has a dog. Me, the Wife, and Techno-Boy take our antihistamines and get the washer and dryer set up for immediate use upon our return. We're ready for change. Bring on the chow, the game and Fido.
Now imagine this scenario of sudden change - I'm walking down the street and a rottweiler (dragging 12 feet of broken logging chain) comes charging around a house with loud, foam-spitting barking and wild, Baskerville eyes. And it is heading right for me. See. Sudden change sucks.
When I was younger, much younger, I could take a surprise or sudden change in stride. I had the flexibility of a athletic body and agile mind.
Taking the scenario above, I could physically beat-feet down the street, easily outdistancing the cantankerous canine due to the sudden dumping of adrenaline into my system. Boom, baby, I'm gooooone.
I might decide to out-think the snarling beast by facing it, not showing fear, and backing slowly down the street, while waiting for the dumping of the adrenaline. Then, boom, baby.
If this situation happened today, I would freeze in place, my body deciding not to flee so it can die well-rested. My first thought might be, "if I live through this I'm gonna get a really good lawyer".
The next might be the more pragmatic thought of "I hope he grabs the left knee first - it's missing the most cartilage and needs work anyhow". Yeah.
See what I mean?
So this evening, the Wife wants me to answer the door as the neighborhood denizens knock on doors, demanding Halloween candy.
Oh, I'll see cute little kids in discount store superhero outfits under the watchful eyes of parents sitting warmly in cars, slowly following them down the street like Presidential security. That's a good change to my Wednesday night. I'm ready for that.
The other side of the coin is the teenagers with those scary masks that feel the need to jump at people, growling in character, thrusting those threatening plastic trash bags (or are they body bags?!) while demanding candy.
All of it.
Now.
Well. I'm wearing my big people diapers.
Just in case.
Happy honkin' Halloween.