As time winds down on another year, I once again find myself pondering the expression, "don't have the time" and its brother, "can't find the time". Did so quite similarly last year, also in 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003. Everyone says it. Have you thought about what the person you're saying it to thinks about it? Spoiler alert: Do not expect any grandiose conclusions or Earth-shattering insight in this post. The more I thought about it over the last six years or so, the more I realized I still have no position on it.
About the time: A 91-year old person shouldn't take on a 35-year project with hopes of finishing it. He/she probably doesn't have the time. There are also instances where an arbitrary deadline is imposed. Someone called and is coming over in an hour. "I don't have time" to cut the grass before they get here.
Where age or deadline is not a factor, is it really true when someone says that? If so, wouldn't the person you're telling it to know it? There are 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, etc, etc ... (If you get less than that, you're exempt from these foolish thoughts). So, what you're really saying is, "I don't wish to use my time that way". To say it that way, of course, is kind of rude so we say, "I don't have the time" instead.
A task could/should be done and both of us are capable of doing it. I tell you, "I don't have the time". How should you react to that? Is my time more valuable than yours? Am I implying that you DO have the time? Am I simply saying I don't want to do it? Am I over-analyzing? Yes, absolutely, to at least two of those questions.
I planned to add considerably more thought to this essentially self-plagiarized (Auto-plagiarized?) entry after having another whole year to think about what I am trying to say but I have somewhere to go in a few minutes and ...
I don't have time to do it now.
Have a Happy and Safe New Year
AllTheBest,
CrabAppleLane
Quote of the Day
The blue lines are called the, uh, blue line.
Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "A view from the outfield bleacher seats. Not the best location to view the action on the ice, but we don't think the fans will mind."
If you don't have rink-side seats for the hockey game at Wrigley Field, I don't see how you can follow that game at all. -Rob
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Scrubs starts its last season tonight on a new night, a new network, and in HD and I'm hoping it can capture some new magic. It has been warm, funny, irreverent, and quite poignant sometimes but lost a good deal of its charm last season. Zach Braff is leaving after this season and the show may continue without him but that's still undecided. For my money, his character is the most replaceable but I think the series has run its course. Time to call it quits and no need to tie up loose ends. No teary farewells, either. Good job on the series, though.
