By Repeating History, I Became A Trendsetter
After completing a recent Google search, I discovered there are a number of people known for statements concerning history repeating itself. The adage that I found that best fits the story you are about to read is the quote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana in his 1905 book, The Life of Reason, deserves credit for this thought-provoking quote.
A cool, wet, dewy morning
I was on my way to a doctor's appointment one morning about 20 years ago, and before I left I took our dog out to do her business. Always cognizant of my situation, I rolled up my pant legs first, high above my ankles. This way, even though my shoes would get wet in the grass, at least my pant leg bottoms would remain dry.
I returned the dog to the house, hopped into the car and started to drive to my appointment.
Preoccupied mind
I'm not sure if I was worried about my appointment that day, but it's obvious that my mind wasn't functioning at full capacity.
As I passed by my intended exit off I-99, I found myself having to turn around at the Pine Croft exit north of Altoona, and then travel south to get back into the city.
Then, after parking in the large lot on 9th Street and entering the old Station Mall, I decided to stop at the lav before checking in for my appointment. Imagine my embarrassment when I mistakenly opened the door to the lady's restroom instead of the men's lavatory. A shocked outcry by a woman at the sink in the lav brought this mistake to my attention.
Registering and taking a seat in the waiting area
Finally, after checking in at the medical office desk, I took a seat in the large, crowded waiting room. It was only then that I glanced down, and sure enough, I discovered that my pant legs were still folded up high on my shins. Needless to say, both my shoes and socks were fully exposed. I wondered how many people saw me walking through that parking lot, through the old mall halls toward the wrong lav, and noticed me while I checked in. I not only vowed that I would never do such a thing again, I started to worry that I was truly losing my mind.
I knew for certain, that those who saw me must have felt that Gomer had driven in from Mayberry, and that this had to be his first visit to the big city.
High school basketball season, 20 years later
Last December, as I returned to the car after taking our current dog outside one evening, my wife warned me, "Don't forget that your pant legs are rolled up."
It rained most of that day, and once again, I was aware that I had better roll up those jean cuffs so they wouldn't get soaking wet. My previous experience with my rolled cuffs was at the forefront of my brain, too - or so I thought.
We were on our way to Philipsburg, PA to watch our grandson's high school basketball game. Once there, we parked and walked into the lobby area outside the gym. There, the local parents had set up a basket raffle, concession stand, chance drawings, and numerous other fund-raising opportunities for a charitable cause.
The lobby, the halls and the gym were packed with people. Once my wife finished with her charity purchases, we went into the gym and picked out our seats. It was then that I glanced down, and sure enough, I found my pant legs were still rolled up to the same height that they were when we left our home.
Blaming my wife for not noticing my cuffs was fruitless. Her mind, similar to most women, was on the basket drawings, and winning those precious prizes. Again, I wondered how many people saw this pathetic old man with his jeans rolled high to flood level status. I refused to even even pick up my head to watch the game until after the end of the first quarter.
New franchise idea
My mistake for not remembering history was indeed embarrassing, but it did have a positive side. I've decided to open a new chain of stores called "The Old Man's Shop." And besides being the president and CEO, I will be considered the new, but also old "Trendsetter," with my folded cuffs.
