Going up... Going up... Ding! You've reached your destination.
By: Todd Stanton
I must say, elevators are pretty rad contraptions. They take up less room than stairs or an escalator, they require less energy on your part; and they give you that funny floating sensation as you go down, or that oddly heavy sensation as you up. And if you happen to be in a glass elevator, you can always amuse yourself by watching the people outside as they grow larger or smaller.
But the elevators have always held a mystical aspect in my mind, like I'm looking into a whole new world when I enter or exit one. When those elevator doors open to admit me in, I wonder who will be inside waiting to get out. Will it be a bored looking fellow with a lazy eye? The janitor you see walking around with those massive biceps? An exotic lady dressed in a sensual dress? Maybe even a CIA agent. Who knows? Some days I wouldn't be surprised if somebody exploded out of the elevator, guns a'blazin' Matrix-style.
And then you get into the elevator, watch those metal doors slide shut, and hear those cries of “Wait! Hold the door!” So you do, and then this last second straggler joins you in the metal box. The door buzzes angrily at you to stop obstructing its path and you remove your hand, allowing the doors to shut again. Then you get either that floating or heavy feeling as you move, and you begin to wonder about that guy who joined you. Is he a serial killer who targets innocent elevator-travelers? Is he likely to poke you in the side for no reason just as he exits the elevator? Perhaps he's even going to pull out his guns and start shooting at random bad guys as soon as the doors open.
Finally, the doors open on the floor you selected, and it's like a completely different dimension from your previous floor. Different lighting, different sounds, smells, sights. This is especially prominent if you go from a parking garage to a lofty floor in a building. But this part of the trip always makes me the most excited. What will await in this new world? Is there a possibility that I've traveled through time over the past three floors (I've often expected to see me from like 2 years ago walking into the elevator just as I leave)? Leaving the confines of the elevator is always sure to be an adventure.
So next time you go to get on an elevator, remember my crazy thoughts and try to get yourself psyched up for the ride. It might just make your elevator riding experience just that much more fun and exciting.
A Boredom Adventure
Some days you're just... bored silly. You don't have any plans, dates, or appointments (though you would like to), and no chores to do about the house. And we all know msn can only keep you content for so long. So what does one do? If it is a good day out weather-wise, one goes on a quest/adventure. And by a quest or adventure I mean meandering about town seeing whom you'll run into and what sorts of tomfoolery you can get into.
Yes, an adventure is an exciting thing to embark on, and can be done in many different ways, but you must go prepared. Preparation is key when you have no clue what your day holds for you. Lucky for you I have compiled a list of things to bring on your adventure to help you get through the day. These items were chosen for utility and portability.
First of all, before you even consider going on a quest/adventure, you will need a lighter. The fancier it is, the better. Tacky lighters are the worst. Lighters are small, light and serve many a purpose. They: are just fun because fire is involved, can be used to cook stuff, light stuff on fire, keep away wild animals and ruffians, allow you to answer in the affirmative if somebody asks “Got a light?”. And if you smoke it is a must.
The second most crucial item you need to carry on your person when you embark on a quest is a deck of cards. With a deck of cards and some luck/skill one can get just about anything in this world, often through means of gambling. You can even acquire an extra lighter. Or, you can just play a friendly game of cards with someone. But if you intend to possibly gamble in your journey, always bring something to gamble with, lest your opponent force you to default to soul gambling. Carrying various types of decks is also advised (ie. 54 card, Uno, Magic, Magic: the Gathering, etc.).
The next few items are ones that aren't mandatory, but highly suggested for optimal survival. A watch, be it pocket or wrist, is useful in keeping track of time and deciding impromptu plans. A cell phone can suffice to tell time in a worst-case scenario. A wallet in your left pocket is also highly suggested, provided it contains the following: photo ID, a debit card, a few $5 and $10 bills and a bus pass (so you don't have to gamble your soul against bus fare). Also in your left pocket I advise carrying around a handful of change with at least 2 quarters.
The last thing that one might need in their journeys is a belt. A belt is comfortable, stylish, can have hook-on extensions (such as a pocket watch) and doubles as a whip in combat. And what's more: it keeps up your pants if they're too large.
The following are nice to have and are often carried by the experienced wanderer, who would recognize their utility and multi-purpose-ness. A pen and a mechanical pencil (often combined with scraps of paper or a notepad) are useful for writing things down like phone numbers or email addresses, or even directions to get somewhere. An MP3 player can fight off boredom, but the skilled adventurer makes their own excitement by seeking new sights or knocking on doors. But there's no better show of comradeship on an adventure than the sight of two people on one set of headphones; and this is why you might carry an MP3 player. A cell phone is only useful if: you want to randomly call somebody up to get them out of the house in the next 60 minutes; you need to call a drive home; you just witnessed somebody fall into a predicament leading to hospitalization; or to tell time, but you should have a watch.
And then there is the optional item: a book-bag. A book-bag can increase the amount of portable and semi-portable stuff you can take with you on an adventure and more. If you do bring a book-bag with you, I suggest the following to fill it with: a 4L jug of water, a few books, and a long industrial chain with a Master Lock. Also, fill the front pouch with various trinkets that remind you about the good things in life. This will be your bag of tricks. The book-bag can then be filled with just about anything you need/want from there.
I hope this article has given you some insight on how to survive a day of boredom, or even enhance your adventuring experience. Good luck on your journeys and keep away from gangs.