The Romanticist

They closed down the shortcut where I live.

There used to be this hole in the fence that I could use to get to the streetcar stop in record time in the morning, or sneak through on the days that I make the conscious decision to not be lazy and walk to work.

The shortcut was great.

The shortcut literally was the difference between me catching the streetcar and me seeing it motor on by with no hope of making it. The day I walked out of my apartment to find that they had locked up the fence was a sad day indeed.

You see, now that the fence is closed, I have to walk down the length of the fence, past a dry cleaner's, a convenience store, and a pedicure shop, and then cross the street to catch the streetcar, or walk around another apartment building to get to the crosswalk to begin my walking adventure. As well as taking longer, it's just annoying, especially if I'm already running late.

You're probably wondering where I am going with this.

Well, in a vain attempt to cut down the time it takes to go around, I usually end cutting through the courtyard of the apartment next to mine. Nobody cares...it's an open, public walkway, and it IS a shorter walk, rather than strolling to the corner of the sidewalk, turning right, and walking up to the same point where the courtyard ends. I mean, everyone knows that the hypotenuse of a right triangle is shorter than the combined distance of it's two opposite sides.

Wait.........what was that again?

It's the Pythagorean theorem. We all learn it in middle school math.

It's funny, because I remember sitting in classes throughout junior high and high school, cursing the heavens for homework, and wondering what practical application I would ever have for these ridiculous theorems. It amuses me that as I as cutting through this courtyard, I starting thinking about hypotenuses and mathematical equations.

But that's not my point.

My point is, it's funny the things that stick with you. Of all the lessons I learned from Kindergarten to Grade 12...of all the lessons that added to my growing knowledge over the years...of all the lessons that were on tests, homework assignments and worked towards moulding who I am now as an adult, it's funny the ones we remember.

One lesson that sticks out hugely happened during 9th grade English class. My teacher, Mrs. McKay was teaching us about themes in various plays and novels, but we primarily focused on the theme of the realist vs. the romanticist in the play The Fantasticks.

Now I only remember bits and pieces of the play, though I remember finding it quite enjoyable and probably should read it again (I have no doubt that it'll be worth a second look now that I'm a bit older and maybe slightly more worldly.)

I remember that it was a simple play, with a long scene of tableau that would stretch through the intermission. The main characters were Matt and Luisa, and, in the simplest terms, the play was a love story.

The main theme we focused on was the difference between these two characters. Matt was a realist, and saw the world the way it was, nothing more, nothing less. Luisa, on the other hand, was a romanticist, who as I remember wished to be "kissed upon the eyes." (*sigh...*)

Luisa was also under the impression that the weather reacted to her moods. Now, you may be thinking, "Sure, I get bummed when the weather is lousy."

That's not what she was like.

Rather, if she was feeling lousy, then the weather must also be lousy as well. If she cheered up, then the sun was to shine. As a hardcore romanticist, she literally thought that the weather should conform to how she felt, and not the other way around.

Since that day in 9th grade English class, I have considered myself to be a romanticist. When I look at the world, I see it in terms of song lyrics, movie quotes, and poetic stanzas. And if I'm going to be honest, yes, on the rare occasion I think that the weather is the way it is to reflect exactly how I'm feeling inside.

Take today for example.

I had to wake up early and it was misty. After a rough workout, it was drizzling, and as the events of the day got worse and worse (a temperamental coffee machine, the "let's blame the receptionist" game, and a canker sore that hurts when I talk), the heavens opened and rained all the tears that refused to cry. As vain as it makes me, I couldn't help but think that it was raining just for me. And as crazy as it seems, that thought almost lifted my mood, made the rain a little more bearable, and gave the torrential downpour a little more beauty...a little more light through the dull and dark. Talk about romantic!

I understand if you're calling me a narcissist right now. Us romantics have to deal with that accusation all the time. We feel the world is a reflection of our souls, and therefore, revolves around us (no...not really...but sometimes it's a comforting thought :) )

So 9th grade English may have turned me into even more of a romantic, but gave me warning to let the realist in sometimes, or I may become disillusioned and forget about what is really going on, and what the world really is about. Another lesson applied to my practical every day life thanks to public school.

But hey, we can all use a little more romance in our lives, right?

Now all I need to do is find an every-day use for organic chemistry and I am set!

UPDATE: Tuesday, November 13, 2007!

The shortcut is back! I don't know how long it will be before they replace the fence that has seemingly been ripped out (apparently other people missed the shortcut as well), but until then, I can go a few days without the presence of a² + b² = c² in my life!