People tend to talk about silly things on their blogs; therefore, I intend on doing the same.  Just because the Parker Brothers made the game Monopoly, doesn't mean you can't play it.  (And just because you cannot come up with a fitting analogy doesn't mean you don't try.)

At any rate, I believe in thinking outside of the box.  While it offends many individuals, I love to question what we think we know as a society.  Rather significant to life or not, questioning ideologies or norms within society truly defines a person as a free-thinker, in my opinion.  Most people don't search for the reasons behind seemingly solid facts or methods.

Take for example the idea of wearing hats indoors.  For most people, this is considered wrong.  It's rude.  Surely, I can respect the aforementioned notion, and I do take my hat off indoors . . . most of the time.  But, why do we do it? 

Well, the idea of taking your hat off indoors actually dates back to Medieval times, and perhaps before, although it was never mentioned in written history.  See, knights wore visors that shielded their faces from attacks, dirt, debris,and anything else that might be debilitating in some way.  The visors were also used to intimidate an enemy solider or knight the same way that certain animals and insects use patterns on their bodies to ward off predators. 

Over time, knights started to lift, slide, or remove their visors to show their face, which was a sign of friendliness.  The idea caught on and soon applied to hats. 

It then developed into doffing one's hat.  An old English custom developed, which involved a man tipping his hat as a sign of courteousness.  I'm sure you've seen an old English film or two, in which, a man tips his hat to a lady.  It was a sign of friendliness and being a gentleman.

Most men wore hats "back in the day" because of their occupations.  At the time, many western nations were in the industrial age, which almost required men to wear those famous black hats in order to avoid dirt and ash from the work place.  It was considered good hygiene. 

We now find ourselves at an age where the hat removal seems arbitrary.  We're not knights.  Not too many of us work in factories.  However, due to its long history, the notion of removing one's hat or cap has cemented itself in our society. 

In the end, we're not sure why we think someone is rude for removing his or her hat.  That's just the way it is.  And, it's good that we know why, because the point isn't the argument; it's the knowledge that comes out of it.  (Of course, knowing why we tip and remove our hats may only be useful knowledge on Jeopardy!.)

 So, whether you are trying to trend-send a generation, or you're just curious, remember that is always a good practice to do some research or question the way things are.  Advancement doesn't happen without change.  And change requires someone or a group to question the presents ways of conduct in society. Hats are just a weak example. 

I'll confess.   This is my very first blog and I don't know what I am doing.  As a matter of fact, I was once offended by the notion of blogging, but now find myself in a position where I must go with the flow, as no one says anymore . . .  except for Queens of the Stoneage. 

Consider this my first point of "selling out".  Please, don't hate me.  Or do. 

At any rate, as some of you may know, I have spent quite a bit of my youth paying for things that shouldn't cost money, such as food, education, etc. (C'mon, should college really cost all that much?  I mean, I'm paying to work.  It's like I'm prostituting my mind for a slip of paper, barely proving that I am competent at whatever I may dream of doing.)

Aside from the rant . . . I have worked for a grocery store since I was a high school junior--something I should just omit--and all the way to my junior year at Ball State University.  For me, this comes to unfortunate expense.  I am a clerk.  In other words, the lowest level of being a peasant. 

The funny thing is, though, shoppers babble without forethought.  And since I work in a produce department, that means everyone who eats real food informs me of their personal lives.  And, that means YOU.  But, not you, Cheetos and W.O.W. man.  Not you.

Sometimes, I will just space out on the job.  Heavy-ass box in hands, I sometimes stand to eve's drop. Sometimes I tip over.  And, of course, it's not by choice.  There's just nothing else to do.  I mean, I could do anything in the world, but for some reason I choose to hand-stack apples and rotate cucumbers. 

Listening to people gossip and/or bicker is usually the highlight of my day.  However, although a smile surfaces on my face as I hear the chatter, I cannot recall particular events all that well.  This is simply because I enter a better state-of-mind once I clock out for the day.  I repress the memories, as I should.  But, when a great "convo moment" occurs, I will be sure to paste it on this blog, granted I can figure this whole website/blogging thing out. 

For now, go forth and loiter.  Sit around and listen to others speak . . . but not directly to you.  Just eve's drop.  It's fun.  Stalk someone at Wally World.  Do whatever.  But just give it a try; and don't get arrested.  It can conjure light into even the darkness realms of depression.  When people just chat, they can either say the most articulate, meaningful messages life has to offer, or they can just sound extremely dumb.  It's usually the latter, which is more interesting, anyway. 

'Til then, stay tuned.  Or surfing.  Just bookmark my page and come back when something important really happens.  And, don't forget to listen in on others' lives.