For those that are unaware, I'm a runner. Most times a dedicated one, but not always. There are many "loops" around the Zoo that I use depending on time available and how dedicated I'm feeling on any particular day.
While I run, I listen to music - it helps to pass the time and occasional boredom of looking at the same landscapes. However, sometimes the thoughts that run through my head are so loud that I don't realize that the music is still playing until I'm done running and have to turn it off.
This occurred last week:
I was not feeling overly dedicated and the weather was a bit muggy. I picked the three mile loop that circles the Zoo. I was only about 100 feet out of our driveway when the loud thoughts began.
I'm accustomed to seeing trash along the road when I run. The Zoo is situated along a highway. I've seen food wrappers, cups, etc. But I came across my first condom along the edge of the road. Here are the thoughts:
Yuck!
Who would do that?
Wonder which way he was driving?
Was he driving alone?
One of my neighbors?
Did the event happen in the car?
If so, why start home with that still with you?
If it didn't happen in the car, why take it INTO the car?
At this point, I passed a SECOND condom! Only about 100 feet further up the road! And the thoughts went faster!
Same person?
Traveling the same direction as the first?
Different people?
Could definitely be different people!
What if he has two girlfriends!
What if they don't know about each other!
Wonder how far apart (time wise) those were tossed out the window?
What if the events are COMPLETELY unrelated?
What are the chances that two condoms end up on the same road that
close together, but tossed out windows by different people?
AND AT THIS POINT I PASSED A THIRD CONDOM!
GOOD LORD!
What are the chances?
Run this loop for 18 months and watch the cars pass. Now look what I find!
Three people?
With three separate people?
One person with three girlfriends?
Do the girlfriends all live around me?
Wonder where the closest "pull off" location is to here? Lots of trees
and fields around.
Who lives in these houses?
What if the girlfriend isn't single?!?!?
INTERESTING...
If it was three separate people, what are the chances of this happening?
I wonder if I would use this as an example of probability and
statistics in a math class?
The students would definitely pay attention. Would I get in trouble with the college?
If I was at home and had paper and pencil, I could draft the example problems.
Wonder what concepts would fit this example the best?
If I had chosen a different career path, I would be able to run the tests
to KNOW if it was different people?!?!?!
Do I know anyone in that field that I could coerce into running the tests for me?
I should carry rubber gloves when I run. Never know when you might
need to collect test samples.
Wonder how many classes I would have to take to be able to run those types of test?
How long will I have to run past the condoms?
Are those biodegradable?
I'll have to check the packaging next time I go to the store. It may
state how long they take to disintegrate.
That would be an interesting science fair project!
I don't think I want to take that phone call from the school.
Would the school call or would I just get a letter?
Imagine having to place that phone call! "Sorry, but your son can not do
an experiment on how long it takes different brands of condoms to
biodegrade along the roadside as his science fair project. Wouldn't
you like to build a paper mache volcano?"
Might be a better high school project! Definitely easier to collect used
condoms at that age level.
Imagine trying to collect the data! Schools have bins for collecting things
all the time!
"Used condoms here" I can see the sign!
Wonder if the people would help fill out the information you would need
for the experiment: brand of condom, date, time and location of use, etc.
If the project was about being biodegradable, imagine having to
choose a road for the experiment!!!
And people get upset when they do road construction - imagine it!
Would the condoms all have to be thrown from moving vehicles?
Wonder if that would affect the rate of decay?
That would be interesting to run past! All the condoms would be
labeled and you could collect data on your daily run!
At this point, I had completed my three miles and was back in my own driveway. However, the thoughts have not stopped! They still randomly pop into my head at times.
I haven't run that loop since. Rather afraid to see what might still be there - or not!
