laid-back bull

All over the internet in various profiles, on TV in commercials, on billboards, magazines on the radio I hear and see the words "Laid-back." Almost as often I see the words "Easy-going."

Like most things not meant to be thought about, I thought about what the heck those micro-phrases really mean. It seems like everyone wants to be called "laid-back' and "easy-going." As if that's a goal of our society. And if you think about some of the most popular people in school, who were they? The "laid-back, easy-going" types.

So what's it mean? In the most popular sense of the word, I suppose it means that you don't let little things bother you. You roll with the punches, go with the flow, play 'em as they come. (ran our of cliche metaphors there.)

But the more I thought about it, I don't think it's necessarily always a good thing to ALWAYS be laid-back. The REALLY laid-back folks I know are usually just plain lazy. They could care less about the world around them. They have no real opinions, no real back-bone.

Of course, the opposite of that would be hard-headed, stubborn and arrogant. And no one likes that.

I've been known to call myself laid-back and easy-going. And in my public life I usually am.

But in my private world, I'm not always that easy-going.

I like things a certain way. I like my private world to be ordered, organized and logical. I like for the things I do and have to have meaning and reason.

That's one big reason I don't collect knick-knacks. What's the point of a pretty bowl on the table that never has anything in it that you got at Big-Lots? I'd understand if was Venician glass you got on your trip to Italy. But just to buy stuff to have stuff? I don't get that.

When I put things away in my house, I need it to always go back in the same place. I'm a forgetful person, so if I don't always put it back in the same place, I completely forget where it's at.

If I make a mess, I clean it up. And I honestly expect others to do the same. Take care of yourself.

These 'laid-back' 'easy-going' guys who never know how to clean up after themselves, I don't get it. It's a sign of a lack of self-respect if you ask me.

Then again, if you're out in public and you flip out over the tiniest things, that's a bit too much. I have a great deal of patience with other people. I don't get road rage or aisle anger in the store. If I made plans and then something comes up and they have to change, no big deal.

Most of the time, I don't sweat the little things. Step on my toes? No biggee. Bump my knee? Oh well. And usually when I make mistakes or things go wrong, I end up laughing. What else can you do?

But for the love of all things sanitary, don't put your dirty socks on the stove to dry.