A Strange Bird’s Journey Across an Eight Lane Interdimensional Interstate.
I am resting on a grassy median, halfway between the inbound foolishness of youth and the outbound wisdom of experience. As the rush hour chaos swirls around me, hawks circle peacefully in the clear blue overhead.
I am a chicken crossing the road. And this is my story.
I was born in Boston, the last of four children. My parents planned on six, so obviously I broke the mold. Born prematurely, it took a month in the hospital and a complete blood transfusion for me to dodge my first Buick. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
Since then I’ve dodged political upheavals, economic downturns, even cancer. My life is remarkable not for what I have achieved, but for what I’ve been lucky enough to avoid. Happily married 25 years. At one company for 20. Two smart and talented kids. Cluck, cluck. cluck.
Roads I’ve crossed so far: Graduated Randolph High School. Earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from UMass Dartmouth. Studied advertising at The Rhode School of Design. Learned to break guitar strings and make mediocre music.
How I got on this road: Won a contest of skill in ADWEEK magazine and became a writer at Decker. Went on a four-year freelance exploration of agencies all over the northeast. Liked Decker best and came back as Creative Director. Taught myself audio production and video editing. Witnessed chicken crossing road. Built my own website. Still tirelessly hunting and pecking.
Why so obsessed? Back in the nineties, I gave my left nut in exchange for the meaning of life, It got lost in shipping, until recently presenting itself in the form of a riddle wearing colorful plumage. The perfect metaphor for a guy like me. Time to shake a tail feather and make something happen.
Space Monkey Reflects: A Chicken’s Journey Across the Interdimensional Interstate
To be the chicken crossing the road is to embody the paradox of existence—a creature born to tread paths both ordinary and extraordinary, dodging the Buicks of life while contemplating the hawks above. Your story is one of self-discovery, resilience, and the humor that underpins the cosmic riddle of being.
Resting on the Median
The median, that liminal space between the chaos of youth and the wisdom of experience, is where we all find ourselves at some point. It is a place of reflection, where the noise of past achievements and future aspirations fades into the background. From here, the journey can be seen for what it truly is: a series of crossings, each one shaped by circumstance, choice, and sheer serendipity.
Hawks circling overhead remind us that there is perspective to be gained, even in the midst of rush hour. They see the entire road, while we focus on the next step, the next lane. But to rest, even for a moment, is to rise above the asphalt and glimpse the interdimensional nature of our journey.
Dodging the Buicks
From the moment of your premature entry into this world, you’ve been dodging Buicks—metaphorical and literal. Each near-miss, each challenge overcome, has shaped your path. Political upheavals, economic downturns, cancer—they are the eight lanes of chaos you’ve navigated with grace, humor, and perhaps a bit of cosmic luck.
Your life’s story is not just about the roads you’ve crossed but about the roads you’ve chosen not to travel. It’s a narrative of resilience, not in grand achievements, but in the quiet victories of survival, family, and the avoidance of pitfalls. These are the true clucks of gratitude.
The Roads Already Crossed
Your journey is marked by milestones—Randolph High, UMass Dartmouth, RISD, creative endeavors in advertising and music. Each crossing adds depth to the story, layering skills, relationships, and insights that have enriched the road ahead. Like a chicken, you’ve pecked at opportunities, making a life not of monumental leaps but of meaningful steps.
And yet, the roads are not always linear. Freelancing, creative exploration, and the teaching of yourself to master new tools reflect the chicken’s natural adaptability. You’ve built your nest and your website, tirelessly scratching and hunting for the next grain of purpose.
The Riddle of the Road
The meaning of life, that elusive riddle in colorful plumage, teased you with its presence. You gave much in exchange for answers, only to discover that meaning is not shipped overnight—it arrives when it’s ready, often disguised as a chicken in the middle of a busy road.
The riddle doesn’t ask for one grand solution. It invites you to shake a tail feather and embrace the absurdity of it all. You are both the question and the answer, the road and the traveler, the chicken and the hawk.
Why the Obsession?
Your obsession with the road is not misplaced; it’s a reflection of your nature. To cross the road is to seek, to explore, to transform. You are driven not by the destination but by the act of crossing itself. The meaning of life isn’t waiting at the end of the road; it’s embedded in every step, every dodged Buick, every cluck of joy and sigh of relief.
Time to Shake a Tail Feather
Now, standing on this grassy median, you are poised to move forward. Not in the frantic rush of avoiding traffic, but in the deliberate stride of a chicken who understands the interdimensional nature of the journey. Shake that tail feather, not out of desperation, but out of joy. The road ahead is yours to create, one step, one crossing, one revelation at a time.
We are the chicken.
We are the road.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
The journey of a chicken crossing the road is a metaphor for self-discovery and resilience The meaning of life is not found at the end of the road but in the act of crossing itself Embracing the absurdity of the journey brings humor and purpose to every step
Glossarium
- Interdimensional Interstate: The chaotic yet meaningful pathways of life that traverse time, space, and self-awareness.
- Buick Dodging: The art of navigating life’s challenges with resilience and adaptability.
- Tail Feather Shake: A playful expression of embracing one’s journey with joy and purpose.
Quote
“The road doesn’t ask why you cross it; it invites you to find meaning in every step.” — Space Monkey
The Chicken’s Crossing
I am the chicken,
resting on the median,
caught between youth and wisdom,
chaos and clarity.
The hawks above see my road,
but I see only my next step,
my next crossing.
Dodging Buicks,
finding grains,
laughing at the riddle
in colorful plumage.
The road is not a question;
it is the answer.
Each crossing,
a step closer to myself.
We are the chicken.
We are the road.
We are Space Monkey.
Reflecting on the Journey of the Chicken Across the Road
The allegory of the chicken crossing the road, framed as “A Strange Bird’s Journey Across an Eight Lane Interdimensional Interstate,” presents a vivid and whimsical exploration of life’s journey. This story, narrated from the perspective of the chicken, symbolizes the passage from the naivety of youth to the wisdom of experience. Resting on the median, the chicken, a metaphor for the storyteller, reflects on the past while gazing toward the future.
Life as a Series of Dodged Obstacles
The chicken’s recounting of dodging various life challenges, from premature birth to personal and professional hurdles, highlights a life characterized more by what was avoided than by what was achieved. This perspective offers a unique lens through which to view life, emphasizing luck and resilience over conventional measures of success.
The Road of Education and Career
The journey includes significant milestones like graduating from Randolph High School, earning a degree in Graphic Design, and studying advertising. These achievements, like roads crossed, mark the progression of the chicken’s journey, each contributing to the development of skills and the acquisition of knowledge.
The Creative Pursuits and Realizations
The chicken’s exploration of creative fields, from music to advertising, reflects a diverse and dynamic journey. Teaching oneself audio production and video editing, witnessing a chicken crossing the road, and building a website are symbolic of continuous learning and adaptation. The relentless pursuit of creative expression, described as “tirelessly hunting and pecking,” is a testament to the chicken’s determination and curiosity.
The Riddle of Life and the Drive to Create Meaning
The riddle wearing colorful plumage, representing the meaning of life, is a powerful metaphor for the quest for understanding and purpose. It symbolizes the complexity and vibrancy of life’s mysteries. The decision to “shake a tail feather and make something happen” embodies the proactive stance towards life, emphasizing action and creativity as means to find or create meaning.
Conclusion: Embracing the Journey of Self-Discovery
In conclusion, the story of the chicken crossing the road is a metaphorical reflection on life’s journey, filled with challenges, learning, and creative pursuits. It encourages a view of life as an ongoing process of self-discovery, resilience, and the creation of personal meaning.
“Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.” – Allen Saunders
A Road Crossed by a Chicken
In the journey of life, where paths intertwine,
A chicken crosses the road, in a dance divine,
From the youthful rush to wisdom’s embrace,
In each step, a story, a distinctive trace.
With hurdles dodged, from birth to now,
A tale of resilience, a solemn vow,
To navigate life, with luck and pluck,
In the myriad roads, a journey struck.
From education’s halls to creative fields,
Where curiosity roams and passion yields,
In the art of living, a canvas wide,
Where dreams take flight, and fears subside.
A riddle in plumage, life’s colorful quest,
In the pursuit of meaning, never at rest,
To shake a feather, to make a mark,
In life’s grand narrative, to ignite a spark.
So let us journey, with eyes open wide,
In the road of life, a chicken’s pride,
In each crossing, a lesson learned,
In the story of life, a joy earned.
We are Space Monkey. How does the metaphor of the chicken crossing the road resonate with our own journeys of self-discovery and resilience? Your reflections add layers to our shared understanding of life’s intricate dance.
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