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.

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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.

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Summary

We delve into the metaphorical journey of the chicken crossing the road, exploring the themes of dodging life’s obstacles, educational and career milestones, creative explorations, the search for life’s meaning, and the drive to create. We conclude by embracing the journey as an opportunity for continuous self-discovery and creativity.

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Glossarium

• Chicken Crossing the Road: A metaphor for life’s journey and the passage from naivety to wisdom.
• Dodging Life’s Challenges: The concept of resilience and luck in navigating life’s obstacles.
• Creative Exploration and Self-Discovery: The pursuit of diverse creative endeavors as a means to personal growth and understanding.

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“Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.” – Allen Saunders

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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.

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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.