no picnic

so why is it that we have this idea of a 'picnic' as being easy? something easily accomplished? something akin to a "walk in the park" or a "piece of cake"...?

and in reality... a piece of cake is quite difficult to come by (i've had my share of wedding cakes... and i don't think those couples would say getting the cake was easy)... and even when i'm eating that cake, there's nothing easy about realizing the energy output it will take to balance out all the worthless sugar and fats going into my body... when i take a walk in the park, it's usually hot and humid and there are bugs everywhere, and there's a certain level of energy exerted... not to MENTION a picnic... the food that must be prepared, the spot that must be chosen, clean-up that comes afterward... it's no wonder i can't remember the last time i went on a picnic... i'm too lazy to plan one!

these foolish English idioms disguise the fact that nothing is ever easy. NOTHING is easily done or accomplished. breathing isn't even easy for some of our neighbors. drinking water isn't easy for people who cannot find clean h2o. These idioms are, i think, a sarcastic way that we keep ourselves in check... if we're aware of the satire... because every time i say "that's a picnic," i say it with tongue in cheek, fully aware of the intentional work that must be put into the job, whatever it is - writing a song, meeting new people, fostering a friendship, earning money to pay exhorbitant gas prices...






this random thought brought to you by www.nopicnickindarocks.com - a friend of mine from maryland... i have his band's shirt and sticker sitting on my desk, and my brain was still running from a training session (yes, i actually use critical thought during RA training!)