Unfinished Thoughts

The Personal Website of William Flake

I've Been for a Walk on a Winter's Day

Protip: Always have a plan to get to where you're going.

Protip 2: "We'll just drive around until we find it" is not a good plan.

Required Reading: The Google map comparing the routes

This past Friday night, I treated my girlfriend to a lovely dinner at California Dreaming. We had been to the restaurant before, and I was reasonably confident I could find my way there. As it turns out, I was wrong. Thanks to the power of Google Maps, you can see just how wrong I was. The red line shows the 1.5 mile finale to the journey we should have taken. The blue lines (which cross the Ashley River bridge 4 times, by the way) show the additional 10 miles and 35 minutes we had to add to the trip, thanks to ill-preparation.

After nearly a half hour of driving in circles through the crowded streets of Charleston, I was forced to concede defeat and call Mom for directions. With just one road name, I realized that I was on the wrong side of the river. Within minutes we were in the restaurant's parking lot.

Brittany Lynn and I
Photo by pseudoflake
NOTE: Photo taken before wild goose chase

There are, I believe, two morals to this tale. First, if you have a date with a beautiful lady, know how to get to the restaurant so as to avoid looking like an ignoramus.

Second, when you travel throughout the paths of life, knowing where you want to go is simply not enough. You have to make the necessary preparations to get there. Having a goal in mind for your life is a good first step, but if you don't work towards that goal, you'll be perpetually lost, metaphorically driving in circles on the wrong side of the river.

Comments

Mom wrote:

Just a point of clarification to all your "loyal readers"- this same mom you called for directions is the same mom who originally said, just drive down highway 61 till you get to the fork in the road, and then don't take the fork that goes to Folly Beach, take the other one and you'll be right there. Now, when someone gives you directions that stupid, whether it's how to get to a restaurant or how to navigate life, you might want to double check to see if the person doing the directing even has a clue what he/she is talking about!

John Minner wrote:

Oh man, I hate it when that happens. It's always the worst when you realize you've just done something very simple incorrectly.

The Beautiful Young Lady wrote:

My Dear,
I just spent 10 min. trying to think of what to write here. but Im not really sure. It was an interesting night. Far from the romantic evening I desired. Lucky for you I only wanted a romantic evening, not expected one. Thanks for not posting how the rest of the date went. Love ya'

*hugs*

Joshua Kelly wrote:

I am both intrigued and confused by the comment above. But ok.

I understand that it must have been hard to break down and call for directions. I don't know if I would have. I probably would have wondered around for at least 15 more mins...

William Flake wrote:

@Joshua Kelly: the rest of the date was rather nice, it just suffered from a near three car pile-up, absurdly long wait time, dental mishaps, and the occasional breakdown of formal decorum. Other than that, I believe it was a very nice time.

The Beautiful Young Lady wrote:

He would have wondered around longer too except I was starting to nag him. While I only told him 3 times to stop and ask for directions, ONLY 3....My tummy was starting to yell at us. It was a little after nine until we got out food.

The Beautiful Young Lady wrote:

PS. I dont like that picture very much....

Photographer wrote:

Hey, I like that photo! Except for William's wet hair.

Cynthia wrote:

It takes a real man to ask for directions.

Mom wrote:

One of the vehicles in that nearly-crash was MINE! So I'd say, any date that doesn't incur the "wrath of mom" is a good date.

Photographer wrote:

The photographer wants credit.

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