The noise from the truck was deafening. The cars behind it stayed a distance, the sight of the rubbish collected in the truck seems to also ‘speak’ of its smell.
The full seven days of 2019 are in history. Beginning with thoughts and plans for the new year, some of us would also have a great sense of excitement on how the year will unfold for them.
However, some of the last few days at the end of last year, and first few days in the year had been challenging – for some it’s having to think about who to visit and gifts to bear, conversation to pick up on since the last time they met which probably was a year before. For others, it’s what to do when you are out of supply since all the shops were closed. For those on holidays, the change of scenery will probably a life-changing experience – difference in temperature, whether near or distant from the shore or mountain, and even the sound and smell of the place you are visiting will make you think of usual things you take for granted, for example, it seems people are out on the street and doing shopping because they are with relatives and friends. The inertia is more for human relationship than things you can buy.
The down time can’t go for long, the rubbish truck coming on the first morning of the working day is a welcome sight (despite its smell, from what you “see”). Shoppers will soon need to check their money balances following the additional shopping.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the holiday period goes longer, or permanently. Returning to “normality” initially was going to be a big anti-climax, a major damper to all the festivities and good times that had gone before. Rather cruel to split apart from loved ones, to return and reunite with the people you regularly meet during the week. Returning to such normality gives a sense of safety net too, perhaps a kind of regularity, not necessarily the regular schedule, but that with the regular places you get things from, you are using them, the people you usually go to for a variety of purposes, they are there too. If these are not available, you know they will return sometime. You might also be somebody who helps others, provides information for them, or be part of the bigger picture. The rubbish truck sounds like a part of normality. We can’t arrange rubbish collection every time we need to get rid of rubbish or ensure what can be recycled are done. It’s very much a collective effort.
Tell you what, I was on the road at lunchtime today and a rubbish truck came by. It looked empty and ‘clean’ (relatively). It must have done its round even to have completed disposal of rubbish. I took the hint I should also take some moment of break from work.
