Well, I went for a run this evening for the first time since my mishap with the stairs.
And I was reminded of something I read a couple of years ago, that part of running is learning to manage your body's pain.
The good news is that the pain coming from my toe was more of a "hey man I'm broken what are you doing to me" sort of a pain, instead of a "oh my God there are grinding fractured bones down here" sort of a pain.
I only made it a mile and a half, but that's a start. I've missed running over the last week. It's one of the things that helps me stay sane.
But as much as I could tolerate the pain in my foot, what I couldn't tolerate were the punk pre-teen skateboarders who were hanging out downtown Clermont today.
As I ran past, they started talking smack. Running their mouths about about my short shorts, or whatever. So I did what I don't think anybody does these days. I stopped, turned around, and asked them if they had a problem. After they stammered a bit about how they didn't, I turned around and started to run off, they said something else. Seriously. So I went back over there and let them know that I'd be happy to bring the police over to take care of things if they weren't going to watch their mouths, at which time they stammered their innocence and acted like they were leaving.
I did see them on my way home, though. They had been met by one of their friends (who had that stupid "I wish I could grow an Afro except that I'm a white boy with frizzy hair" hair style), and they waved and looked rather sheepish as they skated past.
Which leads me to the bigger issue here. When I was twelve, there was no way I was running my mouth off to an adult. Either (a) you were going to get in trouble with your parents, or with the police, or with somebody else in authority; or (b) that guy was going to kick your scrawny little twelve-year-old ass. And if, on the rare occasion that you did run your mouth, you had a good reason, because you did it with the knowledge that either (a) or (b) was going to happen.
These days, it seems that people are afraid to confront kids when they start acting like punks. As a result, they feel like they can act like punks whenever they like. Which seems to be quite often.
What we need, I think, are adults who aren't afraid to speak up. Maybe then, we'll have some kids who have some idea of respecting the other people in their community.
Or at least, if they don't have respect for others, they'll be too afraid of getting their asses kicked to act like jerks.
1 comment:
"And I was reminded of something I read a couple of years ago, that part of running is learning to manage your body's pain."
I gotta say, this is not a ringing endorsement for running! Of course, I prefer to manage my pain by sitting down.
And on the confronting-punks-in-need-of-an-ass-kicking, I totally agree - and good on you. I think many people are afraid of reprimanding others' kids for the Jerry-Springer-show reaction it could conceivably precipitate. I know I've been afraid to say things for this reason. I've seen ugly reactions happen and was glad to not be on the receiving end of that beratement, even though it was desperately necessary. [The reprimand, not the reciprocal berating.] It's silly, because most people are disarmed and embarrassed when confronted with their poor behavior. I wish I had the guts to stand up against it every time. Often, I'm completely incredulous about the behavior I just witnessed - sort of dumbstruck, really, unable to do anything. And sometimes, I suspect the same jerks would have little remorse about kicking *my* ass if I said anything to them. Thus, perpetuating the cycle...
You're right - if I ran my mouth at someone, I knew there'd be hell to pay when my parents caught wind of it. Sadly, so many parents just don't care. We've both seen this firsthand.
I'll channel Joe here: Besides, whatever will happen to society when we diminish a young thug's self-esteem by criticizing his behavior? I think we're seeing it.
You know, I think the trend is an extension of online chat culture, too - or at least a concurrent evolution. People say stuff behind a veil of anonymity that they would never say in person. That kind of behavior ultimately filters out into Real Life.
I have an entertaining story about a jerk-confrontation in a restaurant - remind me sometime and I'll tell you. Because I'm done prattling here. :)
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