Electric, Not Gas

I was speaking to the parent of a friend over the break and telling her about my plans to buy a motorcycle. It was at this time that a thought articulated itself into my brain in such a way that I could communicate it to others. That thought is: I understand electricity, not gasoline.

I have some kind of innate understanding and ability with electrical devices. Almost any device I can quickly and naturally learn to use, diagnose problems with, and even optimize for efficiency and longevity. This is inline with my profession, in computer software, and my closet desire to become an electrician. This same innate understanding does not exist with gasoline powered devices.

I do not own a car. I have never bought a lawnmower. I don’t know how to fix a chainsaw. While no one is expected to know about everything, so it is reasonable that I don’t know about gas powered devices, I really believe that I could know a lot about them with a minimal effort. I can read a book and know how these things operate, just as someone can go to University and learn how computer software is written, but it’s not the same as getting practical, hands-on experience.

This may be a sign of age. Perhaps I am reaching a point where I am seeing more of what I don’t know and am having trouble satisfying my desire to learn about all of these things at the pace I would like. Perhaps I see the grass as being greener on the other side. Or maybe I just feel like my living conditions do not provide me with the life experience that I need. Even writing this I wonder if I am trading my curiosity for comfort.

For now I will leave this as unresolved.