I bought a new pair of running shoes this past weekend to replace a pair that I've had since August. This was the best pair of running shoes I've ever had. So I considered myself fortunate that the store I went to had the same pair in my size at a great clearance price. Same shoes yes, but they are new and different because the cushioning hasn't been worn down, the tread is fresh and springy and, as you can see above, they're clean (new right shoe vs. old left shoe).
This got me thinking about other things that are technically "the same" but are also "new and different."
• Going on vacation to somewhere you've been before.
Same: stuff looks familiar. New and different: hey! you know where stuff is and maybe will have a better time.
• Moving back to your parents house.
Same: your old room still smells like a gym locker. New and different: no curfew, you have to pay rent and buy your own food! Plus, your parents are older and more stubborn than before. The saying is that you can't go home again, and whoever came up with that one deserves a cookie. You can go to what used to be home, although home is elsewhere, and your perspective will have changed. So will the home you knew because nothing stays the same. Your parents donated all your crap to charity years ago.
• Getting your car back after a major mechanical repair or wreck.
Same: it's your own car, yippee! New and different: it no longer stalls at stoplights, or maybe it has a new hood and fenders (been there, done that).
• Rekindling a former romance or marriage.
Same: this is someone you knew well before. New and different: much like a repeat vacation, you know your way around better. Alternately, the person has developed new disgusting habits!
• Visiting a relative's home after the relative has either passed on or lives in a nursing home.
Same: this is a place full of great memories. New and different: something is definitely missing, and you realize the structure has little to do with those memories.
• Going back to school (i.e. graduate school).
Same: homework! studying! assignments due! You've done it all before. New and different: added pressure, you're paying your own way and there's the excitement of advancing your education.
• Getting promoted at your job.
Same: office in same place and with same people. New and different: your paycheck is bigger and you get to boss around some of those people. There are also new pressures and new responsibilities.
• Having a second child.
Same: that whole pregnancy thing and similar anticipation on delivery day. Then the baby does little except eat, sleep and poo. New and different: each child is unique and special, which means there will be new challenges associated with that and the fact that this second kiddo is "the baby" (unless there's a third later on) and will have all sorts of issues associated with that.
• Running a typical route backwards.
Not running backwards, running the route in the opposite direction (or driving, if you don't run). Same: sights, sounds, smells and general location. The halfway point is also the same. New and different: I didn't remember this hill being so steep when I was going down it all those times! I can see previously invisible things about features along the way. It's like running a new route while being too lazy to plan a real new one!
• Wearing the same pair of underwear two days in a row.
Same: 100 percent cotton with a stretchy waistband. New and different: they don't seem as clean as they did yesterday. And, what's that smell?
• Doing anything a second time.
Same: duh! New and different: there's a familiarity that's good, a loss of the initial rush of discovery that's maybe a bit bad. Then there's that "practice makes perfect" thing that kicks in. Really, it probably matters what you're doing again: root canal (very bad), making love outdoors (can be stupendously good).
Got any other ideas?
You forgot to mention that rekindling an old romance can be rather dicey if you're still in a romance. :-)
Well, okay.
This hasn't happend to me but it could, what about: enrolling your child into the school you attended as a child.
This post just reminds me that I need new running shoes.
nope...I think you got them all...I can never think of any new ones when you ask. My brain doesn't work like (or as well) as your brain. So, I will just have to say...bravo...you always say something interesting.
The left shoe doesn't look too shabby! I had to look really, really close to even see any dirt. How do you keep the laces all pretty?
deja shoe...you kill me!!!!
Thomas Wolfe said you can't go home again. I think he's pretty well over cookies where he is. Well, unless he's in heaven.
Wow, you have hairy legs...
Very interesting thought pattern today! It's good to know that I'm not the only one that goes in random directions sometimes. :)