Every now and then I get into a hardcore debate with someone who thinks Myers Briggs is scientific rubbish. I don’t mind. Life is multiple choice that way, the other options for conflict include theology, politics or parenting and after you’ve been in a few nuclear showdowns about baby led weaning vs. rice cereal at 3 months ( that are so passive aggressive any eavesdropping man would have mistaken the napalm as showers of lily blossoms) you find joy in discussing whether or not sixteen personality types force 7.4 billion people into a box or not.
Multitasking is another thing that’s scientific rubbish these days. But I would argue (regarding this and Myers Briggs) that it all depends on your perspective and definitions.
Sometimes I feel like a terrible female. I know I’m supposed to love yoga, small dogs and world travel, but I prefer to practice pàisdean (gaelic for “children”, i.e. muscle suavity obtained by chasing four active little boys around all day), I only like dogs large enough to eat bad guys, and would happily claim a plot of earth with my husband and swear fealty to it. When my beloved little sister asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding...across the country, I immediately started charting “how much do I love thee” on an x y axis. After much denial, head-in-the-sanding, and throwing my phone at outrageous ticket prices I summoned the strength of my inner viking ancestors and sallied forth on a metal coffin with no leg room and eight dollar drinks.
Unfortunately I don’t have a phobia of flying or germs or anything conveniently treated with valium. I prefer to pack my demons with me in their more tangible form. Small children you have to trundle along to your destination without a) them killing themselves, b) someone else wringing their neck c) you doing all of the above. J being the wiser half, decided he had work requirements that kept him at home.
But on to the secret cure-all workout.
Fly a budget airline that doles even water out with all the stinginess of a desert crossing nomad. Pack all of your belongings into carry-on.
Bring a lap child. Make sure your connections are too tight to gate-check a stroller.
Sabotage the weather so those short connections turn into multi-hour delays.
Release the kracken...er toddler into a busy airport and follow it.
What this will gain you (besides a cardio and functional strength workout that rivals Crossfit) .
This is where the multi-tasking comes in. At the end of three hours you will have…
Memorized the floor plan of every concourse. This is helpful if there is a mass shooting as you are on a first name basis with all of the emergency exits your child tried to go through. It is also helpful for your career as a virtual signpost, pointing bedraggled travelers to their port in the storm.
You will have an in depth comprehensive analysis on what the current fashion trends are and who should and should not wear them.
You will start to see patterns of human behavior. Like creepy men smile and look side to side a lot, and attractive men stare straight ahead like a predator. I know...it doesn’t entirely make sense and surprised me too. Normal looking people have facial expressions that are totally neutral and chill...like they too were once a toddler who cut their teeth terrorizing every square inch of the place. Also, grandmas of every nationality like to give out candy and treats. I can only assume this is how the Hansel and Gretel story originated.
I was worried I would come back from the south ten lbs heavier from a steady diet of biscuits and beer, but instead I’m slimmer and wiser. The nervous twitch, and tick bites are barely noticeable at all.