The path less trodden.

By nature, I’m a contrarian. Rules and regulations? Little use for them. They’re for other people.

Of course, if a door says push, I don’t go around pulling. That'd just be silly. But recently, out walking the dogs, I found my path blocked by a fence with a sign that read Road Closed. Did I turn back? Did I heck as like! I slipped my lithe, lean body around the obstruction and carried on, as any sensible person would.

The truth is, most rules are redundant. Those inclined to behave well don’t need them, and those they’re meant to restrain don’t obey them anyway.

That doesn’t mean I consider myself free of obligation and restraint. Quite the opposite. With liberty comes responsibility, which is why so many people fear it and prefer to follow rules. And while I’ve broken countless rules in my long life, I’ve never done anything wrong. I follow my conscience, unlike so many who seem blind to theirs.

Now, I do have blackout blinds in my bedroom, which means I always wake up in pitch darkness. If I went blind overnight, I wouldn’t even know until I stepped onto the landing. Then, in the shock of realisation, I’d probably topple straight down the stairs and die instantly. On the bright side, I wouldn’t have long to miss anything.

Speaking of beds, the most fun I ever had in one was as a child, when my younger sibling and I played a game called Maggie and Kenny under the bedclothes. One of us would impersonate a neighbour, and the other had to guess who. Why we played it under the covers, I’ll never know. But be kind. Entertainment options were scarce back then. The television shut off at 11:30.

My favourite Hiver wouldn’t know anything about that. He’s just a young buck, but being Irish, he’s a positive riot. Go on, admit it! We Irish are far funnier than the rest of you. He’s got the head of Barry Gibb and the body of Johnny Weissmuller, and I only hope that with enough practice, I might one day be half as good as him. I even moved to this county just to be close enough to bask in the warm glow of his humour. I hope he reads this, though I know my adulation is unrequited.

I'd love to tag him, but that's against the rules.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. _{Posted in response to galenkp's weekend experience prompt asking .. If you went blind overnight what aspects of your life would you miss the most and why? Without naming or tagging them, who is the Hive user you like the most and why. Do you think you (personally) should follow rules and direction or not? What’s the most fun you've had in bed?}

The images are mine.