Seat Belts

Today's thought is stolen from a BMX zine I read in the early 90's.  I can't remember what zine it was.  It might have been Backdoor zine out of western Canada, I'm not sure.  Now, I know some of you reading this have no idea what a zine is.  First, a zine is  small, self-published booklet, usually about a single topic.  Second, it's pronounced zeen, as in magazine.  I put the video above in to give you a better idea of what a zine is.  Zines were a whole self-publishing subculture from the 70's, 80's, and 90's, before websites and blogs came along.  It just occurred to me this morning that this month is my 30th anniversary of self-publishing.  That's pretty cool.  But it has nothing to do with today's subject.

In a BMX zine in the early 90's, there was a small article titled "Seat Belts."  The idea was about pot smokers.  If you've known any serious pot smokers in your life, you'll relate to this idea.  I haven't smoked since I was right out of high school, but I've had plenty of roommates who did over the years.  Back in those days, when someone bought weed, there were seeds in it.  So before they got to smoking, they had to spread the weed out, often on a record album (remember those?) and they picked the seeds out.  Why?  Because the seeds would explode if you tried to smoke them.  At least, I think that was the reason.  The writer of that zine article posed the theory that some of those marijuana seeds dropped into the creases in the couch, and they grew into invisible seat belts.  Once you started smoking, those invisible seat belts would hold you to the couch, and keep you from doing anything worthwhile in life.  Let's face it, watching 12 episodes of Saved By The Bell is not a productive way to spend your time, no matter how hot you though Tiffany Amber Thiesen was. 

Now, most of you reading this don't smoke pot (as far as I know), but some of you can relate to the gravity that your couch has.  After a long day, it's easy to sit on the couch, put on those invisible seat belts, and stay strapped to the couch for much of the evening.  Done any binge TV watching of your favorite show lately?  You know what I'm talking about.  I admit, I'm probably the biggest abuser of couch seat belts of any of us. 

Now, there's nothing wrong with a little R&R on the couch.  But spending too much time on the couch keeps you from doing things that are more productive.  In the 90's, for me and my friends, this meant watching TV instead of riding our bikes.  In today's world, it may mean sitting down with a beer or glass of wine and not  doing those little things that really mean a lot to you.  Whether it's not working overtime to pay for that trip you've always wanted to take.  Or maybe spending time on a hobby you really enjoy.  Or maybe, it's starting your own small business.  Whatever the case, once those invisible seat belts on the couch get fastened, you're out of commission for the evening.  So ask yourself, "Am I wearing those seat belts right now?  Or am I spending my time doing something more worthwhile?"