Board?

 

When we are in the midst of a conversation, catching up for old time's sake, and you say "I'm bored" what is that? Is my conversation not stimulating enough for you? Are you incapable of entertaining yourself, finding something to stay occupied, or enjoy the simple things? I just don't get it. I don't know how to respond. The conversation ends.

Are you looking to me for entertainment? I am sure I can give you my rants and ramblings; however, I am also pretty sure that they'd be over your head. We can make plans to go for a drive, a walk, a drink perhaps. Yet, I am not sure that would be sufficient. For if you only rely on others to amuse you, then where are your interests, thought processes?

I cannot help but make the homophonic relation. Bored and board – is there a difference?

The trees get cut down. They are trimmed and loaded in the back of a truck. At the saw mill, the tree is sliced and diced. Pieces are tossed aside, and others are polished. The parts are sorted. Most of the trunk is transformed into lumber. Some serve as posts, others as custom bits. The rest is mass produced into the same cut. They are broken down perhaps of different lengths and widths, yet broken down the same. These pieces are lumbered into boards.

The board is smooth and simple. Its grains run deep. A black rot hole spots some pieces and the short ends are splintered. It doesn't do anything, just sits there waiting. One day someone will come in and purchase this board. They will take it home, cut it, nail it, and paint it. It will become something else.

It takes that outside influence to make the board into something, to change it. Do we all need that persuasion from another source to resolve our boredom?

As a child I specifically remember being bored. I would whine to my mother, father, and sister, anyone who would listen that I was bored. Often times they'd redirect my activity. I could vacuum, do the dishes, laundry, pick up a book, play a game, etc. Generally I chose the latter. Hours later, they'd have to tear me away from a story I got lost in, or a game I was determined to win. Quickly I learned the value of friends and reading.

Ever find yourself bored? What do you do?