"Directions to Rogers State University," I yell countless times at Siri. Each time, he responds with "I didn't quite understand" or that he's looking for the definition of "Berkeley reverse aging" or "Regis Vamos commercial." Eventually, the mischievous ghost of Steve Jobs decides he's had fun with me and allows Siri to give me directions. Siri, who now sets up the store in my Maps app, gives me three routes to choose from. The three options consist of one that gets you to your destination faster, one that doesn't have tolls, and one that's tailor-made for tourist turtles. It all ultimately leads to Rogers State University. Coincidentally, RSU is where I am right now writing this essay. In a bit of a sloppy transition, there are many things that brought me to this point in life and there were three specific life events that made me the person I am today. In an effort to drive this metaphor home, there are specifically three paths you could take to understand who I am. Whether it was the first time I saw a movie in the theater, when my family's house burned down, or when my grandfather was in the hospital, there are many paths you can take to understand me. The first movie I really remember seeing in the cinema was with my grandmother. The year was 2002. I was five years old. And the movie was Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Later, I realized that the film was rubbish and that the modern George Lucas has a very broad definition of “film”. However, as a child, it was beyond words. Sitting in a theater and seeing the glow of a radiant world, complete with lightsabers, left me in awe. My grandmother always showed me movies at home on television, way before high definition. He showed me the films in the middle of the paper from where I was standing. After some struggling, he gave me three options. I chose one and drove. It was raining heavily that day. As I drove, the rain continued to get heavier. Finally, Siri said to do a “slightly right.” I saw the next release. It was not a light right, it was actually a very clear right. The actual shift had to happen after that shift. It wasn't, I realized, looking at my phone. And, in an act of stupidity, I turned abruptly to leave. I could have done it too, if it hadn't been for the rain and “slippery conditions”. I skidded back and forth before hurtling down a hill. I got out of the car a little dazed. There didn't appear to be any serious damage to me or the car. I got back in the car and went to the RSU. I grabbed my suitcase and went to my dorm room. I dropped my things and looked around. I was wondering “Now, how did I get here?”
tags