There are these things you do all the time.

Wait. Let me put this on me for a second. There are things I do all the time.

They aren't exactly what you do, but similar. You don't work where I work, but you have a job--just like me. Not everyone plays drums in a rock band--but we all have hobbies. Most people's hobbies don't keep them up till four in the morning during the work week, but I'm sure the hobbies drive you mad every once in a while.

It's about fifteen miles to work in the morning for me. Takes 20-ish minutes to get there, a little more to get home. I haven't been able to use the freeway home since April because of construction. Well--I could use the freeway, but it would take just as long as my Central drive home and it's riskier. People drive worse in work zones for some reason.

I have familiar haunts for lunch when I'm at work. No one knows my name at these places, but they usually remember the face. Although when I cut my hair, I go back to square one at a few of the eateries. I blame a few of these places for my slightly high cholesterol count--but I still go.

Similarly, there are familiar places to eat dinner--when I'm not scrounging up something at home. These are more sporadic, but they have pretty much stopped carding me at one of the bars. This is a feat, since the official mantra of every place serving drinks in Albuquerque is "We card everyone--even if you're 90!" Although I'm pretty sure they don't card 90 year olds. But if you're 89...

I've worn tracks deep in the proverbial soil of this town. You can't see them, but they're there. Everyone does, even if the tracks are only from the front door to the car.

Getting out of this complex arrangement of habits is tough. For the most part, almost no one really wants change from you. The places you eat or drink at want you to be even more regular than you are. Your work wants you to do what you do--and not to bitch about low pay, boredom or poor work of other people. And, I think, they want you to love and believe in your work.

I've always had a hard time with loving and believing. You're just asking to be disappointed.

To an extent, I need the habit just as much as the next guy. It makes those days I don't feel like doing anything a little easier. I can just walk down that path and ignore all the voices saying I gotta just get off the path and run through the virgin field.

So what am I saying? Where am I going with this? And what does this have to do with Deep Throat?

I don't know. I don't have the answers. I have no secret sources on any of this. No one to protect.

Certainly, I'm not protecting you.

How about this? Instead of me telling you something you agree with or that makes you curse my stupidity, I'll let you make up your own mind this week.

I don't know what your well-worn paths are. The ruts that keep the wheels in place. But you do.

Find a virgin field to run through this week. And I'll do the shutting up.

Matt Worley has nothing else to say today.