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Pedestrian Pondering. . .

By
Industry Observer CalDRE #01165532

 

Pedestrian Pondering

Commonplace Or Rare

Maybe Both Simultaneously



The Merriam-Webster dictionary shows two definitions of the word, pedestrian. It is both a noun describing one who walks or an adjective meaning commonplace, unimaginative. Realizing that such differences exist can be helpful when moving about everyday life.

 

 

 

Not to be too philosophical but I am therefore I walk.  While my methods of movement have morphed more than a bit over the years, walking remains a part of how I operate. So, to speak. Let's face it, perceptions and preferences can collide at times. Memories can blur too. I have noticed this as thoughts beyond my peripheral vision enter my thought process. Realizing that such blind spots exist, can be a significant sign.

 

 

 

 

 

In walking, I experience things around me. Sights.  Sounds.  Feelings.  Many sorts of sensory observations. Awareness of many things can be explored and captured. Perhaps differently. Sometimes it happens in the moment. But it can also occur as one grows in understanding how much we still have to learn.

 

 

 

 

Being a pedestrian (even one who is not a full-timer) in auto-centric Southern California, may be considered odd or unusual as I use alternate modes of movement. And let's put odd or unusual in context as I have no problem being identified in that way beyond the transportation I may use.

 

 

Being called out as this or that may be common for Californians even though our state and its population is unique. As is the place wherever you reside. Thoughtful investigation continues to reveal much.  In abundant ways.

 

 

Mind you, I am not car-less but not dependent on it for all my transportation needs. It's not without abundant challenges. We live. We learn. We experience. Each of us continues to adapt, adjust, accept and yes, reject many sorts of things along the way. Life's road continues to provide a plethora of alternate routes.

 

 

 

The images in this post are from canstockockphoto.com

Posted by

Michael Jacobs

 

CalBRE # 01165532

P. O. Box 587

Pasadena, CA 91102

Call/Text:  818.516.4393

mtj916@gmail.com

 

 

Comments(25)

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Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Monday morning, Michael.

Enjoy your walks and have an outstanding week.

May 12, 2025 06:24 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - I hope the Gaithersburg Maryland area weather is conducive to some outdoor activity for you. Enjoy today and the upcoming week.  

May 12, 2025 07:30 AM
Roy Kelley

We have a beautiful day in Maryland. I just returned from a visit to our local library. We do expect some rain this evening and on Tuesday.

May 12, 2025 07:53 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - our public libraries can be an active part of our communities.  Good for you for your role in promoting reading.  

May 12, 2025 09:12 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I think a nice sidewalk allows a pedestrian experience with my favorite sound...birds chirping. 

May 12, 2025 06:35 AM
Michael Jacobs

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty - while I can't identify the birds, I do enjoy seeing and hearing them.    

May 12, 2025 07:32 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael, cool that you do a lot of walking and exploring!   With my new downtown listing, I walked all over downtown Saturday, and was really fun.

May 12, 2025 07:23 AM
Michael Jacobs

Joan Cox - discovering different parts of any community can be enlightening.  Educational and entertaining too.    

May 12, 2025 07:35 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX
Inactive/Semi Retired Real Estate Agent

Michael Jacobs - your wonderful post reminded me of many things. I learned to walk. Walked just about everywhere in Chicago. I got older and had to use public transportation to get to work. I drove. I got lost a lot. Here in Flower Mound, I don't have public transportation. Whenever I walked in TX, it usually ended at a dead end. 

I do know I see, feel, smell, and think differently when I am in control of my own feet. You're right!

"Each of us continues to adapt, adjust, accept and yes, reject many sorts of things along the way." 

May 12, 2025 08:13 AM
Michael Jacobs

Patricia Feager - each neighborhood, community or larger area has nuances that make discovering many sorts of things interesting.  Understanding those differences is a part of expanding our minds in multiple ways.  

May 12, 2025 09:16 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Michael,
I drive a lot, so I don't get to "look around" as much as I'd like. I love being chauffeured so I can do so, and I enjoy walking so I can pay attention to what's around me. Some of my thoughts as a pedestrian are pedestrian and some are not.

May 12, 2025 08:28 AM
Michael Jacobs

Carol Williams - the way we experience our surroundings can be impacted by our perspective. Driver or passenger.  Moving by vehicle or by the sole of one's feet. I wonder what we may miss as well as see as we glide through the air someday.   

May 12, 2025 09:20 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Michael,

Life’s road is less like a neatly paved highway and more like a winding path full of potholes, detours, and surprise lemonade stands. The real beauty lies in how we choose to tackle it—will you dodge the puddle or leap straight in for the splash? Whether it’s confronting challenges head-on, side-stepping the rules, or trying to google-map your way through life’s confusion, every quirky choice shapes our one-of-a-kind route.

And hey, as long as there’s room for a bit of exploration and plenty of coffee breaks, this walking adventure is bound to remain entertaining!

May 12, 2025 10:27 AM
Michael Jacobs

Aura Alex - your comment reminds me that our path is akin to experiencing the information highway in a different way.  Detours and other distractions along the way can enhance the thrill of the trip and reinforce a memorable adventure.  Not necessarily a wrong turn - just different.  

May 12, 2025 11:44 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Great post! Sometimes slowing down—even just a bit—can open our eyes to things we’d otherwise overlook.

May 12, 2025 11:05 AM
Michael Jacobs

Michelle Gibson - pausing on purpose or for an unintended detour can do much to influence decision-making.  Thank you for the comment.  

May 13, 2025 02:19 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Michael- I grew up in Houston, which is not one for pedestrians.  I love pedestering , usually on our morning walks. There is much to observe as a pedestrian, such as there is nothing pedestrian about observing and learning on a daily walk. 

May 12, 2025 11:34 AM
Michael Jacobs

Kathy Streib - when walkscores become scorecards for many communities it was interesting to me.  You're right, finding walkable places is a possibility even in a larger area where it may not be generally known.  

May 12, 2025 11:49 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking piece, Michael Jacobs. I love how you blend everyday observations with deeper reflections on life’s journeys—both literal and figurative. Your words remind us to stay curious and open-minded as we navigate our own paths. 😊

May 12, 2025 12:26 PM
Michael Jacobs

Lew Corcoran - thank you for the kind comment.  I appreciate it.  

May 12, 2025 01:50 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Michael you would love walking the Mountain Preserve behind us - it is so gorgeous, peaceful and full of wonderful nature critters!  I've been 'walking' this place for so long I can't imagine not at least seeing it until I can get back out there  - walking! When I think of the hours I've spent walking (which many times was more like meditating) it amazes me I came down off the mountain.  Sometimes I'd sit on top and simply appreciate the stunning beauty.  One time there were 2 baby red foxes trying the scramble up the rocks to reach me at the top....but Momma stopped them quickly!  They were the only foxes I've ever seen up there.  Another time I heard a rattler on the rock ledge over my head.  That made me qo into action and get the the fell out of there!!  And for a long time we had a lone donkey that rambled around......miss that guy and have no idea where he ended up. Now look where I went in my walking memories today!  Thanks!! 😊

May 12, 2025 04:03 PM
Michael Jacobs

Anna "Banana" Kruchten - I know what you mean by walking - it's a wondering opportunity awaiting.  

May 12, 2025 04:46 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Walking is an excellent way to clear your mind, figure out the problems of the world, and just get lost in your thoughts. Enjoy every step!

May 12, 2025 07:03 PM
Michael Jacobs

Dr. Paula McDonald - while solutions to problems may not occur, it can be possible that alternate routes can be seen.  Thank you for the comment. 

May 13, 2025 02:17 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Michael Jacobs - A great post with great thought. As a commonplace pedestrian walking about, your ponderings are likely more than pedestrian. So for those considering pondering in the p[resent or future this is a must read being featured in BananaTudes this morning. Congrats!

 

May 13, 2025 08:12 AM
Michael Jacobs

Wayne Martin - anyone, and I mean any one, can ponder.  It's the ideal do anywhere and anytime activity.   Thank you for the highlight within the BananaTude group, I appreciate it.  

May 14, 2025 05:09 AM
Jeff&Grace Safrin
F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate - Valparaiso, IN
SpousesSellingHousesTM

Michael,  Thanks for sharing that the word Pedestrian can also be used as an adjective! Although I never thought of using it that way, lol.  I enjoy daily walks, taking in the change of seasons and nature!

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Grace

 

 

May 13, 2025 12:47 PM
Michael Jacobs

Grace Jeff&Grace Safrin - we often think of words as one thing but their definitions can extend beyond that in many ways.  Thank you for the comment.  

May 14, 2025 05:11 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Michael:

Your ponderings are far from being pedestrian, and this is no exception!

My favorite place to be a pedestrian is the concrete "boardwalk" along the beach, and it's often a busy place for walkers along with plenty of 4-legged friends.

Jeff

May 15, 2025 11:28 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Jeff Dowler, CRS - thank you for the comment - it definitely wasn't a drive-by one.  Hope all is well with you in North County San Diego.  

May 15, 2025 04:28 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

We can be in such a rush and overlook the beauty right in front of our eyes. The other day, I took a walk around the perimeter of our property, the roses and other flowers are blooming and this thought came to my mind...You've got to stop and smell the roses and I did, more than a dozen times, Michael!

May 17, 2025 03:52 PM
Michael Jacobs

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! - sometimes we can go discover much not far from my we live.  In our neighborhood or even on our own property.  Congratulations on making that a reality and a part of your regular routine.  

May 17, 2025 07:20 PM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Walking is good and why I usually park far out at stores to allow for additional walking. Given we are 1.6 miles off pavement on a dirt road and about 10 miles from town, walking to town is not an option.

May 20, 2025 07:04 AM
Michael Jacobs

Leanne Smith - I can understand how one's location can impact many sorts of things.  Movement whether it be walking or otherwise included.  Parking solutions can prove beneficial in multiple ways too.  

May 20, 2025 09:03 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Walking daily is a goal, not always completed, but pretty consistent.

LOVE this line: 

Each of us continues to adapt, adjust, accept and yes, reject many sorts of things along the way.

May 22, 2025 08:31 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Sharon Tara - those "adapt, adjust. . ." words seem to have been a mantra of sorts for me for a while.  "Routines" don't need to be boring but finding that right schedule can prove to be troublesome.  

May 22, 2025 08:55 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael, living in Portugal, a car may be less needed, as the public transportation is quite good.

May 24, 2025 01:13 PM
Michael Jacobs

Joan Cox - another win for Portugal for their transit system.  

May 24, 2025 05:36 PM