Every kid I ever was would cringe at the predicament and every man I've ever been would laugh at the experience because I know that risk and desire go hand in hand sometimes the cost of autonomy is suffering when I looked down at bare feet and see only asphalt beneath that gravel ridden voice echoed booming in my ears "we're all flesh and bone in a vessel so exposed" to recognize and appreciate that crash into uncertainty Context: Asphalt We are a product of experiences and learning during times of stress and adversity. In order to accomplish objectives and get things done, we make sacrifices that only make sense in hindsight, creating a situation of persistent risk that may only have a payoff in the future. In light of this, our perceptions of self change gradually and invariably over time, leading at least to some appreciation of the formative learning when things turn out a lot worse than you would have imagined. These are also some of the thoughts going through my head whilst sliding on my stomach down the freeway after some snide prick cut me off going 65 mph on my motorcycle.