I was grocery shopping on Friday night to get some essential supplies in case I lost power during Hurricane Irene here in the US. As I'm going through the store I go down the row to get some cleaning supplies and I spot an air freshener. It just comes into my line of vision unexpectedly - PoP - Wow-Zowie - NEW ZEALAND AIR*!
Suddenly the following image pops into in my mind:
Ah, those lovely New Zealand vistas!
There's a thin, green, can of air freshener starring back at me, with some artsy designs, and a photo of a beautiful New Zealand waterfall. But as I stare at it my mind is conjuring up images that aren't there! I shake my head, and try to clear my vision, and blink several times, and look again at the air freshener, and I see:
I tear myself away from the shelf. I hurriedly push my cart away, and start going around the store in circles. The air freshner calls to me...New Zealand Air*...New Zealand Air*...New Zealand Air*...
I'm too weak, my willpower is going, I try to think of all that I really need to buy. Batteries, water, milk, bread, toilet paper...but my mind keeps going back to that alluring green can. I picture myself in my living room spraying New Zealand Air* and being transported across the sea. Again, my mind conjures up images of what it would be like to be transported to Middle-Earth by that special New Zealand Air* scent:
I turn my cart around and hurry to the Air Freshener aisle. There in front of me is the air freshener with the waterfall. My hand reaches out and I grab it like the Arkenstone. I put it in my cart and go happily to the checkout. Mission Accomplished!
Today at home I'm enjoying the wonderfully fresh scent of New Zealand Air* and wondering if the makers of the air freshener know what an attractive product they could have if only they would replace the photo of the waterfall with this one:
(*There really is a NZ air freshener, but with a slightly different name.)
Disclaimer: This post is all meant in fun and I hope it is taken that way by all who read it. New Zealand is a lovely country and maybe one day I'll be lucky to visit. To Richard Armitage and Aidan Turner all my affection and respect. I know they both have a sense of humor. Oh, in case you're wondering, I did buy the air freshener.
