Do you think marbles are actually made of marble?

While it's really Justin's turn to post, I'm tired of waiting for him to peel his eyes away from his fantasy football standings on his iPhone to do something more productive. You know, like writing a thought provoking blog.

Actually, "thought provoking" is sort of the theme of this particular post. More specifically, I'd like to address Justin's passion for questioning the unneeded-to-be-questioned. In fact, I've been thinking about addressing this issue for a while, but have been trying to collect data on this before writing (I have been ruined by graduate school, I tell you!). I now have some concrete examples that I am ready and w illing to share with you, in order to prove my point (not that I have to be right or anything...).

To put the examples in context, I'll give you an overview. Basically, Justin is a person who does not simply "accept" things in his life - instead, he gives them the third degree (to which he is currently thinking as reading this, "Why do they call it the third degree, anyway?" See Google for the answer, involving Freemasonry and the like). As an example: Having recently moved to Philly, we are regularly in a state of "Where the hell are we?" Thus, we rely heavily on my GPS, a trusty little device that Magellan surely spent millions of dollars developing. However, Justin does not trust said GPS. Whatever Ms. British Lady tells us, he questions: "Don't you think it would actually be quicker to take the Boulevard instead of the Parkway?" or "Why is she taking us south before going east?"  To this I respond, Ms. British Lady knows this city a hell of a lot better than us, so why don't we just go with what she says instead of fighting her every step of the way? Granted, GPS's have, once or twice, provided misleading information (okay, okay... more than that). But really, should we go with a global system of satellites analyzing and interpreting the intricacies of maps, or Justin's "gut" instinct that we shouldn't have to go north before east to get to Pat's Cheesesteaks? Evidenced based practice, people... it's what it's all about, right?

Now some might take Justin's distrust of my friend Ms. British Lady as critical thinking, but before you make this misguided assumption, let me provide you with a few more examples of his never ending questioning...

A quite simple example occurred just the other morning when Justin and I were walking to spinning class at the gym. Once again, I have to provide some context. We live about three quarters of a mile from our gym, which isn't all that far except that it requires traversing a large hill, usually prior to sunrise, and while shivering and half awake. On this particular Wednesday, I was particularly tired for 5:45 a.m., walking sleepily along when Justin wonders, "Where do the people who work here park?"

"I don't know, Justin," I mumble, kind of hoping for a few more minutes of sleep while walking.

"Well, there never seem to be any of their cars here," he insists, looking at me incredulously.

"Uh-huh."  Please shut up!

"So what do you think they do? Do they all walk?"

"Not sure."

"Maybe they park over there. Do you think so?"

Oh my god! It's 5:45 in the MORNING! I don't care if they fly in on space shuttle from the freakin' moon! This is what I want to say, but instead: "Honey, why don't you just ask them?" I'm such a patient wife.

Sometimes, Justin's questions are admittedly somewhat thought-provoking, even causing me to take pause, at least for a nanosecond. But that's the point - I say, that's an interesting question to consider, and then return to my important work facebook stalking. But questions will haunt Justin until he can find an answer.

Recent examples: What if there were two dominant species instead of humans being the only one? Why are dogs not born in one particular season like certain other animals? Why do we say, "how come"? (On another day, weeks later) Why do we say, "because of"? Do cats in China run away from humans because they know that they will be eaten?

And the list goes on... and on... Sometimes I feel like the mother of a three-year-old who wants to shout, "The sky's just freaking blue, okay?!? It just IS!"

But then again, when I can take a step back, I remind myself that Justin's insatiable curiosity is one of reasons that I love him so dearly. He's infinitely interested in the world around him, which is a quality I truly admire and (don't tell him) which I aspire to have. It makes him eager, passionate, and is the basis of his desire to expand his mind in new ways. And so, I let him question away... nodding and smiling and referring him to Wikipedia.