Perceptions and Misconceptions
Seeing (and not seeing) carousels in NYC. Plus, dancing to Gotye and Where's Waldo?
“This was definitely not here in my day.”
You’d think, given my use of the adverb “definitely,” that I was pretty confident in this recent declaration on Instagram. I was posting about my discovering “La Carousel” in Bryant Park, an old-timey manège as they’re called in French. In truth, I wasn’t necessarily pos-i-tive (said in a Marisa Tomei, ‘My Cousin Vinny’ voice) it wasn’t there when I lived in NYC in the early to mid aughts. But I was confident enough not to spend too much time worrying about being wrong, which, evidentally I was. (At least the stakes were low, but thank you,
! To quote another classic movie: “When I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong.”)
The fact of the matter is: It was my truth—not the truth. I perceived it to be true because “in my day,” whether the carousel was there or not I just didn’t notice it. The same goes for the subway art I remarked about at the Dekalb Avenue station a few weeks back. Both may very well have existed during my initial New York City years, but I didn’t pay them much mind. Why? Maybe I simply didn’t spend enough time in the southwest corner of the park or I exited a different part of the subway station. More likely, though: I couldn’t relate or had nothing to compare and connect them to in my life. No France where said carousels are plentiful. No friends or family with kids to ride on them. Other monuments, other mortels took precedence.
My what a difference an almost-decade makes.
I pride myself on being an observant person, but there will always be things we miss, whether intentionally or not. Our heads and our hearts do not always match up with our eyes. Maybe we’re rushing. Or on the opposite side of the street. Maybe we’re distracted or not interested.
Maybe we’re just not grown enough.
“Ten years ago, you may have been very different,” messaged Atoosa, right after sending me the date when the carousel arrived in Bryant Park. (2002, for those wondering. I’d already been in the city shy of a year.)
Ten years ago I was—wait for it—definitely very different. The same same, but also…
Having just past the three-month mark since returning to the States, I continue to notice (and not notice) taller buildings and iconic landmarks and overgrown trees and remodeled gardens and new-old restaurant facades; what’s been replaced and what’s been here all along even if unbeknownst to me. In doing so, I’m often surprised, delighted, and, yes, sometimes wrong. No one likes to be mistaken, especially when the rightness feels so…right. But the mere fact of noticing at all—not just the thing itself, but the how and why it makes us feel or think about say, a carousel now as opposed to a carousel then, well that’s the stuff that makes the manège go ’round.
Bon week-end and Happy Mother’s Day to all who mother—especially mine and the ones who made me a Tata. xx — Sara
Clickables
Losing social media, gaining peace of mind. |
“There is too much, too distant, to remember”— and that’s OK. | Lit Hub
Re: Instagram’s new updates. Why tho? |
The big business of restaurant booking. | The New Yorker
I, too, take my coffee black. But I’m still…fussy. |
“Stop trying to be an influencer!” — esp. when traveling. |
The anti-fat-shaming Mom. | The NY Times
Trader Joe’s employs some shady ‘sharing’ tactics. | Taste
“Meatloaf, are you kidding me?” — Bad Dinner Guest. | The Paris Review
Languge is the real weapon in this war. | The New Yorker
Watchable
CDK Company’s choreographed interpretation of Gotye’s “Somebody I Used to Know” will mesmerize you and, yes, get the 2011 single stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Sorry, not sorry! The Dutch troupe’s perfromance is perfectly timed and smartly produced, from the costumes and accessories (umbrellas! sunglasses! berets!) to the school gym-auditorium set and its made-for-screen dance moves.
Currently Overthinking…
…times, teachers, and studio locations for spin classes while staying in the city…
Souvenir: Where’s Waldo?
Speaking of observations, who remembers Where’s Waldo? The illustrated books series by English author and artist Martin Handford debuted in 1987 and became a global phenomenon. (Did you know in France he’s called Charlie? The title is: Où est Charlie? I remember first seeing it in a bookstore and being like, who the F is Charlie? lol Apparently in India he’s called Hetti and in Israel it’s Effy!) Anyway, Wally/Charlie/Hetti/Effy and their striped shirt, jeans, hat and cane was always fun to find in the books—and a great last minute Halloween costume.