Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Thought on Minimalism

Two women whose faces and bare backs suggested that they were in their 50's but whose clothing items seemed to have been co-opted from a spoiled teenager's closet, were sitting in the same area I was also occupying during one of my very recent travels.

The area, as I describe it to my person over text, was an almost too balanced a fusion of a somewhat-anxious, post-Wall-Street-crisis-informed, nouveau riche-pretending space and affected Bohemia.

I found myself sporting a smug smirk which, had I actually seen it in a mirror, I would have detested it. But that day I didn't seem to be bothered by the fact that I was looking smug for it seemed to be an appropriate reaction.

To my left I see another woman in her late 50's or so whose shoulders were evidence of a rather disciplined regimen of yoga and pilates and her darker skin color suggested that her visits to her local tan salon were at least bi-weekly. The hair seemed to say, 'Hey, look at me. A French-speaking stylist named Robert (who leaves the 't' out when pronouncing his name) with genius hands and out-of-this-world-smelling shampoos was frolicking with my locks for well over an hour. The result: absolute lusciousness.

And, as these thoughts were swimming in my head, I could feel the smug smirk approaching the enclaves of my face again.
How's this for minimalistic? I ask.
Yeah, B.R., how do you like them apples?




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10 comments:

JJ said...

Ha.
I can't help but react similarly to signs of opulence around me. It's great that some people do well financially, of course, but it would all be better if more people we're doing so badly.
How DO you like them apples?
HAHAHA.

Anonymous said...

I also feel all self-righteousness when in certain areas. The place itself had that effect on me, too, I find.
How did BR like them apples eventually?

Unknown said...

For some reason this story reminded me of the Lobster Quadrille:
“Will you walk a little faster?” said a whiting to a snail,
“There’s a porpoise close behind us, and he’s treading on my tail.
See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!
They are waiting on the shingle—will you come and join the dance?
Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance?

“You can really have no notion how delightful it will be
When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!"
But the snail replied, “Too far, too far!” and gave a look askance—

Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.

Anonymous said...

I know I should be judgmental when I hear my once very rich friends say that they're also suffering as they've cut a lot of their once necessary expenses like weekly massages, therapy sessions, mani-pedis and so forth.
And yet I can't help but look smug also.
:)

Anonymous said...

And I DO like them apples. I've been chewing on them for quite some time now. I won't feel as bad for feeling so smug-ish lately then. ;0)

Anonymous said...

And if were were on FB, I would have 'liked' Giuditta's story!

Sean said...

I call exorbitant exhibits of opulence an act of denial. But then learned behaviors of wealth are hard to unlearn.

Sra said...

You just like authenticity, and can't help but balk at the rest. Nothing wrong with those delicious apples.

B.R. said...

-Well, apples are a high-frequency item in my reality.
-Ah, Guiditta. Thanks for the Lobster Quadrille. ...Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance....
-Right, the deliciousness of the apples was not meant to be questioned, of course, as I do remain a fan of them.

Unknown said...

So ratemyprofessor is bad thing?