My Good Looking Neighbor was talking to me a few days ago and said she’d been eating paleo for so long that she doesn’t even see fast food restaurants that she drives past everyday. Except on occasion, when she sees a long line of cars at the drive-thru and thinks, “Don’t they realize that this is poison?”
In what’s become a number of not so rare coincidences between me and MGLN, I have the same experience.
It got me thinking about what other things I don’t see because they don’t play an important role in my life.
Things I don’t see:
- Fast food restaurants – I tried to recall how many I pass up everyday when I got to the pool, gory stories and vets. I can name about 6, but am certain there are more than 20. But I don’t eat fast food and have never visited any of them.
- Fashion – I pay no attention to fashion (which is obvious if you look at any of my pictures). That said, since returning from life on the road, I do pay attention to quality and proper fit of clothing. I may dress like I’m ready to go camping at any minutes, but my clothes fit well, function well and are made well. The Pearl Jam Steve grunge look is forever retired.
- Age – I notice age at the extreme ends of the spectrum. Small children are loud and annoying. Really old people tend to move slowly and cautiously. In the middle are people in their 20s- 60s. I pay little attention to how old they are. It doesn’t matter other than to give me a conversational culture point of reference. I am often surprised when someone who I think looks old is younger than me (they’re always overweight and unfit). I’m equally surprised when talking to some of the more engaging lifeguards at the pool who tell me they are in their first year of college. I think TV and movies, plus a complete lack of interest, has skewed my perception of what people look like at various ages.
- Pop culture – Yawn. I have zero interest in celebrities, gossip, and the latest trending people.
- Expensive jewelry – I like jewelry. I like to wear earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces. I adore big dangly earrings on women. I check out the diamonds in people’s noses. I think an arm full of string and leather bracelets is hipster cool. I am always curious why people choose the jewelry they wear. But I can’t tell the difference between a diamond, a cubic zirconia and a piece of cut glass. I recognize the color of gold and silver, but cannot distinguish between plated, 14k, 24k or fake metals. If anything, I think I like cheap jewelry best because it’s often the jewelry that is handmade, gifted with love and unique.
- Cars – I’ve never been a car guy. My criteria for a car is is “good gas mileage”, few repair issues and starts up reliably. I recognize a few distinct models like the VW Bug, Jeep Wrangler, Scion xB and the clown-car like SmartCar. The rest are all a blur to me. I have a dozens of neighbors I see driving past when I am walking the dogs. They all drive crossover SUVs that are grayish. I wave to all of them, because I cannot distinguish the Honda from the Hyundai from the Lexus from the GMC. I never know whose car it is until it pulls into their driveway. The other neighborhood vehicles are white, gray or black cars and big trucks. They all look alike to me.
- Status Symbol Goods – I’m anti-consumerist and anti-marketing, so I rarely know what is considered a trendy symbol of status. I’m vaguely aware there are some fuzzy hooded puffy coats that are super expensive that are the rage apparently (Grey Goose?). I once looked them up and was horrified at the exorbitant prices. As for items like fancy watches, the latest cell phone, designer eyewear, and other status symbol purchases, I’m totally clueless and uninterested.
On the other hand, I do see things that are meaningful to me. I notice these things, I remember them and I look forward to seeing them again.
Things I see:
- Warms smiles – accompanied by smiling eyes and laugh lines.
- Kindness – of any sort. I see people letting someone over in traffic, pulling out a grocery cart for the person behind them, helping an old lady with her bags, trying to catch a loose dog, picking up litter, holding the hand of their spouse or even just smiling and recognizing the human in front of them.
- Well used items – I like old furniture, complete with dings, scrapes and faded paint. I see cars with minor dents and fogged headlights. I see old tools in grades and faded favorite jeans.
- Sadness – I see eyes mist up and hear the choking in the throat when someone remembers a loss. I see people raging and sobbing soundlessly beside me on traffic and my heart aches for them. Sometimes, if I’m right there, I try to do something like ask if they are OK. Unless I know them well, the best I can do is pay attention and offer an ear if they want it. (They never seem to want it.)
- Joy – I hear it when a baby squeals in delight. I see it when a dog is jumping around in excitement. Sometimes it’s the look on someone’s face when they open the door to greet visitors. Other times, it’s a bounce in someone’s step or the little private dance they do when they think nobody’s watching. (I’m watching – and it makes me smile).
- People – I am always watching people – especially those I see regularly. I know their schedules. I recognize their family members who live with them and those who visit. I make up entire stories in my head about their lives. People watching is fascinating to me.
I notice when people look me in the eye, listen to me, see me
As for stuff, I observe a lot when I’m walking. I see houses, lawns, furniture, plants, packed garages and decorated porches. Some of these are beautiful. Some spartan. Some rundown and others meticulously maintained.
I see these things, but if you asked me to name a brand, an item or a style, I’d come up blank. It’s all just background scenery to me.