My associates and associations
Ah, the human brain. It is an incredible machine. It always astounds me with its abilities in others, and very often I am surprised by the things of which my own electro-chemical blob is capable. (For instance, after three shots of Jack I can still avoid ending a sentence with a preposition, and after far too many imported German beers, I can still use the word "miasma" spontaneously and correctly in normal conversation.)
One of the things that has always fascinated me is the associations that my brain makes with certain things. We all, of course, have recognized our ability to associate smells with certain memories. As an example, when I get a whiff of the rare combination of bus exhaust and hot asphalt, I am instantly whisked away to summers as a youngster going to Six Flags in Dallas on school trips. Or when I catch the unlikely combination of dust, pine needles and cigarette smoke, I conjure up distinct memories of attending the Ren Faire in Plantersville with my college mates.
But it is another kind of association that I want to explore in this post. I often find that I have made very strong associations between certain people and images, sounds, actions, or items. Almost every time, these are pleasant memories, and they remind me of the people that I truly care about and am lucky to have connected to my life. So I want to share a few of these things. Some of them may be very familiar to the people I associate them with. (oops, there's that preposition) Others may be surprising.
When I reach across my desk at work, and grab the very manly unscented moisturizer to put on my chapped hands, or when I hear the refrain of a certain Rick Springfield song, I am always reminded of our little Lisa in Colorado.
When I the golden locks of a well-kept retriever, or catch a glimpse of licorice in the candy isle, I think just of Babs. Incidentally, I scored some pina colada flavored licorice at the Sportsman's Warehouse the other night. Don't worry, Babs, I'll bring you some to try.
When I take a sip of a particularly good wine, or see a really nice coi pond, I am always reminded of the immortal weaver of fire, Michelle B.
When I'm in the comic book shop and I see the latest Usagi Yojimbo, I'm always reminded of my ol' college pal Brandon.
When I hear the strains of Hootie and the Blowfish, I think back to spring days on the quad with my brother back at our alma mater, studying in our tiny dorm room with the window open, hoping to catch a glimpse of a cute co-ed sunbathing on the grass.
When I see a rainbow sticker, I can't help thinking of JoAnn, all smiles and sweetness, belying a very savvy and capable young woman.
When I see Japanese characters, Hiragana, Katakana or Kanji, I always think of Jeff, the eternal conundrum, constantly defying my ability to categorize him.
When I inevitably mispronounce "Home Depot", or when I see a documentary on the Great Wall, I think of Dipu, the whitest man I know.
When I watch a Kenneth Branagh production, or read any Shakespeare, I immediately think of Kasey, my old grad school chum who should be PhD by now and teaching at some exalted establishment.
When I do a jello-shot, as rare as that may be, I inevitably am reminded of Susie and her cleavage. (Thank God my wife doesn't read this blog)
There are so many more memories. So many more amazing people that I have encountered in this life, and that I call friends. Uh oh, the Jack is really kicking in. I've got to end this thing before it gets maudlin. Of course, that reminds me that every time I hear the word "maudlin", I thing of my old buddy Ryan in Atlanta. heh.
You are now thinking, "Huh. I wonder why he doesn't mention his wife, the most important person in his life." Well, that's simple. That's because I am never reminded of her. I never have to be. She is in my thoughts every minute of every hour of every day.
Crap. There's that maudlin thing I was talking about.
Anywho, even though I didn't intend to do this, I think this is a good time to issue a challenge. Other people have done this, and now it's my turn. If you read this, and you are a blogger, take a minute to update your blog with the things that remind you of the wonderful people, or even the people you hate, in your life. I can't wait to see how your minds work. The self-centered parts of me especially wants to know what things remind you of me.
Now, go forth and remember!!
MST
One of the things that has always fascinated me is the associations that my brain makes with certain things. We all, of course, have recognized our ability to associate smells with certain memories. As an example, when I get a whiff of the rare combination of bus exhaust and hot asphalt, I am instantly whisked away to summers as a youngster going to Six Flags in Dallas on school trips. Or when I catch the unlikely combination of dust, pine needles and cigarette smoke, I conjure up distinct memories of attending the Ren Faire in Plantersville with my college mates.
But it is another kind of association that I want to explore in this post. I often find that I have made very strong associations between certain people and images, sounds, actions, or items. Almost every time, these are pleasant memories, and they remind me of the people that I truly care about and am lucky to have connected to my life. So I want to share a few of these things. Some of them may be very familiar to the people I associate them with. (oops, there's that preposition) Others may be surprising.
When I reach across my desk at work, and grab the very manly unscented moisturizer to put on my chapped hands, or when I hear the refrain of a certain Rick Springfield song, I am always reminded of our little Lisa in Colorado.
When I the golden locks of a well-kept retriever, or catch a glimpse of licorice in the candy isle, I think just of Babs. Incidentally, I scored some pina colada flavored licorice at the Sportsman's Warehouse the other night. Don't worry, Babs, I'll bring you some to try.
When I take a sip of a particularly good wine, or see a really nice coi pond, I am always reminded of the immortal weaver of fire, Michelle B.
When I'm in the comic book shop and I see the latest Usagi Yojimbo, I'm always reminded of my ol' college pal Brandon.
When I hear the strains of Hootie and the Blowfish, I think back to spring days on the quad with my brother back at our alma mater, studying in our tiny dorm room with the window open, hoping to catch a glimpse of a cute co-ed sunbathing on the grass.
When I see a rainbow sticker, I can't help thinking of JoAnn, all smiles and sweetness, belying a very savvy and capable young woman.
When I see Japanese characters, Hiragana, Katakana or Kanji, I always think of Jeff, the eternal conundrum, constantly defying my ability to categorize him.
When I inevitably mispronounce "Home Depot", or when I see a documentary on the Great Wall, I think of Dipu, the whitest man I know.
When I watch a Kenneth Branagh production, or read any Shakespeare, I immediately think of Kasey, my old grad school chum who should be PhD by now and teaching at some exalted establishment.
When I do a jello-shot, as rare as that may be, I inevitably am reminded of Susie and her cleavage. (Thank God my wife doesn't read this blog)
There are so many more memories. So many more amazing people that I have encountered in this life, and that I call friends. Uh oh, the Jack is really kicking in. I've got to end this thing before it gets maudlin. Of course, that reminds me that every time I hear the word "maudlin", I thing of my old buddy Ryan in Atlanta. heh.
You are now thinking, "Huh. I wonder why he doesn't mention his wife, the most important person in his life." Well, that's simple. That's because I am never reminded of her. I never have to be. She is in my thoughts every minute of every hour of every day.
Crap. There's that maudlin thing I was talking about.
Anywho, even though I didn't intend to do this, I think this is a good time to issue a challenge. Other people have done this, and now it's my turn. If you read this, and you are a blogger, take a minute to update your blog with the things that remind you of the wonderful people, or even the people you hate, in your life. I can't wait to see how your minds work. The self-centered parts of me especially wants to know what things remind you of me.
Now, go forth and remember!!
MST
posted by matthewstoryteller | 4:04 PM
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