some twist images like fun house mirrors
Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 4:55AM 
It's not what we are; it's what we appear to be. This is our currency. This is what we exchange. I don't get to see whatever it is you actually are. I don't even really get to see the you you wear by design. None of that has anything to do with my eyes.
I'm like a fun house mirror. What I see in you depends on how I'm situated; where I stand. If my history was different, my vantage point would be, too. But all I've got is this angle. And I know that does you no favors. I know that you're likely aware that perception is king and that you, like all of us, often feel impressionable under the gazes of others. Little things, like walking into a crowded room, are almost scripted as our wondering whether we'll make a good impression actually in and of itself changes our behavior; changes the exchange. I get it. Each time we walk out of our front doors, we all feel a little like we're standing in front of fun house mirrors.
So I realize I might be being unfair when I say that I see you as an unfortunate birth.
I imagine that what I see when I look at you is the reflection of your parents. But, I suppose, like good people make bad decisions, good parents can make bad babies. So maybe it's not their fault. Maybe you strayed from the flock to live the kind of renegade life that would make Lorenzo Lamas proud.
I don't know. My purpose in life is not to figure you out. Trying to get to the heart of the matter with you would probably be like journeying to the Land of the Lost; except less funny because Will Ferrell wouldn't be there wrestling a T-Rex.
What I see in you is your overreaction to situations. You don't even wait for them to become uncomfortable. You jump the gun and take them there yourself. You do all the dirty work that absolutely no one else would even think to do, because, well, it's entirely unnecessary and wholly counter-productive.
Or maybe it's the way you say exactly what you're thinking when the situation calls for diplomacy. I certainly enjoy the refreshing surprise of an explicit thought that goes against the comfortable grain. But the problem with you saying what you're thinking is that you seem incapable of thinking for yourself. The result? Garbled insults out of context. The image of you as an asshat impressed upon my cornea.
I don't know what the answer is. And, honestly, if I thought saying this to you would get us anywhere, I'd do it. But my patience has worn thin and when my patience tires, my motivation wanes.
Besides, why would you care what I see in you? I'm sure I don't look much like a masterpiece in your eyes, either.
Reader Comments (19)
"What I see in you is your overreaction to situations. You don’t even wait for them to become uncomfortable. You jump the gun and take them there yourself. "
I love this. I know someone like this as well and I feel she brings the bad things and the drama when it isn't even happening. It is wearing.
It's so tiring. So many times, awkward never has to happen. Yet, it's like some people either just insist that it does or have absolutely no idea how to avoid it.
The way a person reacts to situations says a lot about them doesn't it? Great post.
It does. Says so much. It's such a good read on what they're thinking.
I like the fun house mirror comparison. And I also really like this: "Or maybe it’s the way you say exactly what you’re thinking when the situation calls for diplomacy."
Tact and diplomacy are skills. Learn them please.
Yes. It's always okay to speak your mind. It's just sometimes better not to; like when your mind is ridiculous.
"Maybe you strayed from the flock to live the kind of renegade life that would make Lorenzo Lamas proud."
Ha! That part made me laugh.
Seriously, though...get some tact.
True story: I had looking for a place to mention Lorenzo. He seemed to fit here.
I love the way you describe this... People like this not only annoy me, but they frighten me. Legitimate fear that one day I'll move from observant bystander to someone caught up in their hurricane of emotional drama.
Well said.
It's such a hurricane. All of a sudden, it's a complete disaster and you're just standing there like "Wtf?"
"What I see in you depends on how I’m situated; where I stand. If my history was different, my vantage point would be, too. But all I’ve got is this angle."
I really like how you write. And yes. To this whole post. Yes.
Means the world.
ohhhh. I like it. Except the part about "speaking your mind when the situation calls for diplomacy"
Shit. I'm that girl.
No way. I have read posts with you speaking your mind, and this person is no you.
Very interesting post. So many quote-worthy snippets. As clearly evidenced by the above comments.
Well done.
It was interesting for me, too. It's weird not being anonymous and having to tell anonymous stories.
*Phew*! I thought you were writing about me but apparently you're writing about repliderium.com. Cool, cool.
Close call, but you're safe.
I thought I had hidden it so well!
I have x-ray vision. Nothing escapes my sight!
this sort of makes me want to feverishly better myself, so that no one feels this way about me.
Me, too. I don't want to be seen this way, though I'm sure someone must look at me that way.
your post is so quotable, so awesome, but im going to add a sex and the city carrie quote anyways,"This isn't ME! This is just me reacting to your perception of me!"
Also Lorenzo Lamas is NOT very accepting, I got very teary eyed in the episode of him hating on/ignoring his own son.
Renegades. For shame.
And I don't think I've said anything like this before, but that quote from Carrie is spot on.
I love love love this post. I read it a few times and I could have written this about someone I know and the way I feel right now.
I love the mirror metaphor...
Yeah. This is mostly about one person, but it could definitely apply to a few. Thanks.
well said.
Thank you.
I know this is a bit off base but this post reminds me that scene in enter the dragon with all the mirrors and what not.
Its really all I could think about while reading this.
That and the fact that Will Ferrel's career really went down hill after Old School.
Wow. This post made me think about jumping the gun, about my own twisted ideas about myself and others. Great writing.
Life is all lesson, despite its complexity we must not loose sight of our self. After all, the outside world is merely a manifestation of our inner world. :-)
Wonderful post... Very informational and educational as usual!
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