TBD

TBD on Ning

on Avatars, the codes we send out through careful/careless nomenclature. Some are honest, their faces wide, direct, smiling out to all: I Am Here.

Social Networks, so different from the milling pile of bars, dances, clubs, parties, introductions with no prep time. The luncheons, the Hundred Pound Phone, the personal ad. Now, we step out, faces presented at whatever optimum we imagine, crafted and spun in webs of illusion, delusion. Imagining we hide, when we merely lay bare - which is good and proper.

I Am Here. Look, See, Know. The Who said it best, perhaps the advent of "Me" began then. The slow evolution of exposure, the migration from the closed, cloistered havens of family and church and school dances, to the mileu that is true multitudity, the pot melts, and spills over like hot lava onto the main culture, "exposing every weakness, no matter how carefully hid".

The signs are up, we are our own shops, we reserve the right - but come look upon my wares - I don't really care what you think - but what do you think, if I may ask? - You approve? - not that it matters - I am me, solid and unchanging in your opinion flood - No mark is made by your suggestion - If I change, it is merely a deeper reflection of the true Me - nothing in what you said.

Some come and sit on the beach, watching the others riding the waves, laughing, high spirits. Just sitting, watching.

Some drive round the turnpike, take the next exit, nothing to see, back on, quick, hurry before we miss the big parade, the big hoedown, the big show. I can't bear to be late, and miss the beginning, it'll ruin everything, so lets just go next year, where can we go now? Right now.

Other come-a-stomping Look At Me, my wave crests higher (but I won't say it out loud, you'll surely notice on your own if your of any quality).

Male, Female, TX, AZ, GA, Here I Am, this neck-of-the-woods is what we call "Local", its where I'm at so it must be - HI, wow, the post office is stretched, no more states, please! FL, that makes sense,

Some full frontal names, middle initial (with the dot, yes indeed) all. Some just a first name, its what my friends call me, if your a friend you'd know that already.

Our avatars are culled from the images of our past - which year did I look best? It could be this year, it could be next - but unfortunately I don't have those yet - oh, here, 1953, I looked my best, yes, I think so. I want people to see the real me, not just the me I am now, I'm defined by all the time I've used up so far, the crest may have been a while back, that's the tip of the iceberg that is me, and that'll do nicely, thank you very much!

Spiritual, Sexual, Stuffy, Silly, Cute - represent yourself, step up to the plate, swing hard, swing three times, at least ya swung! Get off the damn bench, the coach called ya up.

Some have no picture at all, just a gray shell, like Shields Up, like a blip on a radar: We know your there, you exist, you qualify to be in the parade, but no, just a shell is all we see. The wall remains, we've put our toe in the water, we came to the pool, but its too cold, it'll warm up next week for sure, I hate to shiver in a pool - but we came, at least.

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Comment by Alendar on July 1, 2009 at 10:13pm
Thank you Maricel. All the english teachers I've known have been quite displeased with me. They had this strange requirement that things be turned in on time, I show up for class, not snore, not make up my own verbs...
Comment by Maricel Evasco on July 1, 2009 at 11:05am
I like your writing style. You have a strong voice and imagination. Kudos from Ms. English teacher. lol
I had fun in chat the other day. We or someone should organize a TBD housewarming party in chat. ~Mari
Comment by Alendar on July 1, 2009 at 9:41am
4-D, actually. Missed ya, Gary. You look taller on Ning. Must be the lighting.
Comment by Stir Young on July 1, 2009 at 9:25am
Alendar, is this how you talk in 3-D?
Comment by Alendar on July 1, 2009 at 8:18am
If I can't mix my metaphors, I just don't feel complete.
Comment by Disc Aimer on July 1, 2009 at 7:16am
Interesting reading, I didn't understand why there's a wall in the pool of that last paragraph but I agree anyway.

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