There is a part of my brain where all the blue is stored; I like to think that it makes itself useful once in a while…
Perceive the entries of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Refraction in a different light.
Pleasant weather has had Across the Bored seeking out old haunts and new neighbourhoods in some spontaneous outings these past few weeks. As much an opportunity to build up the photo library for some post-summer editing as they are exercise in disguise, such sorties are also the perfect excuse for an ice-cold drink and a bit of people-watching from a shady terrace. With time on our hands and no particular place to go, a few hours spent wandering around usually leaves us feeling invigorated.
Such was definitely not the case last Friday when my usual walking companion was otherwise occupied: itching to get out and get something done we headed off to a department store downtown with a focus on replacing some badly needed unmentionables. Now most men will just shake their heads and wonder how difficult could that be for it seems a simple matter of going to the underwear department, finding size and favourite brand, paying and going home (or just getting whoever puts them in the drawer to seek and replace) but certain ladies will more fully understand the torture that ranks on a par with the old pre-season swimsuit try-on debacles.
It’s not for lack of styles or sizes, stretch satin or spandex, balconette or push-up, may-I-help-yous or sorry, they don’t make those anymore. It’s not because of the awful lighting in the tired changing rooms with the fun-house mirrors that make one feel pastily like all the things we swore we’d never become. It may be that we don’t approach this kind of thing with the same zeal or excitement of youthful folly: it has come to the point where we want comfortable and reassuring, a little confidence-builder that doesn’t squeeze in the wrong place or cause unsightly bulges where they don’t belong. We don’t want to be reminded of the past, we want something for us now – if it comes in hot-pink lace then all the better. On our way out we met a lovely lady who looked just as bedraggled, put-upon and exasperated as we felt. “I hate doing this – it gets worse every year” she sighed as we flipped through the racks yet again for the one size we needed in the perfect style that was not there. She had been through the same ordeal: we were not alone, we are legion and as she pointed out, this type of battle deserved a rejuvenating reward – name your poison and swallow it with gusto!
The Big 5 Challenge puts forth that it definitely depends on the situation to make us 5 or 50. “How old do you feel?” – like a kid in a candy shoppe or drudge with a mop, like you could run a mile, need to rest a while, could change your style or rule the world…
We would love to know how you are reeling in the years.
For all those who are new readers to Across the Bored, here are some guidelines for the challenge: HOW DOES THIS WORK?