It's a strange choice, but every now and then I'll end up at Dave and Busters for lunch, a kind of souped-up TGIFs with a huge back room of video games, games I only glance when I make my way to the bathroom. For some reason, a lot of people I know love the food there, and it's next to a bookstore so what's not to love? I never play video games or skeetball, never sit in a virtual reality car (having a bad enough time with real ones -- Snowflake can attest to the horror of my driving!). That said, there is one thing I never miss. On the way out, a fortune-telling machine makes strange noises, much like the one in the movie Big, and I feel compelled to drop in a quarter and see what comes out. The machine says, The spirits are talking to me and tells you your favorite color. Then it spits out a little card with a fairly involved fortune. My last one said that a long-awaited letter was coming to me, that I liked gay music to dance (a lot of the fortunes contain ESL errors), and that ectasy caused me to exclaim. There's also a haiku in italics on top of the fortune and a drawing of a bird carrying a letter that says "LOVE."
I believe that the world gives you omens of what is to come if you are listening and sometimes in the most unlikely places. Once I wrote a note in a sympathy card and had a sudden flash that what I was saying would soon no longer apply -- the person did something to end the relationship within months. I guess it should come as no surprise that I get my moments of what little psychic ability I might have through writing, even writing that is not meant to be artistic in any way. It's the time when I am most myself, the stripped-down version without all the bullshit. I feel sad a lot when I write, but after a few pages, I become a different person, one who could like gay music to dance, one that could exclaim in ectasy if she weren't so busy trying to listen to the spirits.
Michelle's Spell of the Day
"One cannot be deeply responsive to the world without being saddened very often." Erich Fromm
Cocktail Hour
Drinking music suggestion: Tom Waits, Frank's Wild Years
Benedictions and Maledictions
Thanks to all my commenters for all your kind words that keep me going! Here's a Sunday question, should you care to answer it. When are you most yourself?
11 comments:
Very interesting question, Michelle. I feel most myself when I'm helping someone else find something profound in themselves. I will contemplate this question further, though, see if anything else comes up. Happy Sunday!
Happy Sunday Michelle! I've spent the weekend at my boyfriends' house and so I have lots of catching up to do... he did take me to barnes and noble for which I was greatful... and walked out with yet another book. Take care.
My friends work at that Dave & Busters.. quite the place, I've been intoxicated there occasionally haha. Great post, love the picture, I wonder what you're laughing at.
A great Sunday question! Today is the first day of my 22nd year of life outside the womb, and that question of yours has always been one of my favorites to ponder.
I am most myself when I am alone, in my element (which is most usually my room) curled up with a book and a hot cup of tea. In a group I always feel that there is some characteristic that they posses that I just don't quite grasp.
I miss you!
Cajun Queen Im myself in my room alone thinking about the past and what the new day has in store wondering what next what shoe what sock Foxy Lady R2 C2!
What a wonderful question, Michelle. I'm most myself when I time travel. I go into the past and recreate my past selves, the selves that I think are incomplete. It's a blast, but very difficult and time consuming, although most often worth the trip. I think even Superman is jealous of me. Don't get me wrong. I think he's quite of guy; I'm just luckier. Thanks for asking.
You mean... THIS machine?
http://static.flickr.com/87/257492521_3deac5ba60_o.jpg
Fortune Teller Machine
I have a friend who wins tickets like crazy on one of the games at D&B. He'll get 4 out of ten tries on the "jackpot". He has Dave and Busters gear coming out of his ass. I was always satisfied with a Superman plush.
Hey Jason,
That's the VERY machine. Thanks for the picture. And thanks to everyone for all the comments too!
And happy birthday to Cheri!
I am most myself when I'm feeling pain and want to be left alone.
Thanks Michelle! <3 <3 <3 <3
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