Memory of Light (sep 29, 2006)
Email This ArticleA person’s memory is a palace of shrines, devoted each to a moment in time. Some are nurtured, while others refuse to be discarded despite repeated attempts. Some shrines are attended to more than others: candles blaze joyously around such bright moments, even though it is not entirely clear the source of incandescence.
I have been visiting one such corner of my interior recently.
It all began on a workday lunch, when I dropped in for an artery chokefest at the local cheese hut. It turned out there was a cantankerous all-u-can-eat buffet under way, with a workforce for that shift consisting of one employee.
I sat there and watched dozen after dozen of variations on the unmistakable gesticulation of people who have had to go without food for a scandalous three- four- hours. Tensed fists were brought down reproachfully on tabletops in frustration, how dare one be kept waiting when $4.99 had been spent per head for a towering feast of yeast?!
Amidst the madding crowd, a bespeckled youth shuffled back and forth, his movement greased by teflon, completely untrounced by complaining groans for his head on a platter. I’m watching this young man glide pass the big spenders and it really made me think. Is grief, anger, and unhappiness a mere illusion which cloaks our joy? How is it that most of us have it in reverse? Surely, nobody can be in the state of sunshine round the clock, but as time runs out, we all seem to have fewer moments of brightness.
I repeatedly return to the point where I went to the counter to pay my bill. Much like a prisoner who traces the outlines of the open skies from within his cell, I go over each crease of his youthful face to further secure a place in my palace for the memory of his sweet optimism.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:31 pm
I used juice fasts as part of my marathon training, back in the day. Funny thing was, after two full days of nothing but juice and water, I lost all desire for food. Happened each time, almost like clockwork. I felt a little sad that iIactually had to take time out of my day to eat. But that was the purpose of the fast, to deplete energy stores, only then to load up for two days prior to the race. And yes, it did work, but then again, I also loaded up on caffine on race day.
October 1st, 2006 at 6:02 pm
the truth is out: Why Prisitine Lives In New Jersey.