Having new eyes

When I saw the 80s were making a comeback, I hoped it was a passing trend. I hoped to awake one morning to find it all a wretched dream. I hoped, at the very least,  the youth of today were somehow more advanced than we at their age; that they’d take one look at the neon jewelry, denim jumpsuits, lace gloves and see it like it is: a no good, very bad idea.

Alas . . .

Last weekend, while shopping with my friend and her daughter, I happened upon the Wayfarer glasses. If you were not a child of the 80’s, let me explain: eyeglasses are cool. All the better if you don’t actually need them. You need only buy the plastic frames, with plastic lenses–the ones made to look like Ray-Ban Wayfarer glasses; the ones that come in every color imaginable, so you can coordinate with every outfit you own.

Sure, when you grow up you’ll spend good money to go under the knife, all to avoid wearing glasses. But when you’re a teenager? They’re totally awesome.

I tried on a pair. They were black, with a Union Jack button on the side that read, “I love British boys.”  I took a picture for my friend who just returned from London. It was a brilliant idea–until I saw the picture. I don’t have the smallest of noses. It tends to parade a good deal in front of the rest of my features. Unfortunately for us all, the light was such that while my face remained in the shadows, my nose danced in the spotlight, thus giving the illusion of an artificial appendage.

I looked as though wearing nose-glasses.

Funny how things look differently from a different vantage point.

Speaking of which, my friend returned from London bearing gifts. Included in my packet of goodies was a postcard with this painting by Picasso.

One look and I snickered; I asked if she was trying to tell me something. (that I needed to lay off the chocolate, perhaps?)

In reality, she loved the painting. She thought I might love it, too.

So, I came home and did a bit of research. Seems there was more than met the eye. When all was said and done–when I understood the nuances, the symbolism–I did love the painting.

Seems the look of things can change in a moment–you’ve just got to be willing to see them with new eyes.