I love these mini musings because they’re these tiny typed passages confined within tactile little black framed boxes containing so much emotion and visuals packed within short prose. I’m also SO inspired by all your type-written pieces that I just purchased my own typewriter today! I’m excited to share my experiments with you.
I felt a strong pull to the first and last passage:
First: Sister relationships really do teeter between closeness and cattiness, at least in my own experience. What words would you use to describe having brothers? I’m wondering how my relationship with my siblings would be different if they were brothers instead of sisters. I wonder if I’d be talking to them now. Dudes are better at resolving conflicts, in my experience, because they’re generally not bothered by the same things us ladies are. Or maybe I’m hanging around chill dudes because my sisters are not chill… 🧐
Last: “There is always this feeling inside me of wanting to disappear, to live within the blur between people passing, unknown…the most content and the lightest I’ve ever been was when I was at my most unknown; unknown even to me.” I just love this one so much. I long to feel this way, but I’m generally scared of the unknown.
The thing about sisters was also an observation on my end from very specific sister relationships I’ve seen, so I’m sure it’s too general. I always get asked about what it’s like to have four brothers, and I never know how to actually describe it. I feel like I should have an easy answer to it by now, but I don’t. And I’m not sure being brothers changes instead of sisters changes what you mentioned, but I do wonder what would be different for you.
Your comment that “Dudes are better at resolving conflicts….” brought on a ton of thoughts on my end because I don’t agree with you at all. I've seen it the opposite. And because I don’t know what you specifically mean by “chill dudes” it’s hard to respond to that too. Because I’ve noticed “chill” as a kind of detachment/carelessness/almost un-phased, etc. When people say in a positive way that men are more chill than women, I find that confusing. But I also think all of this is much more nuanced, involving too many factors, for these kind of generalizations.
The one about the sisters encapsulated a similar thought I had recently: I only have one sister, and my wife has two, and thought that I will never experience "sibling jealousy" of one of them doing something with the other(s). And that applies to so many situations I will never experience, or that might've made me a very different person. Also, "real life Little Women" made laugh!
The second one made me think of a question I recently learned and have been asking a lot: "Describe a morning you woke without fear". From The Vertical Interrogation of Strangers. Lots to say and unpack there.
The little girl one was gripping, more knowing her age at the end.
The last one resonated in how different I think about what you said at the beginning, and made me understand and appreciate that view better. Although I do also feel very curious about people passing by, and love my anonymity in a big city. So we might think about it more similarly than I thought.
Oh!! I don’t think I’ve experienced sibling jealousy in that way. What an interesting point, though. Have you ever wished for more sisters? Brothers? Maybe one is enough lol
I googled that — the questions from the book you mentioned. “How will you begin?” And “What are the consequences of silence?” are hitting me. Silence is such a double-edged thing.
I feel like all my writing outside of short-form essays is basically this lol But thank you :)
Passing people in the street, hearing snippets of conversation, and wanting to know them, trying to make sense of the fact they have these whole complete immersive lives just like my own... resonates hard.
...the kissing rain attracted to water on the fountain...what an image...and to think we might have all been kissed by those same dripping lips, or drank from that object of its affection...
"the lightest i have ever been was when I was at my most unknown" - I resonate deeply with this feeling, and I experience it often in my frequent travels. Surrounded by humanity, invisible in the crowd, included but not invaded, publicly private. I hadn't thought of it this way, but there is some kind of deep peace in the lack of reflection from others while getting to be with them at the same time. To be left alone to simply exist in the company of others is somehow a gift.
"included but not invaded" -- that phrasing stands out to me. If I remember correctly, I think it was you (was it?) that said you were a very private person? Do you still feel this way?
Unless that wasn't you? But, it makes sense in reading your response here.
I wonder what it is exactly that makes some people feel that deep peace from the "lack of reflection from others" more than others. Because I can relate to this, but I know it's not the same for everyone.
Hmm yes! While I resonate with higher introversion tendencies, I always feel like the 'because introvert' explanation is a bit reductionist for me, but maybe it just is that simple lol
I love these mini musings because they’re these tiny typed passages confined within tactile little black framed boxes containing so much emotion and visuals packed within short prose. I’m also SO inspired by all your type-written pieces that I just purchased my own typewriter today! I’m excited to share my experiments with you.
I felt a strong pull to the first and last passage:
First: Sister relationships really do teeter between closeness and cattiness, at least in my own experience. What words would you use to describe having brothers? I’m wondering how my relationship with my siblings would be different if they were brothers instead of sisters. I wonder if I’d be talking to them now. Dudes are better at resolving conflicts, in my experience, because they’re generally not bothered by the same things us ladies are. Or maybe I’m hanging around chill dudes because my sisters are not chill… 🧐
Last: “There is always this feeling inside me of wanting to disappear, to live within the blur between people passing, unknown…the most content and the lightest I’ve ever been was when I was at my most unknown; unknown even to me.” I just love this one so much. I long to feel this way, but I’m generally scared of the unknown.
Looking forward to being shared with :)
The thing about sisters was also an observation on my end from very specific sister relationships I’ve seen, so I’m sure it’s too general. I always get asked about what it’s like to have four brothers, and I never know how to actually describe it. I feel like I should have an easy answer to it by now, but I don’t. And I’m not sure being brothers changes instead of sisters changes what you mentioned, but I do wonder what would be different for you.
Your comment that “Dudes are better at resolving conflicts….” brought on a ton of thoughts on my end because I don’t agree with you at all. I've seen it the opposite. And because I don’t know what you specifically mean by “chill dudes” it’s hard to respond to that too. Because I’ve noticed “chill” as a kind of detachment/carelessness/almost un-phased, etc. When people say in a positive way that men are more chill than women, I find that confusing. But I also think all of this is much more nuanced, involving too many factors, for these kind of generalizations.
The one about the sisters encapsulated a similar thought I had recently: I only have one sister, and my wife has two, and thought that I will never experience "sibling jealousy" of one of them doing something with the other(s). And that applies to so many situations I will never experience, or that might've made me a very different person. Also, "real life Little Women" made laugh!
The second one made me think of a question I recently learned and have been asking a lot: "Describe a morning you woke without fear". From The Vertical Interrogation of Strangers. Lots to say and unpack there.
The little girl one was gripping, more knowing her age at the end.
The last one resonated in how different I think about what you said at the beginning, and made me understand and appreciate that view better. Although I do also feel very curious about people passing by, and love my anonymity in a big city. So we might think about it more similarly than I thought.
Also, this mini musing could be a series!
Oh!! I don’t think I’ve experienced sibling jealousy in that way. What an interesting point, though. Have you ever wished for more sisters? Brothers? Maybe one is enough lol
I googled that — the questions from the book you mentioned. “How will you begin?” And “What are the consequences of silence?” are hitting me. Silence is such a double-edged thing.
I feel like all my writing outside of short-form essays is basically this lol But thank you :)
I'm happy with one sister, wouldn't have minded another one though, but then again, not happening anymore. But I might have 3 kids! Haha
Silence is indeed double-edged, so true. Will send you some others!
And you're right about your writing, maybe naming it like that is what changed, or maybe that's why I always like it so much!
Also nice to know you liked it 🥲
hahaha -- your own tribe of Little Women! Imagine. Make them your film crew lol
I await those others!! Actually, very interested in all the good questions you're coming across recently.
Passing people in the street, hearing snippets of conversation, and wanting to know them, trying to make sense of the fact they have these whole complete immersive lives just like my own... resonates hard.
Beautiful Sandra
Imagine being able to read minds -- I wonder what that would change?
...the kissing rain attracted to water on the fountain...what an image...and to think we might have all been kissed by those same dripping lips, or drank from that object of its affection...
"attracted to water on the fountain" -- I didn't think about it this way, but I like this thought.
"the lightest i have ever been was when I was at my most unknown" - I resonate deeply with this feeling, and I experience it often in my frequent travels. Surrounded by humanity, invisible in the crowd, included but not invaded, publicly private. I hadn't thought of it this way, but there is some kind of deep peace in the lack of reflection from others while getting to be with them at the same time. To be left alone to simply exist in the company of others is somehow a gift.
"included but not invaded" -- that phrasing stands out to me. If I remember correctly, I think it was you (was it?) that said you were a very private person? Do you still feel this way?
Unless that wasn't you? But, it makes sense in reading your response here.
I wonder what it is exactly that makes some people feel that deep peace from the "lack of reflection from others" more than others. Because I can relate to this, but I know it's not the same for everyone.
Yes, just pretty much following introverted tendencies. Don't know what makes for that kind of experience, but I share it.
Hmm yes! While I resonate with higher introversion tendencies, I always feel like the 'because introvert' explanation is a bit reductionist for me, but maybe it just is that simple lol