Wires
We are in the modern era: an era where technology is considered an extension of our hands: likes are thoughtlessly thrown, we write nonsense on each others walls, emojis are often both misused and misunderstood, birthday wishes bombard timelines, double-tapping becomes second nature and no matter where we are, we have full access to it all. Yes, this is cliché. This is our jejune reality and we know it.
One of the more simple and interesting things I guess, are earphones. But, the vibe that comes out from them is on a whole different level. It's complex, somewhat personal, sinful perhaps, critical -- almost defining. I guess you could consider it identifying.
I caught the bus home today. Last year, this was my routine. Today, it was my unfamiliarity.
While waiting anxiously at the bus stop (I'm very shy, and I fear even the tiniest 5 seconds of talking to the bus driver), I drove my eyes down the line of school girls swinging their legs on the bus stop bench. Each girl was moving to the sound coming out of their twisted wires. This is such a familiar sight, but today it seemed unfamiliar. This wasn't because of the unfamiliarity of the bus environment; it was purely because I stopped to realise it. Reality check: Wow, we are in our own technology world!
I built up the ersatz confidence to pay my $3.50 to the bus driver, smiled genuinely and sat down on the nearest empty chair I could find.
I locked eyes on a particular boy. This was not because he was particularly alluring, I was not attracted to him in any way. He looked very normal - nothing especially noteworthy. Though, I looked at him long enough to observe him. White boy, Black T-Shirt with what seemed like a Maori tribal print, expensive brown leather guitar case with what probably would be an expensive guitar enclosed inside it, futuristic watch, the all-popular Man-bun, blue eyes -- unusually conservative, very calm but in a way, eccentric. I stared so hard that I found this boy to be electric; he couldn't stop moving. It wasn't because the bus was an excessive jitter or the fact that the bus driver probably shouldn't have been employed, but it was something in the music he was listening to.
Wild fingers, tapping at an unusual and irregular tempo; bobble head, sweltering and fidgety lips, shock-wire knees. Interesting. He looked like he was the musical kind of guy. Having a guitar and all. But, for some odd reason, his manner didn't suit his facade. It didn't seem right. But I'm sure it was more than right. It was him. And I love that! I guess that's the thing... You're only left to assume what came out of those earphones and in most cases, you're bound to be wrong. Assumptions - inaccurate assumptions.
I've always thought about this. Earphones and their owners. What music makes people move the way they do? What did they decide to add to their playlists?
I love watching people react to the music they're listening to. The vibrations visually show throughout their bodies. Music can't hide. It can hide in your ears, but if you feel it enough, it will become an extension of your body. So, Earphones aren't the full picture. That picture is left to the music.
If someone is naturally a dancer or, has no rhythm at all, they thoughtlessly move to the vibrations they're familiar with - the rhythm they made up.
I like observing that made up rhythm. It's like a moving signature-- not a dance, but a signature. It's 100% just them. And it's left open to interpretation. I think that's beautiful.
This is one of the many perks of being a 21st Century Miss Brill.
Help me,
The girl with a litany of thoughts.
Tamiel.
