I have taken to spending an hour or so on Saturday afternoons sitting outside a little cafe under an archway, drinking coffee, looking at my favourite tree and one of my favourite houses in Abbey Green, just watching people pour through on the cobbled street which encircles it.
There is always something going on, second by second. A transvestite hobbled past in 5 inch high heels, then hobbled back again. The cobbles must be a real problem. Children were being turned into charming ghouls under that face-painting tent, and the joke shop (out of shot) was selling zombie pirate costumes to dozens of 20 year-olds to wear at Hallowe'en parties. A five-foot high Italian man toddled past talking to someone on his phone - I guess another Italian. A toddler in a romp suit was picking up huge leaves from the plane tree and letting them fall back down in recognition of Autumn.
One of the sad things about getting old is that you can sit in one place for an hour and nobody takes any notice of you. One of the good things about getting old is that you can sit in one place for an hour and nobody takes any notice of you.
I know. Being invisible is great sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI have discovered that when you reach a certain age you tend to make silent eye-contact with others in the same category. You give each other a brief, knowing look which is a mixture of sympathy and melancholic futility.
DeleteThis only applies to those who do not mind identifying with you. It does not apply to elderly men in sports gear and denial.
DeleteI don't mind being invisible at all. I've always been self conscious. As I get older, I am less and less self conscious, and it is a wonderful feeling.
ReplyDeleteI used to try and be invisible. I quite often was.
DeleteI have never bothered about whether I am invisible or not but I am probably mostly invisible. I have always been this way. I often sit having coffee alone in places and watching the world go by.
ReplyDeleteI could never get a job as a private detective. 6' 3" tall with a huge head of white hair.
DeleteYou've found a great place for observing others. Watching the world go by is a nice past time. If you want more interaction with people, get a dog. Dog owners are known to be very friendly; they have no choice as most dogs want to visit with others. Nobody is invisible with a dog at your side.
ReplyDeleteI know some men who have got a dog to pick up women. Babies work well, but not for women.
DeleteBabies work for women in some situations... When I was single and dating, if I met someone that I was not interested in, I said I was looking for a father for my infant at home. This worked like a charm.
DeleteI think we think too deeply about things ..... its nice to sit and people watch, young or old. I love that house in Abbey Green ..... I want to live in it ! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI think we think too long about things. You could stay in that house, it's a small hotel.
DeleteIt's why some older women wear inappropriate clothing and make-up. They're tired of being invisible. Personally I rather like it.
ReplyDeleteBeing invisible by choice is more difficult, and a different matter.
DeleteWatching the world go by...a real pleasure, as is being invisible.
ReplyDeleteEverything in context.
DeleteIf you wanted to spice things up, you could now become a spy! You managed to also take a photo of people without being noticed.
ReplyDeleteSee my comment to Rachel.
DeleteI did the same , in my fav cafe
ReplyDeleteNo one saw me either x
I HATE being invisible
DeleteI so hate it
It has it's good points - like when you are being hunted for instance.
DeleteYou sound to be gradually learning the art of getting old gracefully Tom - you might as well Tom - nothing stops the passage of time.
ReplyDeleteI am trying not to disgrace myself on the way.
DeleteI have been invisible for a long time. It has its plusses and minuses.
ReplyDeleteI have walked on cobbles whilst wearing high heels. Hobbling is how I did it, too. I wouldn't try it now. It would likely break my invisibility shield and perhaps a bone!
Old peoples' biggest hazard in public seems to be falling over. It's not a good look.
DeleteMaybe it's about where? I currently live in CA and it's amazing. Most folks my age try to look decades younger. I'll be 60 next month with close cropped silver white locks, so am invisible. In the place we'll retire to next spring (AZ), we're treated like everyone else, young and old. Not invisible there, but it's high country rural with many retirees. Either way is fine. --Elise
ReplyDeleteEveryone who lives in AZ looks old anyway, no matter how old they are. It's the sun.
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