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Saturday, June 25, 2011

I'm Thinking of Wearing a Bit of String

I went to a noon yoga class on Friday.

To be out in the world, moving amongst the people during the day? I’m like a rich person over here!

Have you been to places – outside of work – during the day? It’s another world altogether. The daytime people, moving about in the sunlight, they’re different than you and I.

There’s even a difference between my regular, 5:30 yoga class and the noon class, not in the flow but in the people.

Come with me, won’t you? You’re going to need to change – not that you don’t look great, because you do! – but you’re never going to be able to move properly in that skirt…

Outside of the first five minutes, there’s little chance to look around in a yoga class, not to mention that it’s not polite.

So let’s take a gander and be quick about it.

The biggest difference between this class and my usual class is the average age. Look around: I’m the oldest person here. Everyone else is clearly in their mid-20s. These are the waitresses, the bartenders, the musicians, the strippers, the unemployed and the wealthy. They don’t stand in line, they don’t awaken as the sun rises, and they’re not concerned that their tattoos will make them unemployable.

They also tend to wear bits of string on their ankles and wrists. I’m not sure what that’s about. Perhaps it’s a conservation-thing? Have those things been made of old clothing? Are they reducing their string footprint?

And of course I’ve already mentioned the tattoos. I’ve not mentioned the fact that some of these people are wearing wool stocking caps in a class that will average, over the course of the hour, 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The 5:30 class smells of rush-hour stress.

The noon class smells of sandalwood.

You know, I wouldn’t want to be in my 20s again, but today’s class reminded me: I need more sandalwood in my life.

35 comments:

Roses said...

I definitely need more sandalwood in my life.

I totally get what you mean about the different demographics. Over here, the noon class would be filled with the very rich or the very retired and maybe the occasional student.

lisahgolden said...

When I lost my job, I was amazed at the world that exists in the middle of the day.

Funny, I also started wearing strips of leather around my ankles and wrists. I didn't put two and two together until now.

Everyday Goddess said...

i love your observations. this one is completely fabulous.

Unknown said...

I'm curious about that bit of string, too. Could it be to remind them of something important....more important than the thing you wear a string around your finger to remember?

Sioux Roslawski said...

As a teacher, I'm off for part of the summer, and seeing all the people shopping and driving around, it makes me wonder, "Do these folks work? How do they DO it?"

Next Friday, you'll have to be ready--with sandalwood and string.

WrathofDawn said...

Any time I've been temporarily out of work it has always amazed me the number of people shopping during the day. Even allowing for shift work, how can there be that many people who don't work but still have money to shop?

Also: The sandalwood quote needs ramping up around here, too. More navel contemplating comin' right up!

Yvonne said...

I used to always have sandlewood fragrance drifting about in my hippie days, and some to use as perfume. I've been contemplating using it again. Bits of string...something to contemplate over.

Shieldmaiden96 said...

Now that I work second shift I get to shop and function with an entirely different group of people. It was like moving, without moving.

Watson said...

A Buddhist friend gave me a piece of red string that is worn on the wrist. Unfortunately, it was many years ago and I've forgotten it's meaning tho I still have the string.

Curiosity led me to this site:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5217878_meaning-red-string-bracelets_.html

Jeanie said...

On the rare times that I get out in the real world in the middle of the day I am always amazed at how many people are out and about...I always wonder "Who are these people?" Now you have told me and I thank you.
I've never had any sandalwood in my life, but I have had a few string bracelets that my grandkids made for me.

Sultan said...

Note to self: must start stripper yoga class!

Kate Mohler said...

You've nailed it, Pearl. I'm one of those daytime people because my college teaching schedule (much of it online) allows me to roam freely. My gym is the designated Silver Sneakers place in town, so daytime is filled with elderly people in all shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of fitness. I love it!

Gary Baker said...

How did you know I was wearing a skirt?

Shelly said...

Oh, I love this post. Since I am a teacher, I absolutely get what you are saying about being off at a different time, since I have parts of th summer off. Things move at a completely different rhythm.

Anonymous said...

We are in need of more "devil may care" in our lives.....not necessarily body piercings you understand, we won't go that far.

Anonymous said...

I'm a night worker, even though I'm not in my 20's. I feel this exact same way when I'm at the pool or taking my daily constitutional. I wouldn't mind wearing a bit o string, if it were to make me look hip and happenin'. However, I'll forgo the sandalwood for the lucious smell of honeysuckle!
Bright blessings
~S~

Pat Tillett said...

Sandalwood, Patchouli Oil and a bong. That's all you need. Okay, maybe a hostess twinkie also...

I worked nights for many years and you are right! It's a different world...

Katie said...

"Have those things been made of old clothing? Are they reducing their string footprint?"
--I choked on an ice cube whilst reading this line.
Thankfully, I didn't die. (Except maybe of laughter)

TO SANDALWOOD!!

ellen abbott said...

ooo, sandalwood...my fave.

Joyful Things said...

String jewelry is great but it takes way too long to dry and for most of the day you have a nasty damp thing on your wrist. After several days no amount of sandalwood can make it smell better. I cut them off my boys while they sleep, leave the string in their beds and say 'oh, it must have rotted off.....'

Jhon Baker said...

I prefer the scent of whiskey and raw sex - obviously I don't go to Yoga - not from a lack of want though, more a lack of a properly functioning body -

Bushman said...

string footprint.....sandalwood.......you forgot the smell of a good cigar and lilacs

Cheeseboy said...

Definitely got to start taking Yoga class.

Tempo said...

Damn, how did you know about the skirt?
Yes, we could all use a bit more Sandalwood in our diets Pearl.

That Janie Girl said...

Good observations, Pearl.

Now.

How do I get into the sandalwood category? I need step by step instructions, please ma'am.

Notes From ABroad said...

Sandalwood used to be my favorite scent for incense or scented oils. My husband lived in India for a time, he brought back old wooden chests and treasures that when opened, a soft whiff of sandalwood scent would float out .. exotic and mysterious images came to mind ..
What does the string mean ? they do that here .. should I tie a string around my wrist ? I can wear the string on one arm and the dog leash on the other ..
besitos..

Notes From ABroad said...

Oh ! Thanks to Daisy, I read all I needed to know about Red String on the wrist.
I am going to buy some red string and have my husband tie it on my wrist .. how romantic ! or should I have him tie me down .. romantic also ? snort ! not really, no no , that is so not me.

Anonymous said...

A trip back in the mind carried on the scent of sandalwood. The 70's. Batik, tie-dye, clogs, and short cut-off jeans with white fringe, long straight hair......do I have to wake up?

jenny_o said...

It is so much easier to grocery shop on weekdays before 5 pm or after 10 pm - neither of which mesh with a day job, unfortunately.

Audubon Ron said...

Well, yoga is good. I live so far in the woods I am about as mellow as I can be.

But, when it starts to thunder and there are big rumbles of lightning around, I get massively horney.

Yeah, I’m on it. try, but don’t even attempt to say no. I'm all Medieval.

W.C.Camp said...

I kind of like that toast ... 'Here's to more sandalwood in my life and more string in my bikini!" W.C.C.

raydenzel1 said...

I have done some yoga and the skirt thingy is uncomfortable. I am jealous of anyone that can stretch and hold the poses without hearing something snap!

Simply Suthern said...

The string is an emergency thong in case they lose the other.

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

I don't do yoga because I ran out of string a long time ago... *sigh*

Unknown said...

There's a lot to be said for string.