Patterns
of the stars, the past, and behavior
Hello and welcome to Wondering and Wandering! These newsletters start with something I’m loving (SO good); move on to one of my adventures, impressions, or encounters and their greater cultural implications and societal suggestions in poem form (Free Space); and end on some wild thing I’ve experienced while living in New York City (Once Upon a Time in NY). Happy reading!
I have a pattern fixation, believing everything is like everything and always looking for connections that might reveal some greater truth. Patterns are everywhere, but these three have been on my mind this week.
SO good
Astrology. I won’t pretend to know much about astrology and its origins, interpretations, or significance, but I do appreciate the idea that life can be both ordered and anticipated. I am a Libra sun, meaning I am likely to display values of diplomacy, fairness, and peace (and have a penchant for beautiful things). Agreed!
In my astrology readings as in my life, I prefer to read for confirmation rather than direction. I like to do my own figuring, but sometimes it is nice to check an answer key, you know? After all, the only horoscopes I accept are those that affirm everything is gonna be alright.
Free Space
You Again
Familiarity can feel
like a warning
when I want nothing more
from what I’ve had.
Or like a ghost
sometimes unverifiable
other times unavoidable
altogether unsettling.
Or like a guide
down a well-worn path
to a promising destination.
With nothing new
under the sun
allow the familiar
a reintroduction.Once Upon a Time in New York
There are many versions of New York, but really just two are of consequence: one for the rich and famous, and one for everyone else. For the former, rules seem to be much less applicable and patterns of behavior are allowed far more…flexibility. An example! Generally speaking, companion animals may not enter New York’s food-serving establishments.
One night, I was meeting someone (referred to here as “the Consultant”) at a swanky bar downtown. He was running a bit late, but I was seated and had some time to scan my surroundings. Lots of beautiful people, many in suits, others dressed more edgy. Most notably, a little white dog was running around, unleashed and unbothered. Strange, but I didn’t think much of it beyond the obvious special treatment.
When the Consultant arrived, the little white dog completely freaked out at the sight of him. Barking, growling, jumping, and assuming a shockingly territorial position for one so small. A moment later, none other than Cara Delevingne—one of the world’s most prominent supermodels—ran to us, apologizing profusely in her lovely English accent. “I’m so so sorry!” she said, “My dog is gay, you see. Loves men, he’s just super into you!” She then glanced empathetically in my direction, seeing we were together, and graciously apologized once more to me before scooping up the dog and heading back to her table.
Stunned, I looked at the Consultant who was a little out of sorts but clearly had no idea who she was, and then to my left where sat two ladies about my age, mirroring my shock. “Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh!!! What just happened!!” we silently mouthed to each other. “That was Cara Delevingne, wasn’t it?!???” “Oh, definitely.”
After a quick Google search and Wikipedia introduction for the Consultant, he could finally share my level of amusement.
The rest of the experience was relatively unremarkable—fun conversation and great cocktails and snacks (I’ll tell you in person which bar, if you’d like to know). Still, that night is filed in my memory as one on which a supermodel’s dog tried to steal my date.
Hoping you receive all the special treatment this week!
My best,
C