There’s one kind of activity (perhaps there
are more that I’m simply not aware of) that always, always transports me back
to the tranquillity of my early childhood: the sunlit
mid-mornings, somewhere between second breakfast and beach time, when I would
crouch on the fluffy carpet in deep, deep concentration over a box of LEGO, whose
contents I would be putting together with podgy fingers
Some time before Christmas, I received a
picturesque do-it-yourself paper tree decoration from my Spanish teacher (a
friend, I daresay), and that’s when it hit me. For a couple of blissful minutes,
I forgot about the cosy café we were in, about the grown-up clothes I was
wearing, about the tea and cake in front of me – about the presence of my
Spanish teacher, even – and immersed myself wholly in the task of weaving
colourful paper strips onto a wooden stick. I cannot but conclude that I have, unwittingly, been harbouring a love of constructing.
My fingers are long and elegant now, and
much more adept at assembling various objects. My art supplies
box is well stocked with origami paper, which I sometimes fold as a form of
relaxation. (What CAN be more soothing than, with a couple of crisp folds, to transform a square piece of paper into a butterfly?) My room is
exclusively furnished with IKEA furniture, which is not only modern and
practical, but which – most importantly! – you get to assemble all on your own!
(Just like a giant LEGO set, in fact.) Even my favourite handbags, of which I’ve
started a small collection, are the notorious pliages by Longchamp. (Foldable handbags? Putain,
ouais! Not only do they look stylish, but they last for ages, are
easy-peasily washable, and can hold the weight of a baby elephant.)
Right now, I’m dreaming of getting myself a box from the LEGO Architecture series. I meant to get myself something entirely different for my birthday this year (months and months away), but I could certainly handle one extra treat on the side.
How about you?! Got any embarrassing (geeky, girly) hobbies or passions?
2 scrawls:
Legos are the BEST toy ever conceived by humans. Though I think they've diversified and specialized way too much. The basic sets allow the most creativity and imagination, I think. When they started adding little people, and specially-shaped parts, that was the beginning of a slide down a slippery slope. I'm looking forward to going to the new Legoland in Florida, in what used to be Cypress Gardens.
I agree - LEGO has developed so many talents in me as a kid, and it was the perfect toy for an only child.
I understand what you mean with the little people and specially-made parts taking the 'imagination' out of it, too, though I also played with sets like that. (And the architecture series fascinates me for the pure and simple reason of allowing me to construct a more or less true copy of, say, the Burj Khalifa. Also, HOW geeky would it be to have something like that displayed in my office?! HA!)
The Legoland in Florida sounds fun! The weather is sure to be better than in Denmark. ;o)
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