Tuesday, June 19, 2012

on memory lane


Are all of our experiences self-referential?  And, if they are, is the concept of a new experience a paradox?

These are the kinds of questions that a mind with too much time alone starts conjuring up.

I had breakfast this morning with an acquaintance.  He is a long-time resident of Mexico, and I enjoy getting together with him for breakfast once a week to compare life notes.

We have not done that for a couple of weeks because both of us have been traveling.  And thinking about our respective futures.  In Mexico.  And elsewhere.

On my drive back to Melaque, I glanced across Navidad Bay with its compass-perfect half circle.  And thought of -- Oregon.

It was an odd connection.  Even though the sky had what could be an Oregon battleship gray overcast, there is little about our bay that has a Pacific Northwest look.

Sure, there are the same rocks that give the Oregon coast its rugged beauty.  But Oregon's beach seldom has temperatures in the 80s.

And then it came back to me.  The contours are different, but the view had the same feel as looking north to Lincoln City from Boiler Bay.  The details are all wrong.  But the feel is the same.

Of course, nothing is mere feel.  Before I decided to move to Mexico, I had given serious thought to retiring on the Oregon coast. 

I am not a beach person.  But the dog in my life considered the beach to be the one of his best experiences.  Through him, I saw and experienced life's adventures in a way I never would have done on my own.

My breakfast conversation had undoubtedly unleashed those memories.  And the local bay was there to give some self-referential context.

I know the experience is not unique with me.  I often hear tourists say things like: "Yes, Norm.  The Eiffel Tower does look like the television tower back home Dubuque."  Or "Who knew your cousin Marion looks just like Mona Lisa?"

And I chuckle.  Not with my usual uppity ironic sneer.  But out of recognition.  Because my minds does the same thing. 

After all, wasn't that Miss Marple's schtick?  Solving crimes with references to personalities in her home village?

It is how we make sense out of life.

But back to that paradox question.  I don't know the answer.  After all, as I learned at breakfast, I don't even know where I am going to be in the next year.

And that is simply fine with me.

19 comments:

Babsofsanmiguel said...

Now that we can "live in the moment" I think its the best time of life.

Andean said...

I also thought of Melaque when I was in NW Oregon, beautiful coast, breathtaking sunsets, serene landscapes. Then I tryed to go into the ocean, because I am a beach person, that's when the similarity ended. The water was freezing! And apparently, I was lucky I brought the sun for the week.
I also love the mountains, grew up there and visited the andes often. There is nothing like the sierra and it's snow capped view.

The 'burbs are comfortable and NYC is exciting. So many choices and I really don't want to have to decide where to live forever, right now anyway. Oh, so getting back to the self-referential question, yes, I think so...

Steve Cotton said...

I agree.  And having the resources to do what I want to do has added a great deal of freedom to my life.

Steve Cotton said...

The difference in the water temperature is something I know little about.  I have been in Melaque's waters exactly three times in four years.  I like seeing it.  But I have no interest in getting into it.

Laurie Matherne said...

I am contemplating a move out of the city of Tegucigalpa to a smaller community nearby. Same needs. Better surroundings. Who knows where any of us will be next year? I think it is good to be open to change. 

Steve Cotton said...

 As do I.  It is one reason I am a renter rather than a homeowner.

John Calypso said...

 We  remain happy with our choices - have been quite sure that you are not settled.

Steve Cotton said...

And I doubt I ever shall be.

Andean said...

For good reason, if the self-referencial question applies, well, you have been all over the world, so many choices.

Steve Cotton said...

But, by definition, if all experiences are self-referential, there could never e a new experience because it would be referring to another experience.  And thus we get Descartes in his bread oven.

Andean said...

First time you mentionen the "bread oven." That's a whole different "memory lane." 
Experiences, perspective wise are always new, in one way or another.

Shannon Casey said...

In retrospect I think one of the reasons we probably originally chose Lose Tanques, above Patzcuaro, as our first home here is because it is in the middle of a pine forest. We come from North Vancouver, B.C. and it 's very much like many of the places we used to hike. We felt at home there. Who knew?

Steve Cotton said...

I always claim to not be a person of place.  But I may not know myself as well as I thought.  Speaking, self-referentially, of course.
 

Steve Cotton said...

But that would then make them not self-referential.  And the answer to the first question would be "no."  But I am now giving myself a headache.

DonCuevas said...

The three conterminous U.S. states to which I have never been are Alaska, Washington and Oregon. I would like to see the latter two. 

Saludos,Don Cuevas 

Andean said...

Oregon is a beautiful state from what I experienced. The  NW coast, with its scenic beaches and coves. The ocean does have cold waters, if you have a wet suit no problem.
Portland, a great city nestled within lots of trees, outdoor restaurants...great razor clams.I was there in July, apparently I brought the sun and that starts the warmer of a few months...Silverfalls in Salem is a great hiking trail park with amazing falls. I'm sure Steve can tell you much more...

Steve Cotton said...

Just let me know when you would like to see Oregon -- and Washington, for that matter.

Felipe Zapata said...

Are all of our experiences self-referential?  And, if they are, is the concept of a new experience a paradox?

If I had all the time in the world, my mind would never ask these questions.

Steve Cotton said...

That is because you have a loving wife who bakes garlic bread for you.