not exactly the same

here is a photo i found while searching the other day and i just couldn't resist adding it to my series of photos inciting childhood memories. this isn't exactly a memory, as i have absolutely no idea what kind of important event we were attending when this photo was taken, but i can deduce. we are not wearing jeans so something rather significant is occurring. we are in sara's backyard, so it had something to do with her family. it is sunny and not snowy so it is between may and september. sara appears to be forcing a smile and i am not sure what is going on, so the event must have been in honor of her brother. if it were about sara, we would be able to see it on her face. i am going to go ahead and assume based on our ages and all aforementioned elements that this photo was taken at sean's high school graduation party.

here is my favorite thing about this photo. on your left, you will observe a girl in a pink flowered dress who grew up to say things like "hullabaloo" and "midwestern sensibilities". white tights, white shoes, there is probably a bow somewhere on the back of her head and i would bet it is white. she represents for you, then and now, "the midwestern position". or at the very least, plays it well. (i am not completely convinced) i wonder if, now that she lives in philadelphia, sara spends time watching herself in the mirror, straining to move her mouth in ways that encourage the persistence of the accent we've all come to be so proud of, props to frances mcdormand. seated next to the midwestern position, you will find a girl dressed in fruit. and what is that hair? if i didn't know my own past better i would swear that fruit girl is hung over. nope. just needs a chance at a second impression. i am wearing a black rayon shorts set with large pictures of fruit. some of which i am not sure i can identify. if i remember correctly (and it is not with pride that i announce this) i believe there is a black elastic belt somewhere in there. i don't know what i might have been thinking or why my mother allowed this, but i will pass it off as one of those fashion accidents of the early 90's. the 80's were ending, people were searching for something. we couldn't stack multiple layers of colored socks to enhance every hue from every outfit anymore. we couldn't fall back on the baggy sweater/tank top combination coupled with black stretchy pants and slouch boots to dress it up. we were a lost generation. this girl turned to fruit. this girl's friend turned to laura ingalls wilder. i should take this moment to remind myself: when confronted with a choice, always take the simpler or more muted path of expression. the photos would be less embarrassing. congratulations on your graduation, sean. with love, from carmen miranda