Memory University
Posted by timotheus on November 29th, 2007 filed in editorialMemories that I haven’t thought of in a really long time have been coming at me from all angles this week. I think it has to do with pondering Baltimore, about when I used to live there (up until I was ten).
Memory is a funny thing. It is interesting how all these memories are intertwined, how when I think of one, I think of the other. I’m even remembering some of my childhood play scenarios I used to do.
It’s like thinking in a certain framework will give you access to other thoughts that have been previously thought of in that framework. My mind tried to make sense of it, and ended up with a virtual college campus in my mind. Why a college campus? Well, because it makes sense. The different buildings represent different stages in my life. Have you ever been in college, and you have a class in a building you haven’t been in for quite a while? Memories of the times you were in their before come right back, even to what you were feeling, thinking during your time in there.
When I think back to when I lived in Baltimore, it’s like I’m entering an old class building I haven’t been into in a while. There are all sorts of people around me in the hallway, but they are shadowy; I can’t make them out. Then, you see one you recognize, a memory from back then, shining like a beacon in this darkened hall. You go to follow it, and as you do, your constantly brushing up against other memories, and these too flash gold and you remember them. It can be a little overwhelming.
Another weird coincidence is that I ran across this image on flickr last night:
A spring rider at Double Rock Park
This park was really close to my house, and I used to ride that thing when I was little. I haven’t seen it since I was 8 at least. I had some serious flashback when I saw it. (The whale was my favorite, BTW)
Would it be weird to write about my childhood? There are some interesting short stories in there.
November 29th, 2007 at 17:20
Writing about childhood would be good. You can always get a different perspective then cross check it with people that were older at the time to see if you have your facts straight.
I also spent a great deal of time at Double Rock Park as a kid. A lot of us used to walk there from my parent’s home via Parkwood Cemetery. There used to be a cut through behind the lake at the back of the cemetery. On that little lake, we kids used to take toy boats up there and throw rocks or shoot slingshots at them to sink them. They are probably still at the bottom of the lake.
There are quite a few neat areas by the stream that flows through it. At one point the water slows down to a big clam area- we used to skip stones there. The river stones are polished perfectly.
Many many days packing a lunch on a Saturday were spent there.
December 1st, 2007 at 14:35
@Tim, I think that is a great idea. Lately I have been thinking about my childhood a lot. It comes in bursts, and I am often taken back when I discuss my current relationships. So much is tied to the past when it comes to memories and how they relate to emotions.
@Uncle Mike, thanks for the anecdotes, when I visit Tim I will have to go see this lake. I think we should take boats up there and take them out with trebuchets or something. ^_^