Member Berries

The new season of South Park is profoundly spot on and timely.  I don't want to go into an entire synopsis of the season, so I'll just tell you to go to Hulu, catch yourself up, and meet me back here.  I'll wait.

Ok... see what I mean?  I want to talk specifically about the "Member Berries" that are wreaking havoc in South Park's America.  These little delicious berries whisper as they are eaten, reminding the consumer about days gone by, and how amazing things used to be.  Now, I'm not direct quoting here, but it wouldn't be a stretch to say that they could say things like, "member swing sets?" or "member riding your bike until dusk... that was fun" or "member MTV when it played videos?" And these sweet little berries are ADDICTIVE because yes, we DO remember these things, and they were great.  In these uncertain times (I'm talking to YOU, 2016), we are all searching for familiar, safe, warm places.  Member berries are all that and more ("member when we said 'all that and a bag of chips?').

In the show, Member Berries are blamed for Donald Trump's successful bid at the nomination, convincing the people that things need to be made "great again".  You know what?  It makes sense.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone and whoever else thought of this... my hat is off to you.  This is the most brilliant analogy I can remember (pun intended), and a glorious view into the human psyche.

For a few months now, I have been fascinated by the reasons why people collect antiques and vintage items. It started when I couldn't get my hands on enough macrame plant hangers, consciously realizing I was trying to find a connection with my mother, who passed on May 20th of this year.  Little by little, my home has turned into a time capsule, full of 1970's furniture and decor (you should see my Merry Mushroom kitchen canisters. Member them?).  Today, after scoring some vintage houseplant posters at an estate sale, I realized I'm totally recreating the apartment from the show "Three's Company".

I'm trying to make myself safe.  My mom took her own life, right after a fight with me.  That's probably one of the most unsafe things that can happen to a person.  I want things to make sense again, so my Member Berries began telling me all about the 70's, when I was just a little girl, safely tucked into the warmth of being oblivious. The Member Berries reminded me how my mother and grandmothers houses were decorated, what music was playing (gimme some 70's lite rock and disco), even what food tasted like.  I have been eating a LOT of Chef Boyardee homemade pizza... which, by the way, I have never in my adult life made until a few month ago.  But my mom sure made them ALL THE TIME.

So what does it all mean? We are scared and feeling very, very unsafe.  I've taken my love of thrifting and vintage "stuffs" and turned it into a business of sorts, selling some of my finds online.  It turns out there are a LOT of people who want to 'member the good old days, to recreate their own safe place.  We've progressed (?) as a civilization, our technology and means of communication are mind-blowingly different then they were even 30 years ago.  Progress has historically come a lot slower, in regards to such advancements.  We have been thrust into this new reality, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.  We now have 3D printers, virtual reality is becoming disturbingly realistic, it wouldn't be a fantasy to say that we could see AI companions in the next 30 years.

We are seem to be shouting "WAIT! SLOW DOWN! I'M NOT READY", but not out loud.  In our heads, while we take a xanax and browse Etsy and eBay for relics of our childhoods.  We want things to make sense again.  I want things to make sense again.