Spring Break
A License Plate Identity
Emily Hemson
Issue date: 5/30/08 Section: Forum
Intended to boast of my dad's favorite pastime, this license plate has instead become a looming presence in my life.
"Are you from the tri-cities?" a random gentleman asked the other day as I returned to my car.
"No," I said. "It's my dad's old car, he is a tri-athlete."
While a simple answer, the frequency of this question is more problematic.
People are confused by the combination of these letters; they just don't know how to behave.
Once however, a woman did understand the puzzle.
The license plate is surrounded by a piece of plastic which states, "Iron Man Triathlon: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run."
Obviously my dad is not messing around as he actually participates in these races.
But the woman who understood this message, naturally assumed the participant was me.
As the blue Volvo sped up next to me, I immediately noticed her license plate, "IRNWMN."
"Dammit," I thought. "She thinks I'm one of her people, she thinks I've actually done this race."
I saw her raise her arm in a celebratory manner, as if to suggest "we're in this together!"
I didn't know what to do. We were in cars; I didn't have time to explain the situation, so I did it. I gave into her excitement.
As I raised my hand over my head, I felt like a fraud.
She had it all wrong. I was not the woman my license plate suggested.
I was projecting a lie.
How often does this happen in life? Whether it is on the back of a car, or through another image presented, is it actually possible to present an accurate representation of yourself through a single image, or a word?
Or more importantly, why chose to do it on the back of a car?
Either way I'll keep developing back stories, and hope I don't crash in the process.
Emily Hemson is a senior in English. The opinions expressed in her columns do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Barometer staff. Hemson can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
"Are you from the tri-cities?" a random gentleman asked the other day as I returned to my car.
"No," I said. "It's my dad's old car, he is a tri-athlete."
While a simple answer, the frequency of this question is more problematic.
People are confused by the combination of these letters; they just don't know how to behave.
Once however, a woman did understand the puzzle.
The license plate is surrounded by a piece of plastic which states, "Iron Man Triathlon: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run."
Obviously my dad is not messing around as he actually participates in these races.
But the woman who understood this message, naturally assumed the participant was me.
As the blue Volvo sped up next to me, I immediately noticed her license plate, "IRNWMN."
"Dammit," I thought. "She thinks I'm one of her people, she thinks I've actually done this race."
I saw her raise her arm in a celebratory manner, as if to suggest "we're in this together!"
I didn't know what to do. We were in cars; I didn't have time to explain the situation, so I did it. I gave into her excitement.
As I raised my hand over my head, I felt like a fraud.
She had it all wrong. I was not the woman my license plate suggested.
I was projecting a lie.
How often does this happen in life? Whether it is on the back of a car, or through another image presented, is it actually possible to present an accurate representation of yourself through a single image, or a word?
Or more importantly, why chose to do it on the back of a car?
Either way I'll keep developing back stories, and hope I don't crash in the process.
Emily Hemson is a senior in English. The opinions expressed in her columns do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Barometer staff. Hemson can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.