Facades

I have driven US 89 many times and each time I leave the town of Kanab, Utah and head east towards Arizona, I know that I will see the turn off to Paria. Paria was built by Hollywood in the early sixties’s to film mostly westerns. The series, Death Valley Days and Gunsmoke, were made here. The last movie filmed was The Outlaw Josie Wales in 1976. Time and nature have taken their toll on Paria, but it was vandals that finally destroyed the town. In 2006, the set was burned to the ground.  Volunteers rebuilt several replicas to recreate the movie set but it’s not the same as it once was. 

I have seen other facades through my travels. Many of the old towns and cities have buildings with facades. The front of the stores are large and often decorated with ornate woodwork or stonework. They attract our attention. They often disguise the small size or lack of inventory on the interior. 

Hollywood has been successful in the way they have portrayed stories over the years. They have helped to form many of our memories. It is often hard to tell whether the movies are factual or fictional. They have created many illusions that have become part of our culture. The Billboards of Hollywood hide many secrets and heartaches behind the actors and events inspiring the movies.

Some of these actors and directors are choosing to step out from behind these facades revealing compelling stories. Some movies are daring to portray information that has been kept secret from the public. The documentaries and stories based on true events are pouring out of independent film makers who are willing to tell the truth after many years of cover up from mainstream media.

Facades are all around us.  They come in many forms. We, as humans, use these artificial fronts more than anyone. They help us to put on a happy face when we are not happy. We are skilled make up artists with a resource of creative items to help us cover up the physical, emotional, and spiritual trauma that takes place in our lives. We are actors in many parts of our own lives. We act out the roles that others expect of us. We do it so well that we often forget the real person inside. We buy into our own advertising bullshit.

Who are we? Do we really know? How do we find the real us? Are we willing to step out from behind our own creative portrayals and show the real us? 

Each day I have an opportunity to interact with my friends and neighbors. Often we exchange greetings like, How are you? What’s happening in your life? How are you feeling? Good morning. Good night.

Are these honest responses? Some times I portray how I would like to feel and end up actually feeling that way. Other times I give a real response and find that it places the other person in an awkward position of not knowing how to respond. We are conditioned to reply with, Fine. Not much. Good.  

We cheat ourselves and others when we give these false impressions.

I am refreshed by the honesty that is expressed on the internet. Humor and poignant thoughts have helped me to see the absurdities of my own actions. Most of the time I am only fooling myself with these actions and it has been through the honesty of others that I have been able to change my behavior. Most comments are of a positive nature, but some cause me to reflect and analyze my own honesty.

Each day upon arising, I choose which clothes I wear. Often it is casual or work clothes. I may put on a ring or wear a chain around my neck. I sometimes use essential oil or cologne. I choose a hat and a coat, sometimes I take a walking stick.  I try to make them match in color or style but I don’t always succeed. 

At the very back of my closet is an old accessory that I hope to never to wear, I try to avoid it, it is out of style and fits me poorly. If I forget and you see me wearing it, tell me what you really think ... I like it like that.