Hanna Martikkala
Translation: Hannakaisa Hänninen
I would rather not reminisce it, because it is quite embarrassing. Sometimes when I am alone it makes me laugh, unless I start to wonder if I was truly sad at the time. Even if a psychologist tells me that it is perfectly normal and is part of growing up.
The memory of how I fancied television and movie characters. And I'm not talking about identification, but fancying (even if I might have mixed up those two constantly when I was little). Drooling. Being in love. It is just as corny as it sounds. I mean now. As a child it was a dream.
The first one who pops into my mind is Nils Holgersson. There was something so appealing in his red hat, wooden shoes and bullying the geese. Another blond rascal is Emil. I dreamt of flying with Nils and doing something mischievous with Emil. My parents would not have wanted to give me money for clogs that Nils wore and they were even less happy about me hoisting all sorts of embarrassing objects up the flagpole in an Emil-inspired style. They never understood the true reasons behind these acts.
In reality, I'm not unusually drawn to Swedish blonds.
The objects of my attraction were always troublemakers, superheroes or both. They included Pippi Longstocking (also Swedish), Robin in his green leggings, and the wonderfully mysterious Snufkin. I especially liked the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, though I could not decide which one was better: Leonardo or Michelangelo. I was also slightly confused by the fact that I could not see myself with a two-toed, green creature in any sensible way.
Looking back at the goofy crushes of my childhood, I realise that different people experience things differently and it is especially true when it comes to children compared to adults. Children do not have the words to describe the details of their world and adults do not understand the presence of these details. This means that we are all somewhat alone with our childhood memories.
Later, I moved on to fancying Elvis and Lennon and finally "real" people. I have to admit that even now, when I see the Turtles I try to decide which one does it for me: Leonardo's leader charisma or Michelangelo's jokes.
One Night Stands (FN 9.3.2005)
The Magic of Television (FN 11.3.2005)
All for Happy Endings (FN 11.3.2005)
Updated10 March 2005 18:32
