Snap²

Earlier this year, I mused upon how cool it would be to have a little camera attached to my glasses to capture the weird and wonderful things I notice every day.

Well today was another of those days.

This morning I was walking along the train platform waiting for the 10.36am into the city. As I sat down on the dark green bench, I stole a glance at the girl seated next to me. I couldn't tell you whether she was blonde or dark, tall or short, slender or chubby. But I can tell you exactly what she was wearing, because it was simply fascinating.

The first thing I noticed were the shoes. Bright green ballet pumps.

Then the handbag. A slightly darker shade of green, but still quite bright.

Then the tights. White opaque. Like I used to wear when I was a little kid. Now this girl was at least mid/late-20s. Takes a brave woman to wear white opaque tights for everyday purposes (i.e. not a nurse). I couldn't do it... I'd feel like a numpty.

Anyway, back to the outfit. Then we had the coat. Knee length, double breasted, 1940s style. In a deep, dark green.

At this point I just had to know. The dress. Was the dress green too? I surreptitiously looked a little closer.

Yes.

The dress was green. The same green as the coat, but with white spots.

So much coordination. I could barely contain my excitement.

But there was more. She was knitting. It was just only a few rows, so I couldn't tell what it was going to be, but the wool was white and (wait for it...) green.

Clearly this girl has a thing for green.

Love it.

Sadly, she jumped on a different carriage to me, so I didn't see her again. Maybe she thought I was a bit odd or rude, by checking out her outfit, but I was just so impressed with the coordination. It was gifted.

Anyway, on the train I went back to reading my book. Martin Kemp's autobiography. Not the best autobiography I've ever read, but interesting nonetheless. Anyway, I finished it, put it back in my bag and then glanced out of the window just as we were pulling into North Melbourne station. Platform 6 caught my eye, because it was empty, apart from one old man.

He was staring at the train as it went past him, almost as if he was trying to spot someone he knew. Clamped in his mouth was a pipe, big puffs of smoke made his eyes squint somewhat. Or maybe that was just because his eyesight was bad. He wasn't wearing glasses, so maybe it was just the effects of the smoke.

In any case, I couldn't help but stare back at him. Not just because he was the only person on the platform, or because he was puffing away on an old-school pipe (something I've rarely seen since the days when my Grandpa Bill was still alive), but mostly because of what he was wearing.

He was quite nattily turned out. A pair of beige slacks, brown belt and shoes. Couldn't quite make out the shirt, but there was a cravat. And it was green. Then there was the blazer... again, green. Dark green. Same colour as the coat of my earlier bench companion. And finally, a beige fedora with... yep. That's the one. A green trim.

I couldn't help but let out a little snicker of joy.

Two completely coordinated generations of people. Made my heart happy.

I only wish I could have seen them standing side by side.

And taken a photo.