Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

McKayla Maroney Not Impressed at the French Brocante

McKayla Maroney Not Impressed at the French Brocante

 

 

Last weekend at the brocante I found an oval plate that had a painting of a young woman who looked not impressed. In her hand she held a book, delicately.

Bothered.

 

 
buzzfeed.com 
buzzfeed.com

 

When I saw it I instantly thought of 16-year-old McKayla Maroney, the American gymnast was favored to win the gold medal in the women's vault competition at the Olympics, but unfortunately fell. On the podium McKayla stood with her arms crossed, with a look on her face that seemed to say—she was not impressed. 

 

McKayla Maroney Not Impressed at the French Brocante

Don't they look alike?

McKayla Maroney had a French double back in the 1800s.

I wonder if the book she was reading was predicting her future. Did it go on to say, "…in the year 2012, you will be at the Olympics…"

Did she lower the book, wondering to herself, "…can I change that?"

What does our past tell us about our future? If history repeats itself who would you claim to be?

 

 

McKayla Maroney Not Impressed at the French Brocante

McKayla Maroney Not Impressed at the French Brocante

In any case I bought the plate.

And when I walk by it I look at it and say,

"Life is impressive!"

Comments

15 responses to “McKayla Maroney Not Impressed at the French Brocante”

  1. Chris Wittmann

    The resemblence is remarkable! I’ve been told on a number of occasions that I have a double elsewhere, but as far as a double from the past…who knows? I don’t believe in reincarnation and I honestly cannot say I’ve ever felt like I was anyone other than who I am now, though I often feel like I was born in the wrong era for sure. And I really can’t think of anyone else I would’ve wanted to be either. Maybe I’m one of those “new souls.” In any case, your plate is lovely and the resemblance to the young athlete is striking.

    Reply
  2. martina

    That is very amusing! Wonder if someone will tell her about this post and maybe she’ll buy the plate.

    Reply
  3. deborah

    We loved watching McKayla! She is so cute. And of course a wonderful gymnast.
    How funny about the plate. 🙂 We thought McKayla looked and acted a lot like one of my nieces.

    Reply
  4. Anjanette

    I loved the “not impressed!” I am sure Sasha could come up with some McKayla meme’s and post them http://mckaylaisnotimpressed.tumblr.com/…or post the plate with her meme with some witty comment.
    Thanks for making me smile this morning, I don’t know why, but I was surprised that Mrs. Brocante would do a blog on this, but when they say it went “viral” that means to all parts of the world!!
    Have a wonderful day!!

    Reply
  5. Zosia

    Have you seen this movie La double vie de Véronique by Krzysztof Kieslowski http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihZ1TB9KzGQ ? It’s a bit like the post today plus the beautiful music by Zbigniew Preisner.

    Reply
  6. Marilyn

    I love the way you think. I would never have put the two together or even thought of it, but yes the look is very much the same. Thanks for thinking outside of the box! I do appreciate it and it inspires me.

    Reply
  7. smee

    Hehehe; oh how this is so very awesome.
    Poor Miss McKayla, all of her accomplishments diminished by a moment of human self loathing or jealousy or whatever she was feeling at the moment.
    You finding this lovely plate is a testament to youthful defiance of public behaviour in favour of momentary ego…well it has just gone on forever.
    I am curious about the girl in the painting. Did her father tell her she absolutely had to have her portrait done *before* she could entertain the idea of traveling to visit cousin Elodie? Or perhaps her costume was chosen by Mother -and insisted upon.
    Either way, she’s not takin’ it; and neither did McKayla.

    Reply
  8. Sharon Penney-Morrison

    ” I have read the prayer book for the last 2 hours, and now you want me to sit for a portrait?”
    McKayla, well her sportsmanship had certainly fell….
    The Universe works in mysterious ways to teach lessons.

    Reply
  9. kim

    Oh man. I think I know that expression. I was never a gracious loser — and I was NOT very nice when I was made to do things that I didn’t really want to do. I was a brat. Sometimes I still am a brat. Not something I’m proud of. But I now am living with a young boy who is very much the same way. Karma. For sure.

    Reply
  10. Deborah

    too funny! at least the not-impressed woman on the plate didn’t become an overnight viral mem! maybe she’s annoyed with her hairdresser who convinced her that those braid-bangs are all the rage!

    Reply
  11. Jeannie

    In our household the code for that face is “curled upper lip”. Love the plate!

    Reply
  12. Laura

    they are identical!!!! I love the painting on the photo. How lovely.
    I also love that McKayla wanted a gold, worked for the gold, and was not happy with herself for not getting the gold. I only wish I had that sense of discipline and dedication. No, I don’t. Thus, I never got to the Olympics, Wimbledon or even the local marathon.
    People like McKayla amaze me.

    Reply
  13. Kathie B

    Research shows that Silver medalists tend to be more discontent than Bronze winners, because the Silvers often see themselves as having lost, while Bronzes are likelier to see themselves as having defeated the rest of the (non-medalist) field! See “Would You Rather Win Silver Or Bronze? (Be Careful What You Wish For)”:
    http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetorch/2012/08/03/157835076/would-you-rather-win-silver-or-bronze-be-careful-what-you-wish-for (transcript and audio both available online)

    Reply
  14. Gail M

    Perfect!

    Reply
  15. Jayne

    perfect funny to read

    Reply

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