Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Curious about George

Curious George was always my favorite children's character - and remains so even as I move through adulthood.

When I was a kid, I loved the story about how he swallowed a puzzle piece and had to go to the hospital for an operation. I read that book religiously when I went to the hospital for my own brand of childhood medical fun. I always felt a bizarre kinship with this two-dimensional cartoon monkey because of this.

On my way home from Phoenix a few weeks ago, I bought Curious George stuffies for the kids in an airport store. They had just seen the movie, and my wife carefully reminded me that returning home with CG-branded goods would make them very happy munchkins. I also picked out a smaller George for my wife - can't come home empty-handed, after all. I left the gift shop and waited for my plane.

As I watched other aircraft come and go, I decided to have an impromptu Curious George photo shoot. I propped my wife's George on my knapsack and had the little guy look pensively out the window at the airplanes. I clicked away to the amusement of everyone who walked by. My stock response when they asked me what I was doing was, "Curious George goes to the airport." I think I made lots of new friends that day. (The blog entry is here, and the picture itself is here.)

On the surface, I was being silly with a stuffed monkey in a strange place far from home. But on a whole other level, I felt like I had reconnected with a little kid who long ago walked, scared, into a hospital, clutching a Curious George doll.

14 comments:

OldLady Of The Hills said...

It kind of doesn't want to go to Curious George when I click on the place where you said you showed one picture here?? On mine it showed the imsge almost subliminaly and then immediately went to the drops of water on the window pain...it happened three times...OOoooooo...Strange, huh?

I am not familiar with Curious George...I
ll have to check him out! You said in your last post or a comment..(I can't remember) you are coming West again, Carmi...where this time? L.A. Maybe?

Star said...

I was a fan of Curios George and the Man With the Big Yellow Hat. Still am. I bought a collection of stories to read to my grandson.

Jennifer said...

I never realized how much an impact that little monkey had on so many people. Since the movie came out, I've heard, seen so much about the little guy. All I remember is watching him and giggling now and then.

I really enjoy your photography.. You are very talented :)

Anonymous said...

Ohh, I remember lil' George. I can only imagine how you must have felt as a little kid entering the hospital. :(
I do know from first hand experience that having a child in the hospital makes a parent want to clutch George a little tighter as well.

On a side note, I didn't realize you were in London, Ontario! We have relatives there, and my hub and his brothers were born in Stratford, lived in London for a few years too. :) Now they're all down in Florida but still hve family in London.

Anonymous said...

I loved Curious George too, but my husband's mom would not read it to them because he was naughty!!

Ms Mac said...

I had never even heard of Curious George until a friend gave me a cd of Jack Johnson's "Singalongs and Lullabies- Music from the Film Curious George"

I still don't really know who Curious George is but I can recommend this CD highly!

Linda said...

We have a curious George "bump 'n go" train that is an absolute favorite of the 2 year old in our house. I was disappointed to read that some parenting nut has decided that CG is a bad influence/example for our children. I plan on getting my little boy excited about it - my older daughter loves Olivia (a pig who reminds me a lot of George!)

Wish I could see that CG picture, though....

keda said...

yeah the lets like olivia too.. children love naughty characters as much as we do!

i don't really know CD but i do remember his image.

i will definately check him out now.. even if just for the hospital thing- we seem to get xrays evry other week...too much bouncing.

thanks for your lovely comments. i really appreciate it as i'm new to all this. i saw your post about the hospital last week too and loved it. i'll be back*

Kara said...

I was a Doc Seuss kid. Might explain my political views...lol. It's wonderful to me how books become more then words on a page.

Suzanne said...

I have yet to go see the new movie, (or any movie in a long time for that matter) Might be a good weekend thing with the kids...
cute picture. He looks like he's missing someone!

Zee said...

I haven't seen the movie yet. *sigh*
I know my princess will want a plush Curious George, too. ;) He's just too cute!

kenju said...

Carmi, we have a stuffed Curious George that mr. kenju bought for your younger daughter in 1973 or so. He sits in a doll's high chair on the hearth in my den, and we all love him. I am happy to see that the new movie is causing a resurgence of interest in those books with the newest generation.

kenju said...

P.S. I forgot to say that our daughter spent 28 days in the hosp. that year, and George was her constant companion, along with Cookie Monster and Big Bird. \
I was sorry to hear that you spent a lot of time in hospital as a child. Hope all is well now.

jennypenny said...

My little brother LOVED curious george and i swear he took that thing everywhere with him a lot longer than he would like to admit. he's now 23 and i know he still has that tattered stuffed monkey somewhere.