We're getting a two-for-one today, children.
Step two - let's take a look at this bookshelf. Almost all of the books are about psychology in some shape or form, but let's go a bit further. Too many books for a hobby, or even a college major. This is a career. This person does psychology for a living - most likely a psychotherapist specializing in attachment based on the really official-looking books near the bottom of the shelf. Moreover, this person is interested in getting multiple perspectives on the mind from a wide variety of sources. Many of the books on the upper part of the shelf were written by philosophers of the mind, investigating everything from how the brain processes time to self-awareness and mindfulness. Our subject is not unwilling to go to the eastern hemisphere for another perspective, bringing a nice balance to their field of study - ironic, considering the symbolic significance of the statue of the Nataraja (Shiva in the form of the Cosmic Dancer) on the upper left part of the shelf. Do you meditate? The above details would suggest feelings that the current view of psychology is very incomplete, and also a level of curiosity not bounded by conventional thought patterns. We have a thinker in our midst, ladies and gentlemen.
Okay, so now we know what this person does for a living, and a little bit about their feelings on their field of study. Now onto...
Step three - The living room. Right off the bat, I think our subject has a dog based on the couch cover and the large wall-mounted picture. They are also remarkably aware of world-culture for the typical American (If you're not sure how we know the subject is in America, check their wall socket.). Over on the mantle, we see a few artifacts including what appears to be a bronze Buddha. She (for I think the subject is female based on the patterned couch pillows) may likely be shorter than average, as all of the tables, even the running table on the wall are what I, at 5'11'', would consider fairly low. We also see that the books from earlier aren't just for show - there are lamps everywhere. She reads a lot, and she reads for fun. Finally, I'd say the house was built circa the 1980's, judging by the painted brick fireplace.
Parting questions - What sort of work were you doing on the wall? Did you paint the picture? How about the light switch hidden amongst your many books?
HAHA! You are correct! HOWEVER, many of those book's are Bill's and for the record he is 6'1". - I just happen to like those little tables, but maybe that IS because I am short!!! The house was built in 1954 or 55, I can't remember which. And DAMN I wish the prior owners did not paint the fireplace (which we have no idea when that happened). We repiped the house and are still trying to decide on what the color of the walls. I actually have it picked just need to do it. I can't stand that peach color, speaking of 80s Miami Vice. Yes, I painted the picture, from a photo I took of a dog at San Xavier Mission. The light switch is hidden amongst the many books because we had them built in - notice they aren't painted, they were done a few months ago. So the carpenter cut out spaces for the switch and the electrical sockets.
ReplyDeleteNice! Wow, 1950's, that's pretty darn old. And I definitely should've taken possible new paint into account. I'm glad to know I wasn't too far off with the other stuff. Deducing careers via books is not the most stable of inductions, but I was fairly confident due to the sheer amount on the same topic. And that is a very good painting. I wish the resolution would have been slightly better - I could've gotten a peek at the signature on the painting, and maybe even the mail on the table/ottoman. Thanks for the input!
DeleteMr. Holmes, I would have deduced a tall, avid and excessive drinker based on the bottles near the fireplace, the low tables - easy to reach when intoxicated, the convenient bed next to the fireplace. The couch is covered because drunks drop cigarettes. The picture is of a dog because the person cannot relate to non-drunk humans and dogs don't judge.
ReplyDeleteThe books, clearly, are for show, witness the fan, which is conclusive use of their biblio-abusive nature. When standing, they are quite tall - as evidenced by the paint on the wall. This is where our very tall denizen punched through the wall in a drunken fit of self loathing. Self loathing and historionic tendencies are demonstrated by the faux animal print on a pillow on the fainting(!) couch.
Our gentleman is clearly under Freudian analysis, the whole place reeks of Oedipus.
--Inspector Lestrade, Scotland Yard
Your input is appreciated as always, Detective Inspector. ;)
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