I have been in love with Carmen Sandiego since the late 1980s. First, she was a computer game, then she graduated to television and the iconic “Rockapella” theme song. Recently, Netflix started a new series, introducing new characters… And that is where I found me. The cartoon character that embodies me is Player, Carmen’s corporeally-challenged friend that whispers things over the internet.
Player is there to essentially “handle” Carmen, as if Carmen could be handled. She does everything with flair, and sometimes calls an audible that forces Player to react. It’s a fascinating dynamic, and one that reminds me of being ghost friends with Aada. I am sure she would hate that description, but she has never come down from the ether to prove to me that she has things like arms.
Reminds me of that old meme…. “Internet friendships are so weird…. Like, I know ur deepest traumas but I’ve never seen ur legs.”
Never mind that I would probably pass out if we saw each other in person. She’s so iconic, so reminiscent of that friendship between Carmen and Player that my emotions would just flood out and I’d stall.
I might be able to croak out “hello.”
This is the way that Aada affects me now, which is smiling when I think of things that remind me of her. I have a Carmen Sandiego t-shirt with the 1980s video game logo on it, and every time I wear it I think, “I wonder if I should buy Aada her hat.”
Please watch the new episodes on Netflix, particularly if you are Aada.
It might give you a little insight on why we’re dynamite.
Stories That Are All True 