Thursday, September 13, 2012

No TV yields a classic.



About two weeks ago my goddam TV just went black.  There was no warning...no snow...no sound without a view...nada...just went black.  Lame.  Lousy piece of crap.  So, I did some sluething around and found out it was probably the t-board and I could replace it at Radio Shack and take the back off of the goddam television and fix it and bam, that goddam TV would probably work again. I didn't do that.  And, I haven't bought another one...yet.

 Needless to say, I've got an abundance of 'free time'. I was thinking about my bucket list and remembered I had put read/reread the classics.  While we were in Europe, Vee and I had discussed this and we each bought one and decided we would trade when we finished it.  

Five months later and no TV, I pick up Catcher in the Rye.  

Did you read this?  Do you remember Holden talks just like that?  Every other word is lousy or goddam.  At first, I really thought the book was lousy.  I was asking people in casual conversations, what was so goddam great about Catcher in the Rye?  Why is this book deemed, a classic?  

I really was. 

 I really thought the goddam book was lousy.  

But, I kept reading it and I grew to like how J.D. Salinger wrote.  It was just like how he talked. He didn't shape the book after journalistic rules.  He seemed to just write and I liked that.

 After reading awhile, I started to feel a little sorry for Holden. He was a regular teenager.  Growing up and dealing and just making his way...discovering what it must be like trying to come into being a man. 

 My favorite part, is his affection for his sister, Phoebe.  He sneaks home one night (he got kicked out of Prep school) and wakes her up to talk.   Without going into all the detail, she asks him what he wants to be?  What do you want to do Holden? 

 I love that he sat there and had to think about it...and he finally said he didn't know. She was like - you don't know?  Who doesn't know what they want to be?  Then he explained he'd like to be in the rye fields when the children play.  When they are all high on life, floating around and getting too close to the edge. He would catch them...you know, be a catcher in the rye and all.  

Seems like a simple dream...or heroic in a way.  I don't know, I just liked it.  I liked that he didn't know what he wanted to do..at least not right away.  Because, sometimes I don't even know...and here I am...41.

  I will tell you something...I don't think I've ever been in a rye field and I decided I don't remember ever reading this book! 

 I came to this conclusion because, I didn't remember that is why the book is named, Catcher in the Rye.  Hence, on my bucket list, read the classics and reread the ones you think you've read...because I probably didn't or I didn't retain anything important about the book.  Reminds me of, St. Elmo's Fire - remember?  I didn't recall why or what St. Elmo's Fire meant...where was I?  

Regardless, I have changed my stance on it...I no longer think the book is lousy.  I think it's a goddam great book. I like the honesty and the emotions. I love his adventurous spirit and quest for love, albeit odd.  He seems so innocent, almost silly but courageous...and in the end...I liked all the language.  I found it entertaining...thankfully, right...cause, I still got no goddam TV. 

I wondered about the book.  I wondered WHY it had such acclaim because although, I like it...I don't love it. So, I read that most think, because of the time it was written, in the 1950's, it was deemed of such radical social opinion and written at a time of conservatism that if published today, it most likely would go under the radar and not have reached such stature. There is a lot of criticism and praise for the book...it's interesting to read.  What I found most interesting however, was to read about J.D. Salinger himself. He became uninterested in fame after seeking it and turned recluse.  Dying what most would consider a lonley life at 91.   

In the meantime, I've read Gone Girl (total page turner), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (cute - a movie is coming out soon) and Wife 22 (loved it).

How have I plowed through all of these goddam books?  Oh, my lousy TV broke.  Perhaps, not such a bad thing after all.   

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Big chills...or not?

Oooh, I bet you're wondering how I knew...
About your plans to make me blue...

Another '80's favorite. Another one we've all seen a million times.  Another soundtrack that played endlessly...for years. 

I watched it again the night before last.  Then...I listened to the soundtrack all day yesterday and all day today...filled with Motown classics.  The Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson to name a few.  Some amazing tunes peppered throughout...do I dare say...a boring movie.  Seriously, re-watch it...ugh, it dragged on.

I found myself dissecting it...another group (seven) of thirty-somethings who briefly reunite for a weekend after a life-long friend commits suicide.  Set at some palatial, quintessential southern home, where they all come together and end up spending the weekend wondering...again...what is the meaning of life?  What is our purpose?  Hmmm...flashing back to St. Elmo's Fire...the chase after meaning...the constant wonder of what we are supposed to be doing?  

Yes, a classic film with a soundtrack that in my opinion...saves face. I really don't remember finding them all so...whiny.  I did love the scene where they are all dancing around the kitchen singing...and they all get the old -school Nike's...but come on Kevin Kline...get some new running shorts - ewwww...they were totally grossing me out.

Over the course of the movie you discover the group of friends, are in fact, quite successful.  But, as they peel open the layers of themselves...after what seems like a long-drawn out.. wine...doobie-filled weekend, you discover they all  come to the conclusion their lives don't represent any real purpose.   Again, no conclusions about their own lives...or life in general.  There goes one of the songs in my head, "You Can't Always Get What You Want."  Or can you?

There we are...still thinking about the biggest burning question in life.  After some thought...perhaps that is the meaning of the movie...to leave us wondering.  Who are we?  Where have we been?  Where are we going?

Alex,  the one who was deemed the smartest...the brightest...the one who would 'do something' with his life...and ended up, he was the least accomplished and then committed suicide.  Why did he commit suicide...I am not sure the reasons ever really become clear?

Who is really to say what constitutes a meaningful life as long as you are living your own?  Isn't that really the beauty?  Again, ultimate reality is different for everyone. 

I heard it through the grapevine,
Not much longer would you be mine.
I heard it through the grapevine,
Oh I'm just about to lose my mind.
Honey, honey, yea.