I was in cancer treatment for two years, 2012-2014. (No immune system, so I couldn't go anywhere without a mask. Most particularly I was told to stay away from kids.) It was useful preparation for covid. I started a blog, that no one read, during that period. Silence and stillness are gifts.
"There could be no parties, no concerts, nothing of the kind, so I trained my mind to forget about all that. Even when the restrictions lifted, I rarely went out—just the occasional dinner with my wife." That's It! I trained my mind (and dancing feet) to just forget about all that. An important human accommodation, masking a horrible loss.
Have taught this for years 'cause the kiddos recognize & appreciate so much of its satire, especially Vonnegut's eerie prediction that the TV would become a misinformation machine. Aside ~ there was a short movie adaptation with Armie Hammer (pre-crazy) as Harrison called 2081: Universal Absurdity which not surprisingly seems to have "disappeared" from YouTube. More of a "Steak & Ale" gal than S&W though I'd never turn down that kind of meal...
You capture New York brilliantly. So well done. I will pray for your friend’s recovery. Glad you were able to enjoy yourself and be safe. P.S. You saw the only not totally stupid Sturgis person.
Lived in New York City for 26 years. I still miss it. But I don’t miss the rent. I miss the bagels, Sherry Lehman, St. Patrick’s Cathedral: my parish, my doctors there. But not the avaricious landlords and real estate agents. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself Greg. Pass the red sauce!
Swear to Gawd the 3 books most prominent on my shelf right now: Welcome to the Monkey House, Slaughterhouse Five, and On the Road (Kerouac) in that order
Thank you, Greg. I read this early in college when I, too, was on a Vonnegut kick in my impressionable years. And often, perhaps a few times a year, I think about it.
I was, of course, horrified by pushy "leaders" then as now (particularly fcking GOP "leaders") and the handicaps are presented as a "liberal solution" to inequality.
Which is, of course, The Real Big Lie that evil men would have us (or the 30%) believe, merely to retain their own power and benefits.
I know of No Liberals who would ever perpetrate such a horror, but as you point out, it's just the tickets for super-Repubs.... that's right: FCKING LIBERTARIANS
I was in cancer treatment for two years, 2012-2014. (No immune system, so I couldn't go anywhere without a mask. Most particularly I was told to stay away from kids.) It was useful preparation for covid. I started a blog, that no one read, during that period. Silence and stillness are gifts.
As a little girl growing up in Cajun Dogpatch, I dreamed of New York City. I was sure that anything I could dream up could be found there.
Thank you for this, Greg. I thought I'd read everything Vonnegut ever wrote, but somehow I missed "Harrison Bergeron".
"There could be no parties, no concerts, nothing of the kind, so I trained my mind to forget about all that. Even when the restrictions lifted, I rarely went out—just the occasional dinner with my wife." That's It! I trained my mind (and dancing feet) to just forget about all that. An important human accommodation, masking a horrible loss.
Have taught this for years 'cause the kiddos recognize & appreciate so much of its satire, especially Vonnegut's eerie prediction that the TV would become a misinformation machine. Aside ~ there was a short movie adaptation with Armie Hammer (pre-crazy) as Harrison called 2081: Universal Absurdity which not surprisingly seems to have "disappeared" from YouTube. More of a "Steak & Ale" gal than S&W though I'd never turn down that kind of meal...
You capture New York brilliantly. So well done. I will pray for your friend’s recovery. Glad you were able to enjoy yourself and be safe. P.S. You saw the only not totally stupid Sturgis person.
So unfortunate about your daughter and basketball.
Lived in New York City for 26 years. I still miss it. But I don’t miss the rent. I miss the bagels, Sherry Lehman, St. Patrick’s Cathedral: my parish, my doctors there. But not the avaricious landlords and real estate agents. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself Greg. Pass the red sauce!
Let it shine.
Swear to Gawd the 3 books most prominent on my shelf right now: Welcome to the Monkey House, Slaughterhouse Five, and On the Road (Kerouac) in that order
Thank you, Greg. I read this early in college when I, too, was on a Vonnegut kick in my impressionable years. And often, perhaps a few times a year, I think about it.
I was, of course, horrified by pushy "leaders" then as now (particularly fcking GOP "leaders") and the handicaps are presented as a "liberal solution" to inequality.
Which is, of course, The Real Big Lie that evil men would have us (or the 30%) believe, merely to retain their own power and benefits.
I know of No Liberals who would ever perpetrate such a horror, but as you point out, it's just the tickets for super-Repubs.... that's right: FCKING LIBERTARIANS
😊
You seem to really get it. Yes it is hard when you have to find a job, find an opportunity. It can be demoralizing.
Thank you for your insight & thoughtfulness.