Having Read the Book, Don't Need to See the Movie

[thisnewday]

I'd thought that, tonight, I might revisit Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in Richard Linklater's "Before Sunset."

The thought was inspired by a friend's mention of Nina Simone, who sings at the end of it, and I was further motivated by the discovery that it's now part of what's been called "The Before Trilogy."

But watching the trailer for the third movie, it becomes painfully clear that the once spontaneous and soulful love, between Jesse and Celine, has turned decidedly dark and problematic.

Of course we all know that, in this life, such things can happen; it'd happened in my own life, and I'd lived with it for years.

But to understand where this is going, to comprehend the depth of it, I offer another story.

Some years ago, I had an artist friend who'd come back from Vietnam where he'd been blown out of a tower, on the perimeter of an American air base, by a Viet Cong mortar round.

Miraculously, after months in a stateside VA hospital, he'd gotten back on his feet.

We talked about a lot of things, Rich and I did, books, art, Zen, poetry. Hiked in woods, practiced Yoga, smoked some weed.

And then one day, without thinking, I blurted out that I'd gotten this really great movie, "Full Metal Jacket," and did he want to see it.

And he just looks at me, for a minute, and then says, with unmistakable irony, "No thanks, I've read the book, don't need to see the movie."

Which is how it is for me, coming to the end of this first year, on my own in this house.

So tonight, if I do watch a movie, it'll be Ridley Scott's "A Good Year."

Because that's what I really need to see, in living color, moving before me...

LPK
Dreamwidth
1.9.2018

 

Comments

[rosegardenfae]

After reading your reply about Nina Simone, I thought about researching the trilogy, but then realized no sense in waking up feelings that have no place to go, so I didn't.

Great story about your friend btw. Two of my husbands and many friends were vets and 2 of my cousins died in that dirty little war. Your friend's comment was so perfect.

[thisnewday]

Rich was such a good person and I almost followed that by saying that I'm forever grateful that he made it back. Then the thought flashed that there were so many good people who did not make it back and how utterly heartless it would've been, for their sakes, for me to have said that. Even though I am indeed glad for him.

I was adamantly opposed to that war but horrified by stories of those "on my side" who spit on returning vets just as I am horrified, even to this day, by the "bring the war home" faction within the "peace movement" which had advocated violent opposition because "our way" wasn't working.

And that is my greatest fear for this country now. That some of those who are rightly opposed to the anti-democratic tendencies of the present administration will conclude that, since democracy has already failed, there is now justification for the government’s violent overthrow.

With that thought, so many images from the past go marching through my head, through streets that have been peaceful here, in the interim, even as we’ve brought the horrors of war to so many other places across the globe.

There’s also the memory of a song, its lyrics perhaps sung by Noel Paul Stookey on a bright, chilly day on the Washington Monument grounds: "Brothers and sisters, don't you know, you're gonna reap just what you sow..."

About those feelings that have "no place to go," I quite agree with you, and understand, because I lived with that, myself, for so many years. A year later, circumstances have changed but, in a sense, there’s still no place for them.

Maybe that will change with time, if there is time. But I’m not really ready to think about that yet. I did watch “A Good Year” last night but, because I found it more farcical than romantic, I felt neither helped nor harmed by it. And so, it’s back on the shelf, no longer of interest to me.

Hope you’re having a good day…

[rosegardenfae]

I've never seen "A Good Year" nor read the book though I have it. Perhaps I might move it up in the queue.

Though there is nothing really wrong, today I don't feel great, though I did scrub the kitchen floor.

My mind is unsettled and my body feels worn, but I know that's temporary, a frame in this movie we call life. Time to look around for something to do.

If I don't opt for a nap I'll sketch, it's a meditative thing for me. Currently istening to Nina Simone while just sitting, thinking too much.

Questions: does a paragraph require 3 sentences?

Did you get my email reply?

That's all. I hope you feel better than I do.

[thisnewday]

I've read several of Mayle's books, in the past, and while I don't remember much detail, I'm pretty sure that I liked this one better than the movie which, rather than the romance which the book would seem to suggest, comes off, not even as romantic comedy but, like I said, as a farce. Slap-stick humor, etc, really off-putting, IMO. So, if anything, I'd stick with the book.

I don't think there's any rule requiring paragraphs to be at least 3 sentences. However, if you're asking on behalf of one of the kids, it could be that a teacher is requiring this in order to teach something about organization, structure, or content.

The reason I say this is that I used to tell students that their essays for me needed to contain at least three paragraphs in order to assure that they included an introduction, development, and conclusion. And I suppose that each paragraph might be analysed and structured similarly.

And yes, thanks, I did get your email and will respond shortly and do hope you get to feeling better...

[thisnewday]

Oops! Meant to say introduction, body, conclusion, with the body being where the premise of the introduction is developed and/or supported, depending on what type of essay is being written. Sorry about that, they used to say "the mind goes first," lol...

[rosegardenfae]

I knew what you meant, but also know you prefer precision in your writing.

I seriously need to be a better proofreader as I am appalled at the unconscious errors I make.

Seems like a race between the mind and the body most days, hah

[rosegardenfae]

Thanks for the info. I usually read the book first in any case, just seems to work out better. I am not a fan of slapstick humor, actually I prefer drama or non fiction, though probably not the best choice considering my tendency for depression.

I think it was on LJ that someone mentioned the 3 sentence requirement and I figured you would know. Not that I follow rules well in journal writing, more stream of consciousness. I just couldn't remember having heard that before.

Thanks for the feel better vibe. I managed some good moments later in the day. Too much time in the house I suspect and the dreaded "wintry mix" forecast today. Hope it holds off as I want to go to the grocery to get veggies for a big salad, craving some leafy greens.

Today is off to a reasonable beginning and I wish you a pleasant Thursday as well.

[thisnewday]

LOL, my day was off to a reasonable start at 4:30 AM. I was up for a while, did some reading, texting, editing, and then went back to bed. Got up again at 11:30 and now the day looks not so reasonable. Can't figure out why, doh! (Homer Simpson voice).

I'm inclined to like non-fiction and memoir in books and the occasional romance in movies. (Could never say that in the shop among, you know, the manly men.) And maybe I've mis-remembered my impression of the book and then sat down too hard on that lemon that's been up my butt lately (that's a classy literary reference to Fredrick Backman's "Brit-Marie Was Here," in case you somehow missed that it was classy) when I watched the movie.

I do think that re-thinking certain relationships and how they affect what I'm doing here will help with the Seasonal Affective Disorder as well as my normal depressive tendencies. Still considering the mellophone and music as well as building a new pellet gun range in the basement. (Kind of short distance, but I can't see much past 30 feet anyway, lol.)

Anyway, gotta jump-start the rest of the day. The kid has soccer practice tonight and I've gotta resume reading that book on "What's Important at the End" for book club. THAT should cheer me up immensely, lol.

Hope reasonably good things continue through your day...

[rosegardenfae]

Good morning, been up since 4, but that's not unusual for me, don't mind it usually, offers me quiet time alone. And I do usually go to bed early.

I have a feeling you enjoy romance more than I do. I tend to watch period dramas and started a new series kast night, a Netflix original, "Peaky Blinders," chronicling Irish gangs in 1919. The protagonist is a troubled veteran, and it keeps me in current favorite time frame post WWI Britain. It helps put a face on characters of the mystery series I'm reading and I love the fashions of that era. The violence is offputting though.

Yesterday was the best day I've had in ever so long and gives me hope that today coukd be similar.

I think that getting back into music is a fab idea, and with a shooting range, you'll be prepared for the Apocalypse. :) And truly, if we rethought all our relationships bringing fresh approaches to them, we might all benefit.

Good luck with what comes round today, hope the book didn't bring you down.

[thisnewday]

Nice to hear that you had such a good day yesterday and want you to know, dear E, that I wish you many more of them.

Also interesting that your favorite time frame and place is post-WWI Britain. I've also found myself drawn to that era but most often found myself hanging around Ms. Beach's bookstore with Hem and the boys.

However, last year, for whatever reason, I found myself back across The Channel, at a slightly earlier time, reading Helen Simonson's "The Summer Before the War" and then skipping, with no particular rhyme or reason, to a romance, I think, about post-WWII Britain which I can't for the life of me find, either on my bookshelf or in my increasingly-questionable memory.

In between, period-wise, was actually one of the better books that I read, that year, Chris Cleave's "Everyone Brave is Forgiven," which opens in Britain during the very first days of WWII. And, predictably, as you've suddenly, interestingly, made me aware, it's a romance. Dang, E, what's going on here, LOL?

As for my present read, Dr. Gawande has touched, I think, the latent sociologist in me, with his survey and analysis of how geriatric care has changed over the generations and how, in his view, it has unfortunately not. So, to this point, about 120 pages in, it's not been quite so focused on bedside, end-of-life care as I'd at first feared. Still not a cheer-me-up sort of book, but interesting and quite readable.

However, I think once that's done, the reading and club meeting, I'm going to find a nice romance, put my feet up, and wait for The Apocalypse. Maybe with a nice squirrel sandwich and a last, Scotch-style ale on the side.

Hope you continue to have a great day...

[rosegardenfae]

You know by now, I think, that I'm a little "woo woo" so from my perspective could be we shared a past life in that time frame. Or not.

Knowing that you are a good judge if readable fiction, I trotted over to Amazon and looked at "Everyone Brave..." and once I discovered it was drawn from letters and had to have a copy. Since I have all the letters my dad wrote my mother during WWII, I want to see what Cleaves created. Always wanted to do something with those letters, maybe I'll be inspired. It's not that I don't like romance, it just triggers emotions I try (Though sometimes fail) to keep locked down. So if I read it and get all lightheaded just slap me with a trout to bring me back to reality.

Now Gawande I can ignore, get enough stories of the failure of current geriatric care from my oldest who is asst DON at a local facility.

I kinda get the warm fuzzies thinking of you kicked back noshing on squirrel and swilling ale, romance novel in hand and peacefully waiting.

Only the best my friend, always.
E