Where to start is still as big of a question as it was. But I got a lot of insight tonight. A LOT. Around dinner we discussed the pop culture aspect of my lackings (well, I listened). Apparently I need to see Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 90210, Heathers, Friends, Xena, My So Called Life, Family Guy and of COURSE(!) Simpsons and Seinfeld! AND---I can’t even remember all the things I MUST see!
But it was good. I think I found some enthusiastic contributors to my catch up list. And I want you to contribute as well. You know the categories, music, art, pop culture, literature, etc. I’m tired of saying “huh?” in conversations or just blanking out because I have no idea what was just said.
I’m imagining myself to appear somewhat Amish to my new friends. In my mind, there is a lot of difference between me and the Amish, but to my non-religious friends, I do think I make an interesting study case. And why not? You know how much fun it is to share something you love with someone who has never experienced it. Maybe it’s a place, a food, a movie. So I can definitely understand the fun. It’s like watching a baby learn to walk. Except I’m an adult. Does that make it more special? Or just messed up?
Two things I learned tonight:
1. I WILL NOT catch up in a year. However, I still insist on calling it my “Catch Up Year” because it is the year I will make the most progress, I will go through suggested, watching, listening, viewing, reading, etc, with intention, and this is the year I will chronicle it.
2. Someone mentioned tonight that there’s a good chance I might not even like what I’m exposed to. That maybe I won’t be interested after all. I am sure that is a great possibility. Like the time I had never been to a baseball game and wanted desperately to go and experience that piece of Americana and then I hated it. But there has also been plenty that I’ve tried and loved. I think the point was to try everything and find what I love.
So, this year, as I catch up, maybe I won’t watch all 20 seasons of the Simpsons. But I will be exposed. I will watch the Simpsons. And I will know what ‘doh’ means. Whether I fall in love with Bart, or Buffy, or the Gilmore Girls remains to be seen. So, make your suggestions. I will taste it all and spit nothing out. And next time we see each other, maybe I’ll say something clever like “Would that show be anything without NPH?”
And I’ll get a sick little joy in my heart as I see someone hesitate trying to think who that is. Or worse...maybe they’ll have to google it.
Here is a question. What will you miss during the time you are focusing on the past and trying to catch up? I am not trying to discourage you from seeking to live a more full life. I just think a person needs to say the past is the past what I experienced and what I missed is what it is. Don’t look back, live in the now and look forward. I am not saying don’t watch old episodes of the Simpsons however the new ones are better. I am just saying it seems your last three blogs have been about what was wrong in your past and attempting to relive missed experiences. I missed a lot of now doing that very same thing.
ReplyDeleteHope you are a good and wonderful person because of the experiences and even the lack of them in your childhood and how you have responded to them over the years. It has been my experience that people who help you look back and think about the things that were wrong or missed, while being well intentioned, there advice is no better for you than the instruction from those in your past who tried to keep you from looking forward. They are saying the same thing just from different perspectives.
Brad
Ps I do not know what Comment as: means.
Enjoy the journey, 2011 is going to be a good year for all things Hope! -Karl
ReplyDeleteOK - as for Buffy - watch the TV show, not the movie!
ReplyDeleteI also figure that a short exposure is enough - I think after 10 minutes you'll know if The Office or ST:TNG is for you! Maybe start with the movies on the list, that's a concentrated event as opposed to weekly TV shows...
And as I voluntarily miss out on some of the more recent pop-culture stuff (Jersey Shore, to name the top one, and dumb teen movies), I find myself missing some references in conversation - and not really caring who that actress is or what's happening in New Jersey!
Have fun - cuz what's the point if you're not???
I gotta give a "second" to Buffy. Go until at least season 2, to give it a fair shot. I just discovered Buffy myself about 18 months ago and went nuts for it. I still have my Xmas "Nativity" scene above my fireplace, featuring Buffy and Spike as Joseph and Mary, with Miss Edith filling in for Baby J. :) This *will* make sense to you in time.
ReplyDeleteBooks: (some recommendations from the library) "Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Darkness" and "Billions" by Carl Sagan. "Death by Black Hole" by Neil Degrasse Tyson. Naturally "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins, but also "Letter to a Christian Nation" by Sam Harris which you will lovelovelove (a letter specifically to fundamentalist Christians).
Movies: "The Fall," "Fight Club," "Moulin Rouge," "The Departed" (you gotta see Scorcese!). What's fun is to find a director you like and see everything by that guy. And in a religious vein: "Religulous" and "The Invention of Lying"
TV: Buffy (oh I'm being obsessive again!) "Dexter," and "Arrested Development" (the funniest show ever in the history of ever.)
I just thought of another big miss on books: Stephen King! He's the master and you probably missed him. You won't believe how much of his stuff has been turned into movies. Anyway, depending on the kind of stories you like: The Shining, The Stand (for epic end-of-the-world stuff. Think "Revelations" but more believable :) ) And if you don't care for scary stuff, try "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" which won some awards and
ReplyDeleteI had my 14-year-old read that one :)
Also, I have a suggestion for your boys. "A Series of Unfortunate Events" - very charming stories and no "magic" so the Christians can't do a Harry Potter hate on you. But...they're very sly and teach kids to question the right kinds of things.
Since you are catching up on pop culture, file this under "Things to Watch": Firefly. I think you'll like it.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, my favorite movies, and the ones I recommend are:
ReplyDeleteLonesome Dove (the original, but it's long)
True Grit (both of them)
Forrest Gump
Top Gun
Days of Thunder
I hope you enjoy these.