Funny the things you remember. I
remember a scene from the movie Deer Hunter, where (De Niro?) goes
back to Vietnam, to try and get his buddy. It’s at night, he’s
looking for information. There’s fighting in the distance, small
arms fire, an explosion. In front of him, leaning against a wall, is
a prostitute, practicing business as usual. A bizarre scene of
acclimation. I seldom watch movies any more, but I’m not totally
against violence in art. I just don’t approve of glorifying it, or
masking its destruction. Like, you enjoy violence? Go watch Saving
Private Ryan. Then again, as per the law of unintended consequences,
it might make said person enjoy violence more. Whatever…I certainly
am digressing here.
I remember living in less than ideal
conditions in my former drug daze. I remember hearing a guy on the
radio talking about moving here from Beruit. He was surprised at how
much he had conformed to bizarre circumstances. He told of how here
we hear a rush hour traffic report saying “There’s a minor wreck
at 4th and Henderson, try to find an alternate route,”
But over there, it would be:”Watch out for sniper fire at 15th
and Main, work your way around it.” He was surprised at how
acclimated he had become.
So one night it struck me. I awoke to
a very quiet and peaceful night. I thought about living in a civil
war area. You would learn to sleep with one ear open. If the fighting
got too close, pack up and run. But there I was, so peaceful. No war,
no drunken neighbors, loud rock music, arguing, none of it.
The things we overlook. It's not as
though the above would be a little different, it would be terrible,
even if you did adapt. I got out of the tub this morning, in the
absence of a rug, I folded my towel, and dropped it on the floor to
stand on. How very good it felt under my feet. I once read that part
of officer training in the US Coast guard is to spend time on an
actual large sailing ship. I'm sure that this imparts an unrivaled
understanding of ships and the sea, but I also think it gives an
appreciation of even the most ordinary contemporary vessel. I know
that having a knowledge of hand lettering and artwork gives me an
amazement of computer made graphics.
Remember the term “the myth of
continuity”. Remember the upheaval of New Orleans after Katrina.
Remember the disruption of the Icelandic volcano. There is growing
tension between the Federal government and the states. Look at the
really neat stuff around you, enjoy it now, we know not what tomorrow
brings.
