A Pessimist's Take on a Fun Day

If this many people can get together for something as frivolous as winning the world record for the most people wearing fake nose and moustaches, why can't we get people together to protest the wrongs of our society, to stand up for unfortunate people, to support truly meaningful, life changing causes?

Is it just because we feel like we aren't strong enough to make big changes? Or is it just that it's not fun to protest the war in Iraq whereas it is fun to don a disguise and have your picture taken with a thousand other people?

*Also, was it worth $1,632.96 --the total cost of glasses-with-fake-noses purchased for this stunt? Where else could that money have gone?

Sunday, Interrupted

I looked forward to Sunday all week. I had DVDs to watch from Netflix and five books from the library to browse through. I had plenty of things to eat. I planned to lounge all day.

It was beautiful out on Sunday, 88 and sunny. I spent time outside on Saturday so I didn't feel like I was wasting the good weather by staying inside. But, by 4 o'clock, I decided I should go outside for a bit. I walked to get ice cream just down the street, less than half a mile away.

On the way there, I was whistled at by a guy driving by in a car.

On the way home, four guys in a truck with booming bass music called out at me. I was startled by the first guy, but I was able to react more quickly to the second group. Reflexively, I gave them the finger. I got a "What's your problem, bitch?!" in return.

I know it's not that big a deal, but with all the fear mongering about girls getting raped and abducted, it's a real shame that I can't walk down the street for an ice cream cone without feeling afraid. It's not like I was wearing a bikini -- I had on knee-length jean shorts and a tank top that was neither low-cut nor cropped (which I mention to debunk the infuriating "she was asking for it" debate). Groups of guys, even those cruising by in a car, are very intimidating. So it is a big deal.

And no, it's not at all flattering.

The Graduate

I'd never seen this iconic movie until this weekend.

Dustin Hoffman's character reminded me of Holden Caufield. The college-age confused guy who doesn't know what he wants (or maybe it's because I just finished a 20 page paper on J.D. Salinger), but The Graduate made me sad in the same way the main character of Igby Goes Down made me sad. Igby also reminded me of Holden.

Is this confused, belligerent, desperate young man a stock character now?

Before 30

I'm also reading Swim Naked, Defy Gravity and 99 Other Essential Things to Accomplish Before Turning 30 - ridiculous maybe, especially because I won't be 30 for several more years. Also ridiculous because, unknown to me, the author is a frequent contributor to women's magazines like Glamour. Had I know that, I probably wouldn't have bothered requesting it from the library. But they held it for me and I went to get it, so I decided to read it.

I was pleased to find that I have already accomplished many of the tasks the author sets for her panicking readers. In addition to being pleased by this, I was also disappointed to see how trivial some of the ideas were. Things like "find the perfect shade of red lipstick." I guess maybe simple things like that are included to make the lazy or stunted approaching-30 woman feel that she has done something worthwhile, something worth including in a book.

Not everything is frivolous. "Learn to accept compliments," "own your mistakes," "find your religion," "get to know your parents." These are noble quests, but how can you do it with only a one-page accompanying write-up for each action item?

After a second browse through, I realized I wasn't that proud to have already "accomplished" some of the things included: get a massage, read your old diaries, write thank-you notes, sleep in a hammock, write a complaint letter, Google yourself, build a campfire, swim naked, break all of your parents arbitrary rules, own a frivolous pair of undies, have your fortune told, get waxed...down there, eat soy, walk in heels, and give yourself flowers. Done and done. But what does that do for me?

Most of all, this made me want to write my own list of things I'd like to accomplish before turning 30. One of the only things that would make it onto my list that was also in the book is "travel solo." I would like to take a vacation by myself - one that involves a plane. I've driven plenty of places alone, and I've flown alone but there has always been someone waiting to get me when I land. I want to go somewhere unknown and be on my own the whole time. It's an uncomfortable thought, much like going to the movies alone once was. I heard somewhere that you should always do things that make you feel uncomfortable or that scare you.

I'm not sure what else would be on my list of things to accomplish in life. Do you?

A TV Example

I'm reading The Culture of Fear. Among the many good points the author makes, one has stuck out so far. It seems like the most obvious thing but I've never heard anyone say it and it never occurred to me:

So many people blame violence on TV for violence in our society, claiming the violence shown in our favorite shows encourages aggression in us. The author asks, What about all of the good things in TV shows? He says that TV characters are always doing good things for their families, friends and even strangers. So, if TV encourages violence, wouldn't it encourage in us at least an equal amount of kindness?

The Weeping Bankrobber

Ethan: You always done loved you some nostalgia.

Ben: You're right, if I were a superhero my name would be Nostalgia Man. I would weaken my enemies by making them feel sentimental about their past.