Spending a ‘Radical’ Time Away from Life
My bi-monthly column for The Times Herald, July 22
As you’re reading this, I’m ending a week of near-media blackout. I’m far from Norristown, Philly and Washington, D.C.
I suppose as a “journalist” with a political persuasion, this could hurt the same way John Kerry’s windsurfing weekend hurt him.
I’m actually in his state, and I spent a day in America’s other “radical” city, Boston, from colonial times. Yes, the bad “M” word — Massachusetts. GOP faithful are cringing at the thought, ignoring the fact that without Massachusetts “liberals” they’d be singing “God Save the Queen.”
Apology accepted. Three cheers for Massachusetts. A bottle of Samuel Adams and dump the Coors down the toilet where it belongs.
This is my third time to Boston, but I’m not actually a fan — it’s a stop on the way to the real part of the vacation, six days at the beach. I had never thought about it, but the Pilgrims actually set foot on beaches upon disembarking the Mayflower on the land where I’ve typed this column. I suppose the sand was to be expected — it is shoreline — but the image always put forth was of a rock. What the imagination filled in were deciduous trees, lots of other rocks and no sand to be seen.
Most of the trip is being spent at the beach, but not the one where the GOP reached new lows, and with it, what should have been John Kerry’s chances at the presidency.
I’m apparently missing out on what could be the beginnings of World War III, but I don’t know. I suppose that remains to be seen. I’m keeping tabs should I need to make a quick getaway to a neighboring country, or not. It all depends on the circumstances. I’ve certainly supported war, the siege in Afghanistan had my approval, but Iraq, definitely not.
Despite the blackout of current events, I’ve been spending my time under sun — when not biking — catching up with Che Guevara, June’s Time magazines and a book purchased at an anti-establishment book store, Pages, in Toronto from my last trip away from home. A helping of Kurt Vonnegut will give me a chuckle or two.
This will most likely be my most productive personal reading of the year.
As an editor I’m forced to read thousands of words everyday, so the last thing I want to do nearing midnight is read a few hundred more.
I’d rather indulge in 20 GB of music and podcasts, with a heavy focus on the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s and some House from present times. Or I get lost in another world — fictional or historical — on TV or DVD.
But much of that will have been absent by the time I return. It’s like a pilgrimage or retreat from the bombardment of 21st century living. Isn’t it fitting that with more “civilized” times come greater chaos and overload? Perhaps the Amish have something going for themselves? Ignore the perpetuation of a solemn lifestyle, though, it’s a farce.
There’s only so much the mind can take in before something gets lost in the shuffle, when left is right, up is down and heaven is hell.
I suppose this could be President George W. Bush’s excuse for his whale of a fishing tale — or nearly any other decision he’s made.
I say “suppose” because I don’t see how “Dick & Jane” could overload one’s brain, but let’s not forget the drug days (years) of our most esteemed man in office.
The reprieve will be good as I process everything since my last real vacation. Perhaps I’ll process it so much I won’t need a mortgage to twist my view of everything.
It must seem that I try to do everything against the grain –— I’ve used anti-establishment twice in two columns and radical, too. But I find much more interesting titles where J.K. Rowling, Danielle Steele and Stephen King can’t be found.
Plus, as a former independent bookstore employee, I try to help out the little guys as much as I can.
