The Leaping Thought: Out to pasture

From David Rakoff's Essay - Hidden People

It isn't pleasant to have my bluff as thoroughly called. My idle claim of being a translucent-skinned neurasthenic who cares nothing for sunlight is incontrovertibly shattered after a mere ten minutes of ambling through the duty-free shop at Keflavík airport in Iceland at ten in the morning. The November sky outside is still as dark as four a.m., precisely the time it would be for me if I were still back in New York. But I am not back in New York and should, by all rights, be enjoying that cognitive dissonance that is the happy dividend of transatlantic air travel: the European day, brightly risen and well under way six hours before its time. I find myself existentially, spirit-robbingly sad as I look over the shelves of vacuum-packed salmon, tinned smoked puffin, lumpfish caviar, and licorice, waiting for a ride in Reykjavík. By the time I have been in Iceland for an hour I am a walking Edvard Munch lithograph. All is blackness in my heart as well as outside the windows of the bus during the hour-long trip into town. The vehicle fishtails wildly, buffeted by inhospitable winds. When I get back to New York, I think to myself, I shall never again denigrate the light. I will start a letter-writing campaign to institute National Photosynthesis Day. I will join a tanning salon.

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.

e.e. cummings (1894-1962) American poet, painter, essayist author and playwright.
_______

To kiss a forehead is to erase worry

To kiss a forehead is to erase worry.
I kiss your forehead.

To kiss the eyes is to lift sleeplessness.
I kiss your eyes.

To kiss the lips is to drink water.
I kiss your lips.

To kiss a forehead is to erase memory.
I kiss your forehead.

Marina Tsvetaeva (1892-1941) Russian poet and writer.
_______

"You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocket ship underpants don't help."
Bill Watterson.

_______

"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it."
Mae West

_______

Some quotes by Terry Pratchett

"It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It's called living."

"They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance."

"It's not worth doing something unless you were doing something that someone, somewhere, would much rather you weren't doing."

"Only in our dreams are we free. The rest of the time we need wages."

"In ancient times cats were worshiped as gods; they have not forgotten this."

15.5.08

Out to pasture

View of Bazaar in Esfahan by Dave Watts

Our taxi is almost here to take us to the airport. The bags are packed. The kid is ready and dressed and, if he says the word avion (airplane) again, it will surely be for the millionth time. We are all rearing to get this show on the road but all holds still for me, and these final words I post for you. I'll see you two weeks from now. May it be a happy, easy, stress-free time for you and I will enjoy hearing all about how your days have been when I get back.

Milena

9 comments:

ErinMay 15, 2008 at 3:20 PM
I look forward to hearing about your travels when you return.
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exskindiverMay 15, 2008 at 9:40 PM
safe trip.
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UnknownMay 16, 2008 at 1:52 AM
Blessings for an enjoyable and safe journey.
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Louise | ItalyMay 17, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Belated wishes for a safe journey! And a wonderful holiday.
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cceMay 17, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Happy Trails. We'll be waiting on ins and needles for you to return and regale us with tales of adventure.
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SMay 18, 2008 at 4:13 PM
have a wonderful trip!
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RobynMay 18, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Have a wonderful and safe trip. I'm looking forward to your posts about it when you get back!
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SMay 19, 2008 at 1:27 PM
ps did you know that i was born in iran?
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Gypsy at HeartMay 20, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Dear all: I address you as a group as my internet access is spotty at best and bound to disappear momentarily. Thank you so much for all the well-wishes. They worked. Everything is going swimmingly well. Still adjusting to the time change but having so much fun. I'll try to post something today or tomorrow. I've tried to go into all of your blogs and been succesful with some and not so much with others. Certain pages are blocked and there is no reason for it. Hope you are all doing well. Love, Milena
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