So whatever voodoo water you've been drinking, please offer some to the rest of us.
I first need to apologize that this post is going to kick the porn paintings down the totem pole a spot. Although, I must admit that Jimmy will probably become more productive. After Nick posted those paintings, Jimmy checked the blog on the hour and spent more time in the bathroom than usual.
Now that the month is over and My Name is Asher Lev is wrapped up, I wanted to give my final impression on the book. I'm astounded that Ben called the ending like a prophetic monk that had been fasting for three months. I was pretty shocked when he came up with the idea of painting the crucifixes. Asher's life was a culmination of several compromises. The more he painted the further he drifted from being a devout Jew. That is true of anything you spend your time with. When I served my mission, my life was significantly lop-sided in spirituality. Now that I'm married, have a job, and try to have a social life, my spirituality has come back down to a more evenly distributed level.
I'm all for being well rounded. I think versatility is one of the most important things someone can develop in life (the parable of the talents, for example). But, ultimately I agree with Asher's mother as she was walking out of the gallery. There are limits. Asher went too far. I don't follow Shakespeare's, "To thine own self be true" in all instances. I personally think that we have a filter in our brain that allows us to cast some ideas or words to the side before we throw them into reality. Asher may not have been the great painter he could have possibly been if he hadn't painted those crucifixes, but does anyone need to be at that level at the expense of those who matter most to you? There is a theme presented several times in the book that taking life is the worst thing someone can do because you kill the generations of people who would have been had not their progenitor been killed. What Asher did will have similar ripple effects to his generations. His kids would never know their grandparents, great aunts and uncles, everyone with whom Asher associated throughout his life. And even if he didn't have kids his actions would echo in that community for a long, long time.
It's disappointing. I wish he wouldn't have done that. The Rebbe was right to tell him to leave. Jacob Kahn was right to tell him that he better become a great artist as the only recompense for the pain he caused. Once you've done something to that magnitude, the only thing you can do is spend the rest of your life trying to justify it.
I'm looking forward to The Chris Farley Show.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
paintings
Some paintings of note from "Asher Lev"...
The Art Spirit by Henri
Massacre of the Innocents by Reni
Guernica by Picasso (Guernica was the first city to be targeted by aerial bombing. Those killed were mainly women and children.)
Too Funny...
This is a long copy and paste, but I had to share it with you guys...
HOW MEBREAKING UPWITH YOU IS LIKEJON LESTER PITCHINGA NO-HITTER AGAINSTTHE ROYALS.
BY MICHAEL NELSON PRICE
- - - -
Well, listen, judging by all the phone messages you've left, it seems like you're having some problems dealing with this. No, I'm not going to call you back, but I do hope this e-mail brings you some closure. I think once you realize how much me breaking up with you is like Jon Lester throwing a no-hitter against the Royals, you'll be on the road to recovery.
Here's the thing: I get that you're sad. I really do. It seems like your No. 1 goal with the sometimes angry, sometimes whimpering messages is to convince me that you're upset. You seem to think that I can't understand your loss. You accuse me of being "incapable of feeling." You call me a "robot." So, I just have to let you know that I do know how you feel, kiddo. I can empathize completely with your sense of loss. The way you feel about the breakup is the way I feel about the Royals getting no-hit last week.
Yes, I know we were together two years. Did you know the Royals hadn't been no-hit for 35 years? Yes, I know how much you've committed to the relationship. Do you have any idea how much my collection of George Brett jerseys cost? Yes, it will be awkward for you to see me at work. You know what will be really awkward? The Royals finishing a four-game series against a team that just no-hit them. Can you step outside your own selfish world and imagine that for a second? Yes, I'm aware that things seemed better between us lately. That's what makes this so difficult. The Royals have been playing much better baseball lately, our pitching has been topnotch, and I had general faith in our young guys before the no-hitter. Then this. It's almost too much to take (the no-hitter).
The whole thing just gets worse and worse. The media are making an especially big deal about the no-hitter because the pitcher, Jon Lester, turns out to be some kind of a cancer survivor. So it's an even bigger story than a regular no-hitter. I can't escape it. You might feel that way about the all-staff e-mail I just sent out about the breakup. I just thought everyone should know. No big deal. I'm hoping this will all make you see how similar our situations really are.
You must be able to see the irony of Jon Lester recovering from cancer to throw a no-hitter, while I've risen from an insecure loner to dating Sandy from accounting (see the all-staff e-mail). Two years ago, people were counting me out, just like they counted Jon out when he had some sort of cancer. Jon threw a no-hitter; I went out with Sandy. I hate to compare myself to the pitcher who no-hit the Royals, but I'm sure you can see that the parallels are downright eerie.
That brings me to my next point.
I really hesitate to bring this up, because I'm not sure it fits completely in the empathy category. But I think even you would have to admit that I no-hit you during the breakup. Every point I was making, all the examples I was using, everything was executed perfectly. You just sat there. Inept, clumsy, impotent. Just like the Royals. Every once in a while, you would try to say something, but it never went well. You were just flailing away, looking for my fastball all night, but you never found it. I could see you trying. Alex Gordon was trying to hit, too, but it wasn't enough. I had all my pitches working, and my command was spot-on. I had you guessing all night, and, when I did make a mistake, you were too disoriented to take advantage of it.
So, anyway, I hope this e-mail illustrates how emotional I actually am (about the no-hitter). I'm sure you can see how our situations are alike. Well, until I start comparing myself to Jon Lester, at least. I'm Jon Lester, not you; you're more like the Royals in that analogy.
Anyway, I've got to go. Please stop leaving messages, and remember that the great thing about baseball is that there's always another game around the corner. (That doesn't apply to us, though; we're completely done.)
P.S. I copied "all staff" on this e-mail as well.
HOW MEBREAKING UPWITH YOU IS LIKEJON LESTER PITCHINGA NO-HITTER AGAINSTTHE ROYALS.
BY MICHAEL NELSON PRICE
- - - -
Well, listen, judging by all the phone messages you've left, it seems like you're having some problems dealing with this. No, I'm not going to call you back, but I do hope this e-mail brings you some closure. I think once you realize how much me breaking up with you is like Jon Lester throwing a no-hitter against the Royals, you'll be on the road to recovery.
Here's the thing: I get that you're sad. I really do. It seems like your No. 1 goal with the sometimes angry, sometimes whimpering messages is to convince me that you're upset. You seem to think that I can't understand your loss. You accuse me of being "incapable of feeling." You call me a "robot." So, I just have to let you know that I do know how you feel, kiddo. I can empathize completely with your sense of loss. The way you feel about the breakup is the way I feel about the Royals getting no-hit last week.
Yes, I know we were together two years. Did you know the Royals hadn't been no-hit for 35 years? Yes, I know how much you've committed to the relationship. Do you have any idea how much my collection of George Brett jerseys cost? Yes, it will be awkward for you to see me at work. You know what will be really awkward? The Royals finishing a four-game series against a team that just no-hit them. Can you step outside your own selfish world and imagine that for a second? Yes, I'm aware that things seemed better between us lately. That's what makes this so difficult. The Royals have been playing much better baseball lately, our pitching has been topnotch, and I had general faith in our young guys before the no-hitter. Then this. It's almost too much to take (the no-hitter).
The whole thing just gets worse and worse. The media are making an especially big deal about the no-hitter because the pitcher, Jon Lester, turns out to be some kind of a cancer survivor. So it's an even bigger story than a regular no-hitter. I can't escape it. You might feel that way about the all-staff e-mail I just sent out about the breakup. I just thought everyone should know. No big deal. I'm hoping this will all make you see how similar our situations really are.
You must be able to see the irony of Jon Lester recovering from cancer to throw a no-hitter, while I've risen from an insecure loner to dating Sandy from accounting (see the all-staff e-mail). Two years ago, people were counting me out, just like they counted Jon out when he had some sort of cancer. Jon threw a no-hitter; I went out with Sandy. I hate to compare myself to the pitcher who no-hit the Royals, but I'm sure you can see that the parallels are downright eerie.
That brings me to my next point.
I really hesitate to bring this up, because I'm not sure it fits completely in the empathy category. But I think even you would have to admit that I no-hit you during the breakup. Every point I was making, all the examples I was using, everything was executed perfectly. You just sat there. Inept, clumsy, impotent. Just like the Royals. Every once in a while, you would try to say something, but it never went well. You were just flailing away, looking for my fastball all night, but you never found it. I could see you trying. Alex Gordon was trying to hit, too, but it wasn't enough. I had all my pitches working, and my command was spot-on. I had you guessing all night, and, when I did make a mistake, you were too disoriented to take advantage of it.
So, anyway, I hope this e-mail illustrates how emotional I actually am (about the no-hitter). I'm sure you can see how our situations are alike. Well, until I start comparing myself to Jon Lester, at least. I'm Jon Lester, not you; you're more like the Royals in that analogy.
Anyway, I've got to go. Please stop leaving messages, and remember that the great thing about baseball is that there's always another game around the corner. (That doesn't apply to us, though; we're completely done.)
P.S. I copied "all staff" on this e-mail as well.
Excited
I am so excited that others are reading this book! I was a little worried at first...Jimmy tried to pull a "trump card" on me, and at one point Cameron called and said, "Nick, we don't want to go boating with you!!! And...we don't want to read your book!!!"
I have been so impressed with the insight from everyone on all the books. This is a pretty smart group of guys. Ben...good call on the window theme of Asher's apartment. I never caught that the first time through. It becomes what you could call a "major element" of the story. I also think it's interesting to notice the glimpse of personality you can see in each of our comments. You can tell a lot about a person by the themes of a book that become important to them.
Is the Farley book the one for next month for sure?
I have been so impressed with the insight from everyone on all the books. This is a pretty smart group of guys. Ben...good call on the window theme of Asher's apartment. I never caught that the first time through. It becomes what you could call a "major element" of the story. I also think it's interesting to notice the glimpse of personality you can see in each of our comments. You can tell a lot about a person by the themes of a book that become important to them.
Is the Farley book the one for next month for sure?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Asher Lev
I am going to go ahead and make at least one post on the book this month, though I think Frank and I are the only ones reading. I'm about halfway through and I have a few interesting thoughts on which anyone, whether reading or not, could comment...
1. Hasidic Judaism is a sect of mainstream Judaism. One could say that they are the strict believers of the word. Ritual, prayer, and tradition are extremely important. The Hasidic Jews also become an integral part of American society when they began migrating from Europe and Russia before, during, and after World War II. It seems as if the Jews are constantly relocating, always without a home, forever persecuted. Ben touched on this when we read Smurf's book. I'm going to remove myself from both personal and religious beliefs and ask, "WHY?" I mean, the Jewish faith and the Jewish people have seemingly always been driven from place to place, but the history books seem to always precede the persecution. Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy, or are they actually a special people? Other groups, be they religious, cultural, or racial, also face the same persecution and lack of a homeland, but it doesn't seem like their fate is constantly being foreshadowed in some book or scripture.
2. Asher's mother is portrayed as a Christ-figure throughout the novel. She constantly sacrifices for the good of the Jewish people. But I think that his father is also somewhat of a Christ-figure. The difference between the two is that Asher's mother despises the Rebbe for the work that he requires, and Asher's father respects and admires the Rebbe. Is it possible that the author is making the point that Christ himself was tempted to doubt or even despise His father--God? I'm not arguing that he did, but it seems a logical assumption to make that anyone agreeing to self-sacrifice might have troubling thoughts toward the one requiring the sacrifice.
Just a few thoughts I've had as I've read. Pick up the book if you have time. It's easy to read, and I think it's a fantastic book. I know the blog has been dead for the most part this month as people have been doing finals and going on vacation, but I still enjoy hearing from you all when you get a chance to write. Good luck to everyone in all you are doing!
1. Hasidic Judaism is a sect of mainstream Judaism. One could say that they are the strict believers of the word. Ritual, prayer, and tradition are extremely important. The Hasidic Jews also become an integral part of American society when they began migrating from Europe and Russia before, during, and after World War II. It seems as if the Jews are constantly relocating, always without a home, forever persecuted. Ben touched on this when we read Smurf's book. I'm going to remove myself from both personal and religious beliefs and ask, "WHY?" I mean, the Jewish faith and the Jewish people have seemingly always been driven from place to place, but the history books seem to always precede the persecution. Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy, or are they actually a special people? Other groups, be they religious, cultural, or racial, also face the same persecution and lack of a homeland, but it doesn't seem like their fate is constantly being foreshadowed in some book or scripture.
2. Asher's mother is portrayed as a Christ-figure throughout the novel. She constantly sacrifices for the good of the Jewish people. But I think that his father is also somewhat of a Christ-figure. The difference between the two is that Asher's mother despises the Rebbe for the work that he requires, and Asher's father respects and admires the Rebbe. Is it possible that the author is making the point that Christ himself was tempted to doubt or even despise His father--God? I'm not arguing that he did, but it seems a logical assumption to make that anyone agreeing to self-sacrifice might have troubling thoughts toward the one requiring the sacrifice.
Just a few thoughts I've had as I've read. Pick up the book if you have time. It's easy to read, and I think it's a fantastic book. I know the blog has been dead for the most part this month as people have been doing finals and going on vacation, but I still enjoy hearing from you all when you get a chance to write. Good luck to everyone in all you are doing!
Trump card
Ok friends, I think that we should pull out a trump card and say that the book of this month needs to be "The Chris farley Show" by our good friend Tom Farley. Just got released and I think we will all love it. Thoughts?
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Blog is dead
Ok since the blog is all but dead right now I figured I would start something that will at least get peoples attention on here. I was just going to name my favorite 10 movies of all time and see what other peoples are as well.
1. Braveheart
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. Dumb and Dumber
4. The Count of Monte Cristo
5. Tommy Boy
6. The Rock
7. Rudy
8. Enemy of the State
9. Shallow Hal
10. A Few Good Men
1. Braveheart
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. Dumb and Dumber
4. The Count of Monte Cristo
5. Tommy Boy
6. The Rock
7. Rudy
8. Enemy of the State
9. Shallow Hal
10. A Few Good Men
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)