Monday 25 August 2014

Legacies.


This is what today looks like - as predicted, it has rained non-stop. I really did miss my calling as a weather forecaster. Maybe I should look into that?

Adam apparently managed to offload our old TV unit onto some unsuspecting bargain hunter on Facebook. He was supposed to pick it up today but he turned out to be a no show so I've just wasted the day watching TV. How ironic. I'm now almost done with season 2 of Gilmore Girls - my life clearly needs evaluating.

I always whinge and whine, talking about how much I love total silence so you'd think that a day of pouring rain would have given me that. Well it did, however I've failed in doing any of the things that I reserve for peaceful days. I still have the rest of Marcel Proust's Swann's Way to get through (one of my life ambitions) but I constantly forget about it. When I do remember, I find myself putting it off for another day. Don't get me wrong, I love the writing style and fluid prose but 'In Search of Lost Time' is a completely different reading experience to what we are used to. It's almost like reading as an art form and love of words rather than to read because you want to know what happens. A completely alien concept to most of us, myself included.

Adam has been at work since 6am and I have no idea when he is home as he appears to be ignoring his phone. Not that it matters; I'm sure that my position on the sofa would remain unthreatened.

On a final note, I was devastated to hear that Richard Attenborough passed away yesterday. I recognise that he was no spring chicken but it seems like I've lost several links to my beloved childhood lately. First Robin Williams who was the focal point of almost all of my favourite childhood films (back when it was normal to regularly visit the cinema on a Sunday). Then came Lauren Bacall. Before you start to wonder whether I just look good for my age, I'm aware that she wasn't directly a part of my childhood but I will always have fond memories (though not so fond at the time) of my Dad watching back-to-back John Wayne films on Sunday afternoons. He was obsessed (hence my name), but of all the leading ladies, she will always stand out for me. They seemed to have a far deeper connection on screen and, in my opinion, you don't see that kind of raw chemistry on the screen any more.

And now Richard Attenborough. Frustratingly, I had to explain to Adam that no, he is not 'the wildlife' guy but as soon as I mentioned Jurassic Park, he knew exactly who I was talking about. I vividly remember Jurassic Park when it came out and although that silly old blockbuster film was only a drop in his ocean of talents, it is the one I connect with the most. It came at just the right time in my childhood and I unashamedly admit that I was indeed one of those children, running around the playground pretending to be a velociraptor. What I wouldn't give to go back to the simple life!

The passing of these stars that, in my mind seemed immortal, reinforces the fragility of life and it really does hit home that these are real people who have done real things and lived real lives - just like you and me. I guess I need to come up with some kind of legacy sooner rather than later. I mean I'd just hate to be remembered as 'the guy who watched the entire seven seasons of Gilmore Girls in the fastest time'. Urgh.

2 comments:

Ms. Moon said...

I'm pretty sure that if you set your mind to it, you could well be remembered (in about eighty years when maybe you'll pass on) as a very fine writer.

Steve Reed said...

I initially made the same mistake as Adam about Richard Attenborough. I thought he was the "nature guy" too. But I did love "Gandhi" -- one of my favorite movies -- and I even liked his much-maligned film version of "A Chorus Line."

I love the fact that your dad named you after John Wayne. That's kind of awesome. Good thing he wasn't obsessed with Engelbert Humperdinck.

I'd like to read Proust one of these days as well. I haven't got around to it either, and in all likelihood I have a lot less time than you! I'd better get cracking!