The Beginning of ‘Goodbye’
While I didn't watch the game, I was able to listen to it -- through the third quarter. I don't get TNT, so I had to just have it on the channel and listen to those idiots. Mike Fratello and Marv Albert, were they?
It sounded like the Lakers played a good game. The Spurs, too, till they choked in the third quarter, their favorite time to choke. I can accept this loss. It was a good game. But, I do have some things to complain about. First, I wish the people would stop saying the first two games were close. I know I need to get over that. But give me a break. Listening to these guys reminds me of the Bulls' period of rule.
No matter who the opponents were, it was always only about MJ and his dedicated followers. I should have written this stuff down that bothered me. If I were a sports writer, I would have. So I don't remember exactly the things they said. My contempt for the commentators was more so in response to their tones of voice anyway.
Albert's obnoxious "Yes!" when a Laker scored. It sounded much different when a Spur scored. Also, I thought it was really interesting when they discussed Kobe's flight pattern. The tones in their voices seemed to give him a hero status for having been able to make it to Eagle for his court appearance and back in time for the game. The poor guy had to get on a plane at 4:45 a.m. One of them made the intelligent point that on each of the four occasions he went to Eagle and had to play, he had a good game.
The man is about to be on trial for rape for fuck's sake. And these guys are all, "Kobe was in Eagle today and THEN HE MADE IT BACK IN A GOLF CART TWO HOURS BEFORE GAME TIME. What can't he do?!" Stupid. I don't know. I'm not articluating it well. It just sounded really lame. What else?
Oh there was so much. I just can't think of it all. I'm protective of the Spurs, that's all. Go ahead and laugh. The commentators just need to take their mics off, climb over the table, walk over to Kobe, pull down his shorts, and start blowing. After all, that's what it sounds like they want to do. (I'll deal with the homophobic implication of my last comment when I go to confession next.)
I turned my thesis in today. That sounds so accomplished. It's really not that exciting. Because I've already thought of places I need to revisit. Also, I haven't written the conclusion yet. It hasn't hit me. I'm confident it will soon. I walked my ass over to Margo's place, which, unbeknownst to me, is deep in the W. Village.
It was a nice walk, although it was way humid today, so I was contending with the whole feeling-like-I'm-in-a-heater thing. Anyway, I did rediscover a bar I went to a couple of weeks ago called the Cubbyhole. I was lost last time. I know exactly where it is now. When I was there, we had to evacuate. It seemed as though someone unleashed a torrent of what looked like dry ice. I'm not sure if dry ice can be torrented, but I'm too tired to think about it. Anyway, the smoke started at the front door and got worse. Of course when I walked out, I was careful to keep my mouth wide open so as to welcome the billowing whiteness into my air way.
I almost choked. So that was the Cubbyhole. We weren't there much longer after that. Although the bartender was on the phone talking about it being some kind of chemical. But when a passerby began saying that very thing in the crowd, the bartender, surely concerned about losing her Saturday-night crowd, shooed him away. Funny stuff.
I had a very strange day. Standing in front of the GF these days is taking on a different feel. We're all leaving. We're all trying to figure out what we're doing. Some, though, already know. I feel estranged a little from the building, which is sad, because I really love my time there. I look forward to the 1-5 smoke breaks I take every day. And seeing who will walk up. Like Susan Sarandon did that day, remember? I was actually talking about my friends, though.
Today, for instance, I walked to the GF after getting my haircut (I love ridding myself of bad energy through haircuts). I ran into Andrew and Matt; actually, they were talking about politics. I stood next to them, and gradually changed the course of the conversation to writing. Andrew wants to write and because of my recent issues with it, we were able to have a good conversation. And actually, let me talk a little bit about myself for a minute here.
I had another Hegel moment. Let me explain. It has to do with the Spirit/progress/history thing that my thesis class erupted into laughter over a few weeks back. Andrew and I were talking about being "writers" as a way to transmit what is going on (I'm so totally paraphrasing) around us. Writers, and I'm not referring to Andrew and me, but to ones who are actually doing something. They use their words, they write 'em down, they get read, and new thoughts and ideas emerge to essentially forward our culture. Hegel popped into my head.
I was thrown back to fall 2002 when I was struggling with Philosophy of History for my presentation. I didn't mention it, though, because I wanted to let Andrew finish. Yes, I do that sometimes. Then I had to go.
Well, tonight I was reading Helen's thesis and she mentioned the very same thing in connection with the poets, architects, and artists of 19th century Germany who sought to create a utopian society. Again, I'm paraphrasing. But that was the gist, and I realized that what I had thought earlier was legitimate.
Sorry for the boring story, but I had to share. I made an original association to Hegel on my own. I can now feel good about my time here. So it's starting to get a little sad.
I have my final thesis class tomorrow night. I had to read four excerpts tonight. I only made it to two. After that, we're having our last Liberal Studies party. They're always fun. The alcohol is always free. And it's a good opportunity for me to do a little salsa, which, I heard at the last party, I'm pretty good at. Who knew?
So, yeah, I kind of want these last nine days to go just a little slower. I love my people and I'll miss them when we all go our separate ways.
