How to make magic mushrooms out of a simple button mushroom
This was the opposite of writer’s block. It was a cataclysm of thoughts that were impossible to write down. Or I was lazy, pick your answer. Some people wrote to me asking why I was sad. I was not sad, I was autumnal.
I have a theory about civilizations, that maybe isn’t my theory but until I remember where I read it, it’s mine. My theory is that there is a different collective age for different civilizations. That means that no matter how old or young you are, you still carry some portion of the collective age of your community in you. Europe is a middle aged civilization. It has been around for a while. So its people carry all sorts of vices and virtues of middle age. Existential issues and a sweet ennui are part of this. Along with the luxury to ponder on meaningless things instead of going to the gym. Have you seen French films? It’s like that. That’s what I have from time to time. It’s silly but necessary for my happiness. A warm mist that encloses me and sends me back into myself. And then it pops me out of course. Which is a lucky thing, since I want to be here when my friend Stephanie visits me in a few days.
Did you hear that? Stephanie from Boston is coming to Athens to spend some time with me. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am. Maybe we can see Okkervil River together, if the gig is not cancelled that is (rumour has it that it’s already been cancelled) which would make two of my dreams come true. At first I thought I might be nervous, but I am not. My only concern is that Stephanie won’t be able to understand a thing I say, because I don’t speak as fluently as I write. But we can still communicate through our blogs. (Stephanie, my computer is your computer).
October 25th, 2006 at 10:00 am
I’ve never watched a French film, but it is something on my “to-do” list.
The mushroom looks great, like a piece of work that should have been in “Alice In Wonderland” or “Charlies and the Chocolate Factory”.
October 25th, 2006 at 10:14 am
I dig french films with a shovel!
Being autumnal is a good thing, I think too many people don’t bother to consider existential issues, or even make an attempt at being self reflective. Will you and Stephanie watch a Yanni concert? ;P
October 25th, 2006 at 10:31 am
angel
then begin with Amelie, an actually happy French film.
Walter
Yanni lives over there and not over here, and i have to beg for your forgiveness because my middle aged civilization has imposed him on your twenty something civilization.
October 25th, 2006 at 10:53 am
Oh that’s great news!! Oh I’m so excited for the both of you
That theory is very interesting and it probably explains why I’m so middle aged…well, maybe not but it still rings a bell.
I have a writer’s block, I think I might have things to say but they still aren’t verbalized in my head.
Take care
Ah french films - I watched Amelie this weekend (Again!)
October 25th, 2006 at 11:05 am
I’m so excited for you both! You will have to post a blog photo of the two of you together. Lucky girls!!!
xoxo
October 25th, 2006 at 11:11 am
Yesterday I decorated a peanut, so I feel we’re practically operating in the same vein here.
October 25th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Remember the article you posted a while back - or the e-mail…now I can’t remember…but it included bits about Amanda from the Dresden Dolls and some person she communicated with via computer, while they were both seated in the same cafe?
There is nothing at all to worry about
October 25th, 2006 at 11:15 am
you have a lovely life
October 25th, 2006 at 11:21 am
*Sung to alouette*
I love French films
pretentious boring French films
I love French films
—-
Sounds like you and your friend are going to have a great time.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
No need to apologise Chloe, or ask for forgiveness. I’m a naturalized American Citizen, which means I don’t belong to the twenty something civilization even if “Yawn-ee” is living over here.
Do you consider films by Luc Besson to be a typical or atypical french movie?
October 25th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Well, i am just beyond jealous.
Two of my fave bloggers and
I think you are going to have
a marvellous marvellous time.
And Steph will meet some wonderful
Greek fellow and you two will
have blogging sessions together.
Humph.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
American. Jazz morphing into Rock and Roll baby.
Dig it.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
They make movies in France???
October 25th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
I , too , am jealous. i wanted to go to greece a long time ago!! still saving. whiny . wahh. lol.
one day… (have fun without me! LOL j/k) take lots of pics.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:18 pm
Perhaps your lack of nervousness has to do with your collective middle age. One thing I appreciate about getting older is I can accept good, pleasant things with a modicum of grace. A visitor would have sent me into a tizzy a decade ago.
October 25th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
Devil
when you can’t express these things in words, paint, sing, knit. there would be no other art form in this world if everything could be said in words. xx
Cathy
i don’t know how much publicity Stephanie allows. I’ll try to keep the paparazzi at bay.
jay
if you ever need an extra pair of hands, you know who to call.
stephanie
oh yes, speech is so overrated.
people had friends when they were still apes, no?
steve
and you are awesome (obviously)
Cool cat
exactly, they are like a genre: comedies, adventures, dramas, french films.
Walter
i don’t know if my opinion on French cinema is worth anything but i believe that
a. Luc Besson is a gifted, amazing artist
b. his films are not typically French.
Although i was joking when i wrote that about French films, there is a common thread, basically that there is this existential angst in many of them, they are very stylish, rely on dialogue too much, even when they have lots of action and they are microscopic rather than macroscopic in their world view, again, my opinion.
Sophie
don’t be jealous, come over.
Zona
Certainement.Apparently they don’t just eat nice cheese and wear berets.
Gina
i don’t know why people think that Greece is so fantastic, but do come by all means!
Greg
you are so right. happiness is not that bad.
friends who visit me just need to let me know about their food preferences, other than that they don’t make me nervous. I just don’t want to be an Oompa Loompa and give them a green delicacy they might consider disgusting to eat.
October 26th, 2006 at 2:54 am
You don’t know why Greece is so fantastic…? Well, take a look around
Sounds like great fun, having a blogling over! We’ll come hunt you down too, the next time we’re there! Have fun
October 26th, 2006 at 2:56 am
Oh, and you must have changed it just now (?) - fascinating new banner
Me like.
October 26th, 2006 at 5:03 am
Hope you have a wonderful time.
Take care,
Connie
October 26th, 2006 at 5:19 am
scholiast
athens is a concrete city. that’s what i see when i look around me: concrete!
I’d love to see you when you are here.
Connie
thank you my sweet Connie. I can’t wait to see you too. Hugs xx
October 26th, 2006 at 8:26 am
How exciting to meet up with a Blogger friend! Have a great time!..Hope u take pics
October 26th, 2006 at 8:36 am
friendship has it’s own launguage and the two of you will find was to communicate.
October 26th, 2006 at 10:38 am
I love the new banner up there, cute, like a red mushroom. Now I dreamt I was in Greece!! I’m becoming a little concerned about my dreams lately lol
It is a good idea: I should try other art forms
October 26th, 2006 at 10:41 am
I believe civilisations and culture are determined by the seasonal weather. The only reason the British had an empire was to escape the rain and find some sun. Well that and the hunt for tea bags.
October 26th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
i just know you are hanging out
with Steph eating feta and
drinking ouzo:(
humph.
October 26th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
chloe, i want you to take me to see the white houses with the blue doors. we’ll eat at little cafe’s and shop at used book stores and eat dessert in wrought iron bistro chairs. you can ditch me while i lay out. i dont know what WESLEY will do, cause i am hanging with you sister. maybe just me and sophie will come together.
wes can watch the kiddos. ROFL>
October 27th, 2006 at 5:24 am
Love the mushroom (no one would try to make me eat it if it had been coloured in!)
And I love the idea of a blog meet conducted through the computer. So you get to see and hear and smell each other, but if that communication thing gets tricky, you’ve got the best back up.