Thursday 29 July 2010

But, For Mine Own Part, it Was Greek to Me.

There is a lot of confusion around what is, despite its simplicity. The speculation about what may be, in time, and the memory of what has been, in time, coloured by the conditioning of the being that is speculating and remembering, seems to cause great consternation. Is there a story, or isn't there? And what is its importance? Are there great energies pulling all of mankind in the direction of evil or harmony? Is mankind (and all that is surveyed, and the awareness that this surveyance happens in) the energy itself? What is truth, and what is its relevance? Is clear seeing of what is, unfettered by conditioning, speculation, or memory, the awesome goal of all humanity? Or is this seeming unfolding just as it must be, with no changes needed, including the need to change the urge to change it? Is this play of life something to be embraced or detached from, and who is it that does the embracing and detaching? And are these concepts, in any form, useful in any way, to anyone - including the idea of usefulness?

There are billions - perhaps more - of stories apparently unfolding, both in imagination and in "real life", both symbolically and naturally. (A trillion here, a trillion there, and pretty soon you're talking about some real numbers.) You are all the stories, without having to know the details of the unfolding; they can be imagined. Upon the still crucible of you - of what is you, most you, fundamentally you, your existence - turns the whole universe, and everything that enquiry and imagination can fathom; all infinite parallel universes, all concepts of nothingness and bliss, all feelings of alienation and belonging, all answers and all questions; on that still point, your being, the Dreidel of existence, spins all creation and negation. It is all, contains all, and simply is. That is what you are. You are everything. Now.


Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe was a delightful surprise from Fanny Flagg, the writer, who seemed to be mainly a pone-talkin' panelist on MatchGame in the 70's and 80's. The family watched this together at the villa in Crete and, despite the warmth, beauty and calorific food all around, the film was one of the highlights of our holiday. Kathy Bates, again, takes what is given to her and does her absolute best; her performances are so assured that they seem to be equally parody and homage, whether it be in Misery or The Water Boy (she must have needed some money to take on the latter film!). Even the most "enlightened" amongst us can enjoy a bit of earthy retribution. Towanda!

13 comments:

Gorilla Bananas said...

Driving would be much more fun if everyone had a dodgem car. I'm ashamed to admit I've never eaten a fried green tomato. Is it good? What spices are required?

Leslie said...

Hey Suzanne...Welcome back. God...the kids are 'adorable'....I'm sure they'd love that description. Is that you in the upper left hand corner? Great depiction of wild abandon...as was the car crunching. That must've been soooo much fun.
XOXO
-Leslie

No One In Particular said...

Hi GB, they're great, a bit tart, and need to be fried until nice and soft inside a thin crust of flour. Just flour, fine cornmeal, salt, pepper and a deep fat fryer - Southern-fried Nirvana is reached.

No One In Particular said...

Hi Leslie, yes, they're at the stage where "adorable" would be met with rolling eyeballs. Wild abandon is great, but takes a LOT of energy!

Brenda (betaphi) said...

Hi Suzanne
When I thought (jealously!) of you and your family (beautiful!) on the isle of Crete, I kept wondering, Can they see off-shore drilling platforms there? There was a time when you couldn't see them from the Gulf Coast but now you can. I've never been to the Mediterranean.

No One In Particular said...

Hi Brenda, no, just blue blue sea.

Leslie said...

LOVE it when they roll the eyeballs. That's the best part.
XOXO
-Leslie

No One In Particular said...

Hey Leslie, I love it when they dispute every statement, no matter how minor. Talk about duality!

Anonymous said...

Hi Suzanne,

In my youth - some 45 years ago - it felt more the other way round: Adults were constantly making mountains out of molehills and endlessly concerning themselves with matters they shouldn’t. And then I became a rebel. ;-)

Bye the way, did you get back to England all right before the lorry driver's strike hit Greece?

All the best
Burghard :-)

Tapestry said...

Hi Suzanne...one of my all time favorite movies - thank you for the reminder that Towanda too is that which is.

No One In Particular said...

Hi Burghard, whatever the kids do, they do it to reinforce their otherness...egos being honed. And there's nothing wrong with it. And the lorry strike started the day we left, but it didn't effect us at all - the rental Suzuki Jimny had a full tank of gas.

No One In Particular said...

Hi Tapestry, it's a good film alright, full of female energy. I read that it's a favourite film of lesbians...although I have to admit, that didn't really occur to me when seeing Idgy and Ruth's unfolding relationship. Lotta rules for social conformity in the American South of the 30's!

Tapestry said...

Absolute Truth - all of it. :)