Brain Dump

Going back to last weekend, King Lear was unforgettable. I find myself wondering how anybody could write such a thing. There are so many brilliant lines (including Fi fie fo fum, I smell the blood of an English man from Jack and the Beanstalk) flying by that it's difficult to keep track, and the intersection of love and cruelty and faithfulness and treachery is almost unimaginable. I saw Lear when I was around 15, with Lee J. Cobb as Lear. What I remember most was that the character Gloucester has his name inexplicably pronounced Gloster, and that said Gloucester gets his eyes torn out. Again, how does someone think of having a character yell "Out vile jelly!" and then tear someone's eye out? This isn't based on a historical event, it's pure fiction. Of course, the version I saw didn't have Lear strip naked. This version did, much to the surprise of my daughters.I was also surprised by how funny it is in parts, though it doesn't sound funny in the retelling.

As for the Phillies, it's hard to say anything beyond "Well, that's sports!" As bad as getting swept by Colorado was, I wouldn't have given up the moment they clinched the NL East for anything. I've seen the final game of 4 World Series in New York, 3 wins and one loss (ask me about the 1977 Series). The wins are, of course, more fun. But as my daughter said on Thursday, "They're cheering for a groundout!" You just can't get that kind of thing any other time of year. Baseball is a game of failure and suffering and waiting and exhilaration. That's probably why the Jews like it so much.

Finally, I got a letter from a woman I know in Oakland who is the sister of one of my best friends from college, who died of a brain tumor 5 years ago (though it doesn't feel nearly so long). She found a letter that I'd sent him in 1979, after a cross-country train trip. A couple of things really caught my eye. First, I was very surprised how much I sound like me. I mean, I've grown up and changed a lot since 1979, at least I hope I have. Here's a passage: Right now I'm in Westchester County Courthouse, attempting to disqualify myself from jury duty, since I no longer live in Westchester. It could be fun, actually, but I've gotta look for a job now, and I can't afford 2 weeks worrying about the proper administration of justice and all that crap.

Second, there's a P.S. saying I'd gotten accepted to Wharton. So my life took a big change in course after May 4, 1979.

I really miss my friend Richard. He was a world-class procrastinator and never really did "accomplish" much in his life, but he was as true a friend as one could hope to have to me and a number of others, and one of the most decent people I've ever met. He also introduced me to Bruce Springsteen back in 1974 and he was my companion for my first (of 5) cross-country camping trips. He was also a big Phillies fan, and I sure would have liked to have seen that Sunday game with him.