(no subject)

[scottopic]

These two quotes sum up so much of what's going on -- how I feel in relation to so many of you and how I feel in relation to me:

"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around - nobody big, I mean - except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be."

"Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them - if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn't education. It's history. It's poetry."

(both from Catcher in the Rye)

I'm not sure I could explain, and I'm not sure it's for me to explain. I like them though, and perhaps will let them just say whatever they'll say to you for themselves.

Comments

[fairyhead.livejournal.com]

JD Salinger was the first author that I ever felt sad, knowing that I'd read all that they've written. He was also the first author that I'd ration out the books/stories I'd not yet read.

His and Wharton's stuff, sitting at various intervals on our bookshelves, just reassures me sometimes.

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

I understand ;)

[fairyhead.livejournal.com]

Sometime, I'd really like to talk books with you, if you're interested. The past few years, it's been very difficult for me to find people with even a small overlap with the books that I'm interested. While Adrien and Faidra will let me babble on and on about the books I'm reading, it would be nice to be able to actually talk about authors/books that are common between me and someone else.

I hadn't even realized that you cared about Salinger, prior to this post.

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

Ha, yes. I excel in being "jack of all genres, master of none" --- but have special appreciation for certain key areas and stories. Lots seem to be "sole disaffected youth" -- this, Demian, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, To Kill a Mockingbird, Run with the Horses. But it expands outward -- I have a pretty heavy showing for "Modern" British lit and Romantic and Existentialist writers (the only areas of poetry I can say I "like")

So...all over the map. I'm sure they'll be overlap in multiple places!

[fairyhead.livejournal.com]

Heh, how cringe-worthy is this? I couldn't even name particular authors that qualify as 'modern' British lit or Romantic.

Remember, I went to a tech school and majored in Business ...

However, I'm heartened by you thinking there will be some overlap. You know, for me, mostly, if bone-crushing, depressing, or bone-crushing depressing can be applied to the book, I might have read it. Though, I don't think of Salinger or Hesse to be depressing (that probably gives a weird, weird insight into how my brain works). :)

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my Lit degree was essentially a handy dandy chart of what label fit where!

And some floof...

[servingdonuts.livejournal.com]

I like them too.

[shadowcynic.livejournal.com]

I hope you're not feeling compelled to carry a copy of that book with you wherever you go, because I'm a tinfoil hat nutbag, and I think I know what that means...

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

John Lennon represents the biggest faker, ever.

[morbid-o.livejournal.com]

It's ok, if the need arises, I've got an emergency supply of hats pre-crafted to various head sizes. with those, a rubberband, a baseball bat, and a few springs, I'm prepared to prevent brain hijacking in any emergency.

[unrepentant.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I'm illiterate.

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

Too bad, because much of this was aimed at you.

[unrepentant.livejournal.com]

Anyone learns anything from MY journal, they're gonna have to answer to ME!

[onesoul.livejournal.com]

total side note... happy early birthday... I hope you find a way to celebrate your living here in a time where I can know you... because I adore you so :)

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)

[moncrief.livejournal.com]

i have spent the majority of the day feeling like one of the children but i knew the cliff was there. i feel better now

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

Good!!

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

Do you want to be?

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

I think it behooves us to find a space in which we can run free on occasion ;)

[catholicpsyche.livejournal.com]

Do catch me. Catch me now I'm falling.

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

Well, this yoke is easy - this burden is light!

[i-am-devilbunny.livejournal.com]

I only recently read the book, after our friend Andy died.
'Cause it was his favorite.
I liked this part though since it reminded me so much of highschool.
"'Life *is* a game boy. Life *is* a game that one plays according to the rules.'......
....Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it's a game, all right-
I'll admit that. But if you get on the *other* side, where there aren't any hot-shots, then what's a game about it?
Nothing. No game.

that's beautiful

[seigebell.livejournal.com]

ah your post makes me want to read Catcher again. I found that reading a wonderful release, like "wow, i can actually identify with this thought process" and I feel a tremendous resonance to your post.

"it's a rich exchange" - joni mitchell

(http://www.platinum-celebs.com/song/286390/jericho/) ()

Re: that's beautiful

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

I think that's why we're here, y'know, Ins?

[theinnocence.livejournal.com]

are you feeling lost without a purpose?
or are you just the hamburglar looking for rye buns?

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

All about the buns, baby.

[theinnocence.livejournal.com]

PERVERT! those are children in them fields!

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

Good :)

[unrepentant.livejournal.com]

[purvis.livejournal.com]

Whats up man?! Sorry I missed your message. I am on spring break this week. Thinking about making a trip to the Atl. You gonna be around? Hit me up and I will see what I can do to see you. Man o man do I have some stories.....

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

yes. My phone number is 404-593-6666
We MUST get in touch!
Stories here, too!