My Dear Friends,
What I mean is that, after about 19 months of not knowing whether we might be neither here nor there, sort of in a dream world between reality and a nightmare, should this virus thing go on too long, then we all might just wake up in the autumn of our lives, and find that the leaves have turned from green to red and brown…..if you get my drift.
Knowing what I know about readers here on the Pub Forum, I know that most of you know John Cheever, not to mention John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers.
Also, knowing that most of the guys here on this Pub Forum are just about as old as you can be, without actually dying from old age, then I know that your levels of wisdom are about as high as they can be, without actually becoming godlike.
If you have never read the story by Cheever, The Swimmer, might I suggest that you quickly do so before you become even older, and lose the opportunity to become enthralled with a yarn worth its salt.
You guys realize that, when it really comes right down to it, there is such a dearth of true intellectual stimulation in Pattaya, no matter how stimulating some of the people there often prove to be.
So, let us just say that it might be possible to swim one’s way from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, just by going from one swimming pool, to the next, and the next. And let us just treat this as another thought experiment for purely entertainment purposes which might also help us to overcome the boredom due to Omicron.
The days, these days, do seem to be becoming ever colder…and so….
…. For those who may not have read, seen, or heard about “The Swimmer”, John Cheever, or Burt Lancaster (what a hunk), here are a few helpful hints:
aa. The original story in The New Yorker: I think that this story is free to read without a subscription to The New Yorker magazine: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1964/07/18/the-swimmer
bb. The film Trailer (1968)
cc. There are quite a number of learned articles written about Cheever and his Swimmer. I leave it to you to investigate this further.
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My Dear Friends,
As January continues to become colder, even though not many leaves might fall from trees in Thailand, still, it is possible to appreciate many of the themes apparent in Cheever's swimmer.
If only where were more swimming pools on the way from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, then someone in this Pub might be able to write an update to Cheever's wonderful story.
The days are becoming shorter, my friends. And, the loss of two years due to this virus has not helped our moods, I would imagine.
Stay safe, Me Hearties!
Read Books, too!, unlike some we know in Pattaya, who may not.
Because, for some, in Pattaya, probably, there is less time for reading, and more time for swimming and diving, and other water sports, conceivably.
Do not get sidetracked by baser pursuits.
Keep your morals about you, just simply because doing so will lead to further happiness for you, and far fewer hassles.
Follow the good path, my friends, and never look back.
In the end, for sure, you will find more happiness through NOT pursuing it in the bars.
Happiness is just too elusive, and should never be actively chased.
Let Happiness falleth like the gentle rain, is my advice.
Don't obsess about it. And, don't try to force it.
Take care, My Friends.
Try to stay out of the bars,
Go swimming in the mornings, and relax on the beautiful beaches in the cool afternoons of January.
Get more sunshine, and more vitamin D from the sun, if not vitamin D3 from pills.
My very best to you,
Sincerely,
Glob