Do You Find the Flick, “The Swimmer”, Germane and Illuminating about our Feelings during commonly-shared Virus-induced Circumstances? What about the Story, "The Swimmer"?

[GammaGlobulin]

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.

 

========

 

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

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

Sorry:  I forgot to mention that, during the 1970's, I had watched Burt Lancaster's performances without true appreciation, and we young kids ridiculed him, mercilessly when we were in our teens.

 

And now, in my old age, I see this guy's performances in a more accurate way, I think.

 

Sure, his name, Burt Lancaster is still hilarious.

 

Yet, this guy could act!

He was great.

 

Maybe, these days, I have a bit more understanding about this actor.

 

Also, John Cheever:  A great writer.  Many of you already know him.  Certainly you do if you have ever read The New Yorker, back in the day when this magazine was truly amazing.

 

((Thank you for changing and improving the Topic Title here.  Great.))

[bojo]

speaking of Autumn Leaves/les feuilles mortes.................................I love this rendition..................

 

 

[Tippaporn]

5 hours ago, bojo said:

speaking of Autumn Leaves/les feuilles mortes.................................I love this rendition..................

Well, for those not at all familiar with the song it might be helpful to have a listen to the original Nat King Cole Autumn Leaves from the October 29, 1957 episode of The Nat King Cole Show in order to judge covers of it.  Eva Cassidy's was excellent, though.
 

 

[RandiRona]

Here cometh the weekly assignment... Hallelujah!!

[GammaGlobulin]

8 minutes ago, RandiRona said:

Here cometh the weekly assignment... Hallelujah!!

Be happy during the next seven days.

Never once, during these days, be glum.

Then, please report back here with your results.

[Tippaporn]

23 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Be happy during the next seven days.

Never once, during these days, be glum.

Then, please report back here with your results.

Melancholy was the brightest emotion I felt reading Cheever's The Swimmer.  I had a good run of cheerful days going until your suggestion to read it snapped it.  LOL

[Tippaporn]

8 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

<snip>

 

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.

<snip>

". . . 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, . . . "

Believe me, it's been obvious from Day One that this has been a manufactured nightmarish reality courtesy of that one human emotion which can always be reliably counted upon to get the masses to discard all reason and critical thinking skills in a sliver of a fraction of a New York minute . . . Fear.  Ask any tyrant if this is true.

 

". . . should this virus thing go on too long, . . . "

Look no deeper into your crystal ball than the present day and behold The Terrifying Omicron, wielder of the mighty sword of The Case Load, and annihilator of Human Freedoms.

Okay, okay, maybe a bit overdone, just like Omicron, right?  The weakest and most innoxious of all variants triggering the most disproportionate and excessive responses from every corrupt western regime to date.  They ain't ever giving this up.  Think about it . . . .

 

Unlimited powers bestowed by themselves upon themselves with unquestionable 'live-saving' justifications to dictate any whim they chose without ever having to produce any evidence in support of their freedom robbing power grabs.  And the fearful masses grovel at their feet and with a "hidey-hi-ho, Supreme Leader" cheer before charging into the dark winter to go forth with pitchforks and torches to hunt down The Damnable Unvaxxed.

Now that's a great script.  Too bad Cheever has long since passed and the New Yorker has also long since passed as a once respectable and reputable magazine.

 

". . . then we all might just wake up in the autumn of our lives, . . . "

 

Perhaps never wake up from our sleep, as the jab case may be.

I swear it seems we're living in another age of mass psychosis.

 

Edited January 10, 2022 by Tippaporn

[simon43]

On 1/10/2022 at 6:51 AM, Tippaporn said:

". . . 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, . . . "

Believe me, it's been obvious from Day One that this has been a manufactured nightmarish reality courtesy of that one human emotion which can always be reliably counted upon to get the masses to discard all reason and critical thinking skills in a sliver of a fraction of a New York minute . . . Fear.  Ask any tyrant if this is true.

 

". . . should this virus thing go on too long, . . . "

Look no deeper into your crystal ball than the present day and behold The Terrifying Omicron, wielder of the mighty sword of The Case Load, and annihilator of Human Freedoms.

Okay, okay, maybe a bit overdone, just like Omicron, right?  The weakest and most innoxious of all variants triggering the most disproportionate and excessive responses from every corrupt western regime to date.  They ain't ever giving this up.  Think about it . . . .

 

Unlimited powers bestowed by themselves upon themselves with unquestionable 'live-saving' justifications to dictate any whim they chose without ever having to produce any evidence in support of their freedom robbing power grabs.  And the fearful masses grovel at their feet and with a "hidey-hi-ho, Supreme Leader" cheer before charging into the dark winter to go forth with pitchforks and torches to hunt down The Damnable Unvaxxed.

Now that's a great script.  Too bad Cheever has long since passed and the New Yorker has also long since passed as a once respectable and reputable magazine.

 

". . . then we all might just wake up in the autumn of our lives, . . . "

 

Perhaps never wake up from our sleep, as the jab case may be.

I swear it seems we're living in another age of mass psychosis.

 

Lol, speak for yourself.  I think the vast majority are getting on with their lives just fine, without fear, without belief in nutjob theories, without being 'sheeple' or whatever that word is. 

[TropicalGuy]

Always a cult movie in my mind … genius short story writing and b&w film production……dark , mysterious & compelling……..

 

[mtls2005]

Awesome story, so-so film adaptation.

 

This 1992 Levi's commercial - with the awesome Dinah Washington's Mad ABout the Boy backing - is a tribute to the story/film.

 

It's title "Swimmer".

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QthmSn3SaH4

 

Lancaster films that stuck: Field of Dreams, The Train, The Professionals, Birdman of Alcatraz, Elmer Gantry.

 

[GammaGlobulin]

On 1/10/2022 at 9:51 AM, Tippaporn said:

". . . 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, . . . "

Believe me, it's been obvious from Day One that this has been a manufactured nightmarish reality courtesy of that one human emotion which can always be reliably counted upon to get the masses to discard all reason and critical thinking skills in a sliver of a fraction of a New York minute . . . Fear.  Ask any tyrant if this is true.

 

". . . should this virus thing go on too long, . . . "

Look no deeper into your crystal ball than the present day and behold The Terrifying Omicron, wielder of the mighty sword of The Case Load, and annihilator of Human Freedoms.

Okay, okay, maybe a bit overdone, just like Omicron, right?  The weakest and most innoxious of all variants triggering the most disproportionate and excessive responses from every corrupt western regime to date.  They ain't ever giving this up.  Think about it . . . .

 

Unlimited powers bestowed by themselves upon themselves with unquestionable 'live-saving' justifications to dictate any whim they chose without ever having to produce any evidence in support of their freedom robbing power grabs.  And the fearful masses grovel at their feet and with a "hidey-hi-ho, Supreme Leader" cheer before charging into the dark winter to go forth with pitchforks and torches to hunt down The Damnable Unvaxxed.

Now that's a great script.  Too bad Cheever has long since passed and the New Yorker has also long since passed as a once respectable and reputable magazine.

 

". . . then we all might just wake up in the autumn of our lives, . . . "

 

Perhaps never wake up from our sleep, as the jab case may be.

I swear it seems we're living in another age of mass psychosis.

 

As you say, accurately, and so sorrowfully....The New Yorker has passed, may it rest in peace.

 

You are completely correct.

 

But, what about The Atlantic???

 

Has The Atlantic become just another Titanic? 

 

Great magazines are sinking all around us, and nobody cares.

 

These days, one might think, there is really no point in reading anymore, since there is no more to read.

 

Herman Wouk wrote his last novel, as far as I know, very close to age 101.  That was a few years ago.

 

Now, Wouk is dead.

And, my interest in reading novels is definitely dead.

Long live FACEBOOK!

 

Note:  Evan Osnos, who wrote and maybe still writes for The New Yorker, is a fairly gifted writer and thinker, particularly about China, yet he, and many more writers like him, are half the stature of a Cheever.

Edited January 13, 2022 by GammaGlobulin

[Tippaporn]

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

Lol, speak for yourself.  I think the vast majority are getting on with their lives just fine, without fear, without belief in nutjob theories, without being 'sheeple' or whatever that word is. 

simon43, we've both been on TV a long time, you and I.  I've read many of your posts through the years as they are usually of excellent quality.  Your latest move to Mauritius, for instance.  So it puzzles me that you can write the above.  The contrast is almost in the vein of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

You may disagree with those of opposing viewpoints and that is your right, as it is the right of any man to disagree with yours.  But to do so with abject disrespect, utter disdain, and dripping with venom does not speak well for you.  Are you incapable of otherwise approaching a subject matter with rationality, curiosity, and respect or are you merely reduced to vindictiveness, spewing only bitter and hateful epitaphs brought on by biases and closemindedness?

If you want to actually discuss the subject in a serious manner, based on actual facts, all in an effort to uncover real truth on an issue that is so destructive in nature then I would most willingly oblige you.  But please, you're an excellent and respected poster, do not disrespect yourself with posts like the one above.

[Tippaporn]

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

As you say, accurately, and so sorrowfully....The New Yorker has passed, may it rest in peace.

 

You are completely correct.

 

But, what about The Atlantic???

 

Has The Atlantic become just another Titanic? 

 

Great magazines are sinking all around us, and nobody cares.

 

These days, one might think, there is really no point in reading anymore, since there is no more to read.

 

Herman Wouk wrote his last novel, as far as I know, very close to age 101.  That was a few years ago.

 

Now, Wouk is dead.

And, my interest in reading novels is definitely dead.

Long live FACEBOOK!

 

Note:  Evan Osnos, who wrote and maybe still writes for The New Yorker, is a fairly gifted writer and thinker, particularly about China, yet he, and many more writers like him, are half the stature of a Cheever.

Compare movies of the silver screen era to the movies churned out by Hollywood today.  Art in many forms has suffered over the last 50 years in my humble opinion.

[Tippaporn]

2 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

<snip>

 

Lancaster films that stuck: Field of Dreams, The Train, The Professionals, Birdman of Alcatraz, Elmer Gantry.

Just downloaded Elmer Gantry a few days ago.  Earned Lancaster an Oscar.  Should watch it this weekend.

[GammaGlobulin]

18 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

simon43, we've both been on TV a long time, you and I.  I've read many of your posts through the years as they are usually of excellent quality.  Your latest move to Mauritius, for instance.  So it puzzles me that you can write the above.  The contrast is almost in the vein of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

You may disagree with those of opposing viewpoints and that is your right, as it is the right of any man to disagree with yours.  But to do so with abject disrespect, utter disdain, and dripping with venom does not speak well for you.  Are you incapable of otherwise approaching a subject matter with rationality, curiosity, and respect or are you merely reduced to vindictiveness, spewing only bitter and hateful epitaphs brought on by biases and closemindedness?

If you want to actually discuss the subject in a serious manner, based on actual facts, all in an effort to uncover real truth on an issue that is so destructive in nature then I would most willingly oblige you.  But please, you're an excellent and respected poster, do not disrespect yourself with posts like the one above.

If one insists on disrespecting anyone, then it is far better to disrespect oneself, rather than the alternative.

If one were to continually wrong others, by these barbs, then one might just wind up walled in a wine cellar, bricked up like Fortunato.

 

Have you ever had a cask of Amontillado, in an evening?

 

I believe that you are a teacher.

 

If so, then it is better to teach than to do almost anything else.

 

Chok Di

[Tippaporn]

6 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

If one insists on disrespecting anyone, then it is far better to disrespect oneself, rather than the alternative.

If one were to continually wrong others, by these barbs, then one might just wind up walled in a wine cellar, bricked up like Fortunato.

 

Have you ever had a cask of Amontillado, in an evening?

 

I believe that you are a teacher.

 

If so, then it is better to teach than to do almost anything else.

 

Chok Di

We are all both teacher and student in this world.

[Stocky]

Is there currently a competition for longest title thread?

[scubascuba3]

I thought The Swimmer with Burt Lancaster was so good i bought the video, maybe 20+ years ago, another example of stumbling on a movie on TV by accident

[GammaGlobulin]

16 minutes ago, Stocky said:

Is there currently a competition for longest title thread?

No.

Long titles, apparently, are frowned upon.

 

When composing your TV titles, might I suggest emulating composers of Haiku.

Works for me,...anyway.

 

Here is an example:

 

old pond

frog leaps in

water's sound

 

No more than seven words should be enough for any TV topic title, in most cases.