I do not know how some ideas “pop” into my head. I work for the most part by myself during the day and live on my own at night. Sometimes, I will read, watch or maybe even hear something that catches my mind. And while I am going about my work, I start “playing” with the idea in my head. In a matter of time, I am making notes. I like doing this on my own at work. I do not share what so ever these ideas directly with them. I do not even mention this site. They are not people who I would seek their input from on this endeavor. Besides it is important some times to keep the various aspects of your life into “separate and distinct” corners.
Before I get into the premise for this post. And I hinted towards it in the title. I was thinking about it as I went about my work. I was also listening to my MP3 player when this song came on.
And then I started thinking about a couple of other songs that could relate to it and its theme.
Ready for the music leap?
Both of the following songs use “capital punishment” as an allegory about “reckoning”. That final coming to terms with one’s own actions.
And now let me shift gears. Everyone experiences a certain amount of Pathos in their life. The Greeks defined as “(represents an appeal to the audience’s emotions. Pathos is a communication technique used most often in rhetoric (where it is considered one of the three modes of persuasion, alongside ethos and logos), and in literature, film and other narrative art.” However, this “mode” or “method” (depending on how you look at it) does not get that favorable of a view.There are a lot of people telling you should avoid it. They sell plenty of products that ease if not eliminate it. It is all contrary to the quote “We need to do more with less.” This quote has been thrown about for years. It seems to be highlighted more as gas prices rises. And guess no one has ever bought into the quote fully. Just go to any store. There are more items available than ever before. And then there are plenty of drugs available to “curb” the feeling. I really do not want to get started on the lawyer ads on TV that promise “Hurt? Damaged? I can make you whole again. Minus 30% in the small print.”
It is all about how you process the experience. What insights you draw out. The only people who seem to be voicing this are the comedians.
I listen to Marc Maron’s WTF? Podcast. Or Doug Stanhope albums. There is a degree of Pathos to their work but instead of hiding from it they decide to air it out. There is a degree of honesty to their work. You may not fully agree with them but you have to admit they make you think about your own positions. But right now it seems everyone wants to “draw sides” rather than think of the potential “possibilities” that may exist. The outcry for people like that is to “Be nice”. Which is ridiculous. Because “Nice” rarely equates to “Funny”. Or even challenges people to even “think”.
There is one comedian I want to highlight and that is Louis CK. His own show on cable is that blend of humor and pathos that is somewhat based on his own life. His show is not formatted like your typical sitcom show. It has a slight experimental film quality to it. And it goes into some very “dark” spots to get to some humor. Most people rarely want to go there via any humor.
(NOTE: All the video clips in the rest of this post contain Explicit Language and Situations)
First, I want to show some examples of his work from his first show that was on for a season on HBO called Lucky Louie.
It is funny that his daughter will not accept the answers for the simple things but the complex one at the end she goes for.
I do not have kids. But I have watched my friends with theirs. And I can tell you. Even though they won’t admit it. The scenario and its reaction are very true.
His current series allows his real comedy and the action of the storyline to come together. Hulu and Netflix are streaming Season 1. I am catching up on Season 2 episodes as they are available on Hulu. I think I may get the DVD sets because this is show I can see myself watching over again trying to pick up on the nuisances of the show. Season 2 featured some good moments. I wish I could find the clips to share. There was when Louie meets up with Dane Cook and has to resolve their feelings towards each other. It is based on the real life saga where Dane Cook was accused of stealing Louis CK’s jokes. There was an episode where Joan Rivers consults him on the fact his career will have highs and lows and he cannot control when they will happen to him in his career. The best one was when Doug Stanhope starred as Eddie a comedian who started with Louie. However, his career did not pan out like Louie’s did and he is there to say “Goodbye” as he was going off to kill himself. There are laughs but against the drama it is a really good moment of Pathos. The other part, of the show is that Louie CK is willing to make himself the “butt of the joke”. He is willing to be the victim.
Here are some clips.
Lesson: Your friend should never be your doctor.
Lesson: TSA needs to lighten up.
Lesson 2: It takes a brave man to admit to his “failings” or admit to his “needs”.
Lesson: Men have to at some point make peace with their own “vitality”.
The following demonstrates how humor and openness can make a conversation go deeper than normal.
The following is a clip from an episode that is not available yet. Doug Stanhope guest stars as “Eddie” who was a comedian who started with Louie back when they were younger. However, “Eddie’s” career never really took off. He meets up with Louie to say “Goodbye” because he is going off to kill himself. This clip highlights Louis’ reaction to what he has heard from his friend. His response breaks away from what is considered typical TV drama reaction to the moment.
Here is a clip where Louis (in real life) responds to the nuisances of modern life.
Pathos and memories can really make you take that “Alice-in-Wonderland-Trip-Down-the-Rabbit-Hole”. And I am going to switch back to another song to close this out. I always thought this song from Tom Petty was about an “old girlfriend who will not go away”. But the more I listen to it the song my work on that level but I think it more about those memories (that we all have) that never seem to come to a definitive resolutions in our minds. Plus the video uses the “Alice in Wonderland” motif.
Quick advice. The best thing to do with your old yearbooks is to let them collect dust.
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