“Oh God. Is it wrong to be gay but still have ‘gay shame’ as it’s humorously called by hip fags in the U.K.? Embarrassed at the old-school poofs who exaggerate the stereotype and give the new queer generation a gayly incorrect name? It’s a tough call. I remember when Divine first saw Richard Simmons and confessed that he felt homophobic.” (161)
“I’m too tired to think dirty.
The room is actually fine. At least there’s decent lighting, something many hotels (even fancy ones) neglect to consider. Not everyone fucks in the motel rooms-some people read!” (221)
does this man ever know how to live life! there’s a reason that a drawing of him is framed on my wall, and that is it. i can only aspire to have his career and joie de vivre at mid-70 (i only intend to live until 85, after all). this one was another that i have to thank the philly free library podcast for, and i am absolutely charmed when he’s on a junket. like a fine, trashy wine fermenting in a tetra pack, john waters ages the finest, and i sip with two straws. forget murakami-this man’s mind is so fantastic i’m ready to believe in his magic realism. a robbery victim pleading for her life because she has tickets to see drake in wichita, an alien probe leading to a temporarily magic asshole, “goiter odor”, urine drinking, guys who get off on monster trucks, divine everywhere (coincidence?), throwing a kid out the window, seeing the dictator and judging fat kids, and even murder-i was ready to accept all of this (only some of it is true). that’s the power of the great one.
“Can I really give up the rigid scheduling I’m so used to in real life? Me? The ultimate control freak who plans, weeks ahead, the day I can irresponsibly eat candy?” (5)
“This is the first car I have ever been in where I notice roaches.” (166)
“….and I just keep talking like a phone-sex worker desperate to keep a caller on the line. The longer I can keep them entertained, the farther Sarah might take me.” (203)
“Truckers are everywhere, and yes, a few of them are incredibly cute, but in real, unporn life most of them are, well, ugly. Just like film directors, I guess.” (239)
i love that he loves almodovar, and having just seen i’m so excited, i wonder what he thought of that. also-the commentary on the dictator that he avoided giving-i want that.
i sign off with his immortal insight: “if you go home with someone, and they have no books at their house-DON’T FUCK THEM.”
branch used: annette st.
duolingo status update: italian level 8, 235 day streak, 2022 lingots
watching: the (american) office-season two, oz-season two
book everyone wants to talk to me on the subway about: go wild by raty and manning
listening to: wideright podcast
metrotextual 