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Health & Fitness

So It Goes

Fondly remembering old favorites and finding new artistic treasures in books and film.

Recently, I was rereading Kurt Vonnegut’s final novel, "Timequake." It’s a quirky story that is part fiction and part reflection of his own remarkable life. It got me to thinking that I’ll never have the pleasure of reading a new Vonnegut book. In the past, I would look forward to buying each new book. He was the only author whose novels I would buy in the hardback edition. I enjoyed the trip to the book store, checking out the new cover art, taking it home, cracking it open and savoring the experience.

But, I’ll never have that experience again. So it goes. The same could be said of the films of Stanley Kubrick. When each new Kubrick movie opened, it became a tradition for me to take off from work that Friday afternoon, sit in a dark theater with a handful of strangers and let the film wash over me. No more.

Both artists have made my life richer. Vonnegut’s humanistic and humorous writing revealed a wonderfully skewed view of contemporary America. Kubrick’s films always set a new standard in cinema and became part of our culture. Fortunately, their work lives on. I can and have revisited their books and films. One can gain new insights into their output tempered with life experiences and maturity. Thanks to the magic of DVDs, I can pop in a Kubrick film anytime and watch it over and over if I wish.

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When the idea hit me that I would not be able to relish a new work by either man, my first thought was a tinge of regret. I had lost one of the joys in my life. The fleeting thought of impending old age crept into my consciousness. I was starting to sound like one of those grumpy old men who say things like, “Back in my time ...“ or “Things these days aren’t as good as they used to be.”

That was a scary thought. Who wants to become a grumpy old man? Sure, things have passed, never to return. That doesn’t mean you can’t find new things to replace them.

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Will there ever be an author and filmmaker to replace what I experienced as a kid in the works of Vonnegut and Kubrick? No, but I am not a kid anymore. Only one youth per customer.

However, I am now a middle-aged adult. I can’t see the world through youthful eyes anymore. I thought, “Is there anyone around today to replace my favorites?”

Without giving it much effort, two current artists quickly came to mind: author Nick Hornby and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. I admit that I eagerly look forward to their new releases. Oddly enough, both artists are about my age.

Hornby is a British novelist, essayist and screenwriter. I discovered his work a few years ago and became hooked. I believe the first Hornby book I read was "High Fidelity." It had been made into a fun little picture starring John Cusack. I quickly made my way through his back catalog including, "About A Boy," "How To Be Good," "A Long Way Down," "Slam and Juliet," "Naked." I have found a new author to savor. Hornby’s novels are gentle and funny reflections on decent people just trying to make it through life.

Tarantino’s work is well known to the general public. As a filmmaker, he delivers movies that are wildly inventive, passionate, genre-busting and entertaining as hell. They hold up to multiple viewings. When I thought about it, I have seen most of his current films on a Friday afternoon in a dark theater with a handful of strangers.

So, I can resist the pull of becoming a grumpy old man, contemplating the decline of excellence in the world. There are still great things out there to enjoy and embrace. You just have to keep a youthful curiosity and a willingness to embrace something new.

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