"You are never too old to make a new plan or dream a new dream."
My tutor quoted this C.S. Lewis line several summers ago, and it would make me smile during these idle moments. I received my B.A. degree a few months ago, but I haven't drawn out my career plans. It happened that my parents wanted a new addition to the family, and this would be a good time. A golden retriever, whom we called Harvey. And this nine-week-old puppy turned out to be more energetic than we expected. It must be the sudden rainfall. He would be my occasional sparring partner if he didn't fancy making a mess out of a roll of toilet paper.
I might not be too old to figure out the true meaning behind Lewis's quote, and my tutor didn't tell me what he would think of it. Perhaps I wanted to take my time. I haven't decided if backpacking would be a possibility. Phil, my housemate, had his future all planned out. He went to London, where he met his old mates. I was amused that they arranged a blind date, and the gal gave him an awkward hug. (He was hoping that the pleasant evening would lead to wilder evenings.) He had an excellent time, and even he knew it wasn't meant to be. It reminded me of a Vince Vaughn quote. (My buddy is all grown up.) I reminded him that the continent was waiting for him. And he would pursue a graduate degree upon his return.
Phil was a lucky fellow. Matty was a senior student when we first met him at the English Department. He took politics and sociology (And his girlfriend took literature.) He was helpful to Phil and me during our first day in the university. He had to pay fees after he left the school, but he won't change a thing. It didn't take long for him to get hired, but the (marketing) company folded up after two years. He found a job in a digital media agency, and he thought he would be fine. And then the tell-tale signs. He was thinking of living with his parents. He figured out that his hometown might have more jobs. He was rather hopeful about the future.
Childish behavior is acceptable
I found out that Gene Wilder passed away. He was the star in Mel Brooks's films, whose childish behavior would compliment the filmmaker's outrageous stories. Brooks's Jewish heritage didn't discourage him from pushing buttons. "The Producers" was a love letter to the Nazis. (The Hitler you loved, the Hitler you knew, the Hitler with a song in his heart.) My father thought Brooks wouldn't get away if he made the film several decades earlier. (The movie was released in 1968.) And it wouldn't be a satire if there won't be an actor like Wilder in the picture.
I had a hoot while watching "Blazing Saddles". It was a spoof of Western Cinema, but Brooks poked at the cowboys often played by John Wayne (or Alan Ladd). If this movie was made during the studio era, then the producers (and stars) won't be amused at Wilder playing the lead role. And casting Cleavon Little, an African-American actor, in the role of Sheriff Bart, could cost the actors and the production crew their job. Luckily for Brooks, American Cinema was in a transition during his heyday. Anyone could get away with anything if no one stepped out of bound. Comedy should draw the line, and Wilder would be good at it. There won't be another one like him.
I heard good thoughts about Hollywood movies during the 1970s, but I haven't got the time to look for copies of some films (and watch it). This might be the time to do it.
