Saw Capote last night. Intriguing movie. Truman Capote was one of these that wrote a few classics, but mainly talked about what he was going to write than actually writing. After In Cold Blood he spent the next 20 years on the jet set circuit being himself and telling all the wonderful stories he was putting in Unanswered Prayers (title?), though when he od’d in Johnny Carson’s ex wife’s place…later it seemed after all this time he’d only written a few chapters and various notes.
A concern of mine since I usually say things like I write a lot in my head and tell all these stories of my own to people. And take notes which I increasingly can no longer decipher. Sigh
Cough.
I saw him read once when I was at UGA. Short version of story: It was twilight at Reed Hall quadrangle. Good sized crowd. He appeared at the top of steps of the old student union–Memorial Hall or whatever it’s called now. Dressed totally in black. Black sunglasses. In the center of a spotlight.
He took a few uncertain steps down, stumbled, and fell down the next steps. I guess he was…drunk? Everyone went omg. Well to skip ahead–he finally made it to the podium, and in his uniquely accentuated voice said “Lets make this evening a gala!”
Which he did. He began reading A Christmas Memory, and after a while the large crowd was quiet and mesmerized.
This is the first Olympics I’ve enjoyed since my experience in Atlanta during our years with it. I’d been a great Olympic fan, but the years preceding the Atlanta games were maddening to me since it seemed to me the whole effort lost focus after receiving it until later when it was too late to do much more than the basic infrastructure. That’s just my take on it–I suppose there was more going on behind the scenes than was obvious. Of course I read how many billions the Chinese government is spending on the Beijing Olympics, and with Atlanta it was like the whole country laughed and made cow tipping jokes and we’re like– “Huh?”
And not to mention the execrable Eric Rudolph. So many people do so much to bring the games to Atlanta and one fucking idiot screws it up. Plus this period is probably the height of pandering to Olympic officials though it was Salt Lake City that got nailed on it. Used to get sick of hearing about parties and freebies for visiting IOC aristocracy. Like the children of African officials getting free scholarships to Emory. Cough.
But yeah I was sort of wistful when these came and went: I relatively kept track of it and saw the opening and closing ceremonies. People like Bode Miller frighten me. I guess it’s like Capote–feels like it hits a little close to home for me in some ways. Yes I’ve been having mood swings again. Hahah
I feel sort of gyped now. I’d scorned and avoided all Olympics since Atlanta. Oh yeah the press and IOC got really snitty right before the games. They were saying we fumbled and others said they felt we weren’t catering to them all enough. Well the Atlanta Games are still the ones who have hosted the most people overall. Like I said–it just seemed to be years of kissing and sucking up and it got tiresome reading which no-name offical was breezing into town for parties and freebies.
I wish they’d settle on a design for the so called Freedom Tower to be built at Ground Zero. The previous design was somewhat distinctive after months of work and review. The so-called “Statue of Liberty” design. It just struck me as–I dunno–it took months for that design–then safety officials wanted it placed further back from the street and possible car bombs, so over night they came up with this less distinctive somewhat more boring design–though it does look like a giant middle finger–so maybe that’s ok–I dunno.
And wistful over Mardi Gras and New Orleans too. Haha I’d wanted to go back for years–Steve and I and his friend Abdul went a few years ago. It was an experience. hahah Abdul—how shall I say this–was sort of “out there?” Hmm–story for another time. Hahah At least he didn’t kill us in our sleep. Talk about mood swings. Ahem.
Guess I better get going. I need to get on a strict budget for eventual relocation moves–but am curious about Capote and Harper Lee (To Kill A Mockingbird) stuff now
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