READING HISTORY LIKE IT MEANS SOMETHING?

Reading history is the same as reading a story, but it comes with a bonus:

You can check the validity of the history story, check the sources, visit the places history happened and is still happening.

When old people check sources it’s because they have nothing else to do?

Baby boomers visit historical sites not to learn anything new, but to confirm their already established believes?

If this sounds like a load of crap, you are correct.

We check historical sources because we were raised on little blue books where we were asked to compare and contrast what we learned, or didn’t learn, in college classes.

When some new snippy man or snippy woman decides to revise what has already been carved into stone as THE TRUTH, don’t you want to check?

I’m always up for learning new things, for the most part, but even more when some bug-eyed bullshitter becomes the voice of reason, justice, and the American Way.

That’s not what we do here on davidpdx, brought to you by boomerpdx.

When I learn something new, I air it out instead of depending on someone’s opinion.

For example, one reader suggested that this blog works to indoctrinate readers.

Does it? Noooo.

Should it? Noooo.

Will it ever? Haaaailllll nooooo.

 

Reading History vs Doing History

Reading a book vs buying a ticket to go somewhere to read a book?

Or scrap it, dump the idea, and just get loaded.

But then you’d miss reading about the history of Paris while you’re in Paris visiting historical sites.

While I agree that drunks, stoners, and deadbeats all deserve the respect reserved for drunks, stoners and deadbeats, they’re not very reliable on the road.

Any plans to visit sites relevant to your reading is contingent on whether anyone is too drunk, too stoned, or too lazy.

Or too hung-over, too strung out, or too set in their ways.

“I’m sorry but I can’t go out until I’ve done my morning routine which lasts until early afternoon. Then I’ll be too tired. I thought you knew that.”

With any luck that won’t be your history pal. Or you either.

I recently missed out on something important, but not because of addiction or lifestyle.

We were set to tune up some fine guitars, turn on the mics, and play some long jams when I got a back spasm.

It felt like the same sensation that sent me to the ICU with a broken heart a few years ago.

Like men have done through the ages, I found a quiet place to lay down and die.

And like my visit to the ICU, I didn’t die. But I missed what I knew would have been a great sounding night.

My jam partner was set to sing along. We would have been doing history.

It takes time and effort to do history and to read history.

If you have the time and energy, why not so both?

 

To Which You Say, “What’s the point, bro?”

Listen to this guy. He’s a movie star after being a television star on Saturday Night Live, one of the first replacements.

Bill always reminded me of Shemp on The Three Stooges when Curley was off.

Is he the final word on trusting people with his two examples? Noooo.

3. I want to know more about everything for as long as I can understand what I’m looking at.

There, I fixed it.

 

Start with regular reading, like on a schedule.

Have a book to read and another on the list.

Keep a magazine near full of long, long, long pieces of fabulous writing by supremely accomplished writers, like the New Yorker.

If anyone notices and says, “Oooo, look what we have here, a New Yorker reader,” say the same thing you said when you got caught with a Playboy: “I like it for the cartoons.”

Setting a reading time doesn’t have to resemble your gym time.

You won’t need special shoes, a dedicated wardrobe; you won’t need a new hat, or new glasses. Ok, you might need new glasses.

You won’t need a fireplace and an overstuffed leather chair and a dog.

Here’s what you will need: a good light in the bathroom and a reason to sit in there. Bring your book or magazine.

If an article, or a chapter, grabs you, keep reading after you leave the bathroom.

There’s your routine.

Or . . .

 

First thing in the morning I read for 30 minutes to an hour while I have my coffee. Perfect way to start the day.

PS:

Talk to others about what you’re reading. I just bought a book and talked about it. That’s when I learned the other person had already bought it and read it and now they think they’re better than me?

Yes, they are better, but I’ll catch up.

PSS:

 

When that April with his showers sweet

The drought of March has pierced root deep,

And bathed each vein with liquor of such power

That engendered from it is the flower,

When Zephyrus too with his gentle strife,

To every field and wood, has brought new life

In tender shoots, and the youthful sun

Half his course through the Ram has run,

It originally looked like this:

 

Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote,

The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,

And bathed every veyne in swich licóur

Of which vertú engendred is the flour;

Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth

Inspired hath in every holt and heeth

The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne

Hath in the Ram his halfe cours y-ronne,