The Highland Near Miss

Way back in 2003, there was an interesting TV pilot that played called “Keen Eddie.” It starred a NYC cop named Eddie (Mark Valley) who got assigned to work at Scotland Yard. I guess you'd call it a “dramady” as it was quite funny.

In one episode Eddie is taking a bus to work and notices a cute female sitting nearby. They exchange smiles and both seem to be interested in each other. Eddie, who was standing in the aisle on the crowded bus doesn't take any action though. An older woman sitting next to where he stood looked up at him and said “why don't you talk to her?”  Eddie shakes his head, but smiles at the older woman. She scowled though and shook her head and says “wanker.”

I can understand why he didn't after all he was a stranger to the country plus he may not have wanted to seem rude to just talk up some random bus rider. Of course, I've mentioned numerous times how it's always the male who is expected to make First Contact, maybe Eddie just didn't want to.

I like to bring this up, not just because it's one of my favorite DVDs to watch (sadly, the series didn't get picked up), but also because I had a similar experience. Mine didn't happen on a London bus, but did happen up in Scotland. So pretty close.

My brother and I had taken my parents to England and Scotland as a 50th wedding anniversary gift. We rented a car in London and traveled from there through Wales and up to Scotland. So pretty much a grand tour of the U.K.

The rental car

My parents loved seeing the sights, in fact, my mother had never even been out of the US so it was a special treat for her. However, traveling with family is never easy. Especially my father and brother. Although I was the Black Sheep of the family, those two had a difficult time getting along. I remember many a long, raging argument between them as a teenager. Being in a small car traveling around all day with them was not much better even as an adult. 

"Rob Roy" at Glen Coe

So although I loved seeing all the beautiful scenery and places, it was also enjoyable if I could slip away from them now and then. I did this again (I don't think I'll bring up the other times) after we had gone to Glen Coe and stopped for the night at a friendly B&B in Glan Coe Village. Glen  Coe is a beautiful valley and later while watching my “Rob Roy” DVD I realized they did some filming there because of its stark beauty and solitude.

The Williams Clan at Glen Coe

Anyway, I told the Big Bro and the parental units that I was going for a walk, and headed out around the village. I accidentally stumbled upon this charming and intimate pub during my walk. Okay, it's possible I had noticed it during our driving around looking for the B&B. So I walked in, grabbed a pint and sat down at a small vacant table.

Not the actual pub, but similar

Sitting at a table across from me was an older couple who talked quietly to each other while sipping their beers. I had picked up some pamphlet when I walked in, so tried to look like I was studying it closely while enjoying my beer, thinking it might dissuade anyone from joining me. Within a few minutes two attractive females sat down at a table to the side of me. 

They talked merrily to each other and occasionally would glance at me. Likewise, I took one or two quick glances at them and also managed to give them a smile one time when our eyes locked. I took another sip of beer and noticed the old lady at the other table looking at me. I smiled back and she nodded her head toward the two females. I gave her another wry smile and took another sip, then looked down at the very interesting pamphlet. I'm pretty sure I noticed her roll her eyes and also think I heard her mutter under her breath to her husband “stupid Yank.” Maybe.

Lock Leven from the B&B

But what could I do? I was a stranger there, a tourist. More importantly, I was traveling with my family. What if I had hit it off with one of them and she wanted to go back to her place? Or maybe I could take her down to meet my folks and then look for another room at the B&B? Sure. Again, it boiled down to me having to make First Contact. I just couldn't see a scenario where that would be beneficial to me.

Of course looking back on it now with a few more years and relationships under my belt, I have second thoughts. Perhaps I should have taken the plunge. We could have had a pleasant non-relationship seeking conversation. Or even if I had hit it off I could have just got her address and said I'd write her later (this was before email and texting were a thing). 

I still enjoyed my stay at Glen Coe and yes, did manage to slip away at several other stops, but didn’t have any similar encounters. However, I still like to think back to that pub, and seem to slip there every time I watch “Keen Eddie” again and wonder "what if."

Ahhhh, James Thurber

 

 

 

I Rant, I Instigate—I Write

Recently, several writing acquaintances said they had grown weary of political posts or statements on Facebook and other social media. They really only wanted writing-related information or posts.

Years ago I thought about this issue. My first impulse was to think that I should keep my opinions to myself as I didn’t want to offend anyone and maybe dissuade them from trying out my books. However, I remembered several articles that discussed social media for writers and they typically said you use them to let readers know about you, not just to promote your writing. In effect, you are promoting your writing by letting people see who you are as a person most articles stated.

So my thinking expanded and I decided that includes not just pictures of my cat or living room, but also my thoughts on issues. In much of my writing I point out superficiality and stereotypes and how that can be detrimental (or wrong). In other words, don’t judge a person on how he looks.

Well, one of the best ways to let people know about you would be to let them know your beliefs on issues. That gives insight into the way a person thinks and acts. So I decided to do just that. If I were to offend someone and so they decided against buying one of my books, so be it. If I lose a few cents, that’s better than not standing for what I believe.

Keep in mind that I don’t have a pure author page on Facebook or Twitter, but do have individual book pages (Facebook). On those, I leave issues out.

Souls on Fire

Sex and the American Male

Wings of Honor

Tax Break

Writing Trash and Hunting Buffalo

However, on my Twitter and personal Facebook page, well, it’s no holds barred.

Jay’s Facebook

Twitter

The more I thought about this topic though, the more I believed that as a writer, I have an obligation to sound off. It’s a writer’s responsibility to put ideas out there.  As a super hero, that would be a writer’s ability—to express ideas, thoughts and concepts. Whether it is writing a fact-based news article about murder by American police officers; or writing a book about a man who fights for his ideals against Franco’s fascists (Hemingway); writers put out ideas about important issues.

Many times when talking to students I advised at The University of Texas, I’d warn them about getting their degrees. Warn them that they now faced danger because they were the types that dictators and authoritarian rulers feared and hated. I said intellectuals (and that includes writers) were the first up against a wall when those miscreants took over.

That’s why we see people like Donald Trump rant and rail about news reporters who dare to say something he doesn’t approve of that day. Worse, we see journalists in Putin’s Russia assassinated on the street, or a writer sliced and diced by MBS of Saudi Arabia.

Yet writers persist. They continue to write articles about drug lords in Mexico, ruthless leaders in the Philippines or white supremacists in the United States. They write short stories about greedy tycoons (Bazolaa) or books about horrible conditions in the meat packing industry (The Jungle).

Some writers become leaders of nations (Vaclav Havel, Czechoslovakia) others formed resistance movements, such as the White Rose who used writing against the Nazis.  This latter group didn’t get put up against the wall—they had their heads chopped off. So, as I mentioned,  standing up for your beliefs can be dangerous.

But you should.

Whether it’s writing pamphlets advocating for the American independence from Britain or writing for a student paper against the Vietnam war, writers through history have always stood up for what they believed in, for their morals, their ideals.

So the next time you hear another writer complain about your anti-Trump posts on Facebook, just tell him/her that you are following in the footsteps of other great writers through history.  Tell that person it’s time for him/her to step up and do the same.

James Thurber didn't mind sounding off

Women Love Macho

For some time I’ve wondered why women weren’t knocking down my door while seeking a mate.  I thought I had some qualities they sought. Things like a secure job, own my house, healthy and in shape, a good listener and sympathetic soul. However, I have now discovered that they’re not falling all over themselves to reach me because I have too many pictures of me with various cats. I’m not the macho man they really seek.

 

The Models

Researchers at Colorado State University compiled data on whether women liked a man pictured with a cat or the same person sans cat. They preferred the cat-less guy.

 More Neurotic Guy

"Men holding cats were viewed as less masculine; more neurotic, agreeable, and open; and less dateable," the authors wrote.

 Macho Man

A short time ago I blogged about macho men. Basically talking about how society tends to push us towards that image.  However, at the time it didn’t occur to me that women would be drooling more for macho men then those wimpy types who hold cats.

 Wimpy guy

For years, we’ve heard stories or read articles by women who claimed they wished men were more caring, willing to show emotion, or had a more compelling desire to talk about their feelings.

 Macho, Macho Man

Little did I know that they were kidding. Nope, women want the tough, macho guy.  Oh, you probably clicked on the link above and read how the data came from women who were 18 to 24 years old.  You may have said to yourself “well, those young women aren’t like us more mature, experienced ones.” However, stereotypes and beliefs are not independent. They are taught or ingrained—from our elders.  So this means that it’s not just young immature females seeking macho men, it’s all of them. They’ve passed that desire to the younger generations.

 Agreeable and open guy

A few years ago I blogged about how women were just as superficial as men. I stated they stereotyped men just as much as men did women. However, I missed this new, important point. Then I posited that men tend to stereotype women based on looks while women did it towards men based on status and wealth. Wellllll, I should have guessed that women stereotype on looks just as frequently as men.

 I wanna be a Macho Man

Let this be a lesson to all men. Oh, you should keep your cat, they are great creatures with distinct personalities and qualities, but be careful about having one around when there’s a camera. And if you make a mistake and a woman you are attracted to discovers a picture of you with a cat, act fast. Tell her that the cat was your sister’s or better yet, an ex-girlfriend who insisted you hold the fur ball. That may actually get you a few extra points in her eyes.

 Ahhhh, James Thurber

We at The Thurber Brigade apologize for once again making fun of the foibles of women. We thought that it would be good to get away from another sidestep about police brutality or the idiocy of the guy occupying the White House. We also thought it would make us feel better as it points out that women are just like men and have a variety of tics, faults, misgivings and other less than perfect qualities that make us all human.

The GOP Zombie Party

Movies and TV shows about zombies have been popular for some time now.  And why not? Who doesn’t love to see soulless, brainless creatures attempt to consume the brain or intestines of the living?  What car to buy next year, whether to mow the yard Sunday, what to cook for dinner tonight and other side issues don’t matter to zombies.  They are single-mindedly obsessed with just one purpose: consume the innards of the living.

As I examine today’s political climate, I notice a striking similarity to the Grand Old Party. The rank-and-file of the party are single-mindedly obsessed.  Their one overwhelming desire is to vote for the Republican candidate no matter what.  What that candidate stands for, his (the majority are white males) morality, his stance on issues all mean nothing to the GOP voter. What matters is the symbol “R” next to the name.

For example, most Republican officials want to dismantle Social Security.  They disparage the popular program constantly. They attempt to pass legislation that will curtail payments almost every session.   

They attempt to destroy it internally by trying to lessen the amount of money paid into the system by reducing taxes on corporations or the rich.  However, the rank-and-file of the party love Social Security and are working back-breaking jobs and long hours with the belief that when they hit the right age, they’ll be able to enjoy that added retirement income. 

Of course, they’ll also still vote for those same candidates that will do everything in their power to kill it. Because they have an “R” next to their name on the list of candidates.

The vast majority of Republican voters are working class people, who toil tirelessly day to day in difficult and exhausting jobs. From coal miners to farmers, they put in a tough, long day of work. However, even though their representatives want to raise the retirement age for those seeking Social Security, they’ll still vote for those candidates and gladly build up more calluses on their own hands because, hey, the candidate has an “R” next to his name.

Everybody loves Medicare. Although sometimes the system can be balky, they still love that most of their medical costs can be handled by this program when they reach that magical age. Often, it saves them from having to worry about Mom and Dad’s medical bills too. It means they don’t have to bail out their folks.

So it seems rather odd that the Republican rank-and-file voter will still vote for the Republican candidate.  The party consistently attempts to destroy Medicare. They try to pass legislation that will weaken the benefits or, change it completely from its current system to one of vouchers. Vouchers would mean that your 90-year-old folks would get a set amount of money to pay for their medical costs. In other words, they’d have to wrangle with insurance companies. So even though it would be tough for Grandpa to go toe-to-toe with that insurance agent, the rank-and-file GOP voter will still vote for the candidate that desires to see that outcome.

Just like zombies fixated on that nice brain over there, the average Republican will zero in on that candidate with the “R” beside the name. They stagger into the voting booth, arms outstretched seeking their prey, grunting and moaning scarily, drooling as they approach their target and then strike. Making a mark by any candidate with an “R” next to the name.

It doesn’t matter that their 12-year old daughter was raped by Uncle Ted and the candidate believes she must bring the baby to term.  They’ll vote for him.

It doesn’t matter that the city will have to lay off more policemen because the GOP implemented tax cuts for the rich and it took money away from cities. They will vote for the guy with an “R.”

It doesn’t matter that they feel sorry for that out-of-work veteran begging for money at the stop light.  Even though the GOP party voted in unison to defeat the veteran aid bill, the zombies will vote for them.

It doesn’t matter that women GOP voters believe women should be treated fairly and equally.  Even if the candidate votes against equal pay bills or anti-domestic violence legislation, the zombies will still vote for them.

So if you see a crowd of them chanting that they want to go out and get haircuts even though there’s a raging virus in the country, roll up your windows and drive by. Protect yourself from their infection. 

Don’t even try to explain to your Republican father that his party wants more tax cuts for corporations, which means he may lose his pension. He won’t listen, he’s a zombie. 

And your right-wing brother who avoided the draft so he didn’t have to go to Vietnam, but now supports any GOP candidate that proposes war?  Well, just turn up the TV and hope he’ll ignore you. He can’t help himself, he’s a Republican zombie.

 Ahhh, James Thurber

Exercise Now!

Hey there, Coach Jay checking in again to tell you to get up off your fat butt!  Oops, sorry, that wasn't polite. Okay, everybody needs to get up and exercise during this trying time.

Yes, we all need to practice social distancing and self-quarantining, but you can't let that keep you from maintaining your health. Just like you don't stop brushing your teeth just because you are on vacation, you don't stop staying healthy just because you can't go to the gym. It's easy to goof off nowadays, to just hunker down inside and watch the tube, but you need to self-motivate while you self-isolate and get some exercise. 

You may not be able to go out and play soccer

with your friends, but you can still go and run around the block (or farther). And as long as you don't run in a group, you can still stay isolated. When you see someone jogging the opposite direction and heading toward you, one of you should abandon the sidewalk and run along the side of the road. This way you can pass each other by a good distance. And it is important to have a good distance while running because your breath may travel farther because of increased breathing.

Got weak knees or are not up to jogging? Well, walking is just fine too. However, to get a good result from walking you need to have a brisk pace and not pause. That means don’t stop to pet your friend’s dog or to discuss (from a safe distance) the TV show you are currently binging on.

Should you wear a mask while walking or jogging? Most doctors I've heard talk about the issue say that being outside dissipates the germs that come from your mouth more quickly. So as long as you keep a good distance from fellow exercisers you probably don’t need a mask.

 

Coach Jay knows how to social distance

I like jogging or walking because you get outside, and I think in these self-sheltering times that's beneficial both physically and mentally. However, I'm seeing a large number of people posting videos of their indoor workouts. Whew, they look tough. Not sure I'm in that good of shape, but keep it up. Whatever way you are comfortable with you should keep going. Stay motivated.

Don't stop there though. Nowadays a lot of us are binging on TV shows and movies. Our derrière comfortably nestled in that old couch as we watch marathons of Battlestar Galactica (SyFy channel) or some other cherished show/movie. Well, keep it up but during commercials stand up while you channel surf. Better yet, use the commercial break to walk to the far end of the house or apartment and look out the window. Do it several times before the show begins again.

We'll get back to soccer soon

So don't let your rear end and gut enlarge during these stressful times. Stand up, move around and get that heart beating. Remember, stay home and stay safe, but exercise too. 

Ahhh, James Thurber