ZRM is starting a new weekly post entitled, "Fuck You Friday":
A new feature will be incorporated into the Empire: Fuck You Fridays. In which I will unleash on a couple of people/items/issues/noises that are currently aggravating me, and then I encourage people to stop in and drain their own personal boils all over the comment thread. I expect it to be ugly, contentious, vicious and therapeutic, and I canNOT think of a better purpose for this stupid blog, short of posting unbearably cute pictures of cats, or Mekons videos.
While I'm all for letting it all out, I've also come to realize it's no place to stay... so I'm seeing this as a good way to purge and move on. Another good way to purge and move on??
Creative undertakings.
As Rotten says:
Johnny Lydon once sang, "anger is an energy" and it does seem to work for him. So, next Friday, stop back for hate and anger and energy and spit and bile. Happy Times!!
Apparently Lydon wasn't the only one. This commentary reminded me of a letter received loooooong ago when I was still relatively green in what would be my college career. I was vacillating between majoring in science, art, and a few other majors I can't quite recall. I was doing some cartooning on the side and for some reason, felt compelled to write Edward Koren a letter, asking him for his insights. Why I did this, I have no idea. I've always felt free to write anyone, and strangely enough, most of those people usually wrote back. People were often amazed at this. I was often amazed at this. Mr. Koren was no exception. I'll never forget the day I dragged myself back to my college dorm, checking the mail before heading back upstair to the Virgin Vault. I spied a letter with horrible handwriting. Seeing what looked like a large, mishapen K, I assumed it was from my sister. Imagine my surprise when I saw that it was a letter from Mr. Koren, on wonderful New Yorker stationary. Say what you will about the New Yorker, but I was thrilled.
Inside the envelope was a lovely letter... a two-sided, handwritten letter, with thoughtful commentary, along with a few comments I didn't quite yet understand. I think at the time I was expecting a list of what to do's. Add A, mix in B, end up with C... or was hoping for that. That would be so much easier. Yes, there was some of that, but after that he added that the other object lesson he could pass on was anger- the "other" ingredient (see letter to the left.)
Yes, I still have the letter. I remember reading it and thinking, crap. I'm going to have to figure this out myself. Many, many years later, after happening upon the letter again, I reread it and it made sense.
Thank you Edward Koren.
Hey Rotten! Here's to our anger... and to us prosessing it into something beautiful... and maybe having a little fun along the way.
And as Mr. Koren so wisely stated: "With wishes for you discovering your own mistakes-"
I'd say that goes for everyone. :)
You know who else said, "Release your anger!"
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | February 07, 2011 at 09:42 AM
So cool that you saved that letter, Jennifer. Isn't there a certain magic (aside of course from the later-learned insight it contained), to holding on to keepsakes like that? If that had been the era of the Internet, well, needless to say...
PS: Now if I could just figure out what to do with my anger from last night's Super Bowl outcome!
Posted by: scribbler50 | February 07, 2011 at 09:53 AM
I LOVE EVERYBODY TODAY.
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 07, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Yes, thundra, I do. :)
Scribbler- I've thought of that. What a difference a couple of decades make in communication.
Sorry about your Super Bowl anger, but I suspect ZRM is happy enough for both of you! Which is rare...
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Yes, I don't expect it to last.
The parade tomorrow will be fun though.
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 07, 2011 at 10:43 AM
that is awesome. this story makes me happy.
Posted by: Kathlee in oakland | February 07, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Not to turn this post into a sports theme but... actually I was joking re: the Super Bowl, Jennifer. I said all week if we had to lose this game I can't think of another team I'd rather see win it, not just for the coach (who happens to be from Pittsburgh) but for the the fans. Nice people, great tradition, and after what Favre put them through they deserve it. Plus they outplayed us!
{sigh} anger gone...
Posted by: scribbler50 | February 07, 2011 at 11:48 AM
{sigh} anger gone...
I hope that wasn't my doing. I don't usually have that effect on people.
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 07, 2011 at 12:01 PM
You need a laser pointer for people, ZRM.
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | February 07, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Nah, zrm, not to worry. Just throwing a little love to the Green Bay fans.
Posted by: scribbler50 | February 07, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Nah, zrm, not to worry. Just throwing a little love to the Green Bay fans.
heh. j/k myself. Usually I am just pissing people off.
Anyway, the love is really sloshing around up here in Wisconsin today. Emphasis on the sloshing. The whole state is like a big cuddly teddy bear. A teddy bear with cheese smeared all over its torso and smelling heavily of beer.
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 07, 2011 at 12:17 PM
For the love of gawd! I leave for a couple hours, come back, and the place smells like a locker room!
A teddy bear smeared with cheese, ZRM?? Get help!
Here... this will pull you out of it. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSjtiHfHdbQ
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 12:34 PM
All da ladies now!!!
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 07, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Unfortunately I could not find a video for We're on a Beer Run!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Hey, thanks for the translation of Koren's last sentence, Jen. I thought he wrote, "With wishes for discovering your own misspaces..."
But what's that phrase at the top of the sheet? "...or skemble emergod?"
Posted by: Dan Leo | February 07, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Dan- I think I had to read the entire letter about 20 times before I got the accurate read on it... although I'm still not sure I did... or have. :)
The top sentence, a continuation from the front side and probably should have been included, except for the boring practical part. Isn't that funny?? 20-some years ago, I wanted PRACTICAL! GIVE ME CONCRETE!! Now, to hell with the practical, let me know about the magic. :)
Anyhow, the sentence you saw was the tail end of this:
"I started drawing seriously I was in college. The characters I draw now have only a vague family resemblance to those I did then. One cannot ordain the kind of people or animals one creates- they emerge, well up- from continual (and sometimes unproductive) activity. I drew and drew for years before anything coherent or salable emerged. Is the the only object lesson I can pass on...."
Of course, I also like "skemble emergod". :) Sounds like a friend of Arnold's.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Or... perhaps "skemble emergod" is Koren's "Rosebud". :)
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 01:10 PM
I LOVE this post, and the letter is the coolest thing ever. I always knew you were cooler than me.
I'm all for Fuck you Fridays, but I also agree with your advice to me on not letting things in. I'm a circus of contridiction.
:)
Posted by: Von | February 07, 2011 at 01:14 PM
I would attend the Contridiction Circus. Will there be bike-riding Bears?
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 07, 2011 at 01:24 PM
but I also agree with your advice to me on not letting things in.
Grizzled gets the credit for that one.
Maybe ZRM... but sans cheese. I also applaud your restraint. You know what I mean...
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Bike-riding Bears are just not Bike-riding Bears without the cheese.
Even if it's only the cheese that Wisconsin sends to Kroger's out of state.
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | February 07, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Even if it's only the cheese that Wisconsin sends to Kroger's out of state.
I think WI sent you fish's cheese by mistake. Who moved fish's cheese??
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 02:10 PM
I just axed him that very question.
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | February 07, 2011 at 02:14 PM
Thanks Kathleen! I'm glad you're happy! Don't go over to Von's! She's got The Human Centipede in her Netflix queue! You won't be happy anymore.
thundra- the only thing you should ask fish is if he'd like ice with his freezer.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 02:35 PM
So, ah, it's bears who may or may not have won the Superbowl riding bicycles, whilst angry at...cheese? and reading a letter to Jennifer. No wonder I keep coming back here.
About 15 years ago I wrote to an Australian media guy and got a nice letter back. Coolest thing.I think your letter is cooler tho'.
Posted by: Another Kiwi | February 07, 2011 at 03:29 PM
I also applaud your restraint.
Trying to be better-behaved zombie!! Difficult!!
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 07, 2011 at 03:30 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Posted by: Kathleen | February 07, 2011 at 04:31 PM
K- I warned you.
AK- It's hard to keep track... but I think the bears are fully encased in cheese.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 04:37 PM
Cue fish's Cavallaro link. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 04:38 PM
ahem
Posted by: fish | February 07, 2011 at 05:01 PM
I don't know how they get away with calling it Black Bear American Cheese, I don't see black bear anywhere in the list of ingredients.
Posted by: fish | February 07, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Oleoresin American Cheese just doesn't sell as well.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2011 at 05:08 PM
Black Bears made it. You should support your local artisans
Posted by: Another Kiwi | February 07, 2011 at 05:47 PM
Remember this song? CHRIST I HATE IT. I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.
Posted by: Substance McGravitas | February 07, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Bear making cheese.
I also agree with your advice to me on not letting things in
Apparently it's OK as long as it's the right one.
Posted by: herr doktor bimler | February 08, 2011 at 04:01 AM
I LOVE EVERYBODY TODAY.
For ZRM.
Posted by: fish | February 08, 2011 at 09:41 AM
Trying again.
For ZRM.
Posted by: fish | February 08, 2011 at 10:19 AM
I am eating string cheese as I read these comments
Posted by: Kathleen in Oakland | February 08, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Kathleen, at the Super Bowl party, people were drinking a Cranberry Vodka-based drink called "Goose Juice". They seemed to enjoy it.
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 08, 2011 at 12:57 PM
I would like to hug fish.
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 08, 2011 at 12:57 PM
I have it on good authority that hugging zombies is ill advised.
Posted by: fish | February 08, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Romero is biased.
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 08, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Valentine's Day is coming up... perhaps fish will get you some brain-shaped chocolates.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 08, 2011 at 02:49 PM
perhaps fish will get you some brain-shaped chocolates.
Did you see this?
Not delivering to the States, alas.
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 08, 2011 at 03:15 PM
That's awesome.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 08, 2011 at 03:22 PM
these are good for zombies.
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | February 08, 2011 at 04:14 PM
I guess zombies would have blue balls...
Posted by: Jennifer | February 08, 2011 at 04:16 PM
I guess zombies would have blue balls...
I would assume it's because female zombies are always frigid.
Posted by: Brando | February 10, 2011 at 01:06 PM