Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Save It For Later

"My soul was empty -- and it's up to me to fill it."

That's from Grosse Pointe Blank. John Cusack. During a break in a gunfight, Cusack explains to Minnie Driver -- from the other side of a bathroom door -- why he stood her up at prom a decade earlier and started on a path that led to him becoming a professional hitman. He references his dysfunctional home: a mentally ill mother and an alcoholic father. This isn't an excuse, he says. It's a reason.  "My soul was empty -- and it's up to me to fill it."

I find myself looking down a similar barrel. Minus a lot of specifics.

I have never felt such overwhelming despair. There is my girlfriend. There are my cats. Everything else is darkness. In an uncharacteristic move, I will avoid details. On one hand, making my particular bummers public will only invite more negative consequences. On the other, in a similarly uncharacteristic development, I am too thoroughly bored with my own despair to elaborate. I am always on the edge of stupid, useless tears. There is nothing waiting on the other side of the bad things. There is bad and more bad and sleep and then repeat. 

So here is my response. I will lose the weight and take the pills and stop the binges and work and write. I will keep having the ineffective talks and making the ridiculous schedules and going to the gym. I will budget and save and take my vitamins and drink my water and recycle. 

None of it will mean anything. I will look better. My body will be able to do more. People will like me more and pretend they don't like me more because I look better. Maybe I'll make more money. None of it matters. 

But I have nothing else. Everything is gone. It wasn't flushed -- it wasn't there in the first place. The beacons were never lit. God was always dead. There was never a light at the end of the tunnel. There was never a light or a tunnel. There is nothing more than a yawning void. Everything is suffering and I will keep going because there is simply nothing else to do.

My soul is empty and it's up to me to fill it. I'm not sure what I'll find. Jesus, I hope it isn't Jesus.

Dave Wakeling of The English Beat said "Save It For Later" is about the transition from childhood to adulthood -- like one dude is saying to another dude, "save it for later, don't grow up yet." He also said it was originally about fellatio; as in, "save it fellater." 

I think the interpretation of song lyrics is highly subjective. 

I also think Dave Wakeling is a motherfucking liar. 

Sooner or later your legs give way, you hit the ground
Save it for later, don't run away and let me down
Sooner or later you'll hit the deck, you'll get found out
Save it for later, don't run away and let me down, you let me down

I know what "Save It For Later" is about. I listen to the song every day. And every time I listen to it, I make a promise. It's not a hard promise to keep because I'm a coward. Always have been. Always will be. But still. I save it for later. I keep going. The alternative is unthinkable, as much as my feelings scream at me otherwise. 

Also, just to keep everything above board -- more often than not I listen to the Harvey Danger version from the soundtrack of 200 Cigarettes. I like it better. Don't judge me. Or do. Everything is stupid.


4 comments:

Mike T (PS 19) said...

Hey bud. I don't have any profound words for you, but hang in there. You may not think it, but you are well-liked. You are a good person and I love your articles.

Stringman said...

Dude, I feel you and feel for you. I pray (yes, I pray) that you are in a better place than you were then. I just happen upon your blogs a few minutes ago, looking at your 'Defenders/Kubert' series blog. I started clicking around and found this. I think you're cool. Take care. Sincerely, Stringman.

Stringman said...

.... and P.S. - Grosse Pointe Blank and John Cusack are awesome! Love the movie and the actor. - Stringman

Buy monopoly go stickers said...

This piece is a raw and honest exploration of despair and the struggle to find meaning amidst overwhelming darkness. The reference to "Grosse Pointe Blank" and the poignant quote about an empty soul sets a powerful tone, resonating deeply with anyone who's felt lost. The candid acknowledgment of personal battles, from maintaining routines to battling inner demons, is both relatable and courageous. The writer's resilience shines through, even in the face of profound emptiness. The mention of "Save It For Later" and the promise to keep going, despite the pain, is a touching reminder of the small yet significant acts of perseverance. This heartfelt reflection is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure, even when everything feels futile. Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal and moving narrative.