Springtime has busted out here in Central Oregon. Temps have been in the 50s, bumping 60 here and there, and the sun shines glorious over mountains that — finally — have an ample covering of snow. It’s probably a tease, but I’ll take it. There’s nothing like the fecund smell of the woods when the snow melts and the warm breeze blows.
Been getting out in the woods pretty regular, a couple of good hikes, plenty of Frontier Partisan biathlon action.
Of late, I’ve taken to calling this kind of business “Chasing Buffalo.” Owe that to Craig Rullman over at The Bunkhouse Chronicle. He recollected the scene in “Lonesome Dove” where Gus is trying to persuade Pea Eye to join him in chasing a remnant herd of buffalo across the prairie — for the sport of it. I’ve posted it before, but here it is again:
Running around in the woods, slinging kettlebells, pulling a trigger — these things are my regular means of staying in touch with an older, more robust way of being in the world. There’s no practical point in it; it’s sport and it’s part of my ongoing palaver with ghosts. Chasing buffalo. Some do it by pitching a tipi in Alaska and discovering hidden glacial caves; others of us have more modest adventures.
The point is to do what you can, where you can, when you can, with what you’ve got.
••••
For a short while in my 20s, I thought I’d become a teacher. That turned out to be a blind trail, but I spent some time and money going through the teaching program at Cal State Northridge — supposed to be one of the best in the state of California. Let’s just say that the quality of instruction was uneven. One professor we were forced to endure was a pompous gasbag who contributed exactly zero to our proficiency as prospective educators. He spent every class pontificating about “liberals” and how they were destroying education. He had a point, but only one — and it wasn’t why we were sitting in his class. It was also hard to take his socio-political pronouncements seriously, since his means of achieving success by his bootstraps was to marry a very wealthy woman.
The only thing that made the class bearable was that I shared it with my friend Joe. Joe was in his early 40s then, nearly two decades older than me, reinventing himself after working as a musician and a bouncer for years. Joe was a six-foot-tall, 300 –pound biker, originally from New York, and he had memorized “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II”, and he could do all the parts in the right accent and everything. He was a gun nut, a history buff, and his size, accent and biker-booted persona intimidated the crap out of everyone — though he was, in fact, one of the sweetest men I’ve ever known.
So one day Professor Lazybones was on a riff on his usual subject, and I’d had enough. When he told the class that we were all socialists, I stood up in the back of class, slammed my hat down on my desk and proclaimed theatrically: “I take exception to that statement, sir! I am no socialist — I am a Romantic Anarchist!”
Professor Lazybones just blinked at me. Joe bellowed, “Hah! I fuckin’ love it! Me, too!”
It was really just a piece of smart-assery, but nowadays, I’m thinking that I spoke the truth.
••••
I’ve been feeling for some time that we’re headed for a cultural cliff; that The West is in the kind of terminal decline that can’t be arrested and can only end in a catastrophic crash and a thorough reshuffling of the deck. I’m fairly sanguine about this, though I do wish my daughter wasn’t going to have to face the times I see coming.
The question is what to do about it.
Lately, a lot of things have been lining up serendipitously and synchronicity has been clicking like the groove on a Ray Wylie Hubbard tune. Thus, I stumbled upon the Dark Mountain Project — “a creative space in which people can come to terms with the unravelling of much of the world we have all taken for granted, and engage in a conversation about what the future is likely to hold, without any need for pretence or denial.”
This came by way of Paul Kingsnorth, the author of “The Wake.” I was most intrigued by what he was doing with his tale of mayhem on the frontiers of Anglo-Saxon England, and by his close-to-the-land life way in the west of Ireland. Turns out, he is one of the founding authors of The Dark Mountain Project. I started reading about it. I find much that resonates in their project to “Uncivilize” through Story, and also through the way each chooses to live. Hell, I’ve always been drawn to the rough edges, right? A Romantic Anarchist.
This from the Dark Mountain Manifesto:
There is a fall coming. We live in an age in which familiar restraints are being kicked away, and foundations snatched from under us. After a quarter century of complacency, in which we were invited to believe in bubbles that would never burst, prices that would never fall, the end of history, the crude repackaging of the triumphalism of Conrad’s Victorian twilight — Hubris has been introduced to Nemesis. Now a familiar human story is being played out. It is the story of an empire corroding from within. It is the story of a people who believed, for a long time, that their actions did not have consequences. It is the story of how that people will cope with the crumbling of their own myth. It is our story.
Being of somewhat maverick tendencies, I’m not given to being stirred by manifestos — but this is a manifesto for fellow mavericks, and I like it. I like, too, the “Eight Principles of Uncivilisation.”
‘We must unhumanise our views a little, and become confident /As the rock and ocean that we were made from.’
-
We live in a time of social, economic and ecological unravelling. All around us are signs that our whole way of living is already passing into history. We will face this reality honestly and learn how to live with it.
-
We reject the faith which holds that the converging crises of our times can be reduced to a set of ‘problems’ in need of technological or political ‘solutions’.
-
We believe that the roots of these crises lie in the stories we have been telling ourselves. We intend to challenge the stories which underpin our civilisation: the myth of progress, the myth of human centrality, and the myth of our separation from ‘nature’. These myths are more dangerous for the fact that we have forgotten they are myths.
-
We will reassert the role of storytelling as more than mere entertainment. It is through stories that we weave reality.
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Humans are not the point and purpose of the planet. Our art will begin with the attempt to step outside the human bubble. By careful attention, we will reengage with the non-human world.
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We will celebrate writing and art which is grounded in a sense of place and of time. Our literature has been dominated for too long by those who inhabit the cosmopolitan citadels.
-
We will not lose ourselves in the elaboration of theories or ideologies. Our words will be elemental. We write with dirt under our fingernails.
The end of the world as we know it is not the end of the world full stop. Together, we will find the hope beyond hope, the paths which lead to the unknown world ahead of us.
This stirs me. It’s not so much that I wish to “join” The Dark Mountain Project. It’s that seeing what these storytellers have laid out makes me realize that I have been, for some time now, and in the company of some fine folks who share similar sensibilities, been engaged in a similar (if much more modest) project of my own. For “The Frontier” is both history and myth, all around the world, and it is at once part of “the myth of progress” and an atavistic rejection of that myth. The extravagantly exploitive nature of “the frontier” is one of the key problematic aspects of “the myth of progress” — think of the mountain men trapping out the country even as the market shifts and prices drop, searching in desperate, vain hope for one last stream that was like it was in the “old days” just two decades gone.
Not merely to make a buck, but to hang on to a life way they had come to love, or were addicted to.
There are counter-currents. Outright resistance to and rejection of the Victorian notion of progress. And what is for me the most interesting aspect of the Story, the ambivalent and conflicted nature of frontiersmen, who strove so hard to open and tame a land, be it in North America or Africa — and regretted the loss of wildness. Too, there were many, many men whose very lives were a mediation (often ending tragically) between the Myth of Progress and those who stood in the path of that juggernaut.
This is the part that I gnaw on like a buffalo’s haunch: the frontiersman’s paradox. The zest of life is found in the exploration, the exploitation, the conquest, the settling, the civilizing. But the conquered, settled, and civilized is dull and dreary and unrewarding and you can’t stand it, so you must “light out for the territory” and start the cycle anew.
What’s a frontier partisan to do when he’s run out of new frontiers? Time to “uncivilize.” What other choice could there be? It’s Romantic Anarchism.
For me, that means, in part, unplugging completely from the increasingly insane socio-political culture that is fixing to auger in at any moment now. It means focusing my concerns, my considerations, my actions solely around my “tribe” — family, friends — those whom I love, respect, trust. It means affirming and reaffirming my belief in the power of Story and Song to create a world in which I wish to live — writing with dirt under my fingernails. It means a joyful immersion in whatever pleasures of “the strenuous life” I can avail myself of on any given day — sounding my barbaric yawp over the rooftops of the world, and chasing buffalo and palavering with ghosts.
And it means doing everything I can to help those who are engaged in a similar effort.
Like Cormac McCarthy says, I’m pessimistic, but that doesn’t mean I have to be miserable about it. No, mi compadres, on the contrary! Chasing buffalo down a dark mountain is a hell of a lot of fun.
Like Gus says, “Pretty, ain’t they. Let’s chase ’em! Y’ want to?”
Annie Pick says
… and stay curious my friend.
I’ve never been on a horse but I did ride a camel, but there were no buffalo around to chase at the time. But you have given me a good idea, even if I will be chasing buffalo from my sofa.
deuce says
Damn, Jim. That was a helluva post. Can’t say I disagree with much of it. There is definitely a storm comin’ and who’ll stop the rain? Maybe you shouldn’t have gotten rid of that horse.
JimC says
Thanks, mi amigo.
Saddle Tramp says
Well Jim, this might be veering off the subject somewhat, but I immediately saw a connection to your post
with an arrival in my mailbox today. My Abe Books order of Grey Owl’s THE TREE had arrived. Paid up for a 1937 First Edition with glassine dust jacket. A tight and clean copy. Holding 1937 in one’s hands is a privilege in itself. It is a very quick read and that is the beauty of it. Not a wasted word. His own illustrations add to it as well. It’s brevity belies how much story is packed within it’s covers all about the sacredness of nature and a way of life that was being trammeled by greed and an unbridled dominance of force. White force. It ends bittersweet.
However a possibility is held within the tragedy. Along the way a Silver Tipped Grizzly observes a distant herd of buffalo and dreams…
I won’t give anymore away for those who have not read it. The story of Grey Wolf himself is worth checking out. A frontier partisan for nature (especially beavers) in the wilds of Canada. He ran a rather circuitous trail ( not always admirable it seemed ) in getting there that proves the postulation that truth is indeed stranger than fiction. His world was being torn asunder but he fought back the tide and emerged as one much beloved by Canadians and was a very early conservationist that was as apolitical as they come.
We are part of nature and not the other way around was his credo. Yes, he undoubtedly had a storied past with plenty of pecadilloes. However he did leave us with this great little book ( among others ) and much more that might hold out hope to those not quite ready to hunker down or make a run on the bank as tempting as that might be.
Threatened as they were
( and are ) buffaloes, bears and beavers are still with us. Someone has to stymie the current madness though.
Something’s on the wind…
Maybe it’s stirring up things and bringing it out into the open. Maybe it’s business as usual. Maybe it’s something else. Maybe it’s just me. Hell if I know, but for a short while I was with Grey Owl back in the 1930’s…
A frontier partisan of a different stripe.
For those so inclined a couple of YT offerings on Grey Owl:
A short one:
http://youtu.be/D0ye0KXuF00
A long one:
http://youtu.be/jvEjsA7wW2w
JimC says
That’s wonderful. I’ve never really looked into this story — now you have me intrigued.
Bill Valenti says
The world needs an uprising of Romantic Anarchists. Sign me up! And if that isn’t a perfect tag for a new “un-political” party, I don’t know what is.
Great post, Jim!
JimC says
Thanks, Bill — you’re in.
Saddle Tramp says
Jim, I might also mention that in the long YT video sent previously a paper called THE NUGGET makes a cameo appearance and allows for a saving grace…
Another treat provided here by renowned woodsman Ray Mears who sings Grey Owls praises:
https://youtu.be/TEP83CAyxgc
Norman Andrews says
In my view Grey Owl never gets enough credit , for his ideas. He was one of the first people to realise, that the planet is not a never ending resource, ok maybe he was not always honest about his life , but he had a dream and lived it.
Norm.
JimC says
Fair enough.
Wayne says
Thanks for opening with the Theodore Roosevelt quote, “Do what you can with what you have where you are.”
Grey Owl, or Archibald Belaney… His story within a story questions whether we are free to totally reinvent ourselves. He reminds me of “Chief” Iron Eyes Cody (Espera Oscar de Corti) who also adopted a false persona and thereby became an award winning symbol of a later environmental movement.
As a self-styled left leaning rugged outdoorsman, I believe I can embrace the Romantic Anarchist ideal. Thanks for a stimulating post!
JimC says
I think all of us are in some manner attempting to “create” our life. It is, I think, best to be as authentic as you can be; I don’t endorse creating false persona. However, there is a big difference between a person who does this because they truly long to be what they portray — trying to live out a dream — and someone who’s just a con. Though I suppose a person could be both…
Glad the post resonated.
Saddle Tramp says
=I understand the lack of [ enthusiastic ] and rousing support for Grey Owl’s acceptance as a bonafide and upstanding member in the pantheon of frontier partisans.
However, I would never draw a direct comparison to Iron Eyes Cody ( and I am not disparaging either ) nor Wayne for his thoughtful comments.
Wayne I also appreciate the reminder of that classic PSA that Iron Eyes Cody made so famous. It is ingrained in my memory still. L.A warrants a flood of tears as I am reminded all too often these days when driving the litter choked freeways. Dirty old L.A. if you have not already become inured to it.
As you point out Jim, we are facing much graver threats than litter right now. Much graver. Political pollution comes to mind.
Grey Owl a fraud?
A major difference is that Grey Owl absolutely lived the Indian life rather than playing one in films.
I do not defend his lack of familial fidelity and other flaws as they may be deemed as such. As with so many mavericks, iconoclasts and frontier partisans that I admire both now and throughout history, they all have a dark side. Some more than others. I pick up the good from them and discard the rest as needed. That is indeed the case with Grey Owl. I do not believe the motive to his perceived persona was for deceptive or larcenous motives. It is much more complex than that from all accounts I can gather. He was truly someone who wanted to be an Indian and has now gone down as an early conservationist and naturalist and frontier partisan in my humble opinion. If it took becoming an Indian in his own mind to do it so be it.
If you get the opportunity read THE TREE before you dismiss him from the ranks of frontier partisans or as a credible conservationist and Indian.
Jim, I always welcome my opinions and comments to be tested and inspired by your content and forum. I hold utmost respect for you and all of your following. Way ahead of me in so many respects.
Truth ( or so called ) without discretion, proper interpretation and good purpose is a useless weapon that brings more harm than good. If it were only that easy.
Truth is a moving target!
As a historian you know this all too well.
Keep ’em coming…
A short CBC audio interview with the publisher of the 1937 copy of THE TREE that I now treasure:
http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/grey-owls-confidante-speaks
JimC says
This kind of dialogue is the lifeblood of the site. I will chase down the Grey Owl story. Like I said, you’ve got me intrigued.
lane batot says
Gawd, I LOVE Grey Owl(and his books–read some when I was a wee lad!), and I never understood why he got so rejected because he wasn’t genetically a REAL injun–he was certainly REAL as a bonafide woodsman! There’s a GREAT Pierce Brosnon movie about him(Titled “Grey Owl”, of course), you can git purty cheap–I highly recommend it…….And dangit, SO MUCH to reply to on this wonderful post, I’ll havta try later when I got more time…..
deuce says
“You must know the story of how the race of ancient days reached the stars, and how they bargained away all the wild half of themselves to do so, so that they no longer cared for the taste of the pale wind, nor for love or lust, nor to make new songs nor to sing old ones, nor for any of the other animal things they believed they had brought with them out of the rain forests at the bottom of time–though in fact, so my uncle told me, those things brought them”
― Gene Wolfe, from a novel set on Earth in the far future.
JimC says
Yes, those things brought us. Well done, Deuce.
deuce says
Wolfe is a fan of REH and Kipling.
Wayne says
“Too many people in the developed world now come into comfort and riches with no intermediary apprenticeship in the natural world. They are hardened neither to the lushness of existence nor to the rigors of enlightenment.” Gretel Ehrlich
Whatever path you take to reach the natural world is bound to be positive. Grey Owl was an excellent spokesman for nature, but I do wish he could have been satisfied to connect with his own ancestors who survived an ice age hunting woolly rhinos and mammoths with stone tipped spears. We are all children of Paleolithic times regardless of our ethnicity.
As always, I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the comments posted by you and your readers. You’re a swell bunch, and I only wish I could buy you all a beer.
Craig Rullman says
1: I would have paid money to be in the audience when you took exception to the idiot professor, who was taking advantage of his post as an educator to become a propagandist.
2: Similar experience in Grad School. Made an innocuous comment about Rigoberto Menchu, suggesting that the description of her in the foreword, “a smiling, brown face,” was neither racist nor imperialist, and was assassinated by a grad school B for the class. The only one.
3: One of the gigantic appeals of the frontier, wherever it exists, is that notion of the unknown, what lays behind the wall of trees lining the Amazon. What is on the far side of the north American plains. What lies beyond our mind’s imagination. Space. The frontier simply cannot die. It keeps taking on new forms. Kettle bells and triggers, my friend.
4: World War. We discussed this beautifully, I thought, yesterday, on the sunlit yard of our local coffee house. It’s coming. It will be more horrible than the last–they always are–but we are grinding toward it.
5: Keep your powder dry. Always.
6: Thanks for this. I needed it.
JimC says
This post came right out of that conversation in the courtyard. Focused my mind — and more importantly my spirit — intensely.
Saddle Tramp says
Wayne above…
As always I appreciate a good quote along with an offer of a cold beer.
I do bring into question though your comment regarding Grey Owls choice of identification. Perhaps clarification is in order. To me that seems like a false dichotomy if it was inferred that Grey Owl was not retrograde enough. He went with and embraced what was still available. It seems that much of the nature of Jim’s ever expanding content is about going back. If Craig is correct ( which I share the same fear ) and Einstein is right we will be fighting the next one with sticks and stones. A little too retrograde for my taste. There are plenty of war mongers in our midst. A seargeant told my Dad while my Dad was in the Air Force as the Korean War broke out that a little war was better than no war at all. My Dad lost his leg to that war. At 87 he’s still walking with a prosthetic limb. I do not subscibe to that, nor do I ignore the reality of a strong possibility of it happening. God forbid. The same goes for economic collapse.
Saddle Tramp says
If all the horses don’t pull together the wagon won’t get there. Nevertheless that may be the case. Easy to adopt an apathetic position. Yes, no doubt tempered by the overwhelming force of crap floating by us on a daily basis. Wait and watch I guess. Maybe we deserve it. Ever since I read A BOY AND HIS DOG many many years ago I have had a underlying concern of the possibility of a dystopian world ever since then. That was over 40 years ago. It’s like waiting for the end of the world. I gave that one up too.
Hell, it might happen if fundamentalist on both sides of the coin have their way.
THE BIG ONE!!
We are trapped in a devil’s bargain. The famous Prisoner’s Dilemma Game.
It feeds on itself.
It’s feeding on itself now.
Keep on swimming until your last ounce of strength I say.
Either you are in or you are out. I am in!!
I will stop short of the clichés!
As I have said before WAR IS HELL but if you are going to be in it you damn well better be the best at it…
I am against those who create it and not those who valiantly fight and sacrifice for it.
Mussolini hung like a pig.
I can accept that kind of justice. It’s a long list of those deserving the same fate today!!
Thanks for the stimuli in your comments.
Back to listening to MoFi’s recent release of Dylan’s JOHN WESLEY HARDING that arrived yesterday. This pairs it up with another of their recent Dylan releases ( and my long awaited favorite ) HIGHWAY 61 [ Revisited ] …
Great to get the MFSL treatment of ones that should not be forgotten.
No beer for now. Heading into Sprout’s Farmer’s Market for a glass bottle of Broguire’s Chocolate Milk. Bottoms up!!
JimC says
A Boy And His Dog…. Now there’s a voice not heard for a while. The movie featured some unique and wonderful firearms. A Mannlicher-stocked Springfield (bestill my heart):
A Merwin Hulbert Revolver. C’mon, man!
Here’s to Dylan and chocolate milk.
Fletcher Vredenburgh says
Great post. I saw the Dark Mountain site when investigating The Wake and want to spend some time exploring it. Their manifesto reminds me a little of Henry Treece and the New Apocalyptic poets just before and after WWII in England. They believed we had lost our way, art having become dry, and sterile. Poetry needed to be a part of how to address the crisis, drawing on the deepest myths and oldest elements of our culture (as I write this I realize I really must read The Wake). Later he’d go on to write very good historical fiction, including four set in crisis points in ancient British history.
I tend to believe we (the West) are on the brink of something devastating and awful. We need to wake up and find our way out of the mire we’ve sunk ourselves into.
JimC says
Hey Fletcher, thanks for weighing in. I think Deuce is up on Treece.
There’s a lot of interesting stuff on the Dark Mountain site. I’ve only scratched the surface.
deuce says
Hey Fletcher! I should’ve known you’d be up on Treece. I’ve called him the “British REH”. His outlook and use of language is very Howardian. A bit slower paced, perhaps, but the feeling is there. Morgan Holmes and I are both fans. I recommend HT’s history of the Crusades to anyone.
Fletcher Vredenburgh says
I think I’ve got a copy of that kicking around. I’ll have to see if I can find it.
I like the REH comparison. I’m disappointed his work isn’t really available.Definitely deserves to be better known.
lane batot says
….one good thing about taking yer time to pecking out(laboriously for moi!) comments on this blog, is that often plenty others of this blog tribe do it for me! Yes, yes, yes, to SOOOOO much of the above commentary! I was once ridiculed by a(very urban) injun gal(genetically injun) for my interests like camping in a tipi, keeping and training wolf dogs(both for travois and sleds!), making injun-looking clothes, wearing war paint and feathers when raiding my enemies(dang good PRACTICAL reasons for THAT, if anyone is curious! And LOTS of tales about my raiding days! I counted MANY coups!), etc. etc. etc. She labeled me one of the “Wannabee” tribe. I told her I and my dogs made up MY OWN tribe, and genetics had zip to do with it! I came by my interests and practices and lifestyle quite honestly, and simply PREFER them to the artificial fakery I’ve seen most urban civilized life to be. Little wonder I can relate very well to someone like Grey Owl! Although I DO have a bit of actual injun genetics way back there(why I often facetiously joke about being 1/64th Comanche!), and my human family has a ready way to explain my interests since BIRTH–I’m a genetic “continued…..throwback”! Another more new-agey friend insists I’m a reincarnated Injun….to be continued….
lane batot says
uh–that first “continued” is a typo….
lane batot says
…..and keeping up ANY practice of “the Old Ways” is important, I think, and hopefully gets passed on–I believe it is the ONLY hope for our species’ survival, eventually(but let’s hope no time in the near future!). I believe the Bible’s mention of “the meek shall inherit the earth” may refer to some very obscure, isolated indigenous “wild” people living remotely in the Amazon or Siberia or the Congo or the Kalahari!! That actually doesn’t make me too depressed, as that’s what our species NEEDS to get back to–in my opinion. EVERYONE who hasn’t already done so REALLY NEEDS to get the easily and cheaply available copies of both “Ishmael” and the(even better) sequel “My Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn to realize the TRUTH about the society DOMINATING the planet just now, but how that IS NOT inevitable human evolution at work, but just the cancer-like spread of ONE destructive culture based on intense, surplus agriculture. We are NOT evolved to live that way!….to be cont…..
lane batot says
….that’s what NATURE does for me, interacting with it however briefly whenever I get the chance–it anchors me to REALITY. I don’t get disillusioned when major religions get questioned and ridiculed, I don’t feel inferior or have my perceptions of life and history disrupted by potentially real monkey wrenches like Alien visitations or influences through the ages, nor does the selfish, insane politics of urban civilized society bother me too much, because I have that connection to Nature. Nature/Creation(HOWEVER it came to be–I personally have no problem with evolution being the tool of a Creator!) IS reality!. Those frogs I hear calling in the forest tonight have been calling like that for MILLIONS of years, no matter WHAT humans think up and do! The STABILITY of indigenous cultures for thousands and thousands of years, and the UNIFORMITY of them across the planet in all their variety in every habitat imaginable–now THAT’S reality, and it is ALWAYS worthwhile to garnish your wisdom and knowledge on how to interact(and just BE COMFORTABLE in!) with Nature, because THAT’S what’s ALWAYS gonna be here–despite stupid greedy humans or haughty, manipulating aliens! Don’t keep trying to FIGHT those impossible odds–learn to just NOT NEED them! Learning how to hide from their arses could come in handy, too……to be cont.
JimC says
X-ring.
lane batot says
….I think I mentioned it before on this blog, but worth rementionning–a strange but neat little book by Jim Corbett(but not THE Jim Corbett of Tiger hunting fame! Another….) titled “Goatwalking”–much of the book was WAAAYY over my simple ape brain intellectually, but one concept I got and LOVED was how the Old Testament Sabbath was not necessarily about “rest” on the appointed day, but pulling out the old tents to practice and celebrate a more primitive life as once lived 40 years in the wilderness, for perspective as well as to PRESERVE the ability to do so did it become necessary again one day! Leaving one’s “labor” behind to get back to Nature and a simpler, humbler existence–yeah, that’s now MY concept of celebrating the Sabbath!
Saddle Tramp says
I’ll make it short & sweet…
Dinner & a movie Friday.
Laemmle Playhouse 7
Theatre 3 / 4:00 pm
Watched EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT
http://www.laemmle.com/films/40350
An Amazonian fever dream down a dark river. All shot in B&W with subtitles. The clash of cultures and time. A good fit for what’s in the air currently. For my money a FP qualified winner. Left more of an impact on me than anything I have seen for quite awhile. My take and my opinion.
Finished out with oversized portions at The Original Peppers Mexican Restaurant & Cantina across from the Santa Anita Track. Passed on my usual choice El Cholo’s Café this time around.
JimC says
Oh, I’ve gotta check that out…
Nick S. says
Well said! Both blog entry and comments! I’ve been gradually limping toward the same conclusions for a while now. The blatant falseness of the “civilization” around us has turned me off for a long time! As stated, what is important in life? Your tribe, a few good tools and a good dog or two! As to the current political/economic climate, it’s out of my hands so I might as well enjoy the ride! I too have concerns about the world we are leaving to our children but all I can do is raise critical thinkers and hope the best for ’em. Lane, I wish we were a bit closer! I sit around the campfire and talk dogs with you anytime! That goes for any of ya also!
JimC says
That’s right on the money. All you can do — and it’s a lot.
lane batot says
…..yeah, we really OUGHTA have a “Frontier Partisans Rendezvous” somewhere, someday! Burn us up a tipi or two!
Nick S. says
Yes Sir Lane! Although it might have to be split between East and Western branches. I haven’t been west of the Mississippi since 1990!
Wayne says
A Boy and His Dog was written by the great Harlan Ellison, who also wrote one of the best Star Trek episodes. Check him out on Amazon.