A Memory

Memories and I have a curious relationship.  Nothwithstanding the ability to recall general information, my ability to recall the memory of events is limited.  I often say that anything before age 16 or so has dissipated from my mind.  There is partial truth in that.  I'm sure if I concentrated long enough, I would be able to recall life events from those years.  I can recall a few; however, most of my vivid memories (of those I can remember once remembering) are gone.  When a memory seizes me, I take the opportunity to recall as much about it as I can, for I know soon that memory will be degraded and eventually gone.  It is curious how music can aid in the recall of a memory or in some cases enhance (or also distort) the contents of the memory.

One such memory has moved to the front of my mind, and it is from my final summer at VanderCook College of Music.  It is about a female and the brief friendship we forged over a short period of time in Chicago.  We're still friends to this date; however, there in a month there is only so much you can learn about a person to define their friendship in terms of friends you have had for years--but friend, nevertheless.

Before I continue, I have linked YouTube recording of "Motorcycle Drive By".  Listen to it before proceeding.

The lyrics are not that significant, but do have some meaning to the memory.  The tone of this song is what reminds me of the that summer.  We had planned to lie upon the grass outside of VanderCook and look into the trees.  Because of time conflicts, that never came to pass. That was one part of the over all memory of my experience.

Unfortunately (I can speak only for myself), nothing other than friendship (which is significant in itself for reasons that I'll probably describe in a future post) was to come out of our meeting.  While this memory is on the front part of mind, I'm working to recall and memorize meetings and conversations as best I can, for from our brief time together, I learned a great deal about myself.  Socrates has taught me some valuable lessons in my life, one of which is to "Know thyself."  Through this person, I experienced rare moments of introspection and insight, for that I'll be eternally grateful.

This memory is two years old.  Perhaps it is a problem that my mind has conjured it from the depts of my memory.  However, I wonder my mind's purpose was to remind me of the experience of self-discovery rather than the experience of bittersweet events.  Regardless, I'm glad it suraced long enough for me to attend it and relive some of the discovery.

Recall

The way aspects of your past resurface in your mind is most curious--especially when faced with an experience related or relived from the past.  It is as if you briefly relive all of those experiences in an instant while you respond to your current situation.

I recall years ago (almost eight if I recall) writing about something I've referred to as "the other voice."  I wrote in reference to a significantly difficult summer I experienced in the early 2000s.  The more I consider, I think I've written about "the other voice" a few times.

I'm not expanding on what "the other voice" is.  Part of me wishes to, but the other half knows the filter that I'm required to put on my speech.  I suspect some of my readers (ha! plural. . . delusions of grandeur) need no explanation.  If you wish for me to explain it, contact me.  If appropriate, I'll inform you.

I've re-read the above text, and am appalled by its poor quality.  My first inclination was to delete the post.  I've decided against it for one reason.  I always criticize the quality of my writing.  This blog post is the example I'll use should I have the need to support my criticism.

Movie Reviews from Krystal's

Before I type the story at hand, I've received some feedback about my review of The Deathly Hallows.  Mind you this, dear Reader, I am not disappointed in the movie at all, it was a wonderful movie.  I'm disappointed in myself; though, I apparently failed to write in such a way that made the distinction clear.

This story about movie reviews from Krystal's will be brief, but I think you may find it enjoyable.  Some of you may know the Courtney about whom I'll be writing.  If you don't, here is what you need to know:  He has been my best friend for many years--in some ways he's the sibling I never had.

During my undergrad years when I lived in Athens, Courtney and I would often see movies together at the Carmike 12 on Lexington Road in the Eastside.  That theater is where we met the Best Kid Ever and saw a load of fine films.  Often after a film, we'd go to Krystals, either on the Eastside near the intersection of Barnett Shoals Road and Lexington Road or on Prince Ave.  There we would partake in wonderful "food," and critique whatever movie we saw together.  In addition to our individual critique, we'd buy a USA Today, and compare/contrast our opinions to those of USA Today's critics.

I do not recall many details of this, but I remember these were most fun and humorous occasions.  I do remember wondering if we would be ejected from the Krystal establishments for being too loud (often it was late at night when we ate and were usually the only patrons in the restaurant.  We were never ejected though.  There isn't much to this story, but as I sat and waited for Potter 7.5, I wondered to myself how that would've been had we been together for the film and went to a Krystals afterward (assuming the time worked out).

Courtney lives in New Hampshire now, so such viewings followed by critique sessions are not possible anymore.  This is simply a memory--a positive one at that--that hasn't yet clouded over into oblivion.  After returning from the midnight Potter show, this and my previous post were items I wished to write.  Now you have experienced them--for better or worse.

Remembering the story of the Best Kid Ever

Before I start the post, I must say that I'm pissed at SquareSpace at the moment.  I had the entire post finished, and apparently my login had timed out, so when I submitted it, the post was eaten.  Now that I've finished ranting to Courtney via Skype and SquareSpace via twitter, I can begin again.

I have acquired my tickets for a midnight showing of Potter on July 15th (by the way, all theaters are saying it's July 14th, so if you're looking for the midnight tickets, make sure you put 7/14 as your date).  As the date comes closer, I'm reminded of a story of the Best Kid Ever.  It has some significance to Potter, but really, it's one of my few vivid memories, and I figure it's worth sharing.  Below are excerpts from old blog posts back in 2004.

From June 5th, 2004:  Blog post title:  Potter and a great kid.

The second part of the title.  While Courtney (a good friend of mine) and I were camping out spot to get in line to be seated for the film, there were two people already at the theater.  Bear in mind that Courtney and I arrived at the theater at 11:30 AM for a 1:00 PM show.  One of the two people was this kid (probably around 14 or 15 years old).  From his initial quotings of Monty Python, good taste in movies, and the fact he has seen, understood, enjoyed, and quoted the "in a row" quote from <i>Clerks</i>, it was obvious this kid was quite wise and intelligent for his age.  We ended up helping out greatly by saving him some seats in the acoustically superior row of the theater.

What's the signifiance of this you ask?  The significance is two-fold.  Most of you know (from either knowing me or reading my biography), I'm training to be a music educator.  I've taught a good many camps, etc. since I've been in college, and the part of the teaching that makes it worth is the part when you connect with a student and learning takes place.  Albeit, I obviously haven't taught this kid ever (or if I had, I have no recollection of it), but his intellectualism (he even made some intelligent comments concerning religion) reminded me of those kids I've taught in the past that made teaching worth it.  That doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed all of my students, but any educator will be able to tell about a few during their career that were exceptional.  This kid reminded me of those other students.

The second aspect of it, is that he reminded me of when I was a kid.  The older I become (in about 6 months I'll be the mighty age of 23 :P), the more I reflect upon my childhood.  Learning into what this kid's was interested (fantasy-movies, Clerks, etc.), and watching him actually enjoy an intelligent conversation with two adults gave me a moment of healthy nostalgia.  Thanks!

Before you (those who don't know about how I analyze people, etc.) assume I'm a freak and am over-analyzing interaction with this kid, know that I've done this forever.  As much as people annoy me, they often remind me of various aspects of my life.  Methinks without watching others, I wouldn't be motivated to analyze myself, and to steal a quote, "the unexamined life is not worth living."  Got to love symbiosis:  Courtney and I gave the kid a good conversation and reserved some seats for he and his siblings; the kid gave us a good reminder that the young aren't hopeless.

I had a second and final encounter with the Best Kid Ever almost two months later.

From July 31, 2004:  Blog post title: The Best Kid Ever returns and a new page!

So Courtney and I went to see The Village (which was dissappointing by the way) today.  It was against his better judgement (Ebert pretty much nailed the movie), but I convinced him to see it anyway.  Often horror films aren't with fairness by critics.  We sit in our acoustically perfect spot, and after a few minutes I decide to go get a drink.  I come back to a row that's a little more full that it was when I left.  Courtney says something like "look who it is."  I look, and it's The Best Kid Ever.  We recognize and greet each other, then proceed to watch the film with The Best Kid Ever enjoying it and Courtney and I both disliking it and almost bursting with laughter 2/3 of the way through the film.

Eventually, I'll reupload my old blog posts, but here is the story of the best kid ever for those who are new to the blog.  Courtney and I camped out Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (we actually got our tickets the night before, but we had no intention of getting a crappy seat because of a line).  While we were waiting (two other people where there at the theater) we either (a) heard this kid quote a Monty Python thing or (b) we said a Monty Python thing and the kid finished the quote.  Nevertheless, we began talking to this kid (who's about 14 or 15 years old) to pass the time as lines form, etc.  Well, this wasn't an ordinary 14 year old kid.  He knew his stuff about movies--good movies mind you.  He quoted parts of Clerks, which is one of my all-time favorite movies.  In fact, the quote he did was the consecutive blow-jobs quote.  If I recall, he also knew a bit about current politics.  Essentially I realized this kid was the kind of person who'd keep our society going when the earlier part of this generation (Courtney and I) expire, rather than being the kind of kid who's still in their invincible world of naievity.  Well, the odds of seeing this kid again were slim to none (it was random chance we spoke with him at the theater that other time), but (as stated above) we happened to meet up again at this theater.  We weren't able to have much of a conversation with the kid this time, because of him getting there late, then leaving soon after, but it was good to see him still doing well and being intelligent and inquisitive.

I know the second blog excerpt contains much of the information as the first.  I wanted to give you as much information about the Best Kid Ever that I can remember.  I estimate that he is probably 21 or 22 years old now.  I don't recall asking him his name (or if I did, I don't remember what it was).  Perhaps it would've been creepy for a senior in college to ask for such identifying information about a kid.

As mentioned in the posts, this kid had a special significance to me.  He reminded me of me--not physically, for I recall him being in good health, where as I have been obese for most of my life--but rather mentally in the sense that I had the intellectual capacity to keep up with the conversations of adults; mind you, I didn't have the intellect of an adult at 14, I was merely able to not get lost in conversation.

I've had a few students in my short career that have reminded me of the Best Kid Ever, but none that replicate the experience.  I doubt I can or will replicate the experience.  You may wonder why do I cling to this memory.  The answer is simple.  I don't have many vivid memories--especially memories that have the effect that this one does.  I want to keep them in my working memory.  Hopefully this memory will not deteriorate into nothing as so many of my memories of childhood have.

I'm sure I'll remember the Best Kid Ever as I enter the theater for the final Potter film.  He represents part of my inner child.  I hope that part doesn't die with the film.

Update on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 10:59PM by Eddie Jennings, Jr.

All is now good with SquareSpace.  Kudos to @SquareSpaceHelp.  They regularly check their tweets.