Kevin's Blog

Splendid Isolation?

While sorting through everything we have read this semester, it seems only appropriate that I use my blog to relate one of them to my paper on Warren Zevon...

In Walden Thoreau set out to do what many though could not be-- to live completely apart from the rest of civilization and, in doing so, render himself freed from his unforunate notions of dependency on others.  Say what you will about how the Transcendentalist actually pulled off this feat, two years and two months alone in the woods is a long time.  And yet as we read through this work, I could not help but notice a part of me that desired the very same thing, to be cut off from the pressures and strains of society to find myself satisfied with something greater than all of that.  Upon further investigation, I realized this stance was not an uncommon one, that even my roommates had pondered the merits of isolation (read: what does this say about me as a living partner...yikes)

So what is it within us that desires to be seperate from the rest of the world?  Consider the lyrics to one of Zevon's songs appropriately entitled "Splendid Isolation":

I want to live alone in the desert
I want to be like Georgia O'Keefe
I want to live on the Upper East Side
And never go down in the street

Splendid Isolation
I don't need no one
Splendid Isolation

Michael Jackson in Disneyland
Don't have to share it with nobody else
Lock the gates, Goofy, take my hand
And lead me through the World of Self

Splendid Isolation
I don't need no one
Splendid Isolation

Don't want to wake up with no one beside me
Don't want to take up with nobody new
Don't want nobody coming by without calling first
Don't want nothing to do with you

I'm putting tinfoil up on the windows
Lying down in the dark to dream
I don't want to see their faces
I don't want to hear them scream

Splendid Isolation
I don't need no one
Splendid Isolation

Splendid Isolation
I don't need no one
Splendid Isolation

And for a guy that experienced mild success, this is a pretty powerful request.   Zevon's desire for isolation does not appear to be influenced by the press or even public eye, so why does he so desperately want to "have nothing to do with you"?

The easy answer, of course, dwells within motivations of the individual, but a widescale longing for independence is worth a survey nonetheless.  In many ways, this "escape" is nothing more than simply running away from one's problems.  How many times have I considered averting a paper deadline by relocating to a sweet Spanish-speaking country...too many is the only appropriate answer.  By keeping others out and starting anew somehwere (even within ourselves), it is easy to view isolation as nothing more than a shirking of our responsibilities.  Despite this somewhat obvious observation, however, we, as a literary audience, still herald figures such as Thoreau in high regard-- even going so far as to acredit his reclusivity as brilliant and timeless.

The question that begs to be asked, following this brief overview, When did it evolve from mere laziness to an introspective way of living?

posted by: kaculotta at 19:02 | link | comments |

Success, Revisited

One of the benefits of taking a class on success is that just about anything can be included within this survey.  After spending nearly three months analyzing literary and philosophical takes on success, my own understanding of the somewhat nebulous topic has been challenged.  For years I considered myself outside the dangers of being defined by my work or allowing my role in the world to determine my value.  As I stand on the brink of student-teaching, however, I realize how easy it is to fall victim to this very real danger.

In The Art of Living, Epictetus defines the elements of a virtuous life as "your own right action, your fidelity, honor, and decency" (103).  I'll have to go back and read over this brief list, but nowhere in there did I see "how others perceive you" or even "success in the workplace" as part of his definition.  The reason, I can only surmise, is because our life must be part of something bigger than itself to carry any merit whatsoever.  If not, our best aspirations would be defined by the traditional strongholds of the American Dream-- big house, big car, big salary,etc.

The beauty of Epictetus' writing (along with that of several other authors studied this semster) is that he is capable of remembering what truly matters.  Until very recently I thought I was prone to doing just the same, and yet as the transition to the "Real World" approaches suddenly I am less convinced.  It is easy for me to focus on the important things when the unimportant is taken care of.  Moving forward with overly-romantic ideals about the unimportance of money and the essential nature of fellowship I truly believed I had it all figured out, and in a way I did.  The only difficulty now lies in the application of such "virtues."

C.S. Lewis is the author of one of the most influential quotations in my life to date when he said, "You can't get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first."  This idea of First Things First is a common, yet remarkably difficult one.  As my responsibilities and stressers increase in life I feel the only thing I can hope to do is simply allow first things to be first and hope that the second, third, fourth and so on fall into place (and ultimately my lap).  This sounds great when reading it in a blog or even a book, yet the question remains, what is the First Thing?

I return to the philosophies of Epictetus and co. from this semester when I re-state the importance of seeing our lives in context to something greater.  For me, this means reconciling my existence as a very small part of something I have little to no control over, and that the truly important aspects of life are probably the ones I have the most difficulty focusing on.  To quote one of the great 20th Century philosophers Tom Culotta, my hope remains to simply "Make an 'A' in life."

posted by: kaculotta at 03:02 | link | comments |

Walden Quiz

Thoreau Revisited

1.  A good portion of Henry David Thoreau’s Walden is spent in criticism of the lives of those around him, notably his neighbors.  Thoreau points out that he feels their priorities are out of line as there is such a great focus on “irrelevant” happening such as the news.  In his chapter “What I Lived For,” Thoreau states that we should pay less attention to what is happening and more on the truths that do not change.  In this way, says Thoreau, we will be able to focus on what truly matters rather than merely “keeping up with the Jones’.”

 

2.  Thoreau boldly asserts that he did not experience loneliness during his two years in the woods any more than he did while living in Concord.  In his chapter titled “Solitude” Thoreau writes, “Why should I feel lonely?...What sort of space is that which separates a man from his fellows and makes him solitary?  I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to one another” (87).  Here, Thoreau makes the point that being alone is nothing more than a state-of-mind, and that simply being near people in the physical sense does not guarantee a respite from loneliness.  One could even argue that he had his thoughts to keep him company.

 

3.  Like many of the other popular things of his time, Thoreau was not an advocate for the expansion of the railroads.  On page 61 he can even be read saying, “One is enough” and that the construction of the railroads (connecting both coasts of the country) would only make us less focused on what we have.  By attempting to gain more we miss the point and begin taking things for granted.  For Thoreau, the railroads were a sign of complication, not simplicity—this presented a problem for our philosopher as he believed there was much we were missing right in front of our eyes.  The completion of the railroad, as he saw it, assured we would continue to simply miss the forest from the trees.

posted by: kaculotta at 19:02 | link | comments |

Enjoy Every Sandwich

Despite the deceiving nature of the title-- Success vs Fulfillment: Which is it for you?--this article by Jeffrey Gitomer looks at how one achieves success and how, ultimately, this can lead to fulfillment.  A self-proclaimed "sales guru," Gitomer's article at first seems to have little to do with singer/songwriter Warren Zevon.  Considering ideals of success, however, and how they were or were not reflected in the life of this rebellious rockstar, Gitomer's article takes on new meaning.  While he looks at success versus fulfillment in a career setting, there is much value to be taken away from his thoughts.

Gitomer begins his piece by identifying his elemtns of acievement a drive, a desire, a goal, and a dream-- it is interesting to note that he seperates the latter two, stating that "your dream may be different from your goal."  The author then goes on to define success and achievement based mainly on the desire or passion one has for what he or she does. 

Stop. Zevon Time.

Already this draws immense parallels in what I already know about the "Dirty Life and Times" of Mr. Zevon.  Despite questionable life choices and often destructive actions, Zevon led a life of few regrets.  Until the day of his death he maintained doing what he loved-- singing and recording.  In one article he even mentions how his response to the news of having terminal lung cancer was to start writing a song.  The result, "Keep Me in Your Heart," is part of his final recording, an act, as he described, that helped him not focus on the "distractions of life."  Though Jeffrey Gitomer may not have even heard of Warren Zevon, here they overlap in outlook on success.

Resuming our discussion on Jeffrey Gitomer however, his article goes on to survey how success can and should lead to fulfillment.  Gitomer, like Zevon, talks of focusing on what we love rather than who we love.  The people we love, outside a select few (i.e. spouse, children, familt, etc) can often change, Gitomer writes, but our passions in life can prove more constant.  Like the "sales guru," Zevon too turns to what he loves to do in his eleventh hour.

This article also surveys the intentions behind success, noting that money, safety, status, greed, and short-term gratification all fall short of fullfilment.  Though these may be benchmarks of cultural success, he says, it will not leave one feeling passionate or satisfied.  In much the same manner, Zevon's life was one filled with stories of debauchary and excessiveness, two elements that are rarely identified as outward signs of success.  And yet despite these absurdities, reflections on his life remain positive, carefree, and content.  In an interview with David Letterman shortly before his death, Zevon was asked what advice he might leave for those of us with many years to go.  The songwriter responded only by saying "enjoy every sandwich," gently urging the audience to embrace the quiet, everday moments of one's life.

Gitomer concludes his article with a series of questions he encourages his readers to ask themselves each morning: 1) Am I happy on the inside? 2) Am I doing what I love? 3) Am I doing my best for those I love? 4) Am I doing my best for myself? and 5) Am I smiling?  It is my belief that if asked these questions daily, Warren Zevon may have provided different answers, but would have always pointed toward contentment. 

So for this late rockstar, Mr. Gitomer, it would be fulfillment...

-kac

posted by: kaculotta at 15:05 | link | comments (1) |

Meaning at the Thresholod of Death?

The first article in my array of sources I have chose to delve into is one written by Philip Helsel entitled "Warren Zevon's The Wind and Ecclesiastes: Searching for Meaning at the Threshold of Death."  In his piece, Helsel looks at the final album of Zevon's career (recorded throughout the final year of his life) as well as the book of Ecclesiastes, located in the early books of the Bible.  Helsel makes the discinction early on, however, that his purpose is not to compare these two works, but rather to use them as corresponding "conversation pieces" in which he explores the common theme of reviewing one's life.  The Wind proves a worthy source for this as it represents the culminating efforts of the final months of Zevon's life before succumbing to terminal lung cancer.  Ecclesiastes, on the other hand, is a poetic work that centers around findinding meaning in one's life in light of a seemingly apathetic world in which we live.

Upon conducting a search through EbscoHost, this was one of the first articles that emerged.  I was thrilled to see such success in simply searching the word "Zevon" and immediately began scribbling down the author's information.  Having recently read through and reflected on Ecclesiastes on my own, I was delighted to find a source that used both this book as well as the work of one of my favorite musicians (who also happens to the subject for my seminar paper).

As I read through Helsel's article I found much information that will prove useful for my own purposes.  Being a hospice chaplain, Helsel provides a unique and highly servicable point-of-view.  More than once the author describes different stages of the life-review process, including pleasure, dissatisfaction, failure of the body, as well the search for companionship.  Helsel goes on to make some intriguing parallels between the author of Ecclesiastes (an uknown Hebrew writer) and Mr. Zevon.  He comments on how each go through these different stages and have some overlapping as well as some conflicting thoughts.  He specifically looks at the lyrics contained in The Wind, analyzing them for philosophical and psychological value in regards to the topic at hand.  Zevon, he mentions, comes to a similar conclusion as the Ecclesiastes author, in that each have achieved the "outward manifestations of the good life...but satisfaction has eluded [them]."  Helsel likewise focuses on leaving behind a legacy, mainly looking at the last song on Zevon's album "Keep Me in Your Heart for a While."  Helsel notes that Zevon is most interested in being rememberd by loved ones for a short time following his demise, whereas his Hebrew counterpart is concerned mainly with his possessions.

Overall I was pleased with the amount of information I was able to take away from Helsel's article.  At times, however, I did find myself in disagreement with his readings of ancient scripture or contemporary rock.  Helsel's article proved insightful and fun to read and I remain amazed at just how close his topic overlaps with my own.  So much of our notions of "success" are rooted in reflection and life review.  As "Warren Zevon's The Wind and Ecclesiastes: Searching for Meaning at the Threshold of Death" centers mainly on how Zevon's life review can be seen as a response to that of the writer behind Ecclesiastes, the material will be highly relevant and very useful.  As for now, the research and topic remain fresh and exciting and I am anxious to continue working on my survey of success through the eyes of Warren Zevon.

-kac

posted by: kaculotta at 14:49 | link | comments (1) |

Oh The Possibilities!

A paper with very few parameters at first sounds like a dream come true-- "Can I really write about anything at all?"  Shortly after this initial reaction, however, reality sets in that this assignment will actually be due someday and this freedom soon turns into a desperate reality-- "What is something I can write about?"  True, finding a topic that is worthy of this much time, attention, and most of all personal investment is no small task; yet the point remains that whatever topic is ultimately chosen will pail in comparison to the process of constructing such a masterpiece.  With that in mind, I cautiously delve into the following possibilities for my (duh, duh, duh!) Seminar Paper...

The idea of "success" has bewildered even the greatest minds for centuries-- merely scratching the surface of Socratic philosophy this semester has proved that much.  Is it defined simply by the individual?  If so, then why is there such a discrepancy between the values (or lack thereof) of a culture versus those that inhabit it?  Or do individuals form their ideas of success based on the culture in which they live, inevitably pointing to the generation immediately preceding them.  But then how do we account for rebellion and the replacing of values (and therefore perceptions of success)?

Alas, defining and tracing "success" proves from the start to be an ongoing and cyclical process to say the least, not unlike the origin of The Chicken...or is it The Egg...

Investigating "success," therefore, seems most intriguing when looked at through the lens of one's existence.  In order to avoid hackneyed cliches that compare life to the "unknown" that is a box of chocolates, however, it seems beneficial to choose a life that stands apart yet remains "successful" in the eyes of the public.  For this reason, I am captivated at the prospect of compiling an essay that examines success through the eyes of a public figure.  This would allow me to include biographical information as well as other notions of success (such as that of our friend Socrates as well as my own).

Though the individual remains undetermined, I am looking forward to mentally surveying a variety of people over the course of the next few days.

F-U-N--T-O-P-I-C...that's the way you spell "success"

-kc

posted by: kaculotta at 17:51 | link | comments (1) |

Credo de Culotta

If the unexamined life is not worth living, what, then, is the fate of the undetermined life?  While there is much to be said for spontaneity, an existence that lacks any one direction is not unlike to fate of a piece of trash blown about by the wind.  Therefore, without any further delays, I present my own mission statement...

For both the times at hand and those that are to come, I resign myself to the following: authenticity, compassion, courage, gratitude, and spirituality.  It should be noted that each of these is somewhat dependent upon the other, and that no one can manifest itself in my life on its own.  Authenticity promotes a trustworthiness and reliability to everything I say and do-- allowing me to come closer to being the man I have set out to be.  Likewise, compassion and courage come together to enable sensitivity and gentleness in my relationships, while remaining strong and inspired in my experiences.  Gratitude keeps me from forgetting how blessed I truly am, while spirituality reminds me that I am not the center of the universe.  Each of these qualities are inescapable in helping define where I am and where I hope to go.

As a brother, friend, student, and son, I long to never forget the responsibility that comes with each of these roles, nor the people who make them possible.  It is my hope that when my life is celebrated by those I love that they will all have different and dear memories of who I am.  For my father, I hope that he can say that he has been encouraged, challenged, and overall pleased with the way I have carried out my life-- that I am content as he has been by being a part of our family.  It is my hope that my brother can say he has learned more from our lifelong friendship than perhaps any other relationship in his life, and that he has experienced an overwhelming amount of love and support from his biggest admireer, his little brother.  Likewise, I will always want my friends to remember me as the guy that helped them take a break from reality through laughter; someone that they could count on to get things done, but also to never take himself too seriously.  And that those who taught me what I know will be able to see the imprints they have left on my life-- through both my deeds and words.

Overall I desire to make an impact in the lives of others.  I care far less about the numbers than I do the individuals, though the point remains to reach as many people as possible throughout my limited number of days here.  Personal invesment into the lives of others is truly the only living legacy that I can leave.  I want to help instill a desire for learning and empathy for others, modeling my life after Christ who was, after all, the greatest humanitarian of all.  I believe this is the greatest contribution I could possibly make in the life of another and, in turn, the world.

To quote the late Pastor Kyle Lake:

Live. And Live Well. BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now. On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun. If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE. Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time. If you bike, pedal HARD and if you crash then crash well. Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done-a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed. If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old's nose, don't be disgusted if the Kleenex didn't catch it all because soon he'll be wiping his own. If you've recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well. At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you're eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life. Because-it-is-most-definitely-a-Gift.

posted by: kaculotta at 02:33 | link | comments |

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