Whale Have I Been?

Yes, I know I haven't posted in a few days. That doesn't mean that I haven't been faithfully reading the MD, just that I haven't had a chance to pull my thoughts together.

I am still enjoying it and now I have read more than on any of my other attempts.

A big shout out to my FB friends who have taken the plunge (had to say it) with me.

More soon. I promise.

Whale Tartare

Didn't read any MD last night but did think about it before I went to bed. And I attempted to incubate a dream about whales. My subconscious wasn't all that cooperative or perhaps it was. Who knows really cause dreams can be so darn cryptic. Here is what I ended up dreaming about:

Having sex with Marcus Samuelsson - the dude who used to be the chef at Aquavit. Now he is on a million TV shows about food. The sex was good and he likes to cook seafood. I am sure he could whip up some delish whale tartare.

Whale-Mart

Last night I spent some time with Chapter 1. I liked it. I really liked it. Here are my favorite parts:

1. The description of how he is feeling that makes him want to jump on a boat and head out to sea

"Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses..." (p21)

Brilliant - this is just brilliant. I can totally relate to that damp, Novembery feeling in the soul. I, however, take myself to Walmart or Target when I feel that way, rather then down to the docks.

2. "Yes, as every one knows, meditation and water are wedded for ever." (p22)

Timeless, I say. This book is timeless. I meditated on this thought for a while and it is true. One of the reasons that I do my best thinking in a good, hot shower.

3. The reason he chooses not to go to sea as a cook

"I never fancied broiling fowls; -- though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more respectfully, not to say reverentially, of a broiled fowl than I will." (p23)

I could read that sentence over and over for days and not get bored. Yes, it could have been said in fewer words - but why? I find myself with an intense craving for roast chicken.

4. This description of the sea

"It is the image of the ungraspable phantom of life; and this is the key to it all." (p23)

I have no idea what this means but I feel like when I finally do understand it, I will be a way better person.

5. "And there is all all the difference in the world between paying and being paid." (p.24)

Think about that for a few moments.

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And now on to Chapter 2 and beyond.

I saw a whale once off the coast of Puerto Rico

And so it begins -- my fourth attempt to read Moby Dick.

This morning when I woke up, I felt this strange urge to try and read this book again. I have no idea why this was my first thought today. But I am going with it. I have convinced myself that my prior attempts failed due to lack of support. I mean, surely it wasn't that the book was too hard for me. I have two freaking Master's degrees and an ABD of which I am very proud. So it must be lack of support. I mean, surely it can't be that some old, dead, white man got the better of me with his book full of words and more words about words. I saw a whale once off the coast of Puerto Rico. I love whales, always have. This should be no problem.

All I need is some support. My FB friends were not overwhelming in their support. But their anti-support I suppose counts as support of some sort. Hopefully this blog will bring me some support - all support welcome.

I will read this book. I just checked and it is only 536 pages. I really thought it was a lot more than that. 536 pages, I can do that. I just need a little support. So off I go jumping into the deep end (come on, you knew I couldn't resist some ocean cliches).

Here we go...