We are the narrative − 28 February, 2007
People have been connected through storytelling for as long as campfires have been around. New experiences are shared and enrich the lives of the speaker and the audience. Shared experiences become the common threads that weave us together. Things haven't changed much in the past 790,000 years. Parents still remember where they were when John F. Kennedy was shot, and children will forever recall what they were doing when they first saw the Twin Towers fall on television. These are major experiences with international reach.
But what about the other stories important to me? They are smaller tragedies and deeper joys that one might not find worthy of a page in Wikipedia. In my lifeworld, they are monumental.
I lost my grandfather in 1989, the first funeral I ever attended. It was a traumatic year when I also experienced academic and relationship failures, too. I remember seeing Max Headroom show up on the television during a few seconds of a pirated signal during the evening news in Chicago. I got to play an extra in a couple movies (Dutch and Gladiator), meeting Robert Townsend's brother in the process. I went to the last series at Old Comiskey and 20 games in the new stadium the following year. My friends and I reveled in a Super Bowl march, and I paid $800 for the right to stand in United Center to see Michael Jordan's last home game as a Bull. A semi truck filled with frozen pizzas collided with another vehicle in the lane next to us. I won the math contest. Letters to the editor. TPing a friend's house. Speed Racer at 3:30p on WFLD. Loss of job. Graduation. The Freedom Train. Disneyworld. Driving to DePauw in less than 3 hours. Pretzel, the dog, and Caramel, the cat. Campaigning for Cleo Fields. My wife. My first son. My second son. My parents' divorce. A twenty-something friend dies of a childhood ailment. My screenplay is eaten by a Syquest drive.
Every memory I share is a potential shared memory of another. These stories connect to each other and bring together people with variations on the same theme. That exchange serves only to enrich. Although my stories have only begun to be told, I am thankful Dandelife exists to keep them present.
But what about the other stories important to me? They are smaller tragedies and deeper joys that one might not find worthy of a page in Wikipedia. In my lifeworld, they are monumental.
I lost my grandfather in 1989, the first funeral I ever attended. It was a traumatic year when I also experienced academic and relationship failures, too. I remember seeing Max Headroom show up on the television during a few seconds of a pirated signal during the evening news in Chicago. I got to play an extra in a couple movies (Dutch and Gladiator), meeting Robert Townsend's brother in the process. I went to the last series at Old Comiskey and 20 games in the new stadium the following year. My friends and I reveled in a Super Bowl march, and I paid $800 for the right to stand in United Center to see Michael Jordan's last home game as a Bull. A semi truck filled with frozen pizzas collided with another vehicle in the lane next to us. I won the math contest. Letters to the editor. TPing a friend's house. Speed Racer at 3:30p on WFLD. Loss of job. Graduation. The Freedom Train. Disneyworld. Driving to DePauw in less than 3 hours. Pretzel, the dog, and Caramel, the cat. Campaigning for Cleo Fields. My wife. My first son. My second son. My parents' divorce. A twenty-something friend dies of a childhood ailment. My screenplay is eaten by a Syquest drive.
Every memory I share is a potential shared memory of another. These stories connect to each other and bring together people with variations on the same theme. That exchange serves only to enrich. Although my stories have only begun to be told, I am thankful Dandelife exists to keep them present.
Comments:
kga245 (March 1, 2007. 11:49pm)
wow
kga245 (March 2, 2007. 01:43am)
Hey, Kevin. The decision was unanimous. You are the winner of the iPod. Congratulations. And very well written. You had some stiff competition, but this is one hell of a testimonial. Do me a favor and send to my personal email address your street address and phone number for shipping purposes. An iPod will be on its way when you do. kelly [at] dandelife [dot] com
kmakice (March 15, 2007. 09:47pm)
I got the iPod yesterday, my first. It's been great to get re-acquainted with music. It also makes watching NCAA hoops more enjoyable without the inane commentary.
kga245 (March 15, 2007. 10:26pm)
Glad you are enjoying it already. You earned it!