LIFE COMPARTMENTALIZED

I subscribe to the theory our brain’s a giant filing cabinet, and we never forget anything – we just can’t access the occasional detail when we’d like.

I think that’s right, but I need to check the right side of my filing cabinet.

And pray nature doesn’t unalphabetize everything.

I subscribe to a similar life theory: Our personal histories are a set of files comprising our ‘us-ness’, accessed when needed or prompted.

Our lives compartmentalized.

Files opened for strength during challenging times, wisdom when we’re confused, or recalling life memories – good and bad.  

And those files contain many different people, depending on when the filing occurred…

While we subconsciously draw upon our ‘us-ness’ and past experience to navigate daily life, external events, like notable deaths, reunions, or a sad song combined with one too many IPA can trigger a rush of memory file openings – and Old Man Ramblings for anyone within earshot, providing an eye glazing oral history.

When Sinead O’Connor died, I pulled out my ‘Golden Age of Alternative Music’ file, the ‘80s me listening to WRAS (aka Album 88) – and alternately Old Man Rambling and Ranting: “College radio was cool”, “Kids Today” (shakes fist angrily) ruined it!                                                                             

Sadly, WRAS later converted to NPR, proving yet again “Adults ruin everything”.   

The news of Boxcar Willie’s passing bittersweet, the ‘70s me angry he nixed my admission to Rodeo Clown School. What might have been…  

But Pee Wee Herman’s death a real jolt.

When our kids were little, My Captor and I’d alternate getting up on weekends – I’d get up on Saturday, and I’d get up on Sunday.

But Saturdays were about Pee Wee’s Playhouse – feeding our youngest’s morning bottle entertained by Pee Wee and friends.

Warm memories – easily a 15 minute Old Man Ramble – also reminding of my ‘Political Activism Phase’, when I promoted 2 groundbreaking pieces of legislation.

The first, “IPA on tap everywhere”, gaining traction until squashed by the Chocolate Stout and Cider lobbies. Those guys are vicious…

The second, making Pee Wee’s “Word of the Day” (WOTD), a national requirement.

I had used “Lucky” as WOTD in my Father of the Bride toasts, and guests loved it. Of course, I had just bought them dinner and drinks, so there’s that…

Also tried briefly during my Coke workdays, but when the WOTD was “Reorganization”, everyone ran screaming from the building, succeeding in ‘Reduction In Force’ – I guess it worked.

Unfortunately, when Paul Reubens and I appeared before the House ‘Viva Censorship and You Can’t Say That Committee’, the WOTD was “Corruption”, everyone running screaming from the building…

The bill unfortunately filed away.

I’m comfortable with the past, but it should remain past – I’m ‘reunion averse’ for fear of which of the old mes might appear.

But Omaha featured a family reunion – I was Jimmy Pete again -and a grade/high school friends get-together – I was a 15 year-old moron again – as opportunities to revisit former versions of myself.

Both were fun – I got along with both mes – but reminded: Live in the present, visit your past.

Exercise caution though: The Past can be a vortex…

In that spirit, don’t get too attached to past selves -or things.

A cautionary tale: My Nifty Glass was a prized possession. Was.

Tragically shattered – fortunately, while holding an IPA – dying honorably.

In its absence, I tried drinking beer from my cupped hands – no go – then found another glass.

Glassware – and life -move on.

So, with our Omaha visit now added to my life files, I propose my favorite “WOTD”: Lucky!

Because remembering how Lucky we are, makes today an incredible thing.

For 180 more posts like this –each with a wish to stream Pee Wee’s Playhouse – go to beersatthenifty.com. Your phone will display every post, and you can waste an hour or two.

Or send me an email to the site, and I’ll add you to my Sunday distribution.

TO ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING SONGS (FIND YOUR OWN DAMN LYRICS!):

Of Montreal is an Athens band, that has released a bunch (18) of quirky, yet listenable albums. A family favorite was The Sunlandic Twins, worth a listen.

A personal favorite is the song The Past Is a Grotesque Animal 11:53 of rollicking fun, with lines like: “The sun is out and melts the snow that fell just yesterday – makes you wonder why it bothered”

“Things could be different, But they’re not” “Even apocalypse is fleeting”

And while we’re on Athens bands, check out Elf Power. Fun.