Comments on: Being Civilized

By: Michael Bains

Michael Bains — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 21:25:44 +0000

Larry, that is exactly why I always have both a thin cottom blanket AND a great big ol’ comforter. Who knows what mess may lay beneath its thick protective luxury? For that matter, who cares?!

It is indeed a perfect tray on which to set the day’s clothes.

And easily drawn off and to the couch as the auxiliary heating system when the main boiler is on the fritz, don’t ya know.

Ahhhh, civilization.

{-;

By: Caravana Basura

Caravana Basura — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 05:57:23 +0000

This reminds me of toothpaste tubes. Remember those old metallic tubes, which were made out of lead and mercury?

If you were dedicated and skillful, it was possible to roll them up in exquisitely perfectly fashion.

It was also possible to mistreat them and create repulsive disfigurements, with great pockets of festering, wasted toothpaste. What a waste of precious resources!

I had a roommate long ago — whose name was Larry, oddly enough — who folded those metallic tubes in such perfection that it was at the same time painfully, almost erotically beautiful and creepy-disturbing.

The first time I saw one of his toothpaste tubes, when he was not around, I burst out laughing. I could not believe how perfect was Larry’s job of tube folding.

Needless to say, I created the repulsive disfigurements. They haunt me to this day.

Now, 30 years later, we all have plastic toothpaste tubes.

These offer no choice to their users. The most disgusting, nose-picking, bus-riding slob will have the same in-service, nearly depleted toothpaste tube as my fastidious, hard-working roommate Larry of long ago. It seems unfair.

If Larry and I were to meet today and compare our toothpaste tubes, they would be exactly the same. He would no longer have the capacity to show me up, nor to steal my girl friend because she liked his tube better than mine. Maybe it isn’t unfair, after all.

And this reminds me of another thing: Andy Rooney! Hey, Andy! You get PAID for writing this kind of crap?

By: emma goldman

emma goldman — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 00:43:03 +0000

I did, in fact, see that part, Larry. And it’s STILL too much effort for me. If I had a camera, I’d take a picture of the mess that is my bed. I do not want to be bothered with it in any way, shape, or form. Of course, you have a grown-up bedroom, by the looks of it, while I still look like post-college/grad-school person. Perhaps someday my crap will be color-coordinated and grownup-looking. But probably not.

By: Larry Jones

Larry Jones — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 23:04:15 +0000

I'm surprised how many ~~big ol' slobs~~ people there are who don't make their beds. Anyway, the point I was trying to make is that bed-making, a small outward sign of organization and decorum in a civil society, can be ~~a great big pain in the ass~~ kind of an annoyance, but not if you have a big, fluffy bedspread to hide all the bumps and wrinkles! You get to look neat and organized (and civil!), but you really hardly have to pay any price in time or effort for it. You really have to read between the lines here.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 22:30:50 +0000

Don’t we all have those little habits of civility that create a sense of disheveledness when left undone? Mine is my bedroom closet. It’s the only place in my house that is ALWAYS neat and tidy. Oh … and, of course my hair. Everything else can be falling apart, but I always have good hair.

By: gnightgirl

gnightgirl — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:58:43 +0000

I have the big white down comforter, so lumpy and thick you don’t even really have to toss out the sheets/blankets under.

This is a great piece, I loved every word. Submit it somewhere, and get paid for it!

By: kStyle

kStyle — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:13:44 +0000

Cozy! Wheee

By: emma goldman

emma goldman — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 11:47:35 +0000

Will the Vandals care that I haven’t made my bed? If so, THEY can make the damned thing. And clean the bathroom while they’re at it, perhaps; it’s dirty, but I don’t have any time to clean it right now. Plus the kitchen floor. And my laundry. And perhaps a foot massage.

By: blue girl

blue girl — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:11:01 +0000

I was raised by a quarter-bouncer. AND someone who kept a rake in the closet so that they could rake out the footprints in the carpeting as people walked by.

Yes, things can be taken too far.

But, I agree with your basic premise — that it’s the little things that make life worth living.

I’m going to start making my bed more, Larry! And as I skip down the street with a smile in my heart, and one on my lips for perfect strangers, I will think of you.

By: Larry Jones

Larry Jones — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 07:05:14 +0000

Eeky – I hope it looks more like a tango, but yes, that is the exact location. Note Molly the Cat in the window. Picture taken today (January 3, 2007).