American Graffiti (OT)

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Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California, now Ireland
Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 17, 2019 - 03:05pm PT
I know this is an off topic thread. It is not about climbing, but also it is not about politics, nor is it an Emergency.

I already sent a similar tome to friends and family via email, two of which are also on this forum, so Johnny Rotten and Anders, bear with me and the duplication.

Libraries. Thank the heavens for them. In the UK they are phasing them out, falling prey to the thought of Amazon, digital "information" and the like. I do not know about the US or elsewhere, but here in Ireland they are trying to 'build' them, to attract more library goers/users.


I took out American Graffiti, a film I have not seen for years, many years. a great film in my opinion.

Cruising the main. In Walnut Creek, Main Street was THE cruising spot. Concord and other towns and cities had some cruising but WC/Creektown attracted cruisers from all around Contra Costa County. To be sort of stereotyping (apologies but...) we had low riders, greasers, jocks and even left-wing hippies (gosh, did I just write all of those stereotypes? How 'culture' can be pervasive), from all around.

I was mainly a backseat cruiser with older friends and my late brother Mac as well, as by the time I got my driving licence (1972) I was past cruising. But it was the scene on Friday and Saturday nights.

Ah, nostalgia. The "good ole' days".

But, what were the good old days? To each generation they mean something different.

I have written this before, but in researching for my screenplay (yet to be produced), The Kalems, as I was in the National Library of Ireland, reading back from a 1909 edition of The Kerryman newspaper, it struck me, the good old days.

Here was a letter to the editor complaining about "the shiftless young men, hanging out on the bridge drinking stout. Doing no good."

Fast forward (or rewind) to any 'older' generation complaining about the 'vagaries' (yes a play on words) of youth. You can go back to ancient Greek and Chinese times to find the same... complaints, remarks, call then what you want.

Funny, isn't that. Sometimes our minds close as we get older, sometimes they open to new ideas. We are all capable of close minds, or open minds. It is a choice.

Back to the film, I think it should rate as one of the all-time great flicks about Americana.
capseeboy

Social climber
portland, oregon
Feb 17, 2019 - 03:19pm PT
To be sort of stereotyping (apologies but...) we had low riders, greasers, jocks and even left-wing hippies (gosh, did I just write all of those stereotypes? How 'culture' can be pervasive), from all around.

No apology necessary. Most of those stereotypes at my HS drank and smoked pot.
ron gomez

Trad climber
Feb 17, 2019 - 04:25pm PT
What’s a “greaser”?
rottingjohnny

Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
Feb 17, 2019 - 04:29pm PT
greaser is what Gaylord Perry threw ...hard to hit...Sawyer doesn't know what he's talking about...
ron gomez

Trad climber
Feb 17, 2019 - 04:36pm PT
Gaylord was a great greaser! I think he used vagisil in his selection of “junk” he put on his balls! Yeah Sawyer might be a clueless. But then again might be why he is where he is. You holding up in all the snow John? Hope yer well Brother.
Peace
johntp

Trad climber
Punter
Feb 17, 2019 - 04:42pm PT
What’s a “greaser”?

Greasers were hoodlums that used grease on their hair in the 50's.
rottingjohnny

Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
Feb 17, 2019 - 04:45pm PT
ron...doing more shoveling than skiing...what's wrong with this picture...?
rottingjohnny

Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
Feb 17, 2019 - 04:47pm PT
Sawyer's knowledge is habit forming...
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Feb 17, 2019 - 04:53pm PT
I was mainly a backseat cruiser with older friends

Is that where you met Rottingjohnny?
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California, now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 17, 2019 - 06:18pm PT
Malemute, I love that passage.

Yeah, it was not my intention to ruffle feathers. Firstly, I wanted to comment on a what I think is a fine film addressing some of the teenage angsts. Did I just write that?

Secondly, the cruising culture. I was a part of that.

And thirdly, it is an enjoyable film to watch.

And what is a greaser? Too much petroleum jelly. Brylcreem may have been a better choice.

EDIT

I really did not want to respond, as it seems to give him a hard on (apology for the vulgarity) but Reilly, you are such an as#@&%e.

EDIT

I guess the "a" word is censored, shall I put it differently.

Reilly, you seem to have your fans here.I am not one of them. You are as deluded as Trump, no surprise there, your ego is bigger than your brain.

There , I responded, that is what you want, recognition.To soothe your little ego. Look at your previous posts you come across as a mister know it all.

Full of sh#t and beans. Just don't fart in my direction.


Patrick
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Feb 17, 2019 - 06:23pm PT
Patrick, lighten up. He's just funnin' around.
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California, now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 17, 2019 - 06:34pm PT
I know Apogee, but is he really just funning? Look at his previous posts, the guy thinks he is a superstar.

Apogee, I rarely contribute on this forum anymore, it is really the only forum I contribute to, truthfully, perhaps that is so why I am so annoyed at some of the BS.

I perhaps should hold my head in hands and counsel myself better.
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Feb 17, 2019 - 06:39pm PT
Everyone thinks they're a frickin' superstar in this place. I'm the super-est, as far as I'm concerned- people just haven't realized it yet. But they will. I'm a patient superstar.

Slippery back, and laugh. That's the key to this place. And maybe life, in general.

I'm out.

P.S.
I really liked American Graffiti.
Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Feb 17, 2019 - 06:41pm PT
Cruising Van Nuys Boulevard in the late 70's was always considered a "must-do" - even for us Ventura County kids.

Otherwise it was cruising up and down Main Street in Venture until you either found out where a party was happening, hooked up with some Surf Chicks or ran out of gas.
rottingjohnny

Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
Feb 17, 2019 - 06:43pm PT
We dragged a greaser down the street when he tried to open the fairlane door and ended up getting his hand stuck in the handle.. his pixie boots were smokin...
zBrown

Ice climber
Feb 17, 2019 - 07:02pm PT
Greasers morphed to hodads when surfing began to rule!




Hodads are still with us, even have their own joint in OB, SoCal

HermitMaster

Social climber
my abode
Feb 17, 2019 - 08:03pm PT
Etymology of the term "greaser" The word "greaser" originated in the late 19th century in the United States as a derogatory label for poor laborers, specifically those of Mexican or Italian descent.

Since then it has meant many things. And, pretty much all of them derogatory.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjElPrYosTgAhVJFTQIHUikD2sQFjABegQIBRAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FGreaser_(subculture)&usg=AOvVaw1rlGOMPFHVINjpuqeMAs6A
capseeboy

Social climber
portland, oregon
Feb 18, 2019 - 09:12am PT
We called guys who liked to work on cars greasers. We also called joints rolled with papers coated with hash oil greasers.

Labels to dehumanize, denigrate, belittle and invalidate? Depends on time, place, circumstances and mindset?

Wasp's, Chinks, Spics, Dago's, Slant eyes, White trash, N word, Bald heads, Pig's, Hippies, Racist's, Capitalist Pig, Lick spittle, Boot Licker, Toady, Moron, Retard, Commie, Lefty, Right wing, chicken little, Gas Bag, Chest thumper, goof ball, Dumb ass, Lilly white, uncle tom, Bums, drunks, pot heads, boozer's, junkies, mommy's boy, wimp, whiner, cry baby, tool, lackey, creep, freak, jail bait, flim flam man, shyster, hipster, fag, gay, lesbo, homo, vanilla, fruit cake, wino, cross dresser, geezer, dirty old man, hottie, dog, fatty, Jesus complex, little hitler, scum bag, loser, no where man, lost, clueless, bad ass, dumb ass, fat ass, rad, crusher, snowflake, hard man, slut, gigolo, don Juan, loose, easy, whore, f-cker, blank, sinner, saint, weak, slow, limp dick, crazy bald head, hero, zero, womanizer, gold digger, suits, rip off, Elmer Gantry, Daddy warbucks, Robber baron, upwardly mobile, creative entrepreneur, thief, crook, has been, wannabe, could'a bin, should'a bin, noob, stOOpid, entitled, socialist left wing commie, hard right wing god fearing born again war mongering ant-abortionist nationalist, oopsy poopsy, know it all, peace loving, escapist utopian climate warming denying technocratic pussy footing trustafarian. Edit#1 Hick. Edit#2 IOW If the shoe fits, hang your hat on it.

Get your FOP pomade on crank'a loony's!
[Click to View YouTube Video]
formerclimber

Boulder climber
CA
Feb 18, 2019 - 09:29am PT
I couldn't even watch through the trailer for American Graphitti...
The period "Americana" piece I really liked was Badlands with Martin Sheen, showing 1958. I guess it's city life vs. rural thing.

[Click to View YouTube Video]


capseeboy

Social climber
portland, oregon
Feb 18, 2019 - 09:41am PT
Thanks Former C. I got a good morning laugh out of that. Guess I'm Twisted or Nutz or BlanK. Anyone got a good label for me? I mean, make it reeel good now, here?
Messages 1 - 20 of total 33 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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