“Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain.” » Lily Tomlin
There is a continuing saga of memes politely called "Shut up, Carl," or sometimes "Shut the f*ck up, Carl." By the situations in which Carl has made some pronouncement, only to be shouted down by someone else, Carl is not the brightest bulb in the string.
One often finds Carl inadvertently firing a rocket ("Hey, what does this button do?"), at the range ("Pew, Pew") or as a RIO in an F-14 ("Highway to the danger zone..."). One need not see too many of these to draw the conclusion - if someone calls you "Carl" and your name is...I dunno...Jim, that's not a compliment.
Fast forward to yesterday. Looking for blogging material, or mindlessly surfing the net (take your pick) I came across a site that specializes in cop humor, cleverly titled "Cop Humor." As one can imagine, the jokes are a bit edgy. We... Well, I guess now it's they, employ remarkably dark humor to maintain something of an even keel in difficult situations.
Which brings me to the point...finally. There is apparently a branch of "STFU Carl" that features "Karen" as some kind of prototypical annoying female. Go ahead, Google it. I'll still be here when you get back.
Hello, again. The meme I posted here certainly is subject to interpretation. One is the call we've all been on where "Karen" can actually be almost anyone, including "Ken." They called for the police to solve a problem of Karen/Ken's own making and are aghast that the officers do not immediately implement their suggested solution.
The other - I'm sort of wondering here if Karen is a co-worker, or supervisor. Those of you who know me, or have read my stuff, know that I count among my best friends and most trusted colleagues a number of women police officers - street cops, detectives, supervisors. We've worked together on SWAT, bike patrol, on complex investigations and in critical situations where their excellent judgment and decision making kept everyone safe. I've put my life in the hands of women cops, and recently retired in one piece.
And then, there is Karen Sorenson. Anyone who's read Out of Ideas or The Heart of the Matter knows Karen - bright, athletic, tough and talented. She's the kind of police officer I loved working with because I wrote her that way. Her character is derived from real-life people - women I've watched close up, and from afar. From a reviewer:
In addition to all of the above, James A. Greer gives readers insight into the soul of a female law enforcer and by so doing enlightens us on the trials and tribulations of real-life females who devote themselves to protecting us.
So, folks. Every time you see a Karen meme - it's telling you subliminally "Buy a Karen book!" by clicking on the above links. It's all good.
Trust me on that.
Apparently, there is a full time vacancy in the Royal Family for a gadabout couple, the present occupants of the role having given notice. You know, the job of man and woman who dress well, behave impeccably and say "Quite so" a lot. They are trotted out for garden openings - "The Westminster Peony Club would like to welcome the Duke and Duchess..." - given prominent seats at gala events of state and have their own box at Lord's, the birthplace of cricket. It seems safe enough, the IRA having been bought off some time ago.
We already have purebred dogs who consider themselves royalty. The cat... Try to put a bow in Gilda's hair and you may get most of the skin taken off your forearm. She may need some lessons.
We have friends there!! We could get lessons in not being such a...I dunno...a Yank!
Meeting prominent individuals, touring the world with adoring fans flocking ever amicably. Soirées to the countryside aboard well-bred, expensively trained steeds... Rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous while sipping only the finest vintages, the best seats in the house at the opera and symphony. Oh my God, the London Symphony!
There is the complication of not being born into the Royal Family, but my Dad's mom was English (from London, I think) and I was rooting for England all along during the ODI Cricket World Cup last year. There's gotta be some kind of form I'd need to sign, or some waiver I would have to get from the Queen.
Seriously. Keep my mouth shut while Pat and I trot to and fro, drinking tea, eating crumpets and hobnob with a lot of stuffy people?
Quite so.
Danny Ocean (George Clooney): And I always confuse Monet and Manet. Now, which one married his mistress?
Tess Ocean (Julia Roberts): Monet.
Danny: Right, and then Manet had syphilis.
Tess: They also painted occasionally.
What to do, what to do? Retirement, week one and a half.
We decided to visit the Monet Exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. We... It was Pat's idea, actually, something about which she was quite enthused. It had drawn excellent reviews. Friends had raved about it. Mid-week, mid-day. Beat the crowds, take our time.
Of course, why not. What could it hurt, staring at paintings of... He's an impersonator, right?
Her: Impressionist, dear.
Me: Oh.
So, off we went. Since I had no pre-conceived notions of what it would be like, there was no reason to think I'd be disappointed.
It was fabulous!
The groups embark in fifteen minute intervals, spacing them out just enough. Before entering the exhibit a worker distributes a hand-held self-guided tour. At well-marked points along the way the guest is invited to punch in a number - some for adults and some for kids - that offered information, set the scene for the scenes and gave biographical information, historical contexts and commentary by local experts in geology, botany and painting.
It was fascinating, to view how Monet's gift expressed itself. His painting evolved continually, he toured Europe and along the way tried to capture the essence of what he was seeing. Far from pictures that are virtual photographs, he gives the viewer his...IMPRESSION! That's it.
Drawing up as close as the wary security folks would allow, it was amazing to see brush strokes - a bit of red, some white, a long streak of blue - it was a woman walking the streets of Paris! Parallel green strokes with a broad brush - waves! One painting, the famous water lily scene, changed dimensions the closer one got.
It was breathtaking. A geologist commenting on my little speaker thing said "Etreta's cliffs are white! Yet here we are, the colors representing how the clouds, the air...light...can give them unimaginable hues."
Monet wasn't painting a picture, he was painting feelings, aromas, the ever changing nature of the passage of time. It was almost like he was putting you right there, without beating you over the head with the experience, and letting you imagine it for yourself.
Like a writer might.
My wife is a genius.
