Sunday, April 08, 2012
(The Fairer) Sex Sells
Such a crudely mercenary title, one which is actually unsuited to the real point. I was showering, and thinking of Time Past, as well as current writings close at hand, and I realised a funny thing. I became a conservative because of a chick. Well, truth be told, a Young Lady. Oh yes.
Her name was Leslie, and we met at Camp Pee Dee, north of Bennettsville, SC, a Presbyterian church camp that I attended for a week each summer since the fourth grade (I believe). She was pale, willowy, dark-haired, and smart. I spent as much time with her as I could (I was twelve). Major crush. She was passionate about two things, as I recall: William F. Buckley and The Bard. I'm sure that her doctor Dad helped in her political development, but she was a True Conservative of the National Review brand, back when that meant summat. I had watched Firing Line (which was produced in Columbia by SCETV) as it had good stuff, and was one of 3 1/2 stations we could get, so I had a working knowledge of Buckley- but rather less than I let on. Leslie could do a spot-on impression of Buckley, waggling pencil and outrageous posture. Had Torquemada put William F. Buckley,Jr. to the Rack, Buckley may have thanked him. So I became more interested in WFB and conservatism. Her interest in Shakesperson also increased my interest in good writing. You may well have her to thank for this blog, for manifold reasons. Because of this, I only ID her by her first name. Anonymous may be lurking!
I knew her for the week of camp. I am impressed by her friendship, because I was in the middle of my one and only case of impetigo, and the outbreak was obvious, and could land one in the "grossest photos" websites. WHY AT CAMP?!?
Fate seemed destined to throw us together, because we won best costumes in a contest. The main craft-y project involved blowing up a HUGE balloon, then coating it with multiple layers of wallpaper-paste and newspaper strips. Once dried, we popped the balloon, extracted the bits, then cut holes for eyes, mouth, and a big hole to fit the thing over your head. Then, to painting. I painted it grey, with pipecleaner antennae, and a pipecleaner mouth-cage thingie.
Leslie made a charming pink elephant head. All the campers paraded around, and the counselors judged. Leslie and I won! Cosplay FTW! When the camp director looked at my costume, I learned the importance of details. I had a balloon in my mouth, laying in the mouth-parts. I would apply breath, and the balloon would pulse. The director looked into my face, saw the movement and cried "Good Grief! It's got a tongue!". Leslie and I, conjoined by talent, basked for the minutes involved. I basked in being near her.
Camp ended, we exchanged addresses, wrote a bit during the next year when I was away at Porter-Gaud. I got to spend an afternoon at her home the following summer, and then we drifted more apart than we were.
So here I am, affected by, and affecting you because of a cute, smart girl who made me want to be Better Than I Was. I pray she has had a lovely life.
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6 comments:
"Anonymous may be lurking!" Ah yes, that prolific Greek author.
On numerous occasions I have tried to duplicate William F. Buckley Jr.'s trademark seated pose, but apparently he was the only living being with a human skeleton who could make it look comfortable.
In recent times I have found myself also wishing that Buckley was still among the living. I would love to know his thoughts concerning the current state of American Conservatism in general, and the GOP in particular.
You assume, sir, that it WAS a human skeleton. The massive computer in his brain-box clearly required special support. I'm guessing titanium alloys. That or alclad duralumin.
Lucky you. I have yet to meet a woman who actually thinks politically, let alone who is conservative. I wonder how she turned out?
As for WFB, I think he would be personally disappointed yet publicly optimistic. It was another of his trademarks from what I saw. Whatever happened, he just kept plugging away at the goal, one so many conservatives seem to have completely lost sight of (Romney, really?).
Glad you brought up Mr. Buckley. I needed a good conservative hero just about now. He actually responded to an email I sent him once, the only one I ever sent, too. He really did have a way with words, a sense of humor that is remarkable, and a keen mind. Plus, he could be quite gracious and generous when he so chose. Still, I'm rather glad I never pissed him off. My guess is the flip side could be disastrous to one's ego in a way it would take a lifetime to fully understand and yet would be damaging the whole time. :)
"You assume, sir, that it WAS a human skeleton. The massive computer in his brain-box clearly required special support. I'm guessing titanium alloys. That or alclad duralumin."
"And this Thing I saw! How can I describe it? A monstrous tripod, higher than many houses, striding over the young pine trees, and smashing them aside in its career; a walking engine of glittering metal, striding now across the heather; articulate ropes of steel dangling from it, and the clattering tumult of its passage mingling with the riot of the thunder. A flash, and it came out vividly, heeling over one way with two feet in the air, to vanish and reappear almost instantly as it seemed, with the next flash, a hundred yards nearer. Can you imagine a milking stool tilted and bowled violently along the ground? That was the impression those instant flashes gave. But instead of a milking stool imagine it a great body of machinery on a tripod stand."
Sorry, couldn't resist.
(and there's an idea for a story. Alien invaders attack Earth but, instead of warships and death rays, they send political commentators.)
Buckley will always be, for me, the symbol of rational discussion and the victory of intellectual debate over shrillness and knee-jerk sound bites. Tragically, his victory wasn't eternal.
Hey, Doom!!! I actually know where she is, but am loath to contact her...little bit of the "creep factor" to avoid. (Peter Lorre voice: "I was thinking of you one night, nhn, anhn, and looked up your address on the internet...." I think I shall avoid...misunderstandings, and simply pray for her.)
Michael: Tom Swift's space friends finally reveal themselves in all their friend-ey glory. They are ALL William F. Buckley, a Conservative hive-mind. One of them was among us all along! And he told Gore Vidal "Shut up, you queer" on national TV!
I shall comment on John Derbyshire's NRO demise, likely tonight. Gird up your loins, kiddies!
"Michael: Tom Swift's space friends finally reveal themselves in all their friend-ey glory. They are ALL William F. Buckley, a Conservative hive-mind. One of them was among us all along! And he told Gore Vidal "Shut up, you queer" on national TV!"
Actually, if you can afford to be patient, the space friends will be revealing themselves when I get around to writing the 8th volume in my Sandra Swift series. I don't think the denouement will be as imaginative as your version, though.
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