I think it’s modern philosophy that postulated the idea that true communication is only possible through misinterpretations. More specifically, it is through the possibility of misunderstandings that true understanding can be achieved. It may seem contradictory at first but if we think of it more “technically”, i.e. “there can be no black without white” etc, it wouldn’t seem too far-fetched after a while.
I guess it’s a testament to the concept of communication that people misunderstand what we mean. It’s easy to do that too. We may profess to speak the same language and refer to the same word in the dictionary but in our minds, we may be looking at totally opposite images.
Playlist:
1. (0:00) Ambulance Ltd - It Goes Without Saying
2. (2:25) The Shins - So Says I (Chutes Too Narrow)
3. (5:09) Stars - What I’m Trying To Say (Set Yourself On Fire)
4. (8:31) Rosie Thomas - Say Hello (These Friends Of Mine)
5. (10:52) The Legends - Everything You Say (Up Against The Legends)
6. (13:00) Cat Power - Love And Communication (The Greatest)
7. (17:33) Superdrag - She Says (Changin’ Tires On The Road To Ruin)
8. (21:15) Margot And The Nuclear So And Sos - Talking In Code (Dust Of Retreat)
9. (25:00) The Mendoza Line - Let’s Not Talk About It (Fortune)
10. (28:46) Explosions In The Sky - Your Hand In Mine (Friday Night Lights OST)
11. (32:47) Yo La Tengo - Don’t Say A Word (Hot Chicken #2) (Electr-O-Pura)
12. (36:12) Elliott Smith - Say Yes
Most of us are used to seeing the world through our own eyes and getting out of our skins can be a very tricky business indeed. I always have a problem, for example, with perspectives. Intellectually, I know that things are the way they are but I can’t help feeling differently about them under different circumstances. I find it hard to absorb that the thing itself did not actually change; it was I who did.
We all take mobility for granted. And why not? If you can get from Point A to B, say, in anticipation of a reward, the faster you get there, the more likely you are to claim your reward. At least that’s how our society thinks and functions. I’ve never had a problem with that until the last week or so when I hurt my knee. Apparently I twisted some nerve and dislocated it. To say I’m in pain is an understatement. Every step is torture and stairs are the epitome of evil.
It was the definition of serendipity, our story. Boy is on holiday, boy meets girl. girl brings boy around her city. fun. laughter. connection. boy leaves. boy keeps in touch online and with letters and girl does the same. girl saves up to visit boy, twice. boy puts girl up, takes her around his city, puts up with her anal-retentive crap.
What could be more perfect? We all think we know what perfection is, but the fact is that it’s so rare, at least in my life, that I probably wouldn’t recognise it even if it were to slap me in the face. We are often told that perfection is hard to come by, impossible to attain, even. But no one’s ever talked about how to hold on to it, should it ever come knocking on your door. Besides perfection is just a point of view, isn’t it? What’s perfect to you may not be perfect to someone else.
We have a connection, a real one. He knows what I’m saying before I finish, and I him. We read each other pretty well. All the elements of the classic love story are there. Except the love bit. I’m the romantic, he’s not. I’d like to believe that I can do anything if I put my mind to it; he says it’s impossible. Plus, we are 6611 miles apart. If you list them down, the cons are almost as long as the pros.
It was the definition of serendipity, our story; I guess I got enchanted by it myself.
