FURTHERMORE
By Gerry Moran
I remember when television was first launched in this wee country of ours: 1961 – only one channel and in glorious black and white. And always it closed down around 11.30pm. or thereabouts with the playing of the National Anthem. I can still see the Tricolour (in black and white, of course) fluttering on the screen as my mother and myself stood to attention out of respect for our National Anthem and flag. Patriots for sure.
And I remember people saying that television would ruin the art of conversation. Just as I remember reading about folks in the US speculating about the arrival of the locomotion; they reckoned that the horse would become obsolete and possibly extinct. And I remember reading about the advent of the Ford Model T, and motor cars in general, when Americans thought we’d lose the use of our legs because of our attachment to these new-fangled modes of transport. Only in America.
And will America ever be, not great, but normal – for want of a better word – again? And I’ve digressed. Not alone has television NOT ruined the art of conversation – it has become a prime source of conversation and chat. Years back it was “Did you see the Late, Late last night and the carry-on of your man or your wan?”
Nowadays the chat is more likely to be about some series on Netflix or Amazon or Sky or some documentary or maybe True Crime. Point is television has actually enhanced the art, if we can call it that, of conversation.
In the meantime, after that long preamble, when I tire of Netflix and Amazon and Sky what I love to watch for sheer escapism is a Western or the ‘Horse Opry’ as my good friend Joe Lacey calls it (and God bless TG4 for showing them).
In particular I like to watch good old Clint Eastwood (and he is old, 95 next May!) in his many westerns all of which I enjoy: A Fistful of Dollars, Hang ‘Em High, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Pale Rider, and the classic The Good, The Bad And The Ugly.
Mind you I did have a bit of an argy-bargy with a friend in the pub one night about which of Clint’s westerns was the best. I opted for The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, he reckoned it was The Outlaw Josey Wales. Having recently watched both again I have to concede that Josey is the better film.
There’s a lot more to Clint, of course, than cowboys (and let’s not forget Dirty Harry); he has directed some excellent movies. He won an Oscar in 1992 for Best Picture and Best Director for Unforgiven. In 2004 he won the Oscar again for Best Picture and Best Director for Million Dollar Baby starring Hilary Swank.
Clint Eastwood at 94 has become, not just an old man, but a wise old man. Here’s what Clint has to say about luxury: “Do not look for luxury in watches or bracelets. Do not look for luxury in cars or boats. Luxury is laughter and friends. Luxury is rain on your face. Luxury is hugs and kisses. Don’t look for luxury in shops. Don’t look for it in gifts. Don’t look for it at parties. Don’t look for it at events. Luxury is being loved by people. Luxury is being respected. Luxury is having parents alive. Luxury is being able to play with your grandchildren. Luxury is what money can‘t buy.”
Well spoken, Mr Eastwood.
And it’s not just Clint who’s getting somewhat ‘philosophical’ about life; following are Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Rules for Living: “Have a goal, otherwise you’re just drifting. Aim high. Ignore the nay-sayers. Do not fear failure. Work your butt off. Trust yourself. Break some rules. Give something back.”
And, finally, some more interesting, and worthwhile, rules (not Arnold’s) for living: Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Make peace with your past so it won’t destroy the present. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: In five years time will this matter? Trust your gut. It’s seldom wrong. Burn the candles. Use the nice sheets. Wear the fancy lingerie – don’t save it for a special occasion.
Today is special.
