RLMSNGer: Veloblank

Listening to: Tears of Time by Crematory. Beware: Of Metal Music
Watching: The Big Lebowski

I’ve been watching The Big Lebowski a couple of times this week, even when I’m playing poker. I find music gets old after awhile. I either need more talking or some slower action like a soccer match, baseball game, or some sport that I enjoy, but don’t really watch enough of, or won’t take my whole attention away from the games.

I have not watched this movie enough, I’ve found, and it actually describes a great relaxed mindset. Granted, the Dude is 100% into this laid-back lifestyle. It’s not like he puts in a day’s work curing cancer and then fucks off the rest of the day like a 9-to-5er (although maybe he combines the best of both by doing some ganja hits).

The polar opposite is of course some other personality like Lance Armstrong who has his hands in so many political and social causes, while holding down a professional cycling career, and finds 35 times a day to fire off on his Twitter account. This suits his personality, much like the Dude found things that fit his. If I could somehow find a way to hybridize the two, I’d be the most productive poker player on the face of the earth.

What I take away from the movie, though, is a roll with the punches attitude to life. I’ve often been accused of this, so maybe I share more with the Dude than I thought. And maybe I should be less ashamed of it than I’ve been. He finds joy in small things: White Russians, bowling, comfortable clothes, good friends, smoking. Even when a huge curveball comes his way, he and Walter find a way to deal with it, with ensuing hijinx.

My favorite quote is at the end of the movie:

The Dude Abides