Photo via The Telegraph.
Charles Bukowski is the shit. I can’t even describe how much his writing resonates with me. If I had been an adult at any time during his lifetime, I would have hit that. In light of election day here’s a quote from a 1982 High Times interview (Note: I would save whales and saving the world would be cool too):
HIGH TIMES: Back to politics: Even though you say you’re apolitical, some people see political themes in your work.
BUKOWSKI: They are entirely wrong. There is no political motivation in me. I don’t want to save the world, I don’t want to make it a better place. I just want to live in it and talk about what happens. I don’t want the whales to be saved, I don’t want the nuclear plants to be broken down and taken away. Whatever is here, I am with it. I may say I don’t like it, but I don’t want to change it. I am very selfish. What I mostly don’t like is things like, I drive my car down the freeway, I get a flat tire, and I have to get out and change the goddamn thing. I have to change lanes and there isn’t any lane on the right-hand side, and I have to get to the track. So you see, I have no profound feelings, I have no profound movement. I have nothing of this wanting anything at all. I just want to brush my teeth and hope my teeth don’t fall off. I hope to get a hard-on next year. Just simple little things. I am not looking for big things. I’ll settle for small things, like the winner of the third race at the odds of three, to one. That’s all I want. Nothing very magic. I don’t want to extend beyond my boundaries.
Awesome quote… People who want to change the world can be so annoying!
Haha. I can’t say I wouldn’t want to change the world if I had the power, but his brutal honesty and self-awareness makes me so happy.
can’t they!
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GREAT post/quote. Kind of like Dadaism, which, when it comes to politics, is what I whip out to thwart the zombies.
Hope you’re doing well!
Haha. I like your thought process. Anything to thwart the zombies works for me. I just love Bukowski because he’s constantly telling society to f#*k off and takes the words right out of my mouth when it comes to brainwashed beliefs.
love. charles. bukowski. one of these days, lady, you and i are gonna be in the same country, same state, same town…as burrows is my witness, our paths shall cross, and there will be whiskey.
p.s…so good to read you.
I look forward to our future evening of debauchery! I think I am back in WordPress action. Now I have to catch up on your blog developments.
i’m awaiting your next post with bated breath…
ann you are sooo fun! lol
Damn! Bukowski fans! He was my main man for years when I was in L.A. If ever there was a man who nearly completely didn’t give a shit, it was Bukowski. He stayed drunk and was an asshole towards most people, especially women, but he said exactly what he thought and he could really write. I don’t think I could have been around him for very long, just too damn nasty. But his writing did speak to me and for me. Really good to get a new post, Colleen.
she’s baaaaaack! yay! this was fun lol and soooo glad you’re back baby! hugz from the t.dot xo
t.dot you are the best. Thanks for all of your support. I’m finally back to answering comments and getting my blog on. Just wanted to say that I appreciated all of your comments and kind words.
Reading your thoughts on Bukowski…you are my kinda woman. I miss you! How are you doing, sweetheart? Are you out there saving whales? Love, H
Haha. I’m glad you’re a Bukowski fan too. I’m enjoying the new blog! I’m feeling better and have saved about 17 whales. They weren’t that grateful though. Kind of just splashed me and swam on.