The Blogtastic Blogfest That Is Getmeoutofthis.net!

I’ve been reading scholarly essays on The Dude all day today.
They constantly put him forth in many roles: slacker hero, seeker of the holy grail, noir detective, but in all of them, he is so completely, and unmistakably The Dude. These interpretations don’t change the character: they can’t. The Dude is the The Dude. He cannot be changed.

Meanwhile, I am walking in circles, reading a silly book, and generally being scared as fuck at all the stuff I have to get done in the next month.

I have a term paper to write, some conferences with High School Students, a bunch more research to get done, and a book review to write (of said book of Lebowski essays) and a marketing plan to dream up. Add onto this all of my transition-related pressing issues: I need to be scheduling hair removal treatments, something by busyness has put off for several weeks, as well as finding a lawyer to start the process of changing my name, talking more to my parents, friends, and family to get them prepared, finding a time where my parents can talk to my psychologist, and so much stuff. Then, of course, there’s the multitude of work-related duties I have to work in there too.

Short version: I am fucking busy.

And as I am fucking busy, reading this book, I am told, over and over, about The Dude’s “bravery,” and how he stands there, against the world, shucking everything that doesn’t appeal to him, including his name, and just being The Dude.

It’s inspiring.

I mean, you don’t necessarily get that from watching the movie. It’s just a fucking hilarious, entertaining film. But there really is something about The Dude that makes you like him, and I really do think these essays are hitting on that. Escape is always there in my head. I could escape, not give a shit, hide, and then I can relax. Hell, I used to do that. That’s why it took me so long to get my bachelor’s. I’d get stressed, so I’d hide, play my video games, and relax. Now, I can’t do that. I have things to do and goals to accomplish. I have to keep working. Everyone does. The Dude has things he needs to do, too. He needs to make rent. He needs to live life and be functional. But he says, “fuck that, man.” He does things his own way, and things fall apart, and he doesn’t care. “Strikes and gutters, ups and downs,” he just goes. He just is. He, shockingly enough, abides.

And it’s almost pornographic how appealing that is.