Deep Discussions

"He had to let off steam, otherwise we would never hear the end of it."
Thomas Mann
in his short story
FALLEN, 1894

It's time to honor a favorite author. I have only read his famed novella DEATH IN VENICE from 1918. I have a new appreciation for him as I am currently reading 'Six Early Stories' that were never before published in the United States by the great German novelist until 1997.

Born on June 6, 1875, Thomas Mann lived in Munich from 1893, emigrating to Switzerland in 1933 and to the USA in 1939, returning to Zurich at the end of his life. He died August 12, 1955.

Mann's writing reveals many of the great artistic forces behind late 19th and early 20th century Europe. His earliest works, including the novel "Buddenbrooks" (1901) and "Tonio Kroger" (1902), combine the European social novelw with the most regional model of German literature. The clash between 'a member of the middle class' and 'artist', between the stolid philistine (a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits) and the sensitive aesthete (one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature), is repeated in 'Death In Venice' and in his great novel 'The Magic Mountain' (1924).

Thomas Mann works explore the role of art and the individual in a working world, which has little patience or understanding of the aesthetics.

I will be reading his other significant books (Joseph and His Brothers, Lotte in Wimar, Doctor Faustus, The Holy Sinner and Felix Krull) in the near future. Mann was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929.

Twenty-five years ago today:

March 23, 1984, Friday

I made the mistake of calling Chris Cordellos at his moms' house in Concord at around 2PM.
"He's not here," Mrs. Cordellos said.
"Oh, well I was just wondering because we're going to a concert and I wanted to discuss details," I said.

I would later learn from Chris that he had told his mom that he was going to the concert with his friends, Elliot and Lyle. I guess I blew his cover.
"I don't really care because I'm twenty-one and I can do and see whomever I please," Chris said proudly.
He's got a point there. He is twenty-one now.

Chris arrived at my house around 7:15PM. I gave him his handmade tape of KQAK tunes and a TAMSTAR telephone. He was overjoyed. We had a grand time at the concert, too. 'The Uptones', a group from Berkeley, were a pretty cool opening act.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYG-LTM_byU

While at the concert some 'chick' pinched my ass. I took it as a flattering gesture. Let me tell you. After the concert we returned to my place and listened to every song on the tape I had made for him.

Chris started to feel a little 'down and out' because of his US Coast Guard troubles. He knew he was supposed to be at the base the next morning but figured he'd find a way to get excused from that. He was also worried about our relationship. He confessed about being nervous. His primary concern was my 'goings on' while he was at the base in Arcata, CA and me being down here in Alameda, CA. He was worried about what may or may not happen while we are away from one another. Chris seems to be overly jealous whenever I mention someone more than once. He should know by now how much I care for him. He's such a 'best friend' to me.

Chris went on to talk about his fellow Coast Guard pal, Jim Severn.
"He has such a good physique and sometimes I think he may be coming on to me," Chris said.

I was starting to realize that he may be more worried about what he may do while he is away. He assured me that nothing has happened between him and Jim Severn.

We ended up upstairs. We were both satisfied. Chris left at approximately 2:30AM on this 'Billy Idol' REBEL YELL night.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HuXl05QWos