Are Americans prudes? Some people think so. After all, the country that gave the world Elvis’s hips, free love, and Porn Valley is also a land founded by Puritans, given to legislating what goes on in the bedroom, and perpetually outraged by the sexual dalliances of politicians (though, to be fair, even the Italians are getting fed up with presidential philandering).
When we were young, all we could think about was growing up faster. We thought about the career we’d have, the dog, the children, our perfect spouses and have the time to play video games all day long.
“Hey man, don’t come. I was just going to rob you, but I heard some kids in the background when we were talking on the phone.”
“I love mine, and she’s an amazing person, but if my ex were to kiss me right now, it would all be over.”
A sort of 1984 for the Amazon.com generation, DFW’s over-a-thousand-pages opus deals with the state of a world that’s entirely steeped in advertising and consumerism.
You start to feel that this person and their ex shared a bond that you two will never have. And against your will, against your happiness, you start to put their ex on a pedestal, thinking they’re more beautiful or smart or talented than you are.
The ability to be comfortable with the person you love sleeping around or dating other people can be a multitude of things. But, if you’re not motivated to have an open relationship, and neither is your partner, it will fail.
I know a girl who is living in Oregon waiting for her stepfather to get out of jail so that they can get married. He’s in jail for having a relationship with a minor (her).
“Breaking up with that awesome girl in college because I wasn’t ready to settle down. Been trying to find a girl that awesome ever since (or remotely close).”
7. Befriend the kid in the slayer shirt who sits at the back of your english class.
