Interlude: A beer, in Bohemia, with you

So this is just random free association, I think.

I haven’t abandoned vertigo, part 2, I promise. Still working on it, and still packing. Today was an awful day, so I think that I’m going to devote tomorrow mostly to writing, because Sunday I’ll be finishing the apartment up, and Monday and Tuesday will be stressful as I get out of there.

Went to Kung Fu Panda 2 tonight with good friends at our favorite local cinema. A low-key farewell; Servetus’ motto remains “no tedious goodbyes.” (Did my crying in the afternoon.) I’m not letting go of them. This wouldn’t have been our normal choice, though we like children’s films, but really there is nothing of note to see at the moment. Something like half the screens in town are playing Hangover II. It got a little unthrilling toward the end — does anyone else here not find action, no matter how sophisticated, especially interesting if you know it’s all being done by computer programmers as opposed to stuntmen? — but the message was good. Wounds heal, scars fade, who you are, it’s up to you. Look for inner peace. They start out early tomorrow morning, driving to Louisiana, taking a few days out before they reach their new destination. They’ve got their cars loaded up already and the only remaining dilemma is whether there’s room for the beer. I reassured them that you can get beer pretty much anywhere in the U.S. these days.

On the subject of how much analysis of trivial topics is too much, I loved this discussion of Kate Middleton’s last pre-wedding photo op. Old now but still worth it.

Didn’t cry when saying goodbye, but I did burst suddenly into tears this afternoon when I saw this photo, courtesy of Русскоязычный Cайт Pичардa Армитиджa, h/t RichardArmitageNet.com:

Richard Armitage, photographed by Joe McGorty, before September 2010.

I’d just gone out and rented storage. They ask for all kinds of information about you so they can track you down if you stop paying. I had to sign a release saying I wasn’t in the active duty military, for instance (special laws prevent places like this from foreclosing on the stored items if the soldier forgets to pay because he’s serving abroad). The lady asked me how long I wanted the storage for. Don’t know, at least three months. She asked me what my contact address is. Well, it’s in Wisconsin, but my employer is technically still here, and I wasn’t going to say I was about to become unemployed. Billing address on the credit card also still here. She asked me for a phone number. Weird to be writing my childhood phone number on a form like that now. She asked me for the names of three people who I know locally who could be authorized to enter the storage unit. Not that it’s a problem, but of course it put me in mind not just of all the people who are leaving in this wave, but also of those who are being left behind.

And gosh, Mr. Armitage just seemed so darned nice in this photo. A little curious, a little concerned, a little friendly. “What’s wrong, darling?” There’s something about the way he often holds his arms, just slightly away from his body, that signals incipient motion, as if he’s about to come up to me and comfort me. I know if Richard Armitage were here to support me, I wouldn’t be stressed. Or rather, I wouldn’t be stressed about the move (snort). I’d be stressed that Richard Armitage was here!!

I also really, really liked this one:

Richard Armitage, photographed by Joe McGorty, before September 2010.

Something about those crossed arms and the way they show his upper arm musculature. And the slightly mysterious half-smile. And that long expanse of left thigh. And the way that the crease in his jeans folds over the upper part of his right thigh. Yes, Mr. Armitage, finally some jeans I approve of. And that thick belt. Mmmm.

And then, to wrap up my Armitage day, Mr. Armitage emerged as the spokesvoice of Pilsner Urquell, which is only my favorite European beer (h/t RichardArmitageNet.com, as usual). Yup, true to form, Servetus likes it bitter.

It seemed like a sort of providential sign. Of what, I’m not sure. But it made me wonder if he likes it. And then it made me wonder whether he’s ever been to Plzeň. (I have, astounding cathedral and synagogue there, in case you’re going to visit. I didn’t go to the brewery, unfortunately.) And then I thought I could volunteer to take him if he hadn’t, just to show him why Pilsner Urquell is such a great beer. And we could drink a beer together. Which for some strange reason made me think of this song:

Which I thought we could rewrite to go like this:

“A Beer in Bohemia” (freely pirated from Sting)

My sisters and I
Have this wish before we die
And it may sound strange
As if our minds are deranged
Please don’t ask us why
Beneath the sheltering sky
We have this strange obsession
You have the means in your possession

We want our beer in Bohemia with you
We want our beer in Bohemia with you

The young man didn’t say
He would satisfy our need
But we squeed in pure pleasure
With a joy you could not measure
We will wait for him here
The same place every year
Beneath the sheltering sky
Across the world he would fly

Beer in Bohemia with you
Beer in Bohemia with you

He was too busy on set
To get his throat wet
He ignored their need for hops
And stuck to his Hobbit film props
Though he’d never return
All the sisters would burn
As ours eyes searched the screens
For a glimpse of his jeans

Beer in Bohemia with you
Beer in Bohemia with you

Beer in Bohemia with you
Beer in Bohemia with you

Then I thought I could record myself singing it. Then I realized I am crazy and need to go to bed. Thanks for your patience and warm support at this difficult time, Armitageworld, and Armitage. Catch you again tomorrow.

~ by Servetus on May 28, 2011.