One of my former fuckbuddies / guy friends, Dylan — an atheist pursuing a PhD in religion — is one of the most cynical people that you’d ever meet. Ironically enough, he’s also one of the most romantic. (He once suggested that I meet him on the front steps of a museum carrying a rose between my teeth. And, he *wasn’t* joking.) Anyway, so, ages ago I asked Dylan how he manages to be such an idealist *AND* a cynic at the same time. His response? “All cynics are idealists. Cynicism is the realization that humanity rarely lives up to its ideals.” I adore Dylan. Pity that we’ve stopped sleeping together.
Anyway, so, a few of you who read my Friday Nerve post emailed me to ask, “Which movie did you go see?” I saw a sneak preview screening of Dans Paris at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It’s one of the most beautifully romantic films that I’ve seen in a long time. Oddly enough, the movie reminded me of Dylan; the film’s take on love is both cynical and idealistic. It was such a delight to see Louis Garrel (The Dreamers) and Romain Duris (L’Auberge Espagnole, Les poupées russes / Russian Dolls) in the same movie. They both make my panties wet. Other delights? Tasteful boob shots as well as full-frontal male nudity … and a bittersweet melody called “Avant la Haine” (Before the Hate). Dans Paris opens in New York later this summer, check it out if you get a chance.
But, enough about the film.
And, more about love.
Yep, love. [Press "play" above to cue the theme music for the rest of this post.] Ah, love. Saying / typing the word makes me feel like a goofball. I’m not an overly saccharinely-sentimental romantic person. And, I don’t like insincere / cheesy displays of affection. For me, love is more vulnerable, sexy, painful, beautiful and emotional than “cheese”. How about you? How would you complete this sentence: “love is ____ “?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Love is…whatever you’re willing to make of – and give to – it.
“The love you take is equal to the love you make.”
lord, if i knew what love was, i’d probably be better at sustaining it. but enough about me, what’s up with dylan? hook a sista up! (wait, is it still tacky/a no-go to hit on an acquaintance’s former lover if you’ve never met?)
Love is… overrated as a feeling — ain’t nuffin’ but a bunch a chemicals, available in individually wrapped portions in the very near future… (they should try that with respect)
I think love is a feeling of attachment towards someone or something. Sometimes it can really enrich your life, bring out the best in you, and make happy times happier and harsh times easier to bear. It can also put rose-tinted glasses in front of your eyes so it’s very easy to lose touch with reality I think. When love goes sour, again it affects your sense of reality and perspective (think of people who commit suicide after a break-up). Maybe I’ve never been in love deep enough but that’s something I can’t relate to; having logic and rationality jump off the window just in the name of ‘love’. This makes me very cynical about it, and detest the cheesy Hallmark crap. Sorry for the long comment!
The definition I’ve worked with for quite some time…Love is a profound, earned respect. However, that doesn’t work on certain types of love. For instance, has a newborn done anything to “earn” the respect of its parent? No, but I would never say a parent doesn’t profoundly love his/her child.
So this “profound, earned respect” only works for romantic partnership love, and for loving hobbies, interests, cultures, etc. It falls a bit short in the familial love category.
Everyone …
Awww! :) Very beautiful (and thought-provoking) comments. Thanks for sharing.
FBC
PS: HippieChyck … Dylan is sinfully sexy. And, yes, it’s a “no-go” to hit on an acquaintance’s former lover. :)
….elusive
alas, i figured. will taunt you with tales of similar perfection another day.
Oooooh. You’re an evil woman!
@ LALA … GREAT word choice!!!!
Love is Important….
Romantic Love is something grand but not in the cards for everyone
That’s a sad thought. :(
I makes me think, “What if it’s not in the cards for me?”