extremely loud & incredibly close
im reading a book right now by jonathan safran foer titled extremely loud and incredibly close. i haven’t read many books in my life, but so far (im about half done) this is my favorite. the first chapter is titled, “What the?” and that’s exactly what i was thinking as i started… in a good way. the style is awkward but the words move so well… with every page i feel like i’ve been impacted in another way than before… from laughter to sadness. it’s crazy. im finding that books open up a whole world of creativity in your mind… it’s up to you to play the scenes in your head.. you get to create the colors, the smells, the sounds…
i spent the weekend with my brother up in portland, oregon… i was discussing the book with him and read one part that hit me pretty hard:
“When Dad was tucking me in that night and we were talking about the book, I asked if he could think of a solution to that problem. “Which problem?” “The problem of how relatively insignificant we are.” He said, “Well, what would happen if a plane dropped you in the middle of the Sahara Desert and you picked up a single grain of sand with tweezers and moved it one millimeter?” I said, “I’d probable die of dehydration.” He said, “I just mean right then, when you moved that single grain of sand. What would that mean?” I said, “I dunno, what?” He said, “think about it.” I thought about it. “I guess I would have moved a grain of sand.” “Which would mean?” “Which would mean I moved a grain of sand?” “Which would mean you changed the Sahara.” “So?” “So? So the Sahara is a vast desert. And it has existed for million of years. And you changed it!” “That’s true!” I said, sitting up. “I changed the Sahara!” “Which means?” he said. “What? Tell me.” “Well, I’m not talking about moving that one grain of sand one millimeter.” “Yeah?” “If you hadn’t done it, human history would have been one way…” “Uh-huh?” “but you did do it, so…?” I stood on the bed, pointed my fingers at the fake stars, and screamed: “I changed the course of human history!” “That’s right.” “I changed the universe!” “You did.” “I’m God!’ “You’re an atheist.” “I don’t exist!” I fell back onto the bed, into his arms, and we cracked up together. [86]
…no matter how small or how big, everything we do matters. i can’t wait to finish the book. i can’t wait to start the pictures rolling in my head again. this picture is from portland… it reminded me of the book. i feel energized with whatever lays ahead. i can’t wait for the next thing.
-pozzi
Hey, I literally just started listening to you guys and was checking out your website when I saw this post. Great book, I’m glad someone is reading it. Enjoy it, it’s quite a journey, and check out Safran’s other stuff if you get the chance.
i wanna read that book now.. lemme borrow it??? lol j.k but yeah, sounds interesting… do mee a favor.. tell star,, you know star right?? well tell star.. to callllll me!!
<3 b