Jonathan Heatt's Blog: Teaching Snapping Turtles - Posts Tagged "hunter-thompson"
The First Time I Read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Tomorrow, July 18th is Hunter Thompson's birthday. I was going to publish my poetry book on that date to honor him, but the book isn't ready so I wrote this blog in celebration instead.
Around 6 years ago I flew from Las Vegas to Cleveland, Ohio. My grandpa was in the hospital there. He was not doing well, and my family thought he was going to die. So I went home to see the best man from my wedding one last time.
I’ve never been a fan of flying, and I remember that flight starting off with all the excitement of a funeral dirge. Normally a plane ride is a necessary evil to go somewhere exciting. Now it was transporting me to something new: the death of a loved one. And when I got to my destination I expected to see my Grandpa hooked up to tubes and wires, and the worst feeling gnawing at me was that I’d never get the chance to say goodbye. At least I’d be able to give him one last kiss on the forehead.
Those somber thoughts needed to be blocked out, and addressed again in a more private manner later, so I cracked open Hunter Thompson’s classic book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Despite my depression and the gloomy nature of the trip Thompson’s book had me laughing out loud. Several times. Blurting laughter that startled the yuppie banker next to me. No other book could’ve lightened my mood and made the trip bearable. Thank you, Hunter Thompson.
When I finally got to Cleveland it was a chilly night. We went to see my Grandpa. He was asleep, and worse off than I had envisioned. But the tough bull-headed sweet man pulled through. And I got to say goodbye in my own way later on by making him a photo book for his birthday. I’ve always believed in giving people the flowers when they’re alive to enjoy them. Then he said goodbye to me, “Auf Wiedersehen” as he got into his truck and drove away. That was the last time I saw him.
My Grandpa and Hunter Thompson are both now gone, but still very much alive in my mind. Cheers.
Around 6 years ago I flew from Las Vegas to Cleveland, Ohio. My grandpa was in the hospital there. He was not doing well, and my family thought he was going to die. So I went home to see the best man from my wedding one last time.
I’ve never been a fan of flying, and I remember that flight starting off with all the excitement of a funeral dirge. Normally a plane ride is a necessary evil to go somewhere exciting. Now it was transporting me to something new: the death of a loved one. And when I got to my destination I expected to see my Grandpa hooked up to tubes and wires, and the worst feeling gnawing at me was that I’d never get the chance to say goodbye. At least I’d be able to give him one last kiss on the forehead.
Those somber thoughts needed to be blocked out, and addressed again in a more private manner later, so I cracked open Hunter Thompson’s classic book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Despite my depression and the gloomy nature of the trip Thompson’s book had me laughing out loud. Several times. Blurting laughter that startled the yuppie banker next to me. No other book could’ve lightened my mood and made the trip bearable. Thank you, Hunter Thompson.
When I finally got to Cleveland it was a chilly night. We went to see my Grandpa. He was asleep, and worse off than I had envisioned. But the tough bull-headed sweet man pulled through. And I got to say goodbye in my own way later on by making him a photo book for his birthday. I’ve always believed in giving people the flowers when they’re alive to enjoy them. Then he said goodbye to me, “Auf Wiedersehen” as he got into his truck and drove away. That was the last time I saw him.
My Grandpa and Hunter Thompson are both now gone, but still very much alive in my mind. Cheers.
Teaching Snapping Turtles
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