Last Night in Paradise

 Last Night in Paradise by Katie Rophie

1997

Weight: 9.7 oz

Method of Disposal: Donating

Do I love everything that Rophie has put out in the world? No.  Do I love most of it?  No.  Did I buy this before I knew much about Rophie?  Yes!  Was I disappointed when I found out more?  Definitely.  Did I still read it?  Absolutely!  Did I hate it?  I did not!  It took me too long to read it for sure but, when I did, I felt transported to a time when AIDS had been around long enough that people realized it was not a "gay disease"  but not so long that people were not still terrified.  I really enjoyed Katie's voice and perspective, and I did not feel like I was holding a mirror up to my own feelings, memories, and opinions, which can be a real positive experience. I do not read to find out what I already think.  I do think it was even better to have read it so many years after it was written.  Living in the moment but being so young and getting bits and bobs of the news and pop culture, buying into some of the fear tactics, and then later living during Covid and looking backwards and then looking to where we are now, it brought some pieces together and made for good retrospection.

That being said, I do think it is possible to cross a line into not being helpful and into being proactively hurtful.  I could live the rest of my life without needing to read anymore of her thoughts on date rape, sexual harassment, and #metoo.  

The Science of Self-Realization

The Science of Self-Realization by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada

1997

Weight: 8 oz

Method of Disposal: Tossing

 

 

This one has been chewed on by critters, and so I do not think it is safe to sell, donate, or give away.  It isn't in great shape but, even if it was, I am not sure I would know what to do with it. 

When I was in high school I worked at a smoothie shop in the mall.  I met all sorts of people while I was working there and a lot of them were up to no good.  There was an overwhelming number of adult men and women who were interested in sleeping with a kid like me.  And I do not mean sleeping in the adorable, sweet sense.  I really believe I had more adults interested in me then than I have in all the years combined that I have actually been an adult.  It is disturbing.

If I was not ducking and dodging those creeps, I was trying to get free stuff from the Truth kids on my cigarette breaks or chatting it up with the folks handing out books like The Science of Self-Realization for a small donation.  My mother always warned me, "don't let them brain wash you."  "Don't trust those people."  And I never did, but a free book was a free book and, no matter what the topic was, I wanted to read it.  And I did, though clearly it did not have the impact on me it should have because I have completely forgotten it all these years later.  I have, however, never forgotten that mall and the people who hung out there.

Just this week I was sitting at my desk at work when one of the women who felt like we "connected," insisting "age did not really matter" all those years ago walked in the building wearing a FedEx outfit and had me sign for a package.  I guess I am too old for her now.  She didn't think twice about it or try to charm me in any way.  She had absolutely no idea who I was or that I knew her secret.  If I got her name now and made a phone call would it do anything for anyone?