Didn’t get to write this morning.  The server behind the Starbucks Wifi was not happy.  Since I was unable to reach my blog, I finished off the last chapter in the philosophy book that I’ve been reading.  What Is Philosophy? by Deleuze and Guattari is among the most difficult material that I’ve attempted reading, as far back as I can remember.  Yes, the subject is every bit as wide and as deep as the title suggests.  As I read I often wondered if I understood even 50% of the connections adeptly described as linking philosophy, science and art.  I understood enough, to feel a sensation of excitement that the material was important in ways that I could not now foresee. “This book might change my life,” the voice in my head said while I was reading.

Had a interesting conversation with a friend while on my lunch break.  He was commenting on the genocidal treatment, the exiling of the Rohenga by Myanmar Buddhist soldiers in fatigues, carrying the usual lethal accoutrements of war.  Not exactly the image we usually have of the Buddhist tradition.  Buddhism in its many forms teaches a mindful respect for life, for peaceable coexistence with Nature and with others.  We don’t want to admit that exceptions have been, and are being made to the rule.

And so it goes with Christianity as well.  Not all Christians are like the Evangelical wacko’s marching lockstep in support of our tyrannical president.  Not all followers of Christ are racist, or blindly believe that America is divinely chosen…….

I’ve thought about the lyrics, the story telling in the Eagles great anthem Hotel California.  Have we not heard the song played hundreds of times?  Seduced by the dulced melody for years my comprehension of the lyric has been partial. I didn’t care.  While listening I felt as if I’d like to check-in too.

It seems to me the story is about the nature of a distinctly American form of desire.  The human condition is accurately portrayed as typically one of weariness.  The travelers body longs for rest and there up ahead—-  silhouetted in the doorway is the outline of a female form. A mission bell tolls in the distance.  Who (what male that is) would not stop despite the nudge of better judgment?  There is always plenty of room (and everything else) at the hotel California (U.S.A) and any time of year……..

You can find “it” here.

Are not we all searching for “it?”  Naturally the Ad men well recognize that fact, and pull out the stops to sell us “the it.”

The brilliant visual metaphors of the lyric is unmatched:

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget….

Are not we all dancing to remember, and dancing to forget?  The ancient soporifics, dancing and wine!  Some things never change.   Life!  A festival of Dionysus redux!

The summation of the matter is in a single line.

“We are all just prisoners here, of our own device”

And if we thought that release can be found by killing the beast, –well think again.  That’s not the way it works.

Well I’ve managed to go on and on, about a pessimistic lyric.  But one that is timely and necessary.

Have a look for yourself.  The full lyric is below.

By all means feel free to comment and/or disagree.

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Hotel California

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself
“This could be Heaven or this could be Hell”
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor
I thought I heard them say

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find it here

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget

So I called up the Captain
“Please bring me my wine.”
He said, “We haven’t had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine.”
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They livin’ it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis

Mirrors on the ceiling
The pink champagne on ice
And she said “We are all just prisoners here, of our own device”
And in the master’s chambers
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives
But they just can’t kill the beast

Last thing I remember
I was running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
“Relax,” said the night man
“We are programmed to receive
You can check-out any time you like
But you can never leave!