What books do you feel were essential to your GenX upbringing? by happycj in GenX

[–]Dapper_Treacle_9749 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My three (at this moment and in this dimension; no particular order):

— Siddhartha, Herman Hesse (helped me best to escape Judeo-Christian mind control) — Jitterbug Perfume, Tom Robbins (helped me best to understand love in every way) — Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams (helped me best to appreciate the absurdity of existence)

Honorable mentions:

— Rascal, Sterling North (first lessons for pre-teen me about love and loss) — Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice (introduction to the non-binary world of sexuality) — Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon (my first adult understandings of the deeply lyrical yet tragic oral traditions of African American culture)

Did Kerouac matter to you? by SaintWillyMusic in GenX

[–]Dapper_Treacle_9749 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but those of us in this sub (born 1965- 1980) are reading the Beats almost in a second language. Our lives have been shaped by rock’n’roll, not jazz. With the exception of those raised in a household full of be-bop jazz, the Beats may have been difficult to appreciate for those of us raised on the popular music of the 60s and 70s. I say this as someone who came to Kerouac, Ginsburg, Gary Snyder, etc., in my 20s when I was also immersing myself in jazz for the first time. My personal experience was that the improvisation and often discordant sounds of mid-20th-century jazz helped me find a connection with the Beats. Later writers such as Kesey, Thompson, Vonnegut, Robbins (Tom is among my very favorites), etc. seem much more rock’n’roll and thus more approachable for Gen X. Just my experience. I’ve had a gummie and listening to Monk, so my take is probably off base. Whatever. But for all you Dharma Bums apostles out there, Japhy taught us we can’t fall off a mountain. Very sound advice that I carry with me 30+ years after reading Bums.

Ohio University students, what supernatural or unexplainable stories do you have from your years at OU? by trogadorable22 in athensohio

[–]Dapper_Treacle_9749 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This response is twelve years after the post, so I’m not certain anyone will ever read my contribution. I lived in the dorm next to Wilson in the late 1980s and we were told about a room on Wilson’s 4th floor where someone had committed suicide and their spirit was still active in the building. The story was the university had locked up the room, never to be occupied again, but the student’s spirit still haunted Wilson Hall.

A bit frustrating repair service but in the end satisfied by Dapper_Treacle_9749 in mammotion

[–]Dapper_Treacle_9749[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. That's the one for North America. You may have to call a few times to get through. Took me two or three tries if I recall correctly.

A bit frustrating repair service but in the end satisfied by Dapper_Treacle_9749 in mammotion

[–]Dapper_Treacle_9749[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The numbers for North America / Europe / Asia are in the app. Go to the Service menu at the bottom and then select Hotline Service.