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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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 Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 5:01 am Post subject: |
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| If Holywood Movies are more real to you than life, I predict you will not last the course in KSA. |
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Griff-James
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 171
Location: A place full of 18 year olds and endless ale. Not not this time.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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| It was just a quip, gramps. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:18 pm Post subject: Alice and Yossarian |
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Dear Griff-James,
Don't mind scot47; he's the DC (Designated Curmudgeon) of the Saudi Board. Hey, I appreciated the allusion. Moreover, regarding fiction, well, I've always thought that the "Alice" books (Lewis Carroll - Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) and "Catch-22" (Joseph Heller) were two great preparations for living in the Kingdom.
Regards,
John |
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sheikh radlinrol
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 1222
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject: Re: Alice and Yossarian |
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| johnslat wrote: |
Dear Griff-James,
Don't mind scot47; he's the DC (Designated Curmudgeon) of the Saudi Board. Hey, I appreciated the allusion. Moreover, regarding fiction, well, I've always thought that the "Alice" books (Lewis Carroll - Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) and "Catch-22" (Joseph Heller) were two great preparations for living in the Kingdom.
Regards,
John |
Yes, John. As I remember ''Catch 22'' was the situation where pilots hoped to avoid flying missions by showing signs of insanity. And, of course, reluctance to fly these missions is a clear sign of sanity.
Getting back to KSA, I had doubts about my own sanity in a Catch 22 type situation. Am I crazy if I go? Am I crazy if I stay?
BTW I enjoyed Heller's novel ''Something Happened'' more than Catch 22.
Regards
SR |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Sheikh,
"Something Happened" is a very under-rated novel:
"In my department, there are six people who are afraid of me, and one small secretary who is afraid of all of us. I have one other person working for me who is not afraid of anyone, not even me, and I would fire him quickly, but I'm afraid of him."
In any ways, it probably IS a "better novel." But Heller's always going to be remembered for "Catch-22."
Were you ever in the service, Sheikh?
Regards,
John |
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sheikh radlinrol
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 1222
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:29 am Post subject: |
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| johnslat wrote: |
Were you ever in the service, Sheikh?
Regards,
John |
Do you mean military service? No, I've never been a soldier or a sailor.
In KSA I had two bosses who were retired British Army colonels. A couple of buffoons. Thank God I never had to do ''National Service''
Regards
SR |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Sheikh,
The reason I asked is that I suspect "Catch-22" has a particular resonance for those who have. Over the years, I've noticed that many who have read it and haven't been in the service tend to think that it's "a bit over the top" whereas those who have been may be able to more fully appreciate just how close to reality it is.
Regards,
John |
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