January 22nd, 2010 / 1:56 pm
Power Quote
Nick Antosca
Power Quote
FINANCIAL UNREST
“To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea — cruising, it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.”
– Sterling Hayden, Wanderer
Tags: financial unrest, sterling hayden
I wish I were more comfortable with this idea.
I wish I were more comfortable with this idea.
When I was poor (most of my life until like, two years ago) I had no time to write because I was in school plus working two jobs, or trying to be an actor while working two jobs. It was not a voyage. It was shitty and I couldn’t be more glad that I have money now. (Not a lot money, but I don’t have to choose which bill to pay anymore. Which is a lot of money to me.) I’m happy to cruise, believe me. Cruising offers lots of time to pursue hobbies and not starve.
Don’t feel bad that you’re not comfortable with this idea, Nick. Tell Sterling Hayden to fuck off. :) Nobody thinks poverty is romantic who’s lived in poverty. Ask any working class writer.
When I was poor (most of my life until like, two years ago) I had no time to write because I was in school plus working two jobs, or trying to be an actor while working two jobs. It was not a voyage. It was shitty and I couldn’t be more glad that I have money now. (Not a lot money, but I don’t have to choose which bill to pay anymore. Which is a lot of money to me.) I’m happy to cruise, believe me. Cruising offers lots of time to pursue hobbies and not starve.
Don’t feel bad that you’re not comfortable with this idea, Nick. Tell Sterling Hayden to fuck off. :) Nobody thinks poverty is romantic who’s lived in poverty. Ask any working class writer.
He said a life/voyage like this is “truly challenging”. Being “romantic” has nothing to do with it.
He said a life/voyage like this is “truly challenging”. Being “romantic” has nothing to do with it.
I agree that this quote is romantic; hard to take. A wiser quote from Sterling Hayden comes when he played Captain McCluskey in “The Godfather” and, at Louis’ Italian Restaurant in Bronx, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) turns to McCluskey, before he goes to get the hidden gun, and says, “I have to go to the bathroom. Is that all right?” And Hayden-as-McCluskey says: “You gotta go, you gotta go.”
I agree that this quote is romantic; hard to take. A wiser quote from Sterling Hayden comes when he played Captain McCluskey in “The Godfather” and, at Louis’ Italian Restaurant in Bronx, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) turns to McCluskey, before he goes to get the hidden gun, and says, “I have to go to the bathroom. Is that all right?” And Hayden-as-McCluskey says: “You gotta go, you gotta go.”
What a stupid, stupid statement.
Anyone ever noticed that ‘creative’ people – artists, writers, actors – always mumble similar kinds of oh-so-wise banalities about the challenge, the nobility of being poor when they’re on the other side, safely ensconced in their mansion? Funny, that.
I think the question to ask such people – from that less green side of the fence, naturally – is “Okay then, wanna swap?”
What a stupid, stupid statement.
Anyone ever noticed that ‘creative’ people – artists, writers, actors – always mumble similar kinds of oh-so-wise banalities about the challenge, the nobility of being poor when they’re on the other side, safely ensconced in their mansion? Funny, that.
I think the question to ask such people – from that less green side of the fence, naturally – is “Okay then, wanna swap?”
““To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse….”
Bad ideas; very bad writing.
This reads like something a retired CEO would write (with ghostwriting help).
““To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse….”
Bad ideas; very bad writing.
This reads like something a retired CEO would write (with ghostwriting help).
i’m in the process of applying for food stamps. i have a college degree and two/three jobs.
i’m in the process of applying for food stamps. i have a college degree and two/three jobs.
oh, and it sucks
oh, and it sucks
Ever noticed that “creative” people who would never have the guts to go out into the world with a very few dollars in their pocket always froth at the mouth when anyone suggests that this might be a very challenging venture?
Ever noticed that “creative” people who would never have the guts to go out into the world with a very few dollars in their pocket always froth at the mouth when anyone suggests that this might be a very challenging venture?
i think a better sterling hayden quote is:
“yeah those guys right there? yeah my friends and fellow actors? yeah they are all communists! please spare me! i’m not anymore!”
hard to take romantic notions from a guy who folds under pressure.
and i love sterling hayden. great actor.
i think a better sterling hayden quote is:
“yeah those guys right there? yeah my friends and fellow actors? yeah they are all communists! please spare me! i’m not anymore!”
hard to take romantic notions from a guy who folds under pressure.
and i love sterling hayden. great actor.
I agree with the sentiment. He is not saying it is noble to be poor.
I agree with the sentiment. He is not saying it is noble to be poor.
being uncomfortable is part of the idea.
being uncomfortable is part of the idea.
isn’t he simply talking about the sea?
and how someone with a yacht for a toy, who does not truly appreciate the sea because the sea is not viewed truly, should not be in the sea?
the guy really liked sailing. it’s just a love call to the sea people.
isn’t he simply talking about the sea?
and how someone with a yacht for a toy, who does not truly appreciate the sea because the sea is not viewed truly, should not be in the sea?
the guy really liked sailing. it’s just a love call to the sea people.
I think it is about life and “stakes”; I think it is about going somewhere and having a reason to go there versus going somewhere because you like the idea of it
I think it is about life and “stakes”; I think it is about going somewhere and having a reason to go there versus going somewhere because you like the idea of it
I wonder if ole Sterling ever wrote a golf book?
“To be truly challenging, a round of golf, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to routine afternoons, the kind known to members who fiddle with their sticks in the fairway — country-club golf, it is called. Municipal golf belongs to duffers, and to the hackers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating becoming a golfer and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the game is all about.”
I wonder if ole Sterling ever wrote a golf book?
“To be truly challenging, a round of golf, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to routine afternoons, the kind known to members who fiddle with their sticks in the fairway — country-club golf, it is called. Municipal golf belongs to duffers, and to the hackers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating becoming a golfer and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the game is all about.”
Yes! I love this reference. And I love him too–he was amazing in all those noir movies. But yep, totally on the quote.
Yes! I love this reference. And I love him too–he was amazing in all those noir movies. But yep, totally on the quote.
Oh, man. I had to do that once. It was balls. I’m sorry.
Oh, man. I had to do that once. It was balls. I’m sorry.
do you really have to be so incessantly obtuse?
do you really have to be so incessantly obtuse?
What was obtuse about that?
What was obtuse about that?
the fact that you can’t seem to understand how he is clearly romanticizing the idea of ‘the starving artist’
‘If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.’
you chose to read the beginning of the thing in a dull, literal way just to be argumentative. that’s what you pretty much always do. you don’t seem stupid so you must be obtuse. there is a difference.
the fact that you can’t seem to understand how he is clearly romanticizing the idea of ‘the starving artist’
‘If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.’
you chose to read the beginning of the thing in a dull, literal way just to be argumentative. that’s what you pretty much always do. you don’t seem stupid so you must be obtuse. there is a difference.
The pampered always love to discuss hardship.
Grossman
http://www.raintaxi.com/online/1997fall/grossman.shtml
The pampered always love to discuss hardship.
Grossman
http://www.raintaxi.com/online/1997fall/grossman.shtml
Not sure what you’re arguing, Reynard. I didn’t choose to read the words any certain way. I read the words that are there. Did you? I didn’t even know who this guy was, an actor or whoever. These words simply say that financial unrest is more challenging that financial security. The implication is that a challenging existence will cause more growth in the individual than a non or lesser challenging existence. I realize that in your world applying for foodstamps is quite the challenge, but I think he’s hinting that there might be a greater challenge for human beings, if they could find the guts.
Not sure what you’re arguing, Reynard. I didn’t choose to read the words any certain way. I read the words that are there. Did you? I didn’t even know who this guy was, an actor or whoever. These words simply say that financial unrest is more challenging that financial security. The implication is that a challenging existence will cause more growth in the individual than a non or lesser challenging existence. I realize that in your world applying for foodstamps is quite the challenge, but I think he’s hinting that there might be a greater challenge for human beings, if they could find the guts.
totally amber.
have you ever seen the movie “the long goodbye”?
sterling hayden was awesome in it. it was a small role for him near in yis older years.
great movie. great marlow. who would have thought of a jewish looking actor for that character.
love that movie.
totally amber.
have you ever seen the movie “the long goodbye”?
sterling hayden was awesome in it. it was a small role for him near in yis older years.
great movie. great marlow. who would have thought of a jewish looking actor for that character.
love that movie.
perhaps adam. but i think the quote is being over thought.
the guy liked sailing. the guy liked the sea.
you can apply what he said about the sea to anything really. just depends on how clever you are.
i’m reading it as a love poem to the sea and nothing more.
perhaps adam. but i think the quote is being over thought.
the guy liked sailing. the guy liked the sea.
you can apply what he said about the sea to anything really. just depends on how clever you are.
i’m reading it as a love poem to the sea and nothing more.
maybe because during the hardships you don’t have time to talk shit?
that’s my guess.
maybe because during the hardships you don’t have time to talk shit?
that’s my guess.
He does equate the sea voyage to “life”, but I don’t see anything about writing or art there…
He does equate the sea voyage to “life”, but I don’t see anything about writing or art there…
to a sailor, life is the sea silly.
to a sailor, life is the sea silly.
(i’m just trying to figure out how you can get your hands on a boat if you don’t have money…)
(i’m just trying to figure out how you can get your hands on a boat if you don’t have money…)
a guy i used to carpool with was in college during the 60’s and was an avid sailor.
he worked his ass off to buy the parts to build some small schooner and then sailed it down to baja california where it wrecked, he met a chick, screwed her on some boat (he was unsure of the owner, shit got weird, literally just jumped ship near the coast and then found a boat that would take him back to california.
the boat is not the issue.
a sailor knows.
a guy i used to carpool with was in college during the 60’s and was an avid sailor.
he worked his ass off to buy the parts to build some small schooner and then sailed it down to baja california where it wrecked, he met a chick, screwed her on some boat (he was unsure of the owner, shit got weird, literally just jumped ship near the coast and then found a boat that would take him back to california.
the boat is not the issue.
a sailor knows.
Agreed, it is a great film, what with the cheerful shooting at the end & Hayden’s bearded charismatic nutcase, who reminds me a lot of my grandfather.
Agreed, it is a great film, what with the cheerful shooting at the end & Hayden’s bearded charismatic nutcase, who reminds me a lot of my grandfather.
fuck yes nick. i am glad you have seen that movie. most have not.
fuck yes nick. i am glad you have seen that movie. most have not.
Reminds me of my grandfather near the end, I should say, when he had alzheimer’s but was still mobile and adamant and loquacious.
Reminds me of my grandfather near the end, I should say, when he had alzheimer’s but was still mobile and adamant and loquacious.
yer wrong reynard
this quote is about tourism
don’t think this means financial unrest is more challenging than financial stability either
it isn’t about art
yer wrong reynard
this quote is about tourism
don’t think this means financial unrest is more challenging than financial stability either
it isn’t about art
yes!! Love that movie.
yes!! Love that movie.
silly me, i forgot all about new criticism, silly me
silly me, i forgot all about new criticism, silly me
If you have 2 or 3 jobs and are still applying for food stamps, maybe you need to rethink your expense structure. Where the f**k are you living?
Poverty isn’t beautiful or dreadful or anything at all, unless we make it so. I’m poor by almost anyone’s standards but I have plenty of time to create — and spend time with my family as well — because I don’t take on totally unnecessary expenses like mortgages, a car, private schools….
I live in a seaside town and am able to spend a lot of my time in deep philosophical discussions with my teenager, sharing ideas and learning together. Well, until he dismisses me. : )
All most of us truly do need is a safe place to lay our heads, some simple food, some challenging work, exercise and sunshine.
If you have 2 or 3 jobs and are still applying for food stamps, maybe you need to rethink your expense structure. Where the f**k are you living?
Poverty isn’t beautiful or dreadful or anything at all, unless we make it so. I’m poor by almost anyone’s standards but I have plenty of time to create — and spend time with my family as well — because I don’t take on totally unnecessary expenses like mortgages, a car, private schools….
I live in a seaside town and am able to spend a lot of my time in deep philosophical discussions with my teenager, sharing ideas and learning together. Well, until he dismisses me. : )
All most of us truly do need is a safe place to lay our heads, some simple food, some challenging work, exercise and sunshine.
YOU SHOULD READ “NICKEL AND DIMED”.
THE POOR LOVE IT WHEN YOU PREACH TO THEM.
YOU SHOULD READ “NICKEL AND DIMED”.
THE POOR LOVE IT WHEN YOU PREACH TO THEM.
WAIT DO YOU MEAN POOR BY YOUR MOTHER’S STANDARDS? WHAT DOES “POOR” MEAN IN YOUR LANGUAGE. “I’M POOR BY ALMOST ANYONE’S STANDARDS SO I’M ALLOWED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS.” “YOU HAVE A NICE LIFE YOU AREN’T POOR YOU HAVE A NICE LITTLE HOUSE NEAR THE BEACH. YOU EVEN GOT A TEENAGER. HAVING A TEENAGER IMPLIES THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR A CHILD IN EXCESS OF 13 YEARS.”
WAIT DO YOU MEAN POOR BY YOUR MOTHER’S STANDARDS? WHAT DOES “POOR” MEAN IN YOUR LANGUAGE. “I’M POOR BY ALMOST ANYONE’S STANDARDS SO I’M ALLOWED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS.” “YOU HAVE A NICE LIFE YOU AREN’T POOR YOU HAVE A NICE LITTLE HOUSE NEAR THE BEACH. YOU EVEN GOT A TEENAGER. HAVING A TEENAGER IMPLIES THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR A CHILD IN EXCESS OF 13 YEARS.”
IT’S RIDICULOUS YOU SHOULD EVEN MENTION “PRIVATE SCHOOLS”. WHAT KIND OF POOR PERSON THINKS ABOUT PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
IT’S RIDICULOUS YOU SHOULD EVEN MENTION “PRIVATE SCHOOLS”. WHAT KIND OF POOR PERSON THINKS ABOUT PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
the poor person izzz a construct
sorry, everyone. sorry about thozze two/three jobs, reynard
the poor person izzz a construct
sorry, everyone. sorry about thozze two/three jobs, reynard
Meh, maybe you’re right ZZZZIPP. I was a little preachy.
Am I poor? Sometimes I go hungry for a few days when money’s tight. (But I don’t *have* to go hungry, admittedly — I have friends/family who would help me out in a pinch — however, I know that fasting is good for my body, so I choose to just drink a lot of tea & not dwell on it!) I know few people who are willing to not eat for a few days, god forbid. So yeah, by most standards…
My son and I live happily in a very small apartment (sometimes we take on a roommate as well). The kid doesn’t cost much, other than what he eats. He dresses in smart, cheap clothes from the good ‘ol S.A. — and he’s a light eater. : )
I think you’d agree that 99.9% of Americans would think I wasn’t providing properly for my kid. But he’s intelligent, well-read, happy, and seemingly well-balanced. He’s a thinker. And despite the fact that sometimes there’s nothing but rice & beans in the house, he agrees with me that we lead a charmed life. (Mostly, it’s the quality of our relationship, and our relationship with our friends. It’s also a little bit about where we live. We love it.)
p.s. “private schools” — here, I was obliquely referencing the fact that you can give your kid the equivalent of a private school quality education at no cost other than your time — if you homeschool or unschool. Again, it’s the whole, “work for the man so I can provide for my kids properly.” Screw it, just spend *TIME* with your kids! That’s all they need!
p.s. I think I was tough on Reynard mostly because he chose to be tough on poor Mather. I think Mather must have a hard enough time with that scary first name….
On March 22nd, 2010 / 5:16 pm, Helsta goes like this:
p.s. I think I was tough on Reynard mostly because he chose to be tough on poor Mather. I think Mather must have a hard enough time with that scary first name….
Mather Schneider? I Love that guy!
On March 22nd, 2010 / 5:16 pm, Helsta goes like this:
p.s. I think I was tough on Reynard mostly because he chose to be tough on poor Mather. I think Mather must have a hard enough time with that scary first name….
Mather Schneider? I Love that guy!
“the boat is not the issue. a sailor knows.”
Yes. Yes. YES!!!
Jereme, I’m keeping your quote safely tucked in my breast pocket….for the rest of my life.
If you don’t know how to sail, don’t have a boat, don’t want to be bothered building one, and/or don’t have any money, just go to couchsurfing.com, and visit the couchsailing boards.
“the boat is not the issue. a sailor knows.”
Yes. Yes. YES!!!
Jereme, I’m keeping your quote safely tucked in my breast pocket….for the rest of my life.
If you don’t know how to sail, don’t have a boat, don’t want to be bothered building one, and/or don’t have any money, just go to couchsurfing.com, and visit the couchsailing boards.