Who watches the Watchmen?

It is eleven oh one p.m. I am composing this in my head and cannot sleep. Beside me, Wendy is blissfully oblivious, sleeping deeply as is her gift. The new lights above my head are dimmed to almost nothingness. It is wonderful. Serene. Wendy thinks of all the right details.

It is nine a.m. the previous morning. Wendy is reading on her iPhone next to me and I know I should get up. I have a lot to do in the next few hours. I slumber as long as my body lets me then take a cold shower and start work. Seven hours from now I will be asleep on a plane in a haze and Wendy will be softly crying in the seat next to me. I will be unaware of this fact until she tells me four hours later.

It is eleven oh seven Middlebury time. I have been awake for twenty-two hours. I get up and can’t find my glasses but must compose this note. Wait. I have a spare pair in my computer bag.

It is ten-thirty a.m. I have put away the dishes, closed and shuttered all the windows, taken the trash downstairs, weighed the bags twice, taken down another duffle and filled it with extra things. I carry the two fifty pound bags downstairs, sweating like a fat man in August. I sit on the stairs to rest and forget to check the mail for my driver’s license and credit card that were shipped to me weeks ago from Vermont. I am angry, and have been for days, for reasons I cannot fathom.

It is eight-thirty. Doug greets us as at the door and insists on helping me with the luggage. The new porch is stunning. The skylights are awe-inspiring. The new bedrooms are too large to be believed. They are like a cathedral. The dogs don’t recognize me. Morganna looks like she has mange. Merlin looks like he is going to explode in a massive ball of fur. Nikki looks like she always looks – terrified.

It is ten-thirty. After an amazing talk with my parents, I am home. Wendy and Doug are asleep. The house is mine. Look… a picture of Lorelei and Dharmesh at my desk. A badge showing my name and nationality for the pro tour. The amazing, stunning, wonderful piece of art that Wendy made out of my column, the card and the original artwork for “Timbermare.” Superman memorabilia. Ashes of my former dogs, waiting to be scattered with mine when I finally give in to that dark night. Pictures of fat Jamie with Marilyn. A movie ticket from Wendy’s and my first date. My favorite picture of Wendy. A suit of armor that stands two feet high.

I love this house.

It is twelve-thirty in the afternoon and they have finally turned on the video system on the airplane. Who watches the Watchmen? I do. For the second time. The first time, not so much. The second time, I am pretty sure it is a thing of beauty. I love it. It speaks to me in a way few movies ever have.

It is 5:47 a.m Madrid time. I am going to sleep.

I hope.

Comments

  1. Jamie, I am very glad that young contractor hooked you guys up! I have so many personal contractor horror stories that I was nervous when you first mentioned him. Please take some pictures of the work he did, I would love to see it!

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  2. Best. Post. Ever?

    I want to know more. Why was Wendy crying? How long has it been since you've seen your dogs? Did you get your new license? Did you get to sleep in Vermont?

    Outstanding. Keep up the good work.

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  3. Nice homage to Moore! :)



    Rod

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  4. When you watched Watchmen, was it the the Director's cut? I've seen both on sale now - and am not sure which to get? I liked it in the Theaters... I want a similar experience at home - but want to see what was missing...

    Book title - perhaps the stress of this is hanging on you - and that's messing up your sleep...

    You quoted Rorshack: Never compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon - perhaps you can draw a title from that statement. I think of your writings - and how Marilyn encouraged you to continue living (well - not just living - but that she wanted you to continue to get joy out of life once she knew...)... again - maybe something else you can draw on for a title. Last thought on this - and from Doug's earlier comments - when somebody you know has a terminal diagnosis - you KNOW. This "Knowing..." totally changes your life. You have all the stages you go through dealing with death - as it's totally in your face. "Knowing..." might be too simple a book title... ... but again - maybe just some food for thought. (It seems you did not get many responses on this topic - so I thought I would chime in).

    I'm looking forward to reading the final product... and hope you're sleeping better.

    Regards,
    ~ DG

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  5. Saw it for the third time this weekend. I had never read the comics, plus I am slow, so it took a few viewings for me to figure out what the hell was going on. I have to say third time was the charm though, I "get it" and I think this film is a masterpiece. (the first time I saw it I left the theater thinking "meh")

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  6. I haven't read your blog in a while, Jamie. I find it an interesting coincidence that when I checked it just now for the first time in a month or so, the first thing I see in this blog on the Watchmen and insomnia. I just got done writing a blog entry about these things myself.

    I haven't seen the movie yet, so I'm trying to avoid anything in the category of spoiler. Roger Ebert gave it a favorable review, however, and I find myself agreeing with him as much as 70% of the time.

    @ Kjetil: if you are having a hard time understanding this blog, you need to pick up the Watchmen graphic novel. Or at least issue #4. This blog entry is written in the style of Dr. Manhattan, whose nigh omnipresence allows him to see every moment of his life as it is happening (including future happenings).

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  7. Thanks Dave. I wish that no one else would ever have to suffer the horror of cancer. I had to watch one of the most intelligent and funniest people I've ever know slowly waste away, unable to take care of himself in the most basic of ways. "Knowing" is a great name. I'm sure Jamie will come up with something great.

    But, back to "Watchmen." I think it'll be a cult classic that like "Blade Runner" (not that I'm saying "Watchmen is as good.) I just think it's an enormously underrated movie.

    Just my opinion and I could be wrong,

    Doug

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  8. Fitting to a post awhile back. 8-)

    http://www.pvponline.com/2009/08/03/maneuvers-in-the-dark/

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