The Genius Of Seinfeld

 So now it seems like ancient history, but Americans in the 90s dug things Jewish, like the show Seinfeld. Boy, lots  changed, with some of the worst anti-semitism coming from the Left, former allies, and worst of all, from self hating Jews, who I CANNOT abide. But that's a deeper discussion.

The hilarious premise of Seinfeld was that it was a show about: nothing. There were vignettes of everyday life of a bunch of funny and self absorbed characters in NYC -- little actually happened -- it was just how they dealt with the quotidian. I watched it, but was never a huge fan, mostly since I found Jerry to be whiny and not very funny. I admire his talents and success, but didn't enjoy the show when he was featured, which was most of the time. 

I am MUCH more of a "Curb" fan -- Larry David is hilarious to me, and the vast majority of the time in my own life the mythical bubble above my head says precisely what Larry David actually says in the show. Lately, I've been quoting him when folks keep wishing me a happy new year, even though January is more than half over. In a favorite scene, an acquaintance greets him that way, and Larry says "It's January 5th!" The woman protests she hadn't seen him, and what was the big deal? Larry explains there's a statute of limitations -- no wishing HNY after January 4th.

Just yesterday, friendly neighbor Berta said "Happy New Year!" and I explained the Larry David rule. She laughed but probably thought me somewhat of an asshole.

Lately, it occurs to me that in my circle, as many of us work less and less, there is more and more time to spend on analyzing to the point of absurdity the smaller issues of life -- what is the right thing to do socially -- how much must I worry about making everyone in my life happy?

For me, as I passed my half birthday (UberEats, which has all my personal info, advised me of this yesterday), I choose Dylan's line from "Key West -- Philosopher Pirate." "I always try to do what's good, what is right." Beyond that, I now also see the deep wisdom in Ricky Nelson's "Garden Party:" You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself.

I greatly dislike resenting people, and trying and failing to please people leads to resentment. It shouldn't, and maybe to some that's not the case, but it is for me.

Seinfeld is so funny because the characters never keep things simple. You get invited to a restaurant -- go, or don't. Simple. On Seinfeld, it's a discussion about WHY that restaurant? What's the message implicit in the invite. How will it look if I go, or if I don't? Funny -- but as I age -- ain't nobody (me) got time for that.

So today I planned to do a lot of nothing -- walk, watch some NFL playoffs, nap. But Paul called, and he asked my plans. Would I meet him somewhere for a meal? I would NOT -- driving to Gables tomorrow to meet D1 and the boys, and then driving to NE Miami Monday to re-home Little Man before the Canes game.

Paul laughed -- he appreciates my decisive nature -- then how about he comes over? Always a welcome, was my response. Lunch? Nope -- dinner. 

Ah-ha! I settled on an idea -- I've been telling him about our local favorite Platea for years now -- prime beef and delicious ceviche. And, they finally opened a bar.

We struck a deal -- he's coming over for an early dinner. I told him, since he's on the wagon, I would pour him a soda in a wine glass. I do the same for Wifey so she can make believe she drinks with us.

I think Patricia is with her family tonight, doing things Peruvian.

So the Big Game Weekend is upon us. The air is charged. And better for me -- see the sons/suns around whom our lives orbit. Pretty, pretty, pretty fine...