This past weekend, my friends N and B hosted The Big Lebowski Party. Have you seen the movie? Jeff Bridges plays Jeff Lebowski, aka The Dude, an unemployed, Los Angelean pothead whose life gets tangled up with kidnapers, nihilists and millionaires. It's a crazy, ransomed-woman hunt, and revenge-of-the-slacker masterpiece, where we gain an odd attraction for the least motivated among us. Dude philosophy is something like "less stress and more fun." Bum or brilliant?
Released in 1998, writers & directors Joel and Ethan Coen assembled a terrific cast including John Goodman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, and Steve Buscemi; characters who wild the ride yet take us nowhere. But it's fun and funny and even has a movie menu! (did someone say Food Party!?) We washed down White Russians (Dude's drink) and did half time at In & Out Burger in Mountain View (Dude's dinner). I am not a regular, but finally ordered like one. "Animal-style please, extra everything." (vegetarian burger + beef when no one's looking).
At the end of a crazy mystery movie where everyone is taking advantage of everyone, we see Lebowski walk away with this line;
"The Dude abides."
What do you think that meant? My friend E said "survives," but I'm leaning to something bigger. It was his money grabby, self-absorbed co-characters, wondering where their next payback was coming from, who survived. The Dude however?.. lingers on, with presence. Kind of hangs in our midst or psyche, reminding to slow down and stop being so Silicon Valley important, or at least consider the possibility.
Taking more time this year for fun, food, and friends. Distraction or noble goal?
Take your robe out, put your feet up, turn off your mind, (and be glad you finished your taxes.) Enjoy Dude's drink, embellished with the female touch.
May a little Dude abide in us all.
Dude+Laura White Russian
1 teaspoon chocolate nibs
2 teaspoons St. Germain liquor
½ teaspoon freshly squeezed ginger juice
½ shot Kahlua
1 shot vodka
Freshly whipped cream*
Combine the nibs, St. Germain and ginger in a glass bowl. Let marinate an hour or so.
Put Kahlua in glass, cover/seal with lots o' whipped cream, then drizzle in vodka. Keep the layers. Garnish with nibs and their juice. Eat with a spoon.
* god bless the cows
