Unread books on dusty shelves tell a story of their own

[sovay]

Because I am more familiar with the operas than the film scores of Erich Wolfgang Korngold and tend to avoid even famous movies with Ronald Reagan in them, it took until tonight for me to hear the main theme for Kings Row (1942), at which point the entire career of John Williams flashed before my eyes. Other parts of the score sound more recognizably, symphonically of their era, but that fanfare is a blast from the future it directly shaped: the standard set by Korngold's tone-poem, leitmotiv-driven approach to film composing, principal photography as the libretto to an opera. I love finding these taproots, even when they were lying around in plain sight.

I don't think that what I feel for the sea is nostalgia, but I am intrigued by this study indicating that generally people do: "Searching for Ithaca: The geography and psychological benefits of nostalgic places" (2025). I am surprised that more people are not apparently bonded to deserts or mountains or woodlands. Holidays by the sea can't explain all of it. I used to spend a lot of my life in trees.

I napped for a couple of hours this afternoon, but my brain could return any time now. The rest of my week is not conducive to doing nothing. The rest of the world is not conducive to losing time.

Comments

[theseatheseatheopensea]

I don't think that what I feel for the sea is nostalgia, but I am intrigued by this study indicating that generally people do

That's a really interesting study! I also not necessarily use the word nostalgia, because that makes me think of the past and that's not the whole thing--to me, it's more of a present longing. When I think about it, I go with saudade or morriña or anhelo or techaga'u, any of those words vibe/feel more accurate than just nostalgia... but I guess it's useful as a catch-all word! <3

[asakiyume]

I go with saudade or morriña or anhelo or techaga'u --these are beautiful words.

[theseatheseatheopensea]

these are beautiful words.

They really are!

[sovay]

I also not necessarily use the word nostalgia, because that makes me think of the past and that's not the whole thing--to me, it's more of a present longing.

Right! I have history with the sea, but I don't think of my feeling for it as past-oriented any more than any other relationship built up over time. I am not missing the beaches of my childhood. I miss that I am not currently right there!

When I think about it, I go with saudade or morriña or anhelo or techaga'u, any of those words vibe/feel more accurate than just nostalgia... but I guess it's useful as a catch-all word!

I like techaga'u!

[theseatheseatheopensea]

I miss that I am not currently right there!

Exactly!

I like techaga'u!

Me too! I like that it means nostalgia, but also the desire to see someone/something.