Got home earlier than usual last night, was flipping around the channels, and Lethal Weapon had just started. I hadn't seen it in ages, so I settled in.

The thing that struck me the most was the whole Vietnam thing. I guess you'd have to be my age to twenty years older, but remember when the war was that close? Remember when you would say "the war" and everyone would know which war you meant? You'd never have to say "Vietnam", because there was only one war.

It started when I was five months old and ended when I was nearly eleven. I never really knew much about it when I was a little kid, my parents were of an older generation, my father had been in WWII, so it wasn't in the forefront of our lives, and in fact, I never learned about it in school until it was over. I don't know if that's because it was such a polarizing subject or because we were too young, but it wasn't until I was twelve that it became a classroom subject.

I remember that picture, the one of the girl whose clothes were burned off by napalm, seeing it on the wall of my classroom, and suddenly realizing, as I hadn't before, that the war had gone on for my entire life.

And for a long time, certainly longer than ten years afterwards, it was always still very close, and I hadn't realized how removed it had become, how it has turned into history and is no longer something that you can reach out and touch so easily, until I was watching that movie, and I was surprised at how the war was woven into the fabric of it, I mean, I know it's a movie and that it was written and planned that way, that both the heroes and the villains were molded in Vietnam, but it also went very deep, down to the bone, because the war was still right there, so recent.

It was, I realize, the defining current event of my childhood. Even now, I can still say that fully one third of my life was spent during the Vietnam War. But slowly, it's receding, replaced by other atrocities, and maybe there will never be another American war that lasts for anything like so long (I certainly hope not), but people always say things like that and there always is.

I just never thought that it would become a quaint old story, like WWII. But when I was a kid it was as long ago as Vietnam was for today's kids. Everyone's present becomes the next generation's boring old history. Even the defining current event of my childhood.

What was the defining current event of your childhood?

Kim wants to know of a good web-based newsreader.

And we're still talking about our jobs, classic books that we hate, seeing things differently as one grows older, weird injuries, dreams that we thought were true upon awakening, weeping at movies, true love, prophetic dreams, thoughtful presents, publicity, irrational fears, swearing, and Australian (and New Zealand) yumminess.

Today's horoscope:
Cuddling is important. Get some hugs today and share some physical contact with those you love. Nurture your body.

One year ago today:
"Wait a minute, I'm turning 35, I need all of the presents and cards and attention that I can get to keep my mind off that fact! Screw quiet dignity and grace!"

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Last Updated Fri 18 August 10:21:09 2000