I suppose I always ask myself a question before I go to a place but I’m not
before I go to a place but I’m not
before I go to a place but I’m not seeking an answer I think the best
seeking an answer I think the best
seeking an answer I think the best places are the ones that give you
places are the ones that give you
places are the ones that give you permanently unsettled
well Pico it’s an incredible pleasure to
well Pico it’s an incredible pleasure to share a stage with you again honor and a
share a stage with you again honor and a
share a stage with you again honor and a pleasure it’s great to see you so I
pleasure it’s great to see you so I
pleasure it’s great to see you so I thought what I do tonight to begin I’m
thought what I do tonight to begin I’m
thought what I do tonight to begin I’m serendipitously enough I found that
serendipitously enough I found that
serendipitously enough I found that someone who’s here tonight had had this
someone who’s here tonight had had this
someone who’s here tonight had had this book the lady in the monk four seasons
book the lady in the monk four seasons
book the lady in the monk four seasons in Kyoto which is in many ways picot
in Kyoto which is in many ways picot
in Kyoto which is in many ways picot signature book I think it’s a wonderful
signature book I think it’s a wonderful
signature book I think it’s a wonderful wonderful account of moving to Japan and
wonderful account of moving to Japan and
wonderful account of moving to Japan and it was published in 1991 and this is a
it was published in 1991 and this is a
it was published in 1991 and this is a very personal book in your most recent
very personal book in your most recent
very personal book in your most recent book the man within my head is your
book the man within my head is your
book the man within my head is your other most personal book I believe that
other most personal book I believe that
other most personal book I believe that you’ve written to date in my opinion and
you’ve written to date in my opinion and
you’ve written to date in my opinion and so you have these two very revealing
so you have these two very revealing
so you have these two very revealing books and I just thought I’m gonna hand
books and I just thought I’m gonna hand
books and I just thought I’m gonna hand this book to you and ask you to hold it
this book to you and ask you to hold it
this book to you and ask you to hold it in your hand and tell me what you what
in your hand and tell me what you what
in your hand and tell me what you what you think as you look at that book what
you think as you look at that book what
you think as you look at that book what you remember what you feel about it now
you remember what you feel about it now
you remember what you feel about it now what does it bring out in you oh I love
what does it bring out in you oh I love
what does it bring out in you oh I love this cover image which is probably too
this cover image which is probably too
this cover image which is probably too small for any of you to see but it
small for any of you to see but it
small for any of you to see but it catches the Japan that I dreamed of you
catches the Japan that I dreamed of you
catches the Japan that I dreamed of you know to Japan and I think this applies
know to Japan and I think this applies
know to Japan and I think this applies to you was my home before I ever went
to you was my home before I ever went
to you was my home before I ever went there when I was a little boy I would
there when I was a little boy I would
there when I was a little boy I would look at Japanese paintings I would read
look at Japanese paintings I would read
look at Japanese paintings I would read Japanese poems and something made me
Japanese poems and something made me
Japanese poems and something made me feel as if I recognized that place
feel as if I recognized that place
feel as if I recognized that place better than the town where I was born
better than the town where I was born
better than the town where I was born Oxford England or the place where I kept
Oxford England or the place where I kept
Oxford England or the place where I kept all my stuff Santa Barbara California it
all my stuff Santa Barbara California it
all my stuff Santa Barbara California it just images from Japan would Pierce me
just images from Japan would Pierce me
just images from Japan would Pierce me with the kind of familiarity and I think
with the kind of familiarity and I think
with the kind of familiarity and I think all of us have these secret homes often
all of us have these secret homes often
all of us have these secret homes often it might be India or Egypt or China but
it might be India or Egypt or China but
it might be India or Egypt or China but the beauty of the modern world is you
the beauty of the modern world is you
the beauty of the modern world is you can actually go and inhabit them twenty
can actually go and inhabit them twenty
can actually go and inhabit them twenty years ago you would just spend your
years ago you would just spend your
years ago you would just spend your whole life dreaming about them and I was
whole life dreaming about them and I was
whole life dreaming about them and I was so happy that you said it was my
so happy that you said it was my
so happy that you said it was my signature book because it’s still my
signature book because it’s still my
signature book because it’s still my favorite among my books because at that
favorite among my books because at that
favorite among my books because at that time I was living in midtown Manhattan
time I was living in midtown Manhattan
time I was living in midtown Manhattan working on 24th floor office four blocks
working on 24th floor office four blocks
working on 24th floor office four blocks from Times Square writing well the fair
from Times Square writing well the fair
from Times Square writing well the fair stories for Time magazine pretty much in
stories for Time magazine pretty much in
stories for Time magazine pretty much in the job and the life I might have
the job and the life I might have
the job and the life I might have dreamed of as a little boy and had a lot
dreamed of as a little boy and had a lot
dreamed of as a little boy and had a lot of time to take holidays had not a care
of time to take holidays had not a care
of time to take holidays had not a care a responsibility in the world and
a responsibility in the world and
a responsibility in the world and surrounded by invigorating really rich
surrounded by invigorating really rich
surrounded by invigorating really rich and interesting company but some part of
and interesting company but some part of
and interesting company but some part of me felt
me felt
me felt as if I was only doing justice to one
as if I was only doing justice to one
as if I was only doing justice to one half of the world and that I was getting
half of the world and that I was getting
half of the world and that I was getting a jolt of stimulation and excitement and
a jolt of stimulation and excitement and
a jolt of stimulation and excitement and seeing the exterior world but there are
seeing the exterior world but there are
seeing the exterior world but there are many things connected with silence and
many things connected with silence and
many things connected with silence and reflection and nothing happening that I
reflection and nothing happening that I
reflection and nothing happening that I wasn’t seeing so I left that job and
wasn’t seeing so I left that job and
wasn’t seeing so I left that job and decided to go and live for a year in a
decided to go and live for a year in a
decided to go and live for a year in a monastery in Kyoto and you’re smiling
monastery in Kyoto and you’re smiling
monastery in Kyoto and you’re smiling because you know already what happened
because you know already what happened
because you know already what happened which is my high-minded year in Kyoto
which is my high-minded year in Kyoto
which is my high-minded year in Kyoto lost exactly a week I got there and I
lost exactly a week I got there and I
lost exactly a week I got there and I found that the monastery in character
found that the monastery in character
found that the monastery in character was dangerously close to the English
was dangerously close to the English
was dangerously close to the English boarding schools where I spent so much
boarding schools where I spent so much
boarding schools where I spent so much time it wasn’t just sitting on a wooden
time it wasn’t just sitting on a wooden
time it wasn’t just sitting on a wooden platform contemplating the moon and
platform contemplating the moon and
platform contemplating the moon and writing depthless haiku it was scrubbing
writing depthless haiku it was scrubbing
writing depthless haiku it was scrubbing and cleaning things and being out at
and cleaning things and being out at
and cleaning things and being out at dawn and cold showers that Hulk had a
dawn and cold showers that Hulk had a
dawn and cold showers that Hulk had a military monastic thing that we’ve been
military monastic thing that we’ve been
military monastic thing that we’ve been trained in so I bailed out after a week
trained in so I bailed out after a week
trained in so I bailed out after a week and my third week there I went to a
and my third week there I went to a
and my third week there I went to a temple ceremony in one of the great old
temple ceremony in one of the great old
temple ceremony in one of the great old zen temples of kyoto tofukuji and I
zen temples of kyoto tofukuji and I
zen temples of kyoto tofukuji and I found myself next to a young woman and
found myself next to a young woman and
found myself next to a young woman and very quickly we found ourselves closer
very quickly we found ourselves closer
very quickly we found ourselves closer and closer and so my year living in a
and closer and so my year living in a
and closer and so my year living in a temple contemplating silence and
temple contemplating silence and
temple contemplating silence and solitude as I’d seen it became in fact a
solitude as I’d seen it became in fact a
solitude as I’d seen it became in fact a year about seeing her turn her life
year about seeing her turn her life
year about seeing her turn her life around because when I met her and when I
around because when I met her and when I
around because when I met her and when I grew close to her she was married with
grew close to her she was married with
grew close to her she was married with two children and as fast as her country
two children and as fast as her country
two children and as fast as her country transformed itself after World War two
transformed itself after World War two
transformed itself after World War two she transformed her life in the next few
she transformed her life in the next few
she transformed her life in the next few months when I met her she’d never been
months when I met her she’d never been
months when I met her she’d never been on a plane she’d never been really
on a plane she’d never been really
on a plane she’d never been really outside her hometown of Kyoto and a few
outside her hometown of Kyoto and a few
outside her hometown of Kyoto and a few months later she was an international
months later she was an international
months later she was an international tour guide leading even more bewildered
tour guide leading even more bewildered
tour guide leading even more bewildered Japanese around the globe and it’s an
Japanese around the globe and it’s an
Japanese around the globe and it’s an interesting example so I think the first
interesting example so I think the first
interesting example so I think the first rule of travel is the minute you arrive
rule of travel is the minute you arrive
rule of travel is the minute you arrive somewhere all your plans go out the
somewhere all your plans go out the
somewhere all your plans go out the window something else to take it over as
window something else to take it over as
window something else to take it over as something wiser than you and do you see
something wiser than you and do you see
something wiser than you and do you see the limitations or insufficiency of your
the limitations or insufficiency of your
the limitations or insufficiency of your plans and this is a perfect example and
plans and this is a perfect example and
plans and this is a perfect example and yet the sequel and I’m not spoiling it I
yet the sequel and I’m not spoiling it I
yet the sequel and I’m not spoiling it I think too much is 25 years later now
think too much is 25 years later now
think too much is 25 years later now I’ve never left Kyoto I’ve never left
I’ve never left Kyoto I’ve never left
I’ve never left Kyoto I’ve never left that woman and we live in a place more
that woman and we live in a place more
that woman and we live in a place more monastic than the monastery I checked
monastic than the monastery I checked
monastic than the monastery I checked into it’s a two-room place in the middle
into it’s a two-room place in the middle
into it’s a two-room place in the middle of nowhere we don’t have a printer or a
of nowhere we don’t have a printer or a
of nowhere we don’t have a printer or a car
car
car bicycle or it’s so tiny you can’t even
bicycle or it’s so tiny you can’t even
bicycle or it’s so tiny you can’t even open the bathroom door and again
open the bathroom door and again
open the bathroom door and again whatever instinct sent me to the
whatever instinct sent me to the
whatever instinct sent me to the monastery was correct but I maybe I
monastery was correct but I maybe I
monastery was correct but I maybe I wasn’t ready for it at that time and I
wasn’t ready for it at that time and I
wasn’t ready for it at that time and I had to enter the world more marry a
had to enter the world more marry a
had to enter the world more marry a woman become stepfather to two children
woman become stepfather to two children
woman become stepfather to two children and finally a quarter of a century later
and finally a quarter of a century later
and finally a quarter of a century later be Japanese enough to really understand
be Japanese enough to really understand
be Japanese enough to really understand what the Japanese monastery is about
what the Japanese monastery is about
what the Japanese monastery is about because when I went there was only the
because when I went there was only the
because when I went there was only the fantasy of Japanese quiet I was in love
fantasy of Japanese quiet I was in love
fantasy of Japanese quiet I was in love with and now I feel japan has entered me
with and now I feel japan has entered me
with and now I feel japan has entered me sufficiently that I’m ready to open the
sufficiently that I’m ready to open the
sufficiently that I’m ready to open the door to what I was looking for them so
door to what I was looking for them so
door to what I was looking for them so those a few of the things that I see
those a few of the things that I see
those a few of the things that I see when I when I look at that camera when
when I when I look at that camera when
when I when I look at that camera when you went to Japan first you were a
you went to Japan first you were a
you went to Japan first you were a traveler even though you felt that Japan
traveler even though you felt that Japan
traveler even though you felt that Japan was some place you felt instinctual II
was some place you felt instinctual II
was some place you felt instinctual II at home yeah at what point does Japan
at home yeah at what point does Japan
at home yeah at what point does Japan feel like home now mmm
feel like home now mmm
feel like home now mmm it felt like home then and the reason I
it felt like home then and the reason I
it felt like home then and the reason I went there was it instantly makes sense
went there was it instantly makes sense
went there was it instantly makes sense to me and also I thought this is a place
to me and also I thought this is a place
to me and also I thought this is a place whose values I want to learn I work at
whose values I want to learn I work at
whose values I want to learn I work at my stepdaughters desk so it’s a tiny
my stepdaughters desk so it’s a tiny
my stepdaughters desk so it’s a tiny space filled with pictures of Brad Pitt
space filled with pictures of Brad Pitt
space filled with pictures of Brad Pitt and indeed the aforementioned Hello
and indeed the aforementioned Hello
and indeed the aforementioned Hello Kitty I don’t have a space of my own I
Kitty I don’t have a space of my own I
Kitty I don’t have a space of my own I sleep on a couch in the living room
sleep on a couch in the living room
sleep on a couch in the living room I have no TV I can dance and no
I have no TV I can dance and no
I have no TV I can dance and no newspapers no magazines no until
newspapers no magazines no until
newspapers no magazines no until recently high-speed Internet no bicycle
recently high-speed Internet no bicycle
recently high-speed Internet no bicycle no car no anything so my whole days are
no car no anything so my whole days are
no car no anything so my whole days are spent within four square block radius
spent within four square block radius
spent within four square block radius really and it seems like the ultimate
really and it seems like the ultimate
really and it seems like the ultimate luxury that you know happiness or
luxury that you know happiness or
luxury that you know happiness or affluence is not a matter of what you
affluence is not a matter of what you
affluence is not a matter of what you have but what you don’t need and it
have but what you don’t need and it
have but what you don’t need and it seems to me as if I have almost anything
seems to me as if I have almost anything
seems to me as if I have almost anything that I could have wanted which is why I
that I could have wanted which is why I
that I could have wanted which is why I moved from midtown Manhattan where there
moved from midtown Manhattan where there
moved from midtown Manhattan where there was more material abundance and plenty
was more material abundance and plenty
was more material abundance and plenty than now but but something else missing
than now but but something else missing
than now but but something else missing more more invisibly so every day when I
more more invisibly so every day when I
more more invisibly so every day when I wake up it seems as if the day lasts a
wake up it seems as if the day lasts a
wake up it seems as if the day lasts a thousand hours so all I sit down and I
thousand hours so all I sit down and I
thousand hours so all I sit down and I write for many hours at this child’s
write for many hours at this child’s
write for many hours at this child’s desk and then I can take walks and then
desk and then I can take walks and then
desk and then I can take walks and then I can sit out on the Sun we have a
I can sit out on the Sun we have a
I can sit out on the Sun we have a three-foot long Terrace so
three-foot long Terrace so
three-foot long Terrace so it’s the size of the stripe here but I
it’s the size of the stripe here but I
it’s the size of the stripe here but I can sit there eating tangerines burying
can sit there eating tangerines burying
can sit there eating tangerines burying myself in long books that I would never
myself in long books that I would never
myself in long books that I would never have the chance to read if I was in
have the chance to read if I was in
have the chance to read if I was in California or somewhere nearer to
California or somewhere nearer to
California or somewhere nearer to civilization then I play furious 2 hours
civilization then I play furious 2 hours
civilization then I play furious 2 hours of ping-pong with the local
of ping-pong with the local
of ping-pong with the local grandmother’s and some of the
grandmother’s and some of the
grandmother’s and some of the grandfathers also and that’s been my
grandfathers also and that’s been my
grandfathers also and that’s been my entree into Japanese society and then I
entree into Japanese society and then I
entree into Japanese society and then I still have six hours left before I have
still have six hours left before I have
still have six hours left before I have to go to sleep so somehow or other it
to go to sleep so somehow or other it
to go to sleep so somehow or other it seems the most spacious kind of
seems the most spacious kind of
seems the most spacious kind of existence I can imagine and there’s it’s
existence I can imagine and there’s it’s
existence I can imagine and there’s it’s a way of learning about stillness and
a way of learning about stillness and
a way of learning about stillness and concentration which I think are two of
concentration which I think are two of
concentration which I think are two of the Japanese gift right right now I
the Japanese gift right right now I
the Japanese gift right right now I totally understand and I think that for
totally understand and I think that for
totally understand and I think that for you especially given your cosmopolitan
you especially given your cosmopolitan
you especially given your cosmopolitan background Japan is a really comfortable
background Japan is a really comfortable
background Japan is a really comfortable place to be in a lot of ways I mean you
place to be in a lot of ways I mean you
place to be in a lot of ways I mean you grew up homeless which I think made you
grew up homeless which I think made you
grew up homeless which I think made you find home in a different way yes you
find home in a different way yes you
find home in a different way yes you define it differently and you absorb it
define it differently and you absorb it
define it differently and you absorb it differently no I think that’s true and
differently no I think that’s true and
differently no I think that’s true and part of being at home for me as being a
part of being at home for me as being a
part of being at home for me as being a foreigner and I’m comfortable in that
foreigner and I’m comfortable in that
foreigner and I’m comfortable in that sense of displacing us of being an
sense of displacing us of being an
sense of displacing us of being an outsider because I was a little boy of
outsider because I was a little boy of
outsider because I was a little boy of indian-origin growing up in England and
indian-origin growing up in England and
indian-origin growing up in England and then a little boy with Indian skin and
then a little boy with Indian skin and
then a little boy with Indian skin and an English voice growing up in
an English voice growing up in
an English voice growing up in California from the age of seven and
California from the age of seven and
California from the age of seven and then from the age of nine I was going
then from the age of nine I was going
then from the age of nine I was going back and forth six times a year as I
back and forth six times a year as I
back and forth six times a year as I described in this book by myself between
described in this book by myself between
described in this book by myself between 60s California and a boarding school set
60s California and a boarding school set
60s California and a boarding school set up in 1440 you absolutely right I think
up in 1440 you absolutely right I think
up in 1440 you absolutely right I think for me you can imagine I quickly felt
for me you can imagine I quickly felt
for me you can imagine I quickly felt that I didn’t fully belong to England
that I didn’t fully belong to England
that I didn’t fully belong to England and I couldn’t fully claim to belong to
and I couldn’t fully claim to belong to
and I couldn’t fully claim to belong to California but really where I was at
California but really where I was at
California but really where I was at home was in the movement between them
home was in the movement between them
home was in the movement between them the combinations between the passages in
the combinations between the passages in
the combinations between the passages in some ways in all senses and the fact of
some ways in all senses and the fact of
some ways in all senses and the fact of commuting and I didn’t think I don’t
commuting and I didn’t think I don’t
commuting and I didn’t think I don’t think that’s so interesting but when I
think that’s so interesting but when I
think that’s so interesting but when I was doing that I didn’t meet many people
was doing that I didn’t meet many people
was doing that I didn’t meet many people in that same position and even though
in that same position and even though
in that same position and even though the lights are fairly dim now and I look
the lights are fairly dim now and I look
the lights are fairly dim now and I look across a room like this
across a room like this
across a room like this I’m guessing 30 or 40 percent of the
I’m guessing 30 or 40 percent of the
I’m guessing 30 or 40 percent of the people in this room have many many
people in this room have many many
people in this room have many many different cultures inside them and in
different cultures inside them and in
different cultures inside them and in some ways my compatriots because they
some ways my compatriots because they
some ways my compatriots because they belong to this realm of the floating
belong to this realm of the floating
belong to this realm of the floating home and they have many many different
home and they have many many different
home and they have many many different places a culture associated with
places a culture associated with
places a culture associated with and another may be with their partners
and another may be with their partners
and another may be with their partners and another with Washington DC and
and another with Washington DC and
and another with Washington DC and another with the place they dream of and
another with the place they dream of and
another with the place they dream of and their whole life is going to be spent
their whole life is going to be spent
their whole life is going to be spent bringing all these places together and
bringing all these places together and
bringing all these places together and trying to make a kind of stained-glass
trying to make a kind of stained-glass
trying to make a kind of stained-glass hole out of them but home will be a work
hole out of them but home will be a work
hole out of them but home will be a work in progress for them and a home has less
in progress for them and a home has less
in progress for them and a home has less and less to do with a piece of soil and
and less to do with a piece of soil and
and less to do with a piece of soil and more and more to do with a piece of soul
more and more to do with a piece of soul
more and more to do with a piece of soul exactly as you said that home is
exactly as you said that home is
exactly as you said that home is something internal for those of us who
something internal for those of us who
something internal for those of us who aren’t rooted in geography and if you if
aren’t rooted in geography and if you if
aren’t rooted in geography and if you if your home is internal you’re so right
your home is internal you’re so right
your home is internal you’re so right you can go to a seemingly foreign place
you can go to a seemingly foreign place
you can go to a seemingly foreign place like Japan it will always be foreign and
like Japan it will always be foreign and
like Japan it will always be foreign and yet it’s somehow enriches and deepens
yet it’s somehow enriches and deepens
yet it’s somehow enriches and deepens the India and the England and the
the India and the England and the
the India and the England and the California in me and it just can be
California in me and it just can be
California in me and it just can be another part of the puzzle that throws
another part of the puzzle that throws
another part of the puzzle that throws light on the other places well one of
light on the other places well one of
light on the other places well one of the questions or thoughts that kept
the questions or thoughts that kept
the questions or thoughts that kept coming into my mind reading your new
coming into my mind reading your new
coming into my mind reading your new book the man within my head was just
book the man within my head was just
book the man within my head was just this image of you as a nine year old
this image of you as a nine year old
this image of you as a nine year old traveling solo California to England to
traveling solo California to England to
traveling solo California to England to go to school back to California for
go to school back to California for
go to school back to California for vacations and I just thought how how did
vacations and I just thought how how did
vacations and I just thought how how did that affect you what do you remember
that affect you what do you remember
that affect you what do you remember from those flights what was it like as a
from those flights what was it like as a
from those flights what was it like as a nine-year-old to be doing this all the
nine-year-old to be doing this all the
nine-year-old to be doing this all the time the actual process of travel was
time the actual process of travel was
time the actual process of travel was exhilarating because if you’re nine
exhilarating because if you’re nine
exhilarating because if you’re nine years old and I think it’s still the
years old and I think it’s still the
years old and I think it’s still the case you wanna come unaccompanied minor
case you wanna come unaccompanied minor
case you wanna come unaccompanied minor so I would remember my parents would
so I would remember my parents would
so I would remember my parents would drive me down to Los Angeles Airport
drive me down to Los Angeles Airport
drive me down to Los Angeles Airport commit me to the care of usually a very
commit me to the care of usually a very
commit me to the care of usually a very very kind solicitous and quite glamorous
very kind solicitous and quite glamorous
very kind solicitous and quite glamorous Pan Am or TWA cabin attendant she would
Pan Am or TWA cabin attendant she would
Pan Am or TWA cabin attendant she would take my papers away so there went my
take my papers away so there went my
take my papers away so there went my identity I was already on the way to
identity I was already on the way to
identity I was already on the way to being a new person leave me by the hand
being a new person leave me by the hand
being a new person leave me by the hand into the plane and say coca-cola peanuts
into the plane and say coca-cola peanuts
into the plane and say coca-cola peanuts headphones whatever you want we will
headphones whatever you want we will
headphones whatever you want we will look after you and I was between the
look after you and I was between the
look after you and I was between the rival authorities of my parents who are
rival authorities of my parents who are
rival authorities of my parents who are actually very kind but probably wouldn’t
actually very kind but probably wouldn’t
actually very kind but probably wouldn’t have wanted to spoil me too much and a
have wanted to spoil me too much and a
have wanted to spoil me too much and a school where we had to run through
school where we had to run through
school where we had to run through showers cold showers every morning at
showers cold showers every morning at
showers cold showers every morning at 6:00 a.m. and there was a lot of
6:00 a.m. and there was a lot of
6:00 a.m. and there was a lot of corporal punishment and all the boys
corporal punishment and all the boys
corporal punishment and all the boys were allowed to beat younger boys in
were allowed to beat younger boys in
were allowed to beat younger boys in fact encouraged to do so and in between
fact encouraged to do so and in between
fact encouraged to do so and in between you know San Quentin and Alcatraz I was
you know San Quentin and Alcatraz I was
you know San Quentin and Alcatraz I was from its lands where all the cabin
from its lands where all the cabin
from its lands where all the cabin attendants were dancing attention and
attendants were dancing attention and
attendants were dancing attention and trying to make my life as wonderful as
trying to make my life as wonderful as
trying to make my life as wonderful as it could be mmm
it could be mmm
it could be mmm I remember Raquel Welch who had just
I remember Raquel Welch who had just
I remember Raquel Welch who had just appeared in an animal skin bikini and
appeared in an animal skin bikini and
appeared in an animal skin bikini and 10,000 years BC or whatever she’s
10,000 years BC or whatever she’s
10,000 years BC or whatever she’s standing right in front of me in the
standing right in front of me in the
standing right in front of me in the check in line once and I used to go back
check in line once and I used to go back
check in line once and I used to go back to England you in about this time
to England you in about this time
to England you in about this time actually so it was right after the
actually so it was right after the
actually so it was right after the Academy Awards and they’re always
Academy Awards and they’re always
Academy Awards and they’re always British technicians waving their gold
British technicians waving their gold
British technicians waving their gold Oscars on the wane and all kinds of
Oscars on the wane and all kinds of
Oscars on the wane and all kinds of excitements that so I suppose for child
excitements that so I suppose for child
excitements that so I suppose for child it was my Dickensian wonder worlds every
it was my Dickensian wonder worlds every
it was my Dickensian wonder worlds every every child finds his own amusement park
every child finds his own amusement park
every child finds his own amusement park really added the world around him and
really added the world around him and
really added the world around him and that was it and then when I arrived at
that was it and then when I arrived at
that was it and then when I arrived at the other end and this really induced
the other end and this really induced
the other end and this really induced bad habits in me I had a choice I would
bad habits in me I had a choice I would
bad habits in me I had a choice I would get but get there at noon and kids had
get but get there at noon and kids had
get but get there at noon and kids had to be back in the boarding school at
to be back in the boarding school at
to be back in the boarding school at 8:00 say so I realized if I went back I
8:00 say so I realized if I went back I
8:00 say so I realized if I went back I would be the only kid there for eight
would be the only kid there for eight
would be the only kid there for eight hours and the target of every form of
hours and the target of every form of
hours and the target of every form of abuse from all the the teachers who were
abuse from all the the teachers who were
abuse from all the the teachers who were there looking for some small victim so I
there looking for some small victim so I
there looking for some small victim so I would just put my huge suitcase out on
would just put my huge suitcase out on
would just put my huge suitcase out on the sculpted chairs and Heathrow and
the sculpted chairs and Heathrow and
the sculpted chairs and Heathrow and just go to sleep there and many years
just go to sleep there and many years
just go to sleep there and many years later I remember sometimes when I was a
later I remember sometimes when I was a
later I remember sometimes when I was a teenager I would spend day after day
teenager I would spend day after day
teenager I would spend day after day after day sleeping in Miami Airport and
after day sleeping in Miami Airport and
after day sleeping in Miami Airport and later of course I went to live in Los
later of course I went to live in Los
later of course I went to live in Los Angeles Airport as an adult
Angeles Airport as an adult
Angeles Airport as an adult ostensibly at altar for two weeks and so
ostensibly at altar for two weeks and so
ostensibly at altar for two weeks and so it set all kinds of habits loose in me
it set all kinds of habits loose in me
it set all kinds of habits loose in me but I think one of the main ones was
but I think one of the main ones was
but I think one of the main ones was being very comfortable in the process of
being very comfortable in the process of
being very comfortable in the process of travel and maybe not so good at settling
travel and maybe not so good at settling
travel and maybe not so good at settling down in any community but certainly
down in any community but certainly
down in any community but certainly formed or deformed me for life I think
formed or deformed me for life I think
formed or deformed me for life I think and the other thing that that instantly
and the other thing that that instantly
and the other thing that that instantly I was doing going back and forth between
I was doing going back and forth between
I was doing going back and forth between the 15th century in the 1960s and
the 15th century in the 1960s and
the 15th century in the 1960s and between Grateful Dead concerts on the
between Grateful Dead concerts on the
between Grateful Dead concerts on the one side and the Lord’s Prayer in Latin
one side and the Lord’s Prayer in Latin
one side and the Lord’s Prayer in Latin on the other was first I suppose I
on the other was first I suppose I
on the other was first I suppose I always became a bit of a hippie when I
always became a bit of a hippie when I
always became a bit of a hippie when I was in California and something of a
was in California and something of a
was in California and something of a skeptic when I went to England and then
skeptic when I went to England and then
skeptic when I went to England and then being a crafty little boy so it was much
being a crafty little boy so it was much
being a crafty little boy so it was much better to do it the other way around and
better to do it the other way around and
better to do it the other way around and to be a hippie when I went to England
to be a hippie when I went to England
to be a hippie when I went to England and tell my envious nine-year-old
and tell my envious nine-year-old
and tell my envious nine-year-old classmates I just saw the Grateful Dead
classmates I just saw the Grateful Dead
classmates I just saw the Grateful Dead on Telegraph Avenue and I larger larger
on Telegraph Avenue and I larger larger
on Telegraph Avenue and I larger larger with until come
with until come
with until come the old admiration and then come back
the old admiration and then come back
the old admiration and then come back and quote Latin to my startled friends
and quote Latin to my startled friends
and quote Latin to my startled friends in California it was a it was a training
in California it was a it was a training
in California it was a it was a training I suppose in what’s always been clearly
I suppose in what’s always been clearly
I suppose in what’s always been clearly one of the themes of my writing which is
one of the themes of my writing which is
one of the themes of my writing which is the way cultures project their longings
the way cultures project their longings
the way cultures project their longings or their fantasies or their illusions or
or their fantasies or their illusions or
or their fantasies or their illusions or romances upon the other and I really did
romances upon the other and I really did
romances upon the other and I really did have the distinct sense when I was
have the distinct sense when I was
have the distinct sense when I was growing up most of the little English
growing up most of the little English
growing up most of the little English boys around me had one dream in life and
boys around me had one dream in life and
boys around me had one dream in life and that was to be a Californian because in
that was to be a Californian because in
that was to be a Californian because in 1960s and 1970s it was the place that
1960s and 1970s it was the place that
1960s and 1970s it was the place that represented freedom from the past long
represented freedom from the past long
represented freedom from the past long horizons endless summer you could make
horizons endless summer you could make
horizons endless summer you could make yourself up to be what anything you
yourself up to be what anything you
yourself up to be what anything you wanted and so many people I knew in
wanted and so many people I knew in
wanted and so many people I knew in California seemed to long for the sense
California seemed to long for the sense
California seemed to long for the sense of continuity and groundedness an order
of continuity and groundedness an order
of continuity and groundedness an order that England still has in spades and so
that England still has in spades and so
that England still has in spades and so I saw how each was dreaming of the other
I saw how each was dreaming of the other
I saw how each was dreaming of the other and as you know when I wrote my first
and as you know when I wrote my first
and as you know when I wrote my first book this one I just transplanted it in
book this one I just transplanted it in
book this one I just transplanted it in some ways to the east and the West and
some ways to the east and the West and
some ways to the east and the West and saw how the West’s notions of the east
saw how the West’s notions of the east
saw how the West’s notions of the east collided with the east notions of the
collided with the east notions of the
collided with the east notions of the West and as in any love affair turned
West and as in any love affair turned
West and as in any love affair turned into a confounding dance of genuine
into a confounding dance of genuine
into a confounding dance of genuine fascination and illusion in which each
fascination and illusion in which each
fascination and illusion in which each didn’t know how much he was in love with
didn’t know how much he was in love with
didn’t know how much he was in love with the other and how much with what the
the other and how much with what the
the other and how much with what the other represented or how much the fancy
other represented or how much the fancy
other represented or how much the fancy he projected upon the other so I suppose
he projected upon the other so I suppose
he projected upon the other so I suppose it shaped my thinking in in those ways
it shaped my thinking in in those ways
it shaped my thinking in in those ways and I’ve always seen cultures collide
and I’ve always seen cultures collide
and I’ve always seen cultures collide and seeing them think about one another
and seeing them think about one another
and seeing them think about one another or fail to think about one other has
or fail to think about one other has
or fail to think about one other has become my home environment and I
become my home environment and I
become my home environment and I sometimes think that so many of the
sometimes think that so many of the
sometimes think that so many of the writers I love let’s say they grew up in
writers I love let’s say they grew up in
writers I love let’s say they grew up in Kansas and that is their backdrop and
Kansas and that is their backdrop and
Kansas and that is their backdrop and the place that they know in their sleep
the place that they know in their sleep
the place that they know in their sleep the place they know better than alarm
the place they know better than alarm
the place they know better than alarm lines on their palm they know it’s
lines on their palm they know it’s
lines on their palm they know it’s rituals its secrets its pauses its its
rituals its secrets its pauses its its
rituals its secrets its pauses its its silences and will write about that for
silences and will write about that for
silences and will write about that for the rest of their lives and others have
the rest of their lives and others have
the rest of their lives and others have grown up in Bombay and even if they move
grown up in Bombay and even if they move
grown up in Bombay and even if they move to Toronto say like the great writer
to Toronto say like the great writer
to Toronto say like the great writer Rohinton Mistry
Rohinton Mistry
Rohinton Mistry they’re always walking through those
they’re always walking through those
they’re always walking through those back streets that they know by heart and
back streets that they know by heart and
back streets that they know by heart and MAME and that will be the literary
MAME and that will be the literary
MAME and that will be the literary terrain in some ways so my terrain
terrain in some ways so my terrain
terrain in some ways so my terrain probably is the process of movement and
probably is the process of movement and
probably is the process of movement and the process of watching culture circle
the process of watching culture circle
the process of watching culture circle around one another that’s what what I
around one another that’s what what I
around one another that’s what what I grew up in more than any fixed place
grew up in more than any fixed place
grew up in more than any fixed place when you travel now are you conscious of
when you travel now are you conscious of
when you travel now are you conscious of seeking something when you go somewhere
seeking something when you go somewhere
seeking something when you go somewhere or do you go somewhere and land and and
or do you go somewhere and land and and
or do you go somewhere and land and and just sort of try to absorb the place
just sort of try to absorb the place
just sort of try to absorb the place when you’re there I suppose I always ask
when you’re there I suppose I always ask
when you’re there I suppose I always ask myself a question before I go to a place
myself a question before I go to a place
myself a question before I go to a place but I’m not seeking an answer I think if
but I’m not seeking an answer I think if
but I’m not seeking an answer I think if it’s a good enough question it’ll lead
it’s a good enough question it’ll lead
it’s a good enough question it’ll lead to a better and better and deeper and
to a better and better and deeper and
to a better and better and deeper and deeper question and I think the best
deeper question and I think the best
deeper question and I think the best places are the ones that leave you
places are the ones that leave you
places are the ones that leave you permanently unsettled I remember when I
permanently unsettled I remember when I
permanently unsettled I remember when I used to go to Cuba many years ago the
used to go to Cuba many years ago the
used to go to Cuba many years ago the reason that Cuban never left me and I
reason that Cuban never left me and I
reason that Cuban never left me and I couldn’t get it out of my head like a
couldn’t get it out of my head like a
couldn’t get it out of my head like a song that just keeps on playing and
song that just keeps on playing and
song that just keeps on playing and playing is that I could never get my
playing is that I could never get my
playing is that I could never get my head around it I could never make sense
head around it I could never make sense
head around it I could never make sense of it it was the saddest place I’d ever
of it it was the saddest place I’d ever
of it it was the saddest place I’d ever seen the most exuberant the most
seen the most exuberant the most
seen the most exuberant the most disenchanted the most romantic and
disenchanted the most romantic and
disenchanted the most romantic and idealistic the most dilapidated in some
idealistic the most dilapidated in some
idealistic the most dilapidated in some ways and the most vibrant in others and
ways and the most vibrant in others and
ways and the most vibrant in others and so because it was this cluster of
so because it was this cluster of
so because it was this cluster of paradoxes it it were fused to settle
paradoxes it it were fused to settle
paradoxes it it were fused to settle into my boxed ideas as it were and
into my boxed ideas as it were and
into my boxed ideas as it were and that’s the most wonderful thing of all
that’s the most wonderful thing of all
that’s the most wonderful thing of all because I do think it’s a little fatal
because I do think it’s a little fatal
because I do think it’s a little fatal to seek for anything when you go
to seek for anything when you go
to seek for anything when you go anywhere because expectation defeats
anywhere because expectation defeats
anywhere because expectation defeats itself you probably remember when you
itself you probably remember when you
itself you probably remember when you walk into a temple in Kyoto there’s an
walk into a temple in Kyoto there’s an
walk into a temple in Kyoto there’s an inscription in Japanese that says look
inscription in Japanese that says look
inscription in Japanese that says look beneath your feet
beneath your feet
beneath your feet meaning that why travel all the way
meaning that why travel all the way
meaning that why travel all the way around the world to count the cats in
around the world to count the cats in
around the world to count the cats in Zanzibar whatever you’re looking for you
Zanzibar whatever you’re looking for you
Zanzibar whatever you’re looking for you can find wherever you happen to be I
can find wherever you happen to be I
can find wherever you happen to be I remember I don’t know if I ever told you
remember I don’t know if I ever told you
remember I don’t know if I ever told you a few years ago I went to Tibet and I
a few years ago I went to Tibet and I
a few years ago I went to Tibet and I took my wife there because she’d never
took my wife there because she’d never
took my wife there because she’d never had the chance to go and we had a
had the chance to go and we had a
had the chance to go and we had a wonderful place we drove across these
wonderful place we drove across these
wonderful place we drove across these 14,000 foot passes and we went to the
14,000 foot passes and we went to the
14,000 foot passes and we went to the jokhang temple which is still really the
jokhang temple which is still really the
jokhang temple which is still really the holy epicenter of all Tibet where you
holy epicenter of all Tibet where you
holy epicenter of all Tibet where you see these people who’ve walked for 3-4
see these people who’ve walked for 3-4
see these people who’ve walked for 3-4 months just to get there from the
months just to get there from the
months just to get there from the farthest reaches of Eastern Tibet
farthest reaches of Eastern Tibet
farthest reaches of Eastern Tibet sometimes frustrating every step of the
sometimes frustrating every step of the
sometimes frustrating every step of the way and that faces a street in grime and
way and that faces a street in grime and
way and that faces a street in grime and in this place which is just lit by
in this place which is just lit by
in this place which is just lit by flickering candles you can barely see
flickering candles you can barely see
flickering candles you can barely see their features but you can see the tears
their features but you can see the tears
their features but you can see the tears running down them they’re so so moved
running down them they’re so so moved
running down them they’re so so moved finally to be in the center of the holy
finally to be in the center of the holy
finally to be in the center of the holy city so we had a lot of remarkable
city so we had a lot of remarkable
city so we had a lot of remarkable experiences as anybody does when he or
experiences as anybody does when he or
experiences as anybody does when he or she goes to Tibet and then I flew back
she goes to Tibet and then I flew back
she goes to Tibet and then I flew back to California to my mother’s house
to California to my mother’s house
to California to my mother’s house and of course I was jet-lagged and
and of course I was jet-lagged and
and of course I was jet-lagged and suffering from reverse culture shock and
suffering from reverse culture shock and
suffering from reverse culture shock and the little discombobulated little sad to
the little discombobulated little sad to
the little discombobulated little sad to be outside Tibet and I couldn’t settle
be outside Tibet and I couldn’t settle
be outside Tibet and I couldn’t settle to anything Restless and finally I just
to anything Restless and finally I just
to anything Restless and finally I just got into my car and I drove ten minutes
got into my car and I drove ten minutes
got into my car and I drove ten minutes up the road from my mother’s house and I
up the road from my mother’s house and I
up the road from my mother’s house and I because I hadn’t really settled into my
because I hadn’t really settled into my
because I hadn’t really settled into my routine I was seeing it a little as if a
routine I was seeing it a little as if a
routine I was seeing it a little as if a foreigner or as if a sort of jerk
foreigner or as if a sort of jerk
foreigner or as if a sort of jerk jet-black stupefied altered state kind
jet-black stupefied altered state kind
jet-black stupefied altered state kind of creature and suddenly I noticed it in
of creature and suddenly I noticed it in
of creature and suddenly I noticed it in front of me on one side was the great
front of me on one side was the great
front of me on one side was the great blue expanse of the Pacific and on the
blue expanse of the Pacific and on the
blue expanse of the Pacific and on the other side was really after Ridge of
other side was really after Ridge of
other side was really after Ridge of completely untouched mountains and there
completely untouched mountains and there
completely untouched mountains and there were caves with ancient aboriginal so to
were caves with ancient aboriginal so to
were caves with ancient aboriginal so to speak indigenous paintings in them and
speak indigenous paintings in them and
speak indigenous paintings in them and there was not a trace of human
there was not a trace of human
there was not a trace of human habitation for as far as I could see on
habitation for as far as I could see on
habitation for as far as I could see on either side for forty five minutes as I
either side for forty five minutes as I
either side for forty five minutes as I was driving across the mountains and I
was driving across the mountains and I
was driving across the mountains and I suddenly thought if I were to Burton or
suddenly thought if I were to Burton or
suddenly thought if I were to Burton or Burmese or Cuban or somebody from
Burmese or Cuban or somebody from
Burmese or Cuban or somebody from anywhere else this would see in the most
anywhere else this would see in the most
anywhere else this would see in the most remarkable place in the world this place
remarkable place in the world this place
remarkable place in the world this place ten minutes for my mother’s home is as
ten minutes for my mother’s home is as
ten minutes for my mother’s home is as beautiful and transporting and radiant
beautiful and transporting and radiant
beautiful and transporting and radiant as maybe more radiant than anything I
as maybe more radiant than anything I
as maybe more radiant than anything I saw in Tibet but it needed those new
saw in Tibet but it needed those new
saw in Tibet but it needed those new eyes or unsettle eyes confused eyes to
eyes or unsettle eyes confused eyes to
eyes or unsettle eyes confused eyes to be able to see it and every time I come
be able to see it and every time I come
be able to see it and every time I come back from a trip I always say well I’m
back from a trip I always say well I’m
back from a trip I always say well I’m going to look around my hometown as if I
going to look around my hometown as if I
going to look around my hometown as if I were foreigner and after about two days
were foreigner and after about two days
were foreigner and after about two days that resolve gets but not really exactly
that resolve gets but not really exactly
that resolve gets but not really exactly at last but if you can do it then then
at last but if you can do it then then
at last but if you can do it then then you realize that you don’t have to go
you realize that you don’t have to go
you realize that you don’t have to go across the world to find whatever
across the world to find whatever
across the world to find whatever transformation or illumination you’re
transformation or illumination you’re
transformation or illumination you’re searching right right one of the things
searching right right one of the things
searching right right one of the things who you and I have often said is that
who you and I have often said is that
who you and I have often said is that one of the gifts of travel is that you
one of the gifts of travel is that you
one of the gifts of travel is that you appreciate your own place better your
appreciate your own place better your
appreciate your own place better your your home better your country better
your home better your country better
your home better your country better yeah well picot thank you I mean you one
yeah well picot thank you I mean you one
yeah well picot thank you I mean you one of the great gifts that you give us is
of the great gifts that you give us is
of the great gifts that you give us is that you you paint that very serum and
that you you paint that very serum and
that you you paint that very serum and the flower in the room you you turn the
the flower in the room you you turn the
the flower in the room you you turn the world into that for us you make it clear
world into that for us you make it clear
world into that for us you make it clear you make it many layered and rich and I
you make it many layered and rich and I
you make it many layered and rich and I think you help us appreciate all of the
think you help us appreciate all of the
think you help us appreciate all of the complexities of the world that we go out
complexities of the world that we go out
complexities of the world that we go out to and encounter every day and we don’t
to and encounter every day and we don’t
to and encounter every day and we don’t pay attention to when I read you I
pay attention to when I read you I
pay attention to when I read you I really she ate them and I really really
really she ate them and I really really
really she ate them and I really really Vasily as possible with
Vasily as possible with
Vasily as possible with as much hearten as much mind and you’re
as much hearten as much mind and you’re
as much hearten as much mind and you’re a great exemplar of that thank you very
a great exemplar of that thank you very
a great exemplar of that thank you very very much thank you for tonight
”
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