Sunday, October 20, 1996

Some Kind of Wonderful

A reflection on my 86/87 college year

So I thought I was Eric Stoltz and she was Mary Stuart Masterson. I saw the movie 18 times, and, if nothing else came of it, I got a nickname for Don’s car - the SKOW mobile. I did get something more, however; even if it was a broken heart.

I’m at the stage
Where everything I thought meant something
You seem so unappealing.
I’m ready for the real thing, but nobody’s selling, no.
Except you - and you’re saying open up your eyes and ears - and let me in.
You must be out of your brilliant mind.
You must be out of your brilliant mind.


You’re at the stage
You want your empty words heard and everybody’s ready
They want to know your secrets but you’re not telling
You’re just gesturing saying open up your arms and heart and let me in.
You must be out of your brilliant mind.
You must be out of your brilliant mind.


But I’m at the stage
Where I want my words heard and no one wants to listen, no.
No one wants to listen ‘cause everybody’s yelling
About you and yours and how I’d have the answer
If I’d only open up, up, up, and let you in
They must be out of their brilliant minds.
They must be out of their brilliant minds.


I said shame, shame on you
Oh shame, shame on you you you
Shame on you you you you you you
You must be out of your brilliant mind

- “Brilliant Mind” by Furniture

We were out of our brilliant minds, neither of us smart enough to open up and let the other in. I remember walking for several hours - and even getting lost. There was that Sunday morning where I ended up on a shoeless walk and a couple kids at the park asked if I was the devil.

And you asked me that one time where we’d be in ten years. You were fishing, hoping I’d soothe your fears and tell you we’d always be friends. “We won’t be friends in ten years,” you said. “So what?” I responded. “You can’t take away the memories.”

We must have been out of our brilliant minds.