the dude abides, and other stories

A bit of news that knocked the wind out of me: “Vic Chesnutt died in Athens, Georgia this afternoon, Friday 25 December.”

A wee week or two ago I posted a link to an NPR interview with him. A new album out with Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto, a fresh, sorta hopeful take on existence. As a  quadriplegic who waged war on depression and alcoholism, Chesnutt made dark stuff—but there was redemption in there, too. Now, though, suddenly gone. Just like that. In a wink of stardust and a blast of cold air. “There's widespread speculation on the Web, but no confirmation, that Chesnutt committed suicide.” At times like this, I say boo for free will. Boo.

But … that’s no way to start a new year.

So, considering certain lighter facets to existence, an NPR thingy about finding God in the Coen brothers’ movies. See, this chick Cathleen Fasani wrote a book called The Dude Abides: The Gospel According To The Coen Brothers.” Interesting stuff in there. According to her, Jeff Bridges' “the dude” character in The Big Lebowski is a mystical figure, a “righteous soul.” Says she, “There’s a deep centeredness to the dude. He’s not a perfect man—but a pure spirit.” Ha. Love me some sociology like this.