No Hidden Meanings: An Illustrated Eschatological Laundry List

by Sheldon B. Kopp | Arts & Photography |
ISBN: 0831400439 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingGoryDetailswing of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 3/11/2003
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10 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, March 11, 2003
So I'm browsing through the bargain bin at Annie's Book shop/stop/swap [never can remember which it is] and I spot this oversized-but-thin paperback titled "No Hidden Meanings". Yeah, right, I say, and thumb through it - and get interested, so I tuck it under my arm and trot up to the register to buy it [for the whacking great price of $2.99]. What first caught my eye (OK, second, after the title) was the photograph associated with laundry-list-item #1 ("This is it!"); it shows a small child running through an old cemetery, and the kid looks a bit like photos of myself at that age... "Too cool," think I, and read through the rest of the book.

Turns out that this "laundry list" is all over the Web in various forms, and may have been included in the author's "If You Meet the Buddha on the Road, Kill Him" as well, but I don't recall having seen it before. In any case, the book consists of this list in conjunction with a stunning collection of black and white photographs by Claire Flanders, and the combination's fascinating. [If a little grim; #3 is "You can't get there from here, and besides there's no place else to go," and #4 is "We are all already dying, and we will be dead for a long time".] Item 33, "All important decisions must be made on the basis of insufficient data," appears next to a shot of the statue of Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial (that one seemed especially timely).

There were lots of sites containing variations of the list; here's one that has the complete list that appears in this book:

Eschatological Laundry List

[In case you're wondering how seriously the author meant these to be taken, here's what he says about the list, which he first included in a letter to a friend: "The subject of this particular letter was the foolishness of our professional pontificating.... This was to be a zany private spoof, a way of tenderly making fun of myself. Instead, what emerged was a fragment of a cosmic joke, a visionary list of the truths which, at best, shape my life, provide answers to unasked questions, and give insights too powerfully simple to be grasped finally and forever." When I read them I did a lot of mental checking-off: "yep, yep, maybe, not really, yep, mostly true, what the heck does this mean, yep..." I don't say it's life-changing, but it was a lot of fun to go through.]

I'm setting up a bookring for this one; PM me if interested.

***

Side note: before I registered this I checked it out on the used-book sites, and discovered that (gasp) it's rather rare; at least, a number of copies were being offered for sale at $100 and up. I admit I was tempted to just try to resell it, but then I figured (a) it was too good a BC-type book to pass up, and (b) its condition is just "acceptable" [battered cover, bent corners, and something that looks a bit like faint spaghetti-sauce splatters on the edges of most of the pages], so I probably couldn't get rich off of it anyway. {grin} But it's just another reminder that sometimes there's gold in them thar bargain bins.

Journal Entry 2 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Friday, March 14, 2003
OK, this is the list so far; I'm planning to send the book out on Monday.

pgsahm (Virginia)
lightwavz (Detroit) [and leppojoove]
ottawabill (Ottawa, Ontario)
Xana (Lisbon, Portugal)
leitora (Porto, Portugal)
*** Added:
dangerouswoman3 (Portugal)
Beladormecidaa (Portugal)
Sossap (Portugal)

I'll ask people to journal the book when they receive it, PM the next person in line for their address, and journal again when they've passed it along. Hope you enjoy it!

Journal Entry 3 by pgsahm from Disputanta, Virginia USA on Thursday, March 27, 2003
I rec'd the book yesterday and did not have a chance to journal on it. I read through it today and must say at first I was a bit disappointed, thinking it would be a meater book. But then once I really read it and realized how true many of the points listed in the are, I was hooked. It is very deep, with plenty of controversial statements. The photography is beautiful. I have always loved B and W photos anyhow.

My personal favorite is #23. It seems quite appropriate for these troubled war times.
"Evil can be displaced but never eradicated, as all solutions breed new problems."

Journal Entry 4 by lightwavz from Detroit, Michigan USA on Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Received in the mail yesterday. I can tell already that this one is going to be a thinker (not like the photo for #17 though!). I have laughed at some of the items on the list and then gone back and thought "hmmm... that's deeper than I thought..." I'll make this a quick but thoughtful read and journal when done.

Journal Entry 5 by lightwavz from Detroit, Michigan USA on Saturday, May 3, 2003
It is an odd coincidence (or not if none exist) that I planned on journaling and releasing this book today. The meanings morphed overnight for me as yesterday at 4:30, I was laid off of my job. The list does give me things to think about as I regroup, and after all, "This is IT!" This is a great book and I'm glad that I am participating in the bookring. I'll let my boyfriend journal and then I will send to ottawabill...

Journal Entry 6 by leppojoove from Sandusky, Ohio USA on Saturday, May 3, 2003
My girlfriend made me read the book right away. I was cranky at first, but now I'm pleased. (I'm always cranky in the morning.) The first few pages of the book made me a little wary -- they sounded rather depressing -- but by the time I reached the end, I was encouraged. I found Buddhist sensibilities in the book, which was rather uplifting. (I believe in Buddhism, but I haven't been practicing very well lately.) The images supported the text well, and inspired my other big interest, photography. A nice source for some quick inspiration.

Journal Entry 7 by ottawabill from Ottawa, Ontario Canada on Friday, May 9, 2003
I received the book today in the mail. It is always a treat to see a parcel in my mail box that looks like it might be a bookcrossing book, but I was surprised when I opened it because I had forgotten this one was on its way to me....so it was a double treat.

I glanced through it in the lobby of my building and realized I had seen many of the lines in various email chain messages and on some sites.

I've been at home sick the last couple days and was heading out for some medication and groceries. But all the way through my chores I was looking forward to curling up with this book when I got home. The water for tea is on to boil while I journal entry this and 2 books I picked up on my rounds. Then curl up I will.

Infections often have the temporary biochemical impact of upsetting my brain chemistry and making me depressed. So I have been in a contemplative "what's it all about" mood these last few days. Since there is no "alfie" to ask I will turn to No Hidden Meanings so a tongue in cheek reminder that this too will pass. But on one account I hope the books is wrong...of my ailment, my doctor says "Ah ..it's nothing." And the books says..."nothing lasts."

It won't take long to read, but it may take a while to part with it...but I'll PM Xana for her address today.

Journal Entry 8 by ottawabill from Ottawa, Ontario Canada on Sunday, July 6, 2003
My "funk" must have lasted longer than I expected for I still have this book and now that I am back home from my travels to Toronto I must send it on to Xana in Portugal.

It is one of those books that one never tires of picking up and leafing through it. Something always catches your eye and mind and send you off on a thought-fest. But I have been self-indulgent hanging on to it and like all good things, this too must end.

Thank you Gorydetails for finding and sharing the book and being so gentle in your rebuke for my tardiness.

Journal Entry 9 by ottawabill at on Monday, July 21, 2003
Released on Monday, July 21, 2003 at mailed to a bookcrosser in ?, Povoa Sta Iria Portugal.

I'm not sure I interpreted the address correctly in finding the location in the bookcrossing database but I copied it faithfully on the package so it should reach Xana in Portugal alright.

Pure interia accounts for the slow send off of this book. I have been a bit disporagnized of late but am starting to regain control. Off it goes in the morning mail.

Journal Entry 10 by Xana from Genève, Genève Switzerland on Monday, August 4, 2003
Arrived yesterday. I'll get back to you on it.

Journal Entry 11 by leitora from Porto - Paranhos, Porto Portugal on Tuesday, August 12, 2003
Just arrived. U'll update soon!

Anyway... I realise there's noone else on the list! Is it true? Should I try to find more interested BCers, or just send it back to Nashua, New Hampshire?

Journal Entry 12 by leitora from Porto - Paranhos, Porto Portugal on Tuesday, August 12, 2003
Done :)

My Fav: #11 You have a responsability to do your best nontheless.


I guess tomorrow I'd pick another one...

I liked a lot some of the photos. And enjoyed the story of the sentences.



Now the special edition will go on travelling...

Journal Entry 13 by Dangerouswoman from Matosinhos, Porto Portugal on Monday, August 25, 2003
Leitora give to me this book.It´s a beautiful book that show to people many beautiful images that express good and bad feelings.
I love this book.

Journal Entry 14 by Dangerouswoman at entregue em mão in -- Controlled Release --, Porto Portugal on Wednesday, November 5, 2003
Released on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at entregue em mão in Porto, Porto Portugal.

I send this week the book for sossap by mail.

Journal Entry 15 by Sossap on Wednesday, November 5, 2003
Thanks dangerouswoman3 for sending it to me ata this moment of my life... Is very beautiful and heart toutching... I read it in a flash... strange is that it was send to me by mistake, sooner... Sorry, Beladormecidaa, it's mine now :))

Journal Entry 16 by Beladormecidaa on Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Ok, I've had this book for some time, but I didn't noticed I forgot to register it.
So now here it is.
But... since Sossap has already read it, who should I send it now? Can anyone help me? Thank you!!!

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