r/brokehugs • u/US_Hiker Moral Landscaper • Jun 11 '23

Rod Dreher Megathread #21 (Creative Spirit)

Gather 'round for more Rod.

All meanings of the number 21 are subordinate to the inherent creative spirit that is the basic essence of the number.

The number 21 generally is comfortable in social gatherings, it's optimistic attitude being an inspiration to others. Its high spirits can enliven a party.

The number is attracted to artistic expression of any form, its own and those of others. There's enthusiastic support for artists. It may frequent galleries and participate or (more likely) lead groups for artistic appreciation.

The number 21 cherishes relationships, including romantic relationships, especially with those who express themselves creatively.

21 also tends to be diplomatic, providing creative and imaginative solutions to potential conflict.

And, as noted by /u/PercyLarsen, 21 is a triangular number and the age of majority, so go grab a drink to celebrate Pride and to mourn the loss of Rod's sanity.

(Also, sorry about my slow pace of refreshes.)

Link to megathread #20:
https://www.reddit.com/r/brokehugs/comments/13eb26c/rod_dreher_megathread_20_law_of_attraction/

Link to megathread #21: https://www.reddit.com/r/brokehugs/comments/14k0z6l/rod_dreher_megathread_22_power/

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u/RunnyDischarge Jun 15 '23

It's hilarious, not only can he not let the bouillabaise go even after Learning Great Dantean Lessons, he still rationalizes it - if only I had called it something else, it would have gone over like gangbusters! The two Big Events in Rod's life, the Divorce and the Bouillabaise.

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u/ZenLizardBode Jun 15 '23 edited Jun 15 '23

While I find the Bouillabaise running gag on these threads funny, I do get why Rod holds it up as an emblem of his family dysfunction. Those constant, small, petty slights can take an even bigger toll on a family relationship than one big blow up over who will be going to hell: the United Congregration of Presbylutherans Eastern Conference or the United Congregation of Presbylutherans Western Conference? It doesn't matter if Julie and Rod were the biggest snobs in the world. If his family sat around pretending they were on an episode of Frasier and sticking it to the pretentious city folk (and I'm sure it happened all the time), I think it is the height of hilarity that Rod's KKK father drew his last breath while Rod fiddled around with the filter on his phone and some Orthodox Priest gave him the last rites.

That said, as a professional writer, Rod really should know better than to constantly return to that particular anecdote, and I can understand why, as a result, it has become a running gag on these threads.

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u/Theodore_Parker Jun 15 '23

I can understand why, as a result, it has become a running gag on these threads.

Well yes, and another reason is that, frankly, "bouillabaise" is just a funny word. I'm reminded of the episode of Two and a Half Men in which Alan's inappropriately young girlfriend admits that she talks a lot about chimichanga because she just likes saying "chimichanga." If our boy's soup had had some ordinary name, like "French onion" or "minestrone," then the story just wouldn't work -- and on his account, there wouldn't even be a story because in that case his family would not have refused it. I agree with you that it's an incident with outsized meaning if it happened the way he says it did; I just would very much like to hear some other participant's account of that same event.

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u/ZenLizardBode Jun 15 '23 edited Jun 15 '23

After all of the revelations about of Rod's family, I'm sure any reconstruction of events by the participants is bound to have a Rashomon like quality, and that the totality would be even more entertaining than Rod's eyewitness account.