The Comfy Corner

Lately I've been having a Henry Higgins-esque cultural confusion with regards to the Amish. I've been spending an exorbitant amount of time in Amish country recently, and every time I see a horse and buggy riding down the street I think, "Look at them! Hrmph! Prisoners of the 1690's. Why can't the Amish be more like us?" I want to take one in and show them the beauty of modern luxuries ("This is called a foot massager!"). My fascination has gone so far as to writing a musical about them (which can be viewed here). But the deeper I travel into the unexplored parts of Pennsylvania and the longer I spend contemplating and absorbing their culture, the more I am starting to understand it. I feel like Jane in Tarzan, confused at first but slowly falling in love with the man in a loin cloth. The man in a loin cloth being the Amish culture.

As I gaze out the window of my Super 8 and look unto the rolling hills and lush greenery that is Amish Country, USA I start to think, "I kinda see the appeal." It truly is beautiful land. And so fresh! It's like a central park that is actually fertile and doesn't stop at fifth avenue! And it must be nice to always have a farm fresh meal on the table. A meal that you worked your ass off for which means (from my experience in the kitchen) that it automatically tastes better. And the uniform they have to wear (black and white) would certainly make dressing much less dramatic (cut to me crying in a pile of clothes).

The part that intrigues me the most, however, is this idea of "rumspringa" which is essentially a point in the adolescent Amish's youth when they are allowed to go all out, no holds barred, crazy. I'm talking INSANE! Like taking off their bonnets, driving a car, or even, dare I say it, engage in premarital sex. Why would I see this "rumspringa" as a fascinating topic? Because not having something for so long and then suddenly having everything must be so overwhelming. So overwhelming, in fact, that I've considered producing another musical entitled, "Rumspringa Wakening" with the hit song, "Totally Shunned!" It's gonna be big!

The best thing about it all is that Amish people will never read this because they can't have MacBooks...HOW DO THEY DO IT!? Stay comfy y'all.