EOW used to give countless lectures on the topic, "A Prisoner's Dilemma", and she in her self-absorption, failed to understand why until sometime later. He was a world-renown professor at an ivy-league university - he led research projects that spanned the nation and continents, his publications were widely cited and his classes were usually over-subscribed. Despite the credentials and accolades, he led a simple and frugal life - he cycled to work unless in the winter when the snow on the ground gets too cumbersome for cycling, then he would ski or drive his station wagon as a last resort.
On the surface, he seemed to be a happily married man with a dutiful wife, two adorable daughters and a dog. But M whom he married after completing his doctoral dissertation had "let herself go" and had never been an intellectual equal to begin with. While enrolled in his classes were young and attractive females who hung on to his every word ("hangers-on", the uni version of female groupies or fans) and who are willing to sell their souls to be his disciples.
But as Fate would have it, he chanced upon an effervescent Oriental at the local Steep & Brew and couldn't his believe eyes when she registered for his class in the next semester. He just have to let her know of his intentions ("Intended actions, unintended consequences" was one of his favourite quotes). It turned out that she wasn't the submissive and docile woman from the Third World after all but a complex individual that was a challenge he failed to conquer.
Anyway, the point is there are so many male and female EOWs, either trapped in unhappy marriages, relationships or just very set patterns of thought(lessness?) and (non?)actions that they may or may not be able to free themselves from. Aren't "we all just prisoners here of our own device"? To be continued...
Eagles
Hotel California
On a dark desert highway
Cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas
Rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance
I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy, and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself
This could be Heaven or this could be Hell
Then she lit up a candle
And she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor
I thought I heard them say
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely place (background)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year
Any time of year (background)
You can find it here
You can find it here
Her mind is Tiffany twisted
She's got the Mercedes bends
She's got a lot of pretty, pretty boys
That she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard
Sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember
Some dance to forget
So I called up the Captain
Please bring me my wine
He said
We haven't had that spirit here since 1969
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely Place
Such a lovely Place (background)
Such a lovely face
They're livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise
What a nice surprise (background)
Bring your alibies
Mirrors on the ceiling
Pink champagne on ice
And she said
We are all just prisoners here
Of our own device
And in the master's chambers
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives
But they just can't kill the beast
Last thing I remember
I was running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
Relax said the nightman
We are programed to recieve
You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave
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