Hurtling Toward the Void

My Tumblr name is hurtling, because I called my TumbleLog “Hurtling Toward the Void.”

The name was inspired by a former co-worker of mine named Phil. It’s not uncommon to hear Phil use the phrase “hurtling toward the void” in response to any number of questions about his personal activities. “How’d you spend your weekend, Phil?” “Oh, mostly just hurtling toward the void.” “Have any plans tonight, Phil?” “Well, I’ll probably just be sitting at home, hurtling toward the void.” “Seen any good movies lately, Phil?” “No, I don’t really like to go to the movies because, you know, the whole purpose of going to a movie is to escape from reality for a little while, and invariably just when I’m getting lost in a film some asshole’s cell phone rings and I’m hit with the jarring recollection that we’re all just sitting in a dark room hurtling toward the void.”

Phil is the only other person I know who has ever been brought nearly to tears by the sight of someone chewing food. If you’ve ever felt the soulless crush of the human condition while watching people perform mundane, everyday tasks, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. If not, consider yourself fortunate and don’t worry about it.

Anyway, I don’t want to mischaracterize Phil as a joyless misanthrope, because he actually has a wonderful sense of humor (particularly about his own woes) and laughs as often as anyone I know. (After all, meaninglessness can be very liberating — it all depends on your perspective.)

On the rare occasions I consider myself, I like to think I’m the same way. Meaningless. Liberated. Hurtling.