The various connotations of this word that come to mind are sandy beaches, sunny afternoons, peaceful ocean waves in the background, and no stress.
However, after reading John Hughes' short story "Vacation '58," I have a few different connotations.
This short story left me laughing, wincing, imagining, and remembering.
Remembering my own family vacations with my own personal Clark W. Griswold Jr.- my father, Papa John Murphy.
He is the type of guy who sticks a wreath on the front of your Colorado bound Christmas Caravan.
The type of guy who names his 1994 White Dodge Caravan the "Murph Mobile," or "Man Van," depending on its passengers.
However, bless Papa Murph's heart, he never got our clan into any real Griswold shenanigans-
by that I mean we have never, on a family road trip,
- Had a family member fall asleep at the wheel
- Killed a dog
- Driven off a cliff
- Robbed a motel for gas money
- Been a part of a hot pursuit with the cops
- Had a family member die in the backseat
- Been shot at by missiles
- Been robbed by Indians
- Driven to Disney World (I've never even BEEN)
- Shot Walt Disney in the thigh.
Bummer, really, because John Hughes' account of all these ridiculous events is pretty hilarious.
He uses the son's narration to provide the perfect point of view to place these events into perspective.
I think it's the overuse of understatement that really brings the most of the humor,
that, and obviously the magnitude of the craziness of the trip.
For example, the first line of the story is one of the most understated lines --
"If Dad hadn't shot Walt Disney in the leg, it would have been our best vacation ever."So true though.
This understatement, combined with Clark's apathetic attitude toward every single road block, physically and literally, create such a mild tone that, when juxtaposed with the hyperbolic nature of their experiences, creates humor, and a lot of it.
John Hughes' hilarious tale almost made me nostalgic for the days of car rides in man vans, for waking up in the dark to drive for hours through the flattest landscapes known to man. For restless legs, upset stomachs, repetitive songs, fights brought on by constant company of one's family...
Wait.
No it didn't.
Hughes' story stressed me out.
It brought back uncomfortable memories of hours spent within the confines of the Man Van.
OH no... I thought I'd repressed that one...
*Flashback to Christmas '99*
Ugh... I don't feel so good...
I think I'm allergic to Hawaiian Punch...
Really... ughhh...
PULL OVER DAD!
I'M GOING TO BE SICK!
AHHHH!
*Flashback ends*
Shoot.
I am really going to need therapy for this one.
Or, maybe just a...
Vacation.
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