The Dude Abides by this Easy Going Lifestyle… What Day Is This?

The Dude abides…

It’s a mantra for a new day.

How many people out there long to be totally free of the grind of the normal daily work schedule, where they have to jump through hoops doing what they hate on someone’s else’s time frame just to make a living so they can pay their bills?

Too many.

That’s what The Dude would think.

Is Blogging and Making Internet Money Where the Dude Abides for Real?

Now, while I have no illusions that The Dude is too easy going even to be an internet entrepreneur, living the work from home laid back lifestyle, I think that he would approve of it far more than the way most people have to live their lives, simply because it is a chosen lifestyle.

There are lots of Dudes and Dudettes out there who’ve checked out of the regular 9-5 grind. Some do it all at once while many more do it part time until they can take the leap to full unfettered Dudeness. The Dude abides because for him it’s easier to just go with the flow rather than get pissed off or stressed out by other people’s drama. Well, can ya see that parallel here? I sure can! Isn’t it easier, in the long run, to take yourself out of that drama game where you have to jump through flaming hoops at the behest of others just to make a living?

I’m talking, just to pay your bills, maaaaan.

I made the Dude one of my idols and motivators. I watched that movie totally by accident. It was on Netflix streaming for a while (not anymore – Booo Netflix!) and I was like ‘What’s all the hubub about with this flick?’ so I watched it.

It was an epiphany, of sorts.

This was before I went headlong into building my online thing, but The Dude spoke to me. He touched my soul, my desires. I mean, it takes A LOT of energy to go around getting stressed and worrying if you’ll have a job tomorrow or in a week. It takes energy to wonder if you should look for a new gig or stay with the current cush one. It takes energy to wonder if that new boss is gonna be cool or a jerk wad.

Are ya hearin me, dudes?

This can apply to anyone who wants true freedom, but to a subset, this can be the key that unlocks the cell door into a life of pure Dudeness. The Dude abides by this lifestyle. Going to sleep whenever, waking up naturally without an alarm, getting dressed, or not… depending on how you think your day will go.

Many will think that The Dude is a slacker, and yeah he is, but he’s happy. It’s that happiness which is free from structured nonsense that I’m highlighting here. It can be yours, as it has become for many.

Wouldn’t it be great to just work when you want, set up that stuff, and be able to walk away for a day or two, or a week or two, whenever you want because all that shit is automated, man. It’s automated. New shit has come to light while you were workin for the man, man.

What would you do with all that potential free time, man? Go bowling, or whatever floats your boat?

Lebowski Quotes, Always Good For a Few Laughs

Let’s take a break for a sec and look at some Lebowski quotes to get further into the groove of His Dudeness…

We’re gonna take the quotes form the Wiki Quotes The Big Lebowski page here. I’m gonna reprint them below for easy reading.

Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski

Well, sir, it’s this rug I had. It really tied the room together.

Look, let me explain something to you. I’m not Mr. Lebowski. You’re Mr. Lebowski. I’m the Dude. So that’s what you call me. That, or His Dudeness … Duder … or El Duderino, if, you know, you’re not into the whole brevity thing.

This is a very complicated case, Maude. You know, a lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-you’s. And, uh, lotta strands to keep in my head, man. Lotta strands in old Duder’s head. Luckily I’m adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug regimen to keep my mind limber.

Careful, man, there’s a beverage here!

Oh boy, how you gonna keep ’em down on the farm once they’ve seen Karl Hungus.

Walter Sobchak

Nihilists! Fuck me. I mean, say what you want about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it’s an ethos.

Do you see what happens, Larry? Do you see what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass?! [Proceeds to smash up what he wrongly believes is Larry’s new Corvette] This is what happens, Larry! This is what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass!

Censored dub for television: “Do you see what happens, Larry? Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the alps? This is what happens, Larry!

This is what happens when you feed a stoner scrambled eggs!”

Fuck it, Dude. Let’s go bowling.

Shut the fuck up, Donny.

Jesus Quintana

What’s this day of rest shit? What’s this bullshit? I don’t fuckin’ care! It don’t matter to Jesus. But you’re not foolin’ me, man. You might fool the fucks in the league office, but you don’t fool Jesus. This Bush-league psyche-out stuff. Laughable, man – ha ha! I would have fucked you in the ass Saturday. I fuck you in the ass next Wednesday instead. Wooo! You got a date Wednesday, baby!

Dialogue

The Dude abides. I don’t know about you but I take comfort in that. It’s good knowin’ he’s out there. The Dude. Takin’ ‘er easy for all us sinners.

The Dude: Nobody calls me Lebowski. You got the wrong guy. I’m the Dude, man.
Blond Treehorn Thug: Your name’s Lebowski, Lebowski. Your wife is Bunny.
The Dude: My … my wi– my wife, Bunny? Do you see a wedding ring on my finger? Does this place look like I’m fucking married? The toilet seat’s up, man!
The Dude: Walter, what is the point? Look, we all know who is at fault here, what the fuck are you talking about?

Walter Sobchak: Huh? No, what the fuck are you … I’m not … we’re talking about unchecked aggression here, dude.
Donny: What the fuck is he talking about?
The Dude: My rug.
Walter Sobchak: Forget it, Donny, you’re out of your element!
The Dude: Walter, the Chinaman who peed on my rug, I can’t go give him a bill, so what the fuck are you talking about?
Walter Sobchak: What the fuck are you talking about? The Chinaman is not the issue here, Dude. I’m talking about drawing a line in the sand, Dude. Across this line, you do not … also, Dude, “Chinaman” is not the preferred nomenclature. Asian-American, please.
The Dude: Walter, this isn’t a guy who built the railroads here. This is a guy …
Walter Sobchak: What the fuck are you…?
The Dude: Walter, he peed on my rug!
Donny: He peed on the Dude’s rug.
Walter Sobchak: Donny, you’re out of your element! Dude, the Chinaman is not the issue here!

Walter Sobchak: Over the line!
Smokey: Huh?
Walter Sobchak: I’m sorry, Smokey. You were over the line, that’s a foul.
Smokey: Bullshit. Mark it 8, Dude.
Walter Sobchak: Uh, excuse me. Mark it zero. Next frame.
Smokey: Bullshit, Walter. Mark it 8, Dude.
Walter Sobchak: Smokey, this is not ‘Nam. This is bowling. There are rules.
The Dude: Walter, ya know, it’s Smokey. So his toe slipped over the line a little, big deal. It’s just a game, man.
Walter Sobchak: Dude, this is a league game, this determines who enters the next round robin. Am I wrong? Am I wrong?
Smokey: Yeah, but I wasn’t over. Gimme the marker Dude, I’m marking it 8.
Walter Sobchak: [pulls out a gun] Smokey, my friend, you are entering a world of pain.
The Dude: Walter …
Walter Sobchak: You mark that frame an 8, and you’re entering a world of pain.
Smokey: I’m not …
Walter Sobchak: A world of pain.
Smokey: Dude, he’s your partner …
Walter Sobchak: [shouting] Has the whole world gone crazy?! Am I the only one around here who gives a shit about the rules?! Mark it zero!
The Dude: They’re calling the cops, put the piece away.
Walter Sobchak: Mark it zero!
[points gun in Smokey’s face]
The Dude: Walter …
Walter Sobchak: [shouting] You think I’m fucking around here? Mark it zero!
Smokey: All right, it’s fucking zero. Are you happy, you crazy fuck?
Walter Sobchak: It’s a league game, Smokey.

Bunny Lebowski: I’ll suck your cock for a thousand dollars.
Brandt: Ah-hahahahaha! Wonderful woman. We’re all, we’re all very fond of her. Very free-spirited.
Bunny Lebowski: Brandt can’t watch, though, or he has to pay a hundred.
Brandt: Ah-haha. That’s marvelous.
The Dude: Uh, I’m just gonna go find a cash machine.

Walter Sobchak: You know, Dude, I myself dabbled in pacifism once. Not in ‘Nam of course.
The Dude: And, you know, he’s got emotional problems, man.
Walter Sobchak: You mean … beyond pacifism?

The Dude: Walter … what am I going to tell Lebowski?
Walter Sobchak: I told that fuck down at the league office … who’s in charge of scheduling?
The Dude: Walter …
Donny: Burkhalter.
Walter Sobchak: I told that kraut a fucking thousand times that I don’t roll on Shabbos!
The Dude: Walter …
Donny: They already posted it.
Walter Sobchak: Well they can fucking unpost it!
The Dude: Who gives a shit! They’re gonna kill that poor woman, man! What am I gonna tell Lebowski?
Walter Sobchak: C’mon Dude, eventually she’ll get sick of her little game and, you know, wander on back.
Donny: How come you don’t roll on Saturday, Walter?
Walter Sobchak: I’m Shomer Shabbos.
Donny: What’s that?
The Dude: Yeah, and in the meantime, what do I tell Lebowski?
Walter Sobchak: Saturday, Donny, is Shabbos, the Jewish day of rest. That means that I don’t work, I don’t drive a car, I don’t fucking ride in a car, I don’t handle money, I don’t turn on the oven, and I sure as shit don’t fucking roll!
Donny: Sheesh.
Walter Sobchak: Shomer Shabbos!
The Dude: Walter, how am I going to …
Walter Sobchak: Shomer fucking Shabbos.
The Dude: Oh fuck it. I’m out of here.
Walter Sobchak: Come on, Dude … [rolls his eyes at Donny] Fucking baby …
[Donny nods]

The Dude: Fuckin’ Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
Walter Sobchak: Yeah, but he’s a pervert, Dude.
The Dude: Yeah.
Walter Sobchak: No, he’s a sex offender. With a record. He served 6 months in Chino for exposing himself to an eight year old.
The Dude: Oh!
Walter Sobchak: When he moved to Hollywood he had to go door to door to tell everyone he was a pederast.
Donny: What’s a … pederast, Walter?
Walter Sobchak: Shut the fuck up, Donny.
[Jesus approaches]
Jesus Quintana: You ready to be fucked, man? I see you rolled your way into the semis. Dios mio, man. Liam and me, we’re gonna fuck you up.
The Dude: Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.
Jesus Quintana: Let me tell you something, pendejo. You pull any of your crazy shit with us, you flash a piece out on the lanes, I’ll take it away from you, stick it up your ass and pull the fucking trigger ’til it goes “click”.
The Dude: Jesus.
Jesus Quintana: You said it, man. Nobody fucks with the Jesus.
Walter Sobchak: Eight-year-olds, Dude.

Maude Lebowski: What do you do for recreation?
The Dude: Oh, the usual. I bowl. Drive around. The occasional acid flashback.

Walter Sobchak: You want a toe? I can get you a toe, believe me. There are ways, Dude. You don’t wanna know about it, believe me.
The Dude: Yeah, but Walter …
Walter Sobchak: Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o’clock this afternoon … with nail polish. These fucking amateurs …

Walter Sobchak: Fucking Germans. Nothing changes. Fucking Nazis.
Donny: They were Nazis, Dude?
Walter Sobchak: Oh, come on Donny, they were threatening castration! Are we gonna split hairs here? Am I wrong?

Walter Sobchak: I’m saying, I see what you’re getting at, Dude, he kept the money. My point is, here we are, it’s shabbas, the sabbath, which I’m allowed to break only if it’s a matter of life or death…
The Dude: Will you come off it, Walter? You’re not even fucking Jewish, man.
Walter Sobchak: What the fuck are you talkin’ about?
The Dude: Man, you’re fucking Polish Catholic…
Walter Sobchak: What the fuck are you talking about? I converted when I married Cynthia! Come on, Dude!
The Dude: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…
Walter Sobchak: And you know this!
The Dude: Yeah, and five fucking years ago you were divorced.
Walter Sobchak: So what are you saying? When you get divorced you turn in your library card? You get a new license? You stop being Jewish?
The Dude: It’s all a part of your sick Cynthia thing, man. Taking care of her fucking dog. Going to her fucking synagogue. You’re living in the fucking past.

Walter Sobchak: Three thousand years of beautiful tradition, from Moses to Sandy Koufax…You’re goddamn right I’m living in the fucking past!
The Dude: You thought that Bunny had been kidnapped and you were fuckin’ glad, man. You could use it as an excuse to make some money disappear. All you needed was a sap to pin it on! You’d just met me! You human … paraquat! You figured “oh, here’s a loser”, you know? A deadbeat, someone the square community won’t give a shit about.
The Big Lebowski: Well, aren’t you?
The Dude: Well, yeah!

The Dude: Yeah, well. The Dude abides.
The Stranger: The Dude abides. I don’t know about you but I take comfort in that. It’s good knowin’ he’s out there. The Dude. Takin’ ‘er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh. I sure hope he makes the finals.

I love those Lebowski quotes. When I was watching that movie for the first time, I was laughing so hard I thought that I was gonna pass out from lack of air. I don’t know if it’s because of the stoners that I used to hang out with when I was in my late teens and early twenties or what, but that shit just really resonates with me on a level that makes me happy. There is a sort of happy peacefulness of an aura that surrounds guys like The Dude. Bookmark these Lebowski quotes so you can go back to them again and again.

Big Lebowski Shirts Should be All the Rage

You can find some cool Big Lebowski shirts online, but are you into the t-shirts or the bowling shirts? That’s a big difference.

Personally, if I was going to wear Big Lebowski Shirts, I would go authentic and try to get some like Jeff Bridges wore in the actual movie. Many of the guys who do those Lebowski fests do that, they dress like The Dude or whoever in the movie they like best. There are guys who even dress like Jesus the antagonist bowler. The outfits may not be exact, but that’s the beauty of it because The Dude just dresses like a slacker. The Jesus guy just needs a tight fitting purple jumpsuit, and Walter’s getup is pretty easy to put together.

The Big Lebowski Cardigan is one of my favs. Only someone like Jeff Bridges The Big Lebowski star could pull off that look and persona. I think of all of the actor they might have chosen for that role and I can’t think of anyone other than Bridges who could have pulled that off so brilliantly.

 

Big Lebowski Jesus Bowler What???

One of the things about this movie is that it pulls stuff out of left field. I mean, here we have this Latin character who goes by the name of Jesus. He’s over the top and brought to life in a way that only John Turturro could have done. Much of those were his own ideas.

See how that creativity really pays off? You can be creative like that in your blogging too. Blog like you have a big brass set swingin down there. This isn’t the Jesus you grew up with. This is the Big Lebowski Jesus, and you’ll never say that name again without thinking of this guy in purple wearing a hair net polishing his big bowling ball.

 

Let’s Bring this Back on Track

Did I digress? I hope that I didn’t lose ya. Sometimes I get like the Dude and just go off on tangents wherever my mind takes me. I can’t help that sometimes. I wanted to provide you a real dose of Lebowski in this post and I didn’t want to limit it to the Dude Abides by breaking out of the regular job grind, but it’s that desire in many of us that I wanted to ultimately appeal to here, since all this new shit came to light.

The new stuff that came to light is that… pssst. as the Dude might say, “They’ve been lying to us all along, maaaan. The people who run things and make all the rules that we all follow, they’ve been pullin our legs, man. Time to set this shit straight.” … or somethin like that. I really think the real life dude, when he realized that he’s got to pay the bills and keep a roof over his head, would actually consider the internet work from home thing because it allows him to sit in his bathrobe drinking a white russian whenever he wants, and he could thumb his nose at The Big Lebowski who chides him for not having a normal job or dressing the way he does on a weekday.

I’m trying to appeal to you to think about all this funny Lebowski stuff and put it to work for you. We all get a laugh out of movies like this because they tap into this deep desire. What would make people role play and have conventions over some otherwise obscure movie if it didn’t tap into a real deep vein of human emotion and want?… desire. Many of us desire to be that carefree unkempt guy if only we could make sure that the basics were taken care of. How many of us would if we could? How many of us are really easy going underneath the exterior facades that we all erect in order to operate in polite society?

The Dude doesn’t care about ANY of that stuff, and neither do the people who can unplug at will and enjoy life because the bank account is getting filled from autopilot internet systems where the major amount of the work is done up front and then you let it free to percolate and build to a point where it pays you back over and over and over. It’s not like The Dude doesn’t care about money, because he does. He was all eager to get that check from the Big Lebowski in the limo, before he was handed a severed toe instead.

Think about the motto of this post. The Dude Abides. That gives ME comfort. It gives me comfort knowing that I have a way set up that will allow me to be that easy going carefree dude who doesn’t stress about life because all that stuff is taken care of while I go off in my bathrobe sipping my beverage and not caring anything about the stuff that worries the rest of you.

I’ve already hooked into a system that provides the high quality products at several price points and the pay structure that ensures that everyone gets fairly compensated, unlike The Dude who only wanted his rug replaced.

Get in on my plan so you too can live the life of The Dude… The Dude abides by this thing I got here.

Later, dudes…

Tom “Dude Blogger” Connelly