I'm as possessive of my hard-earned as anyone, and a fiend for value for money, but I hope that you write only when genuinely moved to do so. I think if you felt you had to perform for an audience, your work would become subject to the law of diminishing returns. Please go for quality not quantity. You have an individual perspective on the madness, a particular tone and sensibility, and churning out stuff like a Stuff journo will bleed this content out of your work because you won't have time to replenish.
Also please keep the conversations going if you can because if you introduce a wide range of people - not necessarily high profile, but possessing important or illustrative perspectives - this will provide an invaluable record. Since they are suppressed now, help our ordinary voices be heard in the future.
I knew it! The story about the guys at dinner, the perfect treatment of the senses; sounds, texture of linen and crystal glasses, and the brutal(ly hilarious) ending when he drove over the smarmy guy made me realise you were holding back. Nice one.
I read that the one as well and it reminded me of the Sherlock Holmes stories. There is a man on YouTube who has done recordings of himself reading the Sherlock mysteries, he does a wonderful job.
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This next part is a total aside for anyone interested. It's a curious take on anxiety/panic attacks.
I was married to a man for a very long time. I was once having a panic attack and started to shake. I had no idea what was happening, other than knowing I was deeply upset.
The man I was married to told me roughly to stop.
Years later when I was on my own and after much experience with anxiety. I was suddenly in the middle of an 'attack'. Which I would describe as a fast vibration of energy that cannot release. I often forget what is happening and will feel I am going 'crazy'. It is incredibly uncomfortable. Fortunately I now have the luxury of solitude.
As I felt this panic/anxiety surge my body started to shake and this time I let it. I listened and trusted the wisdom of it. My body wanted, needed to shake.
I pulled my shoulders up to my ears and let my neck and head vibrate fast. In a moment my system was reset. (I don't recommend doing this in the way I did, you could likely strain a muscle) But I was fascinated with how quickly my system reset. I have done it many times since and it always works beautifully and quickly.
I am awed at the wisdom of my body when I can listen to it deeply.
The luxury of solitude. So few understand that blissful state. Glad you're out of a loveless marriage too, it's one of the cruelest aspects of church-based morality.
Yeah, it didn't start out loveless. And one can't know what it's going to be like to parent together.
I think marriage signified, for me, more of making a commitment in public. But I also thought of it as a legal protection in a way. Which it also wasn't.
We were married by a Justice of the Peace (a very sweet older woman) in our backyard with a potluck meal. (no church affiliations, but I get your meaning)
The commitment was more about being parents, not something I wanted to disrupt.
I'm as possessive of my hard-earned as anyone, and a fiend for value for money, but I hope that you write only when genuinely moved to do so. I think if you felt you had to perform for an audience, your work would become subject to the law of diminishing returns. Please go for quality not quantity. You have an individual perspective on the madness, a particular tone and sensibility, and churning out stuff like a Stuff journo will bleed this content out of your work because you won't have time to replenish.
Also please keep the conversations going if you can because if you introduce a wide range of people - not necessarily high profile, but possessing important or illustrative perspectives - this will provide an invaluable record. Since they are suppressed now, help our ordinary voices be heard in the future.
A wise, compassionate doctor AND a poet at heart too. That's impressive and inspirational.
I knew it! The story about the guys at dinner, the perfect treatment of the senses; sounds, texture of linen and crystal glasses, and the brutal(ly hilarious) ending when he drove over the smarmy guy made me realise you were holding back. Nice one.
I read that the one as well and it reminded me of the Sherlock Holmes stories. There is a man on YouTube who has done recordings of himself reading the Sherlock mysteries, he does a wonderful job.
-------------------------
This next part is a total aside for anyone interested. It's a curious take on anxiety/panic attacks.
I was married to a man for a very long time. I was once having a panic attack and started to shake. I had no idea what was happening, other than knowing I was deeply upset.
The man I was married to told me roughly to stop.
Years later when I was on my own and after much experience with anxiety. I was suddenly in the middle of an 'attack'. Which I would describe as a fast vibration of energy that cannot release. I often forget what is happening and will feel I am going 'crazy'. It is incredibly uncomfortable. Fortunately I now have the luxury of solitude.
As I felt this panic/anxiety surge my body started to shake and this time I let it. I listened and trusted the wisdom of it. My body wanted, needed to shake.
I pulled my shoulders up to my ears and let my neck and head vibrate fast. In a moment my system was reset. (I don't recommend doing this in the way I did, you could likely strain a muscle) But I was fascinated with how quickly my system reset. I have done it many times since and it always works beautifully and quickly.
I am awed at the wisdom of my body when I can listen to it deeply.
The luxury of solitude. So few understand that blissful state. Glad you're out of a loveless marriage too, it's one of the cruelest aspects of church-based morality.
It is a blissful state indeed.
Yeah, it didn't start out loveless. And one can't know what it's going to be like to parent together.
I think marriage signified, for me, more of making a commitment in public. But I also thought of it as a legal protection in a way. Which it also wasn't.
We were married by a Justice of the Peace (a very sweet older woman) in our backyard with a potluck meal. (no church affiliations, but I get your meaning)
The commitment was more about being parents, not something I wanted to disrupt.
I would love to read some of your poetry written for the sake of writing poetry.
I find most of your essays very poetic.
Deep with meaning and metaphor etcetera
I am a big fan of your style of writing, which in my mind has a classic, almost antique or vintage feel to it.
Golden era. Pre war. Learned. Gentlemanly.
Are a few words which spring to mind.
I agree with you!
Take him up on it. These original and entertaining stories!
You're following a true vocation. Always choose a path with heart.