Blue Valentine BluesWhen Josh put a blue valentine in the class box for Bobby Prentice in fifth grade, he just wanted to show how much he appreciated his best friend. Years later, both the ridicule he suffered and his unrequited feelings for Bobby have followed him to the university where they both teach. Bobby would like to say many things to his friend, but he doesn’t know if he can find the courage in himself that he admires in Josh. The stories in this book,in my humble opinion,explore emotions and human behavior IE being hurt in love, deciding never to love again(to protect oneself) then succumbing to the overwhelming need to love and be loved…to open up all over again and take a chance. That is what relationships are,anyway…taking a chance. I see these stories as modern day fantasy tales,in which nearly everything in them (people,new situations)seems to be perfect but the message I get is “It is not wrong to reach out” no matter how many times we have been hurt. All really good fantasy fiction teaches us something…most times something very good. |
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Love Like LightningLove at first sight. Does it exist? Or is it just a lovely fantasy? Just ask the 10 men featured in these stories! Take JOSHUA CRANDELL for example, he was very surprised. Afterward, he could never quite explain what, after many years, had prompted him to turn right into the gay bar. After many failed relationships, he’d virtually given up on ever finding the romance, actually love long-lasting. The one man sitting alone at the bar glanced at him, his well-shaped head only slightly turned. Josh was stunned. There sat the most beautiful man he’d ever seen. The fellow smiled slightly and very slowly turned his barstool fully around facing Josh directly for a moment. With an involuntary intake of breath Josh saw that the right side of that beautiful face was badly scarred. Josh protested in his head that he wasn’t that kind of guy. He stepped forward and purposely crossed to the right side stool and sat down next to this man. “Hi, I’m Josh. Or Joshua, if you insist on formality,” he quipped. “What?” the guy replied. “You want to talk to the poor disfigured guy, pat yourself on the back and then leave, having done your good deed?” “Look,” Josh said, “Let’s start over. Hi, my name’s Josh.” He held out his hand to shake. In return he got a look that was still suspicious. But after a time, the guy said, “I’m Andrew, or Andy, if you want to be less formal.” He slowly and, obviously, reluctantly, held out his hand. Their touch was electric. As someone who himself fell in “love at first sight”, I highly recommend reading these stories. Being alive should be all about love and romance without which there is little hope. The pure excitement and raw emotions felt while reading these stories can renew that hope in anyone as falling in love at first sight can happen anywhere-at the beach, on the street, etc IF you are emotionally aware and looking. 25 years later, I still relish that first sight feeling every night when I kiss him goodnight. |
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“Starting Over” a stage play“Starting Over” was recently presented at the 9th annual Fresh Fruit Festival in New York. It has been directed and/or acted in numerous different stages nationwide. For more information please contact Ken Bachtold directly. |