Ooooh, congratulations to Elizabeth for her win! Brilliant work!
I'm so glad to hear that your course is set to be so well-attended, Terry - although when I signed up to it I was given no indication whatsoever that there would be any expectation on me to contribute to discussions that are 'vibrant'. 🫣 Where can I - a girl even quieter than a church mouse - get me some 'vibrant' before next Tuesday, hmmmm? What's more, assuming I can even get HOLD of some at this late stage, however will I be able to keep that vibrancy UP for a whole eleven weeks?
What a great start to the week, with super links and music choices. 'Orinoco Flow' has taken me straight back to teenagehood, for which I offer reserved thanks.
Terry! Thank you so much for the mention and shout out, my friend. I'm truly honored and humbled by such kindness. This piece is packed with good stuff, starting with your ever-present signature line, "But enough of this persiflage" (which I like so much that one day I'll have to use it myself -- paying full credit to you, of course), and continuing through the rest, where no matter what you talk about, your prose and choice of words are just beautiful to read and hear. Oh, and I spit-laughed at the 24-hour plumber joke. Brilliant!
Thanks so much, Silvio. "no matter what you talk about, your prose and choice of words are just beautiful to read and hear": that's very kind of you to say 🙂 Yes, please do use the persiflage line. There is, of course, a small licence fee to pay every time you do so...
It will be the most eagerly paid licence fee in the history of licence fees. Thanks for the video, it kind of caught me off guard, and I almost splashed tea on my laptop screen!
Great stuff, Terry. I will have to have a look at the videos tonight. The essay by Tom Pendergast on Raymond Carver is wonderful and insightful. Sharron actually sent me Carver's book a few months ago. I will be interested to hear tales from your sixty minute writer course. And thank you for the mention. Sharron and Wilsky and Slake are all top shelf. I will make a point of checking out Silvio.
By the way, your story Why I didn't Wear a Tie was an inspired blend of humor and heartbreak. I only wish it wasn't true.
Huzzah! Start the week, start the new year! Happy new year all.
A bumper selection, Terry. Hope the writing course goes great (I mean, of course it will; you're at the helm)!
RE: Enya. I once wrote a piece about Enya, with that song title inverted... it was based on something my father told me in 100% seriousness and remains a "I don't know how to explain this" haunted tale.
Got back to the videos. I know all about Clannad and Enya of course, but had to see what version of Acadaca’s Highway to Hell was on offer, and what a beauty. Great fun. Thanks so much.
I'd like to thank my husband, my parents, my agent, my banker, my librarian, my high-school best friend, my long-dead hamster, and Mr. Barnes Dance School for all the support, and of course, you, Terry, for the opportunity.
Lots to enjoy in this release. I tried the dance and ended up having to wave on four different drivers who all generously offered rides. 🤪
As for the two cellos - wow! Talented and energetic. Do you suppose they travel with a masseuse/masseur for neck pain?
Very much appreciate the mention and story links, Terry. Even back in the day, I was only maybe a B- dancer, so the video was fun to watch but that's where it will have to stop for me, haha.
Oh, I learned - that was the problem. I still had concrete feet. Before I even hit high school, I developed the winning strategy of only asking girls who could really dance well, to dance.
Haha. Yes, I recall asking a girl to dance and thought I was doing really well. We started going out together. It was only after a couple of months that she confided in me that she'd said to a friend before I plucked up the courage to ask her out, "Who is this idiot who keeps treading on my feet?" 🤣
I tried the dance moves in my office as I'm the only one here today. So much fun! I was a kid when that dance was hip but I don't remember all the moves demonstrated in the vid. Cool, man. Happy New Year to you and your fam, feline and human 😁
Oh my goodness, Terry. This is the busiest Start the Week ever. So much cool stuff. Thanks for the dance lesson, the two cellos madness, the introduction to Silvio Casteletti ( his unsent letter#30 was sublime!) and most of all, thank you for placing me in such good company as Jim Cummings and Jim Wilsky. Yeow! You have made my week, my friend. Now I am going to have to really apply myself...
I’ll definitely come back and check out those videos once it’s light. (I’m awake in the middle of the night again - a great opportunity to read the latest Substack posts, but not so good for videos.) A good read. All the best for the year ahead. (Love the artwork. 😏😃)
Ooooh, congratulations to Elizabeth for her win! Brilliant work!
I'm so glad to hear that your course is set to be so well-attended, Terry - although when I signed up to it I was given no indication whatsoever that there would be any expectation on me to contribute to discussions that are 'vibrant'. 🫣 Where can I - a girl even quieter than a church mouse - get me some 'vibrant' before next Tuesday, hmmmm? What's more, assuming I can even get HOLD of some at this late stage, however will I be able to keep that vibrancy UP for a whole eleven weeks?
What a great start to the week, with super links and music choices. 'Orinoco Flow' has taken me straight back to teenagehood, for which I offer reserved thanks.
Thanks for kind words, Rebecca. Vibrancy is in the terms and conditions and anyone who hasn't contributed vibrantly enough will be kept behind.
Uh-oh….
<snigger>
I can't believe that tutor! "Free country" - wow. Alas, much of what goes by the name of "writing instruction" falls into that category.
That wasn't the only obnoxious thing she said. As i say, utterly useless.
The teacher responding that way is nuts. I've had similar experiences. Feedback for writers can be scary, but it also vastly improves your work.
PS I did once conduct a lesson in which I responded to every question with a variation of "Dunno". It was quite deliberate. I must write about that.
Glad it’s not just me who thinks that was nuts. Cheers. Yes, absolutely agree with you, Michael. Thanks
Terry! Thank you so much for the mention and shout out, my friend. I'm truly honored and humbled by such kindness. This piece is packed with good stuff, starting with your ever-present signature line, "But enough of this persiflage" (which I like so much that one day I'll have to use it myself -- paying full credit to you, of course), and continuing through the rest, where no matter what you talk about, your prose and choice of words are just beautiful to read and hear. Oh, and I spit-laughed at the 24-hour plumber joke. Brilliant!
Thanks so much, Silvio. "no matter what you talk about, your prose and choice of words are just beautiful to read and hear": that's very kind of you to say 🙂 Yes, please do use the persiflage line. There is, of course, a small licence fee to pay every time you do so...
Glad you liked the plumber joke! I always found Frank Carson extremely funny. Like this one: https://youtube.com/shorts/-OowWlCsRso?si=tCrYev9qhygayyH5
It will be the most eagerly paid licence fee in the history of licence fees. Thanks for the video, it kind of caught me off guard, and I almost splashed tea on my laptop screen!
Sorry! 😂
Great stuff, Terry. I will have to have a look at the videos tonight. The essay by Tom Pendergast on Raymond Carver is wonderful and insightful. Sharron actually sent me Carver's book a few months ago. I will be interested to hear tales from your sixty minute writer course. And thank you for the mention. Sharron and Wilsky and Slake are all top shelf. I will make a point of checking out Silvio.
By the way, your story Why I didn't Wear a Tie was an inspired blend of humor and heartbreak. I only wish it wasn't true.
Happy New Year, my friend.
Thanks, Jim. "... blend of humor and heartbreak.: that's a good way of putting it, Jim. Thanks, and Happy New Year too!
Huzzah! Start the week, start the new year! Happy new year all.
A bumper selection, Terry. Hope the writing course goes great (I mean, of course it will; you're at the helm)!
RE: Enya. I once wrote a piece about Enya, with that song title inverted... it was based on something my father told me in 100% seriousness and remains a "I don't know how to explain this" haunted tale.
Thanks, Nathan. Where's this inverted Enya story? I'd love to read it, even though I probably won't understand it.
Pretty sure you read it at the time: https://slake.substack.com/p/wolf-oconiro
I did! But have saved it to read again. It was a fine piece.
Got back to the videos. I know all about Clannad and Enya of course, but had to see what version of Acadaca’s Highway to Hell was on offer, and what a beauty. Great fun. Thanks so much.
Indeed. It's completely bonkers, and therefore very enjoyable 😁
I'd like to thank my husband, my parents, my agent, my banker, my librarian, my high-school best friend, my long-dead hamster, and Mr. Barnes Dance School for all the support, and of course, you, Terry, for the opportunity.
Lots to enjoy in this release. I tried the dance and ended up having to wave on four different drivers who all generously offered rides. 🤪
As for the two cellos - wow! Talented and energetic. Do you suppose they travel with a masseuse/masseur for neck pain?
Here's to 2025!
🤣🤣🤣 The 2 Cellos are brilliant, aren't they? Good point!
Very much appreciate the mention and story links, Terry. Even back in the day, I was only maybe a B- dancer, so the video was fun to watch but that's where it will have to stop for me, haha.
It's never too late to learn, that's what I always say! Chortle.
Oh, I learned - that was the problem. I still had concrete feet. Before I even hit high school, I developed the winning strategy of only asking girls who could really dance well, to dance.
Haha. Yes, I recall asking a girl to dance and thought I was doing really well. We started going out together. It was only after a couple of months that she confided in me that she'd said to a friend before I plucked up the courage to ask her out, "Who is this idiot who keeps treading on my feet?" 🤣
I tried the dance moves in my office as I'm the only one here today. So much fun! I was a kid when that dance was hip but I don't remember all the moves demonstrated in the vid. Cool, man. Happy New Year to you and your fam, feline and human 😁
OMG Chortle. I hope there are no CCTV cameras in your office! Happy New Year to you too.
We do have cameras...I completely forgot about them🤣
LOL Then I hope you will post a video here! <evil grin>
🤣
Oh my goodness, Terry. This is the busiest Start the Week ever. So much cool stuff. Thanks for the dance lesson, the two cellos madness, the introduction to Silvio Casteletti ( his unsent letter#30 was sublime!) and most of all, thank you for placing me in such good company as Jim Cummings and Jim Wilsky. Yeow! You have made my week, my friend. Now I am going to have to really apply myself...
Thank you, Sharron! Glad you liked it. I definitely have to check out your stuff. :)
You won't regret it. Sharron captures a universe of humanity in just a coupkle of paragraphs.
my pleasure, Sharron! I don't think you'll have to try very hard. Happy new year!
"Do. Or do not. There is no try." Isn't that what the Y-man said?
Indeed! Chortle.
I’ll definitely come back and check out those videos once it’s light. (I’m awake in the middle of the night again - a great opportunity to read the latest Substack posts, but not so good for videos.) A good read. All the best for the year ahead. (Love the artwork. 😏😃)
Thanks, Beth. You too. Sorry that you're awake in the middle of the night. That happens to me too sometimes.