Sunset

I have been very lax in posting here again.  However it has come to be apparent to me that my life and family precludes me from being an active blogger.  I am still writing, but that is for my book and not yet ready for consumption.  I am having some physical issues that are really interfering with my quality of life.  I have an MRI scheduled for next Monday to determine the source/cause of the multiple daily seizures I am having.

Will thinks it is a tumor from his research on my symptoms and discussions with his girl friend who is a medical researcher who wants to be a doctor.  It could be that, encephalytis, epilepsy, some damage from the stroke I had in 2009 or any number of things.  I get the results on the 11th and the not knowing what is going on has been messing with my psyche.  I am doing as my therapist suggests, I am controlling what I can control on a daily basis until I get enough information to make a game plan for my survival.

So this is really Sunset for Nichevo the blog while I write my autobiography; Nichevo, Pages from the Journeys of My Life.  I have put heart and soul into this blog for many years and will probably use a lot of my past writing in Pages.  I still post on Facebook if you want to keep up with my current status.  I will miss my time spent with all of you over the years, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  I thank you all for enriching my life all these many years.

Appropriately, your Musical Interlude for this final chapter of Nichevo is Franz Joseph Haydn's (1732-1809) Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor "Farewell", Hob. I:45 (1772)
 00:00 - Allegro assai
07:08 - Adagio
21:36 - Menuet: Allegretto; Trio
26:22 - Finale: Presto; Adagio
Performed by Charles Mackerras and the Orchestra of St. Luke's (Telarc: 1989).
Painting: Pushkin's Farewell to the Sea, Ivan Aivazovsky & Ilya Repin

Finally for the last collection of fabulous male art, I have selected some of my favorites to share with you this one last time.  You will find them on display below.  May the good Lord look after you all, catch me on Facebook by clicking on the link to the right, so long, farewell and adieu.  And as always, Enjoy!

Sadness and Joy

Today I was saddened by the news of the loss of Author Patricia Nell Warren.  She published the Iconic Gay Novel The Front Runner in 1974, the year before I came out.  I discovered the novel shortly after I was summarily dismissed from the Navy for being Gay.  The novel was a wonderment to me, an honest to god romance between two people deeply in love who both happened to be men and athletes.

 
The first line of the novel paraphrased reads "I remember the first time I met Billy Sive".  I personally remember the first time I read the novel and the last and all the times in between.  I was thrilled a couple of years ago when Will got me autographed copies of the entire trilogy for my birthday.  I immediately sat down and read the whole thing again.  They are books that cannot be put down and which touch your soul.

For the first time since the Navy pretty much destroyed my life, The Front Runner gave me hope for a future beyond the bleakness of the present.  For the first time, someone other than me knew exactly how I felt.  The longing and the loneliness of always looking but being never being able to touch.  She also knew the joy that springs from love abounding between two souls who are meant to be together.  I had no hope at the time and this little glimmer of hope wrapped in joy between two paperback covers was a salve to my soul that was so deeply rent.

I have been fortunate to have been Facebook Friends with Patricia for some years now and have enjoyed several conversations via the electronic airwaves, though we have never met in person.  Yet I always knew, she knew exactly what makes me tick and could lift me the depths of sadness to heights of joy with the simple turn of a phrase.  She loved a good story and her western heritage.  I will always remember Patricia and the love she shared with everyone everywhere.  Her body of works, most of which I have read, have brought the joy of the story of true love between persons of the same sex to millions of readers around the world.  I am Sad that Patricia has passed from our lives, but we have the Joy that she left behind in all those wonderful books that shall live forever. 

================================================================

Your musical selection for the day reflects the tone of the day as evidenced by the liner notes from the Videographer:

"A recording of the complete Cello Sonatas by Vivaldi on period instruments! Antonio Vivaldi was one of the first composers to feature the cello, then a relatively “new” instrument (after the viola da gamba), as a mature solo instrument. This full recording contains the complete 6 sonatas for cello and basso continuo. Vivaldi displays an astonishing variety and inventiveness in these sonatas, using the instrument’s possibilities to the utmost; these sonatas still offer a serious challenge, both technical and musical, for any professional cellist nowadays. Apart from that they are vintage Vivaldi, featuring an enormous range of emotional extremes, from deep heartfelt sadness to infectious joy."

The complete play list:

00:00:00 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 47: I. Largo
00:03:28 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 47: II. Allegro
00:06:43 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 47: III. Largo
00:10:52 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 47: IV. Allegro
00:12:48 Cello Sonata in F Major, RV 41: I. Largo
00:16:19 Cello Sonata in F Major, RV 41: II. Allegro
.00:18:51 Cello Sonata in F Major, RV 41: III. Largo
00:22:27 Cello Sonata in F Major, RV 41: IV. Allegro
00:24:56 Cello Sonata in A Minor, RV 43: I. Largo
.00:29:21 Cello Sonata in A Minor, RV 43: II. Allegro
00:32:53 Cello Sonata in A Minor, RV 43: III. Largo
00:37:11 Cello Sonata in A Minor, RV 43: IV. Allegro
00:40:13 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 45: I. Largo
00:43:32 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 45: II. Allegro
00:46:12 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 45: III. Largo
00:51:00 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 45: IV. Allegro
00:53:42 Cello Sonata in E Minor, RV 40: I. Largo
00:56:24 Cello Sonata in E Minor, RV 40: II. Allegro
00:58:51 Cello Sonata in E Minor, RV 40: III. Largo
01:01:10 Cello Sonata in E Minor, RV 40: IV. Allegro
01:03:38 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 46: I. Preludio. Largo
01:05:37 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 46: II. Allemande. Allegro
01:08:26 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 46: III. Largo
01:11:22 Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 46: IV. Corrente. Allegro

================================================================

Finally for today, these photographic art works on display below reflect a certain subtle sensuality without being overtly sexual.  Each portrait has its own mystery and allure that will draw the viewer in for a closer inspection.  Despite the Sadness in the world today, we  may all experience a moment of Joy as we are swept into the vision each portrait suggests.  Thank you for visiting, do come again and as always, Enjoy!

Video Resurgence

"Sunset over Benbrook Lake near my house"

Once upon a time, about seven years ago now I suppose it is, I made a series of videos for publication here on Nichevo and on my YouTube Channel.  The videos achieved some popularity and even some nefarious notices by folks of the puritan persuasion.  One video, Summer Nights' Fantasy, drew such nefarious notice that the puritans persuaded YouTube to remove the video.  Strangely, it stayed up on my channel until just this month when it was removed because some puritan complained loudly enough that it was not "appropriate" for YouTube's audiences.  Perhaps the suggestion that Men may be found to be as erotically posed as are Women, especially when set to music, is such a turn on to them that they feel they must suppress the evidence just like they suppress their desires.  Definitely would not do to have the wife catch them sportin' wood while cruising YouTube videos of sexy men.  No, No not at all! 

However that is not the point. The point is that the video got noticed because of  a resurgence of interest in my videos as evidenced by the numerous compliments via comments on all the videos.  The videos have a modest view count of just under 50,000 for the group over the past 7 years since they were made.  It really just confirms my belief that not only do I know beauty when I see it, I can display and accentuate that beauty with great classical music.  It is gratifying to know after all these years, folks still are inspired by the videos I produced all those many years ago. 

Since there has been such a resurgence of interest in my videos, I have a play list of the remaining three videos posted down below for your viewing and listening pleasure.  With photographs from my vast collection set to music by Beethoven, Chopin and Vivaldi.  So please enjoy the videos while they are still up and before some puritan asshole takes  exception to great beauty set to great music.  Thanks for your visit, do come again! And as always, Enjoy!