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.
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."
"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!
1 comment:
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching
for 1
Post a Comment