I am so happy that I waited and I'm now here for a lazy Sunday, reading this whole thing in one go, the way I love to read, and I can now go straight on, slurp my tea down, and find out more about Count Crunchula. I am grinning at that name, but I fear I'll be wincing soon, with poor Lamb's track record.
I can imagine that BM would go either way for the party-goers, it could be the best time ever or a tough experience like it was for Lamb (insert broken heart of mine to sit beside his). This ending has my sensitive self thinking 'I don't think I want to know what Count Crunchula does to sweet Lamb', but not enough to stop reading!
Well done Troy.
Sadly I never made it to BM, did you? At this time in my life I can't begin to imagine it as it's far too peoplely but back in the day I would've been there with bells on!
You'll be getting a big bowl of Crunch next week... ;) I did got to BM in 94 and 95 - it was enough. I think trying to go now with upwards of 75K would be a bit of a nightmare for me. I've known people who still go religiously though, so whatever dusts your doily, eh? ❤️🔥
Haha, ya whatever dusts your doily!! I saw the lineup of cars leaving this year, drone photography from way up. It must have taken a kazillion hours to get out of there and last year I think there was a flood or weird random event and they were stuck in the mud?! No thanks, my doily is not dusted.
Wow, that ending… I just can’t fathom what it must have been like living through that era, everyone in the community either ravaged or deeply affected. I had a very, very dear friend who would have just loved Lamb; the character and the series. He loved Morrissey. I often imagine we’re reading it together. Maybe we are. Thank you for another brilliant episode, Troy. I so wish dear sweet Lamb had had a beautiful Burn! 🧡
It was an apocalyptic time, but I came of age after the initial devastation so I only got the tail-end of the obituaries, funerals and trauma. What my generation did have was the absolute terror of seroconverting, and the shame that such a thing was completely within our power to avoid so our own choices were the source of salvation or damnation.
Thank you my dear, your friend and Lamb live on in imagination and spirit... 🩷🤍💮🤍🩷
That’s a cosmic kind of torture, being made to equate love with damnation ❤️🩹And thank you, my dear 🧡 I’m enjoying picturing the crossover of that Venn diagram :)
This is wonderful, Troy. The way you’ve written this, the snippets we get through his diary, and the retelling from his friend is so effective at endearing us to Lamb. I feel myself genuinely cheering for Lamb and hoping things go good for him, which is proof of the great story you’ve got and the character development you’re doing.
Thanks, Brother Michael - I've grown very fond of Lambchop myself, he definitely deserved better... Really appreciate your being here, and I know Lamb would too... ;)
Oh, the things we think we want. The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. Poor Lamb. Long haunted by a missed morning soak.
Troy, you’ve done it again. Your storytelling skill is just exceptional. I love how much we see of both Lamb and the narrator through all these different devices. Even the characters that pop in for just a moment are so real and full of life.
That's the word, "haunted" - I've found the kernels of the stories that mean the most to me contain some element that has haunted me over the course of years, and working them out in fiction has proved extremely therapeutic, even if it's fictional characters doing the work... :) Thanks Holly!
Lamb’s endless questioning, spiraling him into even more self-doubt and isolation. I so want someone to see him for who he is…show him, really, because I don’t get the sense he even knows. But thrown to the wolves over and over again… I hope the narrator and Lamb can reconnect in more depth because I suspect some foundational repairing might happen there?
I think that's the question I'm toying with in this - it's the narrator who is reminiscing, spending all this time thinking and writing about Lamb so many years after his death - so there's a lot of regret, and the haunting someone mentioned in another comment. I've never really written much in 1st person, but I'm finding that the voice of the narrator is both very sardonic and plaintive. Thanks Kim!!!
Thanks, brother! I've been sort of aiming for a Tales of the City vibe, so I'm glad the brief cameos of the cast of characters seems to be giving it that little extra... :)
Obvs, The Smiths. Fucking Morrissey. Perfect, exactly how I feel. What a cast of characters you create with just a few perfect choices. Are Lamb and our dear narrator ever going to talk in real time again or will we only ever know him through letters?
No, but yes. Dodged a bullet there dear little lamb. A sad, melancholic read, a good read. This stood out to me: "just sliding into their lives without the hard work—but…well I just find it really hard. People are always wanting something from me that I don’t have."
Love the inclusion of The Smiths. Also, this unique yet iconic setting is a great way to play with pushing behaviors and feelings. Wake up and take a bath in the hot springs? Why not. It releases us from life's trivialities but then the story reminds us they're still there when we depart. 💜
I am so happy that I waited and I'm now here for a lazy Sunday, reading this whole thing in one go, the way I love to read, and I can now go straight on, slurp my tea down, and find out more about Count Crunchula. I am grinning at that name, but I fear I'll be wincing soon, with poor Lamb's track record.
Oh, I'm glad you had the chance to dig in, Caroline. Yes, Lamb's not got great luck... Thank you!
Looks like I’m caught up on the audio releases? I didn’t see one for 9 or 10. I’m really enjoying listening!
Oh, I’m glad! There were various reasons - technical and personal - why I hesitated to do audio, so I’m glad to hear you are enjoying. :)
I will post another batch this weekend, and all the rest over next week.
I feel such deep sadness for them all. You inspire empathy in your readers through your poignant, powerful words, my friend!
Thank you my dear - welcome back! 🧡🧡🧡
Thank you! 🥰
I can imagine that BM would go either way for the party-goers, it could be the best time ever or a tough experience like it was for Lamb (insert broken heart of mine to sit beside his). This ending has my sensitive self thinking 'I don't think I want to know what Count Crunchula does to sweet Lamb', but not enough to stop reading!
Well done Troy.
Sadly I never made it to BM, did you? At this time in my life I can't begin to imagine it as it's far too peoplely but back in the day I would've been there with bells on!
You'll be getting a big bowl of Crunch next week... ;) I did got to BM in 94 and 95 - it was enough. I think trying to go now with upwards of 75K would be a bit of a nightmare for me. I've known people who still go religiously though, so whatever dusts your doily, eh? ❤️🔥
Haha, ya whatever dusts your doily!! I saw the lineup of cars leaving this year, drone photography from way up. It must have taken a kazillion hours to get out of there and last year I think there was a flood or weird random event and they were stuck in the mud?! No thanks, my doily is not dusted.
There's a good drag name: Dusty Doily 😉
Wow, that ending… I just can’t fathom what it must have been like living through that era, everyone in the community either ravaged or deeply affected. I had a very, very dear friend who would have just loved Lamb; the character and the series. He loved Morrissey. I often imagine we’re reading it together. Maybe we are. Thank you for another brilliant episode, Troy. I so wish dear sweet Lamb had had a beautiful Burn! 🧡
It was an apocalyptic time, but I came of age after the initial devastation so I only got the tail-end of the obituaries, funerals and trauma. What my generation did have was the absolute terror of seroconverting, and the shame that such a thing was completely within our power to avoid so our own choices were the source of salvation or damnation.
Thank you my dear, your friend and Lamb live on in imagination and spirit... 🩷🤍💮🤍🩷
That’s a cosmic kind of torture, being made to equate love with damnation ❤️🩹And thank you, my dear 🧡 I’m enjoying picturing the crossover of that Venn diagram :)
Superb story-telling, Troy!
Thanks so much, Jeffrey, much appreciated! 💜🐈⬛🎩
This is wonderful, Troy. The way you’ve written this, the snippets we get through his diary, and the retelling from his friend is so effective at endearing us to Lamb. I feel myself genuinely cheering for Lamb and hoping things go good for him, which is proof of the great story you’ve got and the character development you’re doing.
Bravo sir :)
Thanks, Brother Michael - I've grown very fond of Lambchop myself, he definitely deserved better... Really appreciate your being here, and I know Lamb would too... ;)
❤️❤️
Oh, the things we think we want. The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. Poor Lamb. Long haunted by a missed morning soak.
Troy, you’ve done it again. Your storytelling skill is just exceptional. I love how much we see of both Lamb and the narrator through all these different devices. Even the characters that pop in for just a moment are so real and full of life.
That's the word, "haunted" - I've found the kernels of the stories that mean the most to me contain some element that has haunted me over the course of years, and working them out in fiction has proved extremely therapeutic, even if it's fictional characters doing the work... :) Thanks Holly!
Lamb’s endless questioning, spiraling him into even more self-doubt and isolation. I so want someone to see him for who he is…show him, really, because I don’t get the sense he even knows. But thrown to the wolves over and over again… I hope the narrator and Lamb can reconnect in more depth because I suspect some foundational repairing might happen there?
I think that's the question I'm toying with in this - it's the narrator who is reminiscing, spending all this time thinking and writing about Lamb so many years after his death - so there's a lot of regret, and the haunting someone mentioned in another comment. I've never really written much in 1st person, but I'm finding that the voice of the narrator is both very sardonic and plaintive. Thanks Kim!!!
Yes, the haunting. And the ache of regret. That’s brilliantly coming through in the narrator’s voice.
Oof, that apartness even when in a group. And hey, I think almost everyone went through that Smiths phase at least once!
Oh I was a huge Smiths fan ;)
It's all so reeeeaaal, Troy! Amazing. It's beautifully executed. Such texture to each character, even ones who make sure a brief appearance.
Thanks, brother! I've been sort of aiming for a Tales of the City vibe, so I'm glad the brief cameos of the cast of characters seems to be giving it that little extra... :)
What is wrong with Morrissey? Tbh I don't know much about him. But I sure loved that song in high school (and today). Such longing.
Haha well I loved him, but the narrator clearly did not... Girlfriend in a Coma, anyone? 😜
Obvs, The Smiths. Fucking Morrissey. Perfect, exactly how I feel. What a cast of characters you create with just a few perfect choices. Are Lamb and our dear narrator ever going to talk in real time again or will we only ever know him through letters?
In a few weeks, there will be a sequence of episodes back in high school again in which the boys get up to some hijinx... ;) Thanks Ben!
No, but yes. Dodged a bullet there dear little lamb. A sad, melancholic read, a good read. This stood out to me: "just sliding into their lives without the hard work—but…well I just find it really hard. People are always wanting something from me that I don’t have."
Thanks A - the dark underbelly of the party...
Love the inclusion of The Smiths. Also, this unique yet iconic setting is a great way to play with pushing behaviors and feelings. Wake up and take a bath in the hot springs? Why not. It releases us from life's trivialities but then the story reminds us they're still there when we depart. 💜
Thanks Kate! Actually, I'm with you and Lamb on this one: Love The Smiths... ::))
Wow! You did it again. I can relate more and more to Lamb with every reading. I think I'm in love with him ❤😘❤