leonardcohenforum.com

Dear Nan ~

I've been meaning to come here to say this to you, but have kept getting distracted.

Not that it makes any difference, or matters, but you have already noted that you actually agree on very little with me; so, I guess it's probably the same in return [if you wrote, so I could read more, of how you feel about various things]. This is a case where I happen to disagree with how you feel. In many ways, the story worked for me. And any 'off-colour' references were in character for the characters .

However, I definitely feel it's your right to make your comments as you see fit, from your own perspective. Implicit in that is 'without incurring the follow-up comments suggesting you're something other than a lovely woman, who simply has different tastes in humour.' There are other ways you probably could've expressed it [a little less blatantly? perhaps, some constructive suggestions?], to avoid the writer's [seemingly] taking it personally. Nonetheless, I believe you that you didn't know to whom you were addressing your comments on this story. It's simply how you felt ~ the unfortunate alignment of your comments, with the writer of the story, herald back to previous interactions .

There are ways you might've expressed how your view of the writing would appeal to a wider [albeit 'narrower' in a certain sense ] audience, if certain things were addressed differently. You didn't, though; and that's okay. As I'm seeing it, you gave your honest opinion.

I can't remember how long you've been around here, but I'm guessing if it were longer, you'd have known that no matter what he might've said 'publicly,' when deadline came, he'd have one ~ if not more ~ entries solidly in place. Maybe that comes from observing his sense of humour and decoy proclamations .

At any rate, Nan, I hope you'll continue to work your way through the remainder of the stories, as I'm going to do, and give your own feedback on them. See you on Story D ?

Respectfully,
Elizabeth

One of the pleasures of being retired is that I was able to read the stories all in one go, one after the other.

I was therefore in a position to make 'instant' judgements and comparisons.

Each story was worth reading and had it's own style and merits.

While I enjoyed some more than others, due either to writing style, literacy, or content, I think all showed talent, and all authors are deserving of praise.

Just my smug two-penn'orth.

One of the pleasures of being retired

Just don't brag on it too much, okay, Fljots ?

Not being retired , I was able to clunk my way down the path of reading all stories. I also came to the same conclusions .

~ Lizzy

ROFL!! I LOVE being retired, Lizzy!

I'm suuuuuuuuuure you doooooo, Fljots ~ as will I ~ when/if/ever .


Okay. That's twice . Counting.


~ Lizzy

So I'll shut up!

It'll surface, elsewhere ~ gloaters like you just can't resist .

~ Lizzy

ROFL!! I'll try to be good, Miss, promise!

Mmmmhmmmm ~ we'll see.

"Repent ~ Repent" [and you wondered what he meant].

Well, irony that it IS! I need to leave for my SECOND job. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Miss . Meanwhile, maybe if you got a JOB, you could come to BERLIN !

~ Lizzy

But I'm 68! (whiney voice) I'm allowed not to have a job... *sob*

And I'd sure hate to have TWO!

I can see why you don't want me to keep on about it...

Oh, dear, dear Fljots ~

It's a hot chocolate kind of a night here, and I wish to bring some of that same kind of comfort to you, too, if I can, whilst I drink my own glass of it.
I surely did not mean to cause you to weep, Fljots. Here's a tissue.

I only wish so much that you could come join us in Berlin, and had no dramatic kind of a job in mind for you; just something simple, like maybe in a used bookstore. It's so easy to imagine walking into one and seeing you set aside the book you'd been reading, whilst waiting for your next customer to arrive. Maybe 15-20 hours a week and those precious pounds saved could soon convert to euros for Berlin.

However, if that's not what you wish, then it's just not. When you speak of not working ~ not having to work ~ it just calls to my deepest recesses, where memory is all but extinct of such a time in mine own life, and it's painful *sob* ~ so, yes, if you wouldn't mind, I won't push you to get a job, if you won't continue to speak of your freedom, your carefree freedom, whilst I work my two, and my 60 hours/week *sob*.

Thank you, Fljots. I knew you'd understand. Well, dear, I need to be off and into bed, as 7:00 AM is my report time.

Sleep well, Fljots . You can go back to your regular voice now. Your whining and *sob* did wonders for me .

Love,
Lizzy

Thanks for the tissue and hot-chocolate-comfort!

I rather like the image of that second-hand bookshop! And that sort of job I wouldn't mind - but they are usually run by the owners - miserable old men, or intellectual old men - who need no assistant. Ah well...

I hope you had a good night, Lizzy.

I rather like the image of that second-hand bookshop!

I felt that would resonate with you. The image seemed so perfect to me. If it really does pique an interest, don't presume before you've investigated. We have a wonderful one in this [sorta] area ~ owned by an older husband and wife, but staffed by various youngers. Your demeanor would be perfect.

My night was lovely. Thanks . Tonight, I'll have more hot chocolate on the ready for you, just in case .

~ Lizzy

Last night I was trying to post this message and my computer kept freezing and cutting me off . Here it is:

I just wanted to say that a lovely vision sprung into my head of you two, Lizzy and Fljots. chatting and reminiscing and covering every topic under the sun, and especially laughing together, sitting in a bar in Berlin. And then, when the bar closes, going back to the hotel and sitting on the bed and continuing to chat well into the night, over a hot chocolate or two, until neither of you could keep your eyes open.

Diane

Diane ~

That image of yours, Diane, is so amazingly near what could be real, including my own use of time in bars. There have been a few times where I've gone into a virtually empty one; asked the waitress if I could just have some water, and if it was alright for me to just sit there and read the book I'd brought with me; and then tipped her for use of her table. Conversation and reminiscing into the night with Fljots, both with and without laughter, is a lovely vision for me, too. You have no idea [or, maybe you do, hence your vision ] how close to reality you are. Mmmm, hot chocolate .

~ Lizzy