I agree with your first paragraph. It states that he does what he wants to do. Yes. I have no problem in that regard.lizzytysh wrote:My belief is that Leonard ought to do what Leonard wants to do, regardless... whether it's to travel with Anjani when she performs; stay at home to record or write; tour to sing or read; or simply stay at home and do nothing.
So far as Leonard's being pressured, however; no matter what may be going on behind the scenes, I don't see Leonard as someone to be pressured into touring or anything else that he doesn't want to or isn't willing to try to do on his own volition. It seems to me that he has a pretty good sense of his own physicality and stamina, and he certainly has resolve. He chose to not perform with Anjani in Oslo, when it was clear people were expecting him. He's the pinnacle of tact and has a mind and will of his own, save his willingness to defer to those of G~d. ~ Lizzy
I have no idea what is happening in the background. None of us do. However, pressure can be manifest in so many different ways. Often without our knowing it. We all have pressures upon us every day of our lives. Some are clearly evident, some are not so obvious. Absence of any evidence of pressure, is not evidence of its absence.
Yes, I agree that he knows his own strength, he has resolve, and also he will have a fairly good idea of his own stamina. That's what most heart attack victims believed before they had their first heart attack.
I don't know why he didn't perform with Anjani in Oslo. The fact is, he didn't perform. It could be said that he was conspicuous by his absence.
He has boundless tact, is a humble man and a gentleman. Like the rest of us, he also believes that like us, he has a mind and will of his own. Therein lies the nub of my concern.
93 years ago, strong, fit, young men went to war in Flanders' Fields believing that they were embarking on doing the right thing. Whole countries believed they were doing the right thing. They all believed they were doing it with God's blessing. If millions of young, strong, clear minded people can be persuaded to go to war, whose to say that a 73 year old man can't be persuaded to go on a concert tour? Yes, it is an extreme example, but the processes involved are much the same.
My concern is for very selfish reasons. I want to go and see Leonard in the comfort of a quiet theatre, while sitting in my seat which will be equally comfortable, surrounded by his fans, listening to his voice, as he reads his own words for me. I'd be honouring the time and work he had put into creating his prose. Compared with the 'concert' concept, a frenzy of clapping, whistling and cheering, after a 6 minute song, would not be doing justice to the man and his work.
It's a matter of personal choices. Leonard's, yours, mine, his management team's... The choice does not mean either or. He could do separate performances for readings and/or music. I'd be at the readings. I'd like to think that I would get more from them.
. I like the balance in your reasoning.
. No matter what he chooses to do, there'll be no complaints from me.
One ticket sold and one marriage down the tubes. Mhmm. How do we weigh this?
I know Blonde Madonna is in the same boat, as are any other Aussie/NZ fans who plan to see him whatever the cost! 
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