Tom C.'s Comments

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Rush by amanda wallin

Sep 26, 2009 | comments: 27

Tom C. Sep 27, 2009, 12:36am EDT

Hey Amanda - A friend told me about this piece...and I am not disappointed. I fear you know this rush all too well, and now we all get a strong whiff of that sweaty, gritty, frantic, single-purposed quest. You develop this perfectly, from the disdain for self, through the compulsion to satisfy that need, and then, only after making love to your scars and tearing your skin again, can you find the composure to seek for a better way. I'm marveling at this, Amanda, not only for the brutal, forthrightness with which it tells this tragedy, but for your natural gift at putting such an explosive and all-consuming demon into such an accessible, tight little package. Very, very nice to read your writing again.

Ed Nudelman Leaving Gather by Edward Nudelman

Jun 22, 2009 | comments: 108

Tom C. Jun 23, 2009, 11:18am EDT

And so it goes.

Congratulations, Ed, on Night Fires; I am looking forward to reading it as soon as I get my copy. Your sometimes imposing figure here has been an inspiration for so many writers and your words of criticism, encouragement and praise have helped to guide that inspiration. Thanks for all of it, and best of luck as you take your next steps.

My Mood Tag Survey by Granny Janny H.

Apr 7, 2009 | comments: 32

Tom C. Apr 7, 2009, 9:52pm EDT

laffin at Tracy

Shared Warmth by Granny Janny H.

Dec 19, 2008 | comments: 43

Tom C. Dec 20, 2008, 2:49pm EST

A beautiful rhyme, Jan, with a folksy, country feel that belies the connection you have with your arts...writing, crafting, giving, loving...Your care and humanity make themselves tangible in these gifts by which we are all enriched.

Merry Christmas to you and Sam, and a Happy New Year in 2009!

(Hugs)

Final Sold-Out Performance by John F Walter

Dec 14, 2008 | comments: 36

Tom C. Dec 15, 2008, 9:59am EST

Came back to read again and just had to comment on Jan's comment. A surge of reactive emotion par excellence!

How Can I Know? by Tom C.

Dec 14, 2008 | comments: 25

Tom C. Dec 15, 2008, 9:56am EST

Thanks, Ann...I always appreciate your attention, even if I'm subconsciously attempting to make you submit to me in some way. ;-) (You'll have to let me know if I fall in that camp...I really don't know.)

Jan, I love you too. :-) I did tag you group; I had forgotten that you were away from moderating. Hope your trip is going well.

Kathryn - you mean theory and reality aren't the same thing? LOL. Yes, we guess, or leap with faith in our incomplete knowledge, knowledge that is flawed with emotion, bias, desire, and all kinds of junk. :-) Thanks for your comment.

Schubert (Unfinished) by Andrea Grenadier

Dec 14, 2008 | comments: 35

Tom C. Dec 14, 2008, 9:38pm EST

I like the sense of the artist being so focused, that his disrespect for women is obvious, as is his dismissal of the orchestra in favor of the muse that so captivates. The "trout trembling in a treble key" is as much music as anything man can conceive, and Schubert, of course, made the most of that fact. I'm not familiar with Singvogel, but am happy to note the translation as "songbird." So apropos for one that fleshes out the great sketch of life.

How Can I Know? by Tom C.

Dec 14, 2008 | comments: 25

Tom C. Dec 14, 2008, 9:23pm EST

Thanks, Duckie, what a sweet thing to say.

Andrea, I would never have imagined that you could get inside a "totally stoned" view. :-)

Final Sold-Out Performance by John F Walter

Dec 14, 2008 | comments: 36

Tom C. Dec 14, 2008, 7:13pm EST

Quite the show you're sharing here, John, filled with deceit and manipulation and delusion. How American of you. :-)

How Can I Know? by Tom C.

Dec 14, 2008 | comments: 25

Tom C. Dec 14, 2008, 6:59pm EST

Thanks to everyone for their comments.

Stirling, yes, memory plays a crucial role in our decision making.

John, please don't throw anything away or experience any undue angst on account of this. :-)

My friend, you're right on when you identify this as an anonymous "item." I wasn't really moved to this 2-minute write by something found in the garage, but rather by the idea of the process of separation from something once dear that now seems faded. The strong emotions in memory cloud the ability to answer the questions raised by the narrator. In some ways, the idea of volition is in question, since reason is only as good as the grist of the percepts it mills. Thanks, as always, for your careful and enlightening comments.

Therein Lies The Smile by William Dotani

Dec 14, 2008 | comments: 44

Tom C. Dec 14, 2008, 11:19am EST

William - like the sun rising on a new day, your perspective on live and living breathes a loving wonder into everything. There is a lot of sorrow and anger today, and people will reflect that. To have a shining star remind us of the power and value of peace and love is a wonderful gift. Thank you.

The Best Explanation of our Crash.....Ever! by Georgiana S.

Dec 13, 2008 | comments: 26

Tom C. Dec 13, 2008, 9:10pm EST

Thanks, Georgiana, and to JFW for forwarding this piece. I agree...a solid look at the run-up to our current situation. And so true the import of getting the history right. What do they say...History is written by the winners.

Full Moon over Copenhagen by Bent Lorentzen

Dec 13, 2008 | length: 04:01 | comments: 55

Tom C. Dec 13, 2008, 4:21pm EST

Spectacular, Bent. I especially love the sense of luminosity here, that isn't apparent in a live look at the moon. It makes me feel a live and power, as if the moon were actually shining of itself rather than simply reflecting. And the music is spot on. Great! :-)