Bracebridge Falls

[vaneramos]

It was pleasant to spend a little time earlier this week in Bracebridge, a town I've seldom visited. Back in Toronto last night I was struck by the different rhythm of urban life. We have televisions yelling at us, demanding our attention. Danny, Connor and I stood a while in the Eagle watching Steve Hurley on the porn screen mouth soundless grunts. At O'Grady's we were transfixed by soundless music videos. All around us moved restless bodies.

For a moment I'm back in Bracebridge standing above the falls, feeling a flow of fine mist and negative ions. The main street rolls easily down the side of a hill, where passing aquaintances share hellos. It is less familiar than the Church Street bars, but offers peculiar comfort to the frayed soul.

I need to reevaluate what I'm doing on LJ. I'm weary (of 200 words a day, for one thing), although not enough to stop writing or disappear. I need to refocus my energy somewhat. Any constructive advice here would be considered timely.

Comments

[missprune.livejournal.com]

Oh goody, an invitation to proffer advice! Seems pretty clear that dropping a requirement on yourself to write 200 words a day would be a step in the right direction. Just please don't disappear!

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

Seconded! :) How about committing to posting something once a week -- photos and text -- and then posting as often as whimsy takes you beyond that? There's a balance between lack of pressure and loss of contact, for me, and it's hard to find.

[vaysha.livejournal.com]

I agree with this idea- I also find sometimes simply writing something that inspires me that I have read or stumbled accross that moves me is a step in the right direction in renewal.
xo

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea, too. That reminds me I meant to include a quote from the book by Rilke the other day. Phrases like that frequently inspire my writing. But I don't do as much reading as I need.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I have a hard time with that same balance. Staying connected is always something I must push myself to do, but slacking off always takes me into unhealthy seclusion.

Your suggestion makes good sense. I had been considering writing an occasional topical mini-essay.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I certainly will not, especially to you my dear E.

[tim-e-bear.livejournal.com]

At every turn today, I'm on the verge of having to surrender my gay card.

I mean, from context, I'm assuming this Steve Hurley is a porn star - but can't say I'd ever heard of him.

(earlier today, one of the girls at a store I go to said so and so was cute, and asked if I thought he was too. I said: 'Um (her name), you DO know by now I prefer big and furry?' She said: 'Oh, right. How weird!' ;) ).

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Steve Hurley is AKA Titpig.

[tim-e-bear.livejournal.com]

No, I'm afraid that's also a blank. I remember, when I was coming out, meeting a lot of gay men who were amused I had no idea who Jeff Stryker was. The thing is, I only remember seeing HET porn ONCE in my childhood (and that was the issue of Playboy that convinced me that, even if I were straight, I wouldn't want to play this game...as I recall, it had this piece about how cool Iggy Pop was to have his dick out, but how gross it was for Patti Smtih to show her armpit hair and how, by extension, it was almost excusable that kids threw rocks at her in Italy (that had nothing to DO with why the rocks were thrown, anyway)), so my exposure to such stuff was pretty limited.

[tim-e-bear.livejournal.com]

Oh, and the pictures are lovely. I like the colours in the first one the best.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

Van, both great shots. I love the top one as it takes me back to the motion of the water, pulling me into that memory, from all perspectives. It's as if I can see hear smell and taste that moment.

good stuff

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your photos from this trip.

Cheers,
Van

[bill-kiowa.livejournal.com]

I agree with Missprune. No need really at this point to keep yourself on an obligatory word count. Let your creativity ebb and flow naturally, posting as much or little each day as you see fit. Definitely stay with us, though, and keep sharing those beautiful photos.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I find I need to challenge myself in some way, otherwise I naturally drift into isolation. But the current challenge is getting tired, so I need a fresh focus. Don't worry, this journal is not disappearing.