As I'm sure you would understand, this story didn't know it wanted to be told backwards until it was well underway. Glad you enjoyed it, Rona, and thank you - always - for making the time to read and comment.
Both my arms are hurting just reading... COVID seems to have picked up again in our area and I'm sitting around wondering what somebody who has had 5 shots supposed to do now .. I have had the dreaded disease twice even with all the shots... Oh my .. sorry about the tetanus shot...
Covid has picked up in MD, too, Barry, and we're sporting four shots each in this household. I suppose we have to think of them more like flu shots that some people choose to get annually. They might not prevent infection, but supposedly (?!) they minimize the impacts. Except for all the exceptions. The tetanus is the other extreme...once every decade or so. I never seem to get them until I have an incident that forces me to do so. Oy!
Aw, thanks for the vote of confidence, Gary. You and RobS are double teaming me on the idea of a visual version. Not sure I'd know where to begin, but if I figure it out, I'm sure you all will be among the first to know! I really appreciate your thoughtful interactions here. Means a lot!
Jeannine Ouellette recently shared an exercise that called for telling a story backwards, so I was delighted to see that's what you did here. I didn't try the exercise, but both of you are motivating me to! I love the reminder that we are all living our own story, just pin-balling into each other over and over again. And that while all these big things are going on around all of us, we are each still living our own lives in which accidents happen and our dinner needs to get made. I appreciate even more the reminder that it is so easy to really see each other and be kind to strangers.
I haven't had the pleasure of being introduced to Jeannine, so thanks for that. If you have a chance to link the post with the backwards writing exercise, I'd enjoy seeing it.
And yes, you totally get how we live unique yet completely connected lives, all the time. I'm so glad you get it! Not that I doubted you would. I'm coming to understand how important these simple interactions are for me. I love working from home and don't feel isolated at all, but it sure does my heart good to experience these everyday magical moments.
The hit movie -- Everything, Everywhere, All at Once? It seems to me it's like that. Our experiences and interactions are perhaps not quite as frenetic as all that, at least not on the daily, but they roll into and out of themselves, non-stop. And they all interrelate! I know you know.
And you win the internet for the muscles comment! Ha! Thanks, Don.
Haha, I’ve been wanting to watch that movie so in response to your note I watched it last night on Netflix. Well, not the whole thing. I was tired but it was also so chaotic! Jamie Lee Curtis was amazing!
Ha! Happy to inspire. Not a movie to watch when you're already tired, IMO, so I'll gently suggest a redo when you're feeling ready and spunky. It's worth getting to the end, if you didn't. It's one of only a handful of movies I've viewed twice out of interest rather than compulsion. (I'm thinking of all the Pixar and Disney flicks that ran on repeat during the kid years!)
Thanks, Elizabeth, that's helpful. Both my wife and I commented this morning, "I wonder if it just continues non-stop like that or if it goes somewhere?" We didn't get beyond all the fighting scenes at the IRS. The first one with the fanny-pack was funny but then it just went on...
There's no denying, it's weird and ridiculous (and I'm not a fan of fighting either!), but I think the actors and creators do a fine job of making all of that, the inanity and dizzying pace, exactly the point. I'm no film critic. I have trouble remembering the names of most everything I watch. But this strikes me as a modern amalgam of the Wizard of Oz and several of the Python films, in which the story is more of a parable or commentary on life as we know it. Just my $.02. I promise, there's no quiz at the end. 😅
Suzanne, isn't that the funniest thing!? I didn't pick it. That's just what they offered. Way better than boring beige, and so photo-worthy! Thanks for reading.
I love the play with the structure here, Elizabeth, and how, once finished, one instinctively goes back to the top to see, again, how things are sequenced. I love, too, that these parts become a series of vignettes in a day and include your knack for honing in on the stories of people around you. The juxtaposition of stories in these parts is wonderful.
Gosh, how wonderful to know that you not only enjoyed this piece but also went back over it a second time. I'm honored! I mentioned in another comment that these seemingly insignificant interactions (I'd call them "everyday meetings" only I don't have them daily) have become more important to me recently. They are an unexpected source of reassurance.
Always a pleasure to read your reflections, Amy. Thank you.
Aw, thanks, Sue. When I started writing, I didn't immediately know I was going to tell the story (-ies) in reverse, and after it ended up that way, I wasn't at all sure it would work for anyone else. So, I'm really glad to know you enjoyed it.
This was lovely! I could really relate to this - making random positive comments to strangers, the stoic at the health centre with the nervous humour, the unexpected injury (dammit!), the casula thoughts about dinner. And backwards - wonderful.
Thanks, June. Glad to know I'm not the only one out here talking to strangers. LOL! I'm so glad to know you enjoy this one, complete with its upside-down structure.
OMG I didn’t see the ending (beginning?) coming! My foot hurts just thinking about what happened to yours. Glad you were able to get the shot right away
Ahh...yeah. Not a particularly pleasant experience, and yet so much goodness came of it. Lucky me having a clinic like that just a short drive away, still open on a Sunday night, and that I could manage the expense. Tetanus is no joke!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Noha. It's great to see you here!
Love the format. We should all think of narrating life backwards, Memento-style. I actually read it four times: twice in each direction. Wonderful. Where we wind up seems so random; and on examination there are so many finger prints are all over the scene. That’s because we touch each other’s lives. Right?
Exactly right, and thank you for articulating that so beautifully, Stew. You've made me think about going back in to see if I can improve the flow in the other direction. With a few tweaks, I could (should?) reverse order of the series of events at the urgent care, too. Funny that didn't occur to me in the process, but now I can't unsee it! 😅
What a wonderful way to tell a story about (partly at least) keeping one's emotional and psychic balance in the midst of A Bit Of A Day -- letting each part be a part but JUST a part of the day, making room for all of it. This was a treat to read, Elizabeth. Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth, and I also appreciate that you understood the desire to have each part stand on its own. It's like that, isn't it, this life we live? Each interaction an opportunity, each reaction having a certain element of choice. On we go.
Like everyone else, I love the upside down delivery of this day, so you got to end at the peaceful beginning, with all things still possible. Very clever! Also, nice touches with the other people who passed through the tale. Even Saggy Mask has a story.
I feel fortunate with health care, too, mostly. With the exception of a recent exodus of women’s health care providers and a dearth of teen counselors, we’re in an attractive place for medical people to set up practice. Waiting rooms make me curious about individual stories, too. I suppose it passes the time. 🙄😉
Lovely, Elizabeth. You built suspense with this backward-spooling story. Thanks for the shot in the arm.
As I'm sure you would understand, this story didn't know it wanted to be told backwards until it was well underway. Glad you enjoyed it, Rona, and thank you - always - for making the time to read and comment.
Both my arms are hurting just reading... COVID seems to have picked up again in our area and I'm sitting around wondering what somebody who has had 5 shots supposed to do now .. I have had the dreaded disease twice even with all the shots... Oh my .. sorry about the tetanus shot...
Covid has picked up in MD, too, Barry, and we're sporting four shots each in this household. I suppose we have to think of them more like flu shots that some people choose to get annually. They might not prevent infection, but supposedly (?!) they minimize the impacts. Except for all the exceptions. The tetanus is the other extreme...once every decade or so. I never seem to get them until I have an incident that forces me to do so. Oy!
Perfectly captivating. Why did I imagine I was reading your first crack at a screenplay? (You should consider it!)
Can honestly say I've never once considered a screenplay, so thanks for planting that seed, Rob. Glad you enjoyed this one, and thanks for saying so.
Would make a wonderful documentary film, or at least a YouTube video. C'mon, just do it!
Thanks for the story, the details, the images, the sounds and the feelings - coming through beautifully, painfully and joyfully.
Aw, thanks for the vote of confidence, Gary. You and RobS are double teaming me on the idea of a visual version. Not sure I'd know where to begin, but if I figure it out, I'm sure you all will be among the first to know! I really appreciate your thoughtful interactions here. Means a lot!
Jeannine Ouellette recently shared an exercise that called for telling a story backwards, so I was delighted to see that's what you did here. I didn't try the exercise, but both of you are motivating me to! I love the reminder that we are all living our own story, just pin-balling into each other over and over again. And that while all these big things are going on around all of us, we are each still living our own lives in which accidents happen and our dinner needs to get made. I appreciate even more the reminder that it is so easy to really see each other and be kind to strangers.
I haven't had the pleasure of being introduced to Jeannine, so thanks for that. If you have a chance to link the post with the backwards writing exercise, I'd enjoy seeing it.
And yes, you totally get how we live unique yet completely connected lives, all the time. I'm so glad you get it! Not that I doubted you would. I'm coming to understand how important these simple interactions are for me. I love working from home and don't feel isolated at all, but it sure does my heart good to experience these everyday magical moments.
You are a warrior, with a good sidekick 👍😎
Rawr! Thanks for reading and commenting, Susan.
Thanks for sharing one of the 8 billion. I really enjoyed it! By the way, nice muscles! 😊
The hit movie -- Everything, Everywhere, All at Once? It seems to me it's like that. Our experiences and interactions are perhaps not quite as frenetic as all that, at least not on the daily, but they roll into and out of themselves, non-stop. And they all interrelate! I know you know.
And you win the internet for the muscles comment! Ha! Thanks, Don.
Haha, I’ve been wanting to watch that movie so in response to your note I watched it last night on Netflix. Well, not the whole thing. I was tired but it was also so chaotic! Jamie Lee Curtis was amazing!
Ha! Happy to inspire. Not a movie to watch when you're already tired, IMO, so I'll gently suggest a redo when you're feeling ready and spunky. It's worth getting to the end, if you didn't. It's one of only a handful of movies I've viewed twice out of interest rather than compulsion. (I'm thinking of all the Pixar and Disney flicks that ran on repeat during the kid years!)
Thanks, Elizabeth, that's helpful. Both my wife and I commented this morning, "I wonder if it just continues non-stop like that or if it goes somewhere?" We didn't get beyond all the fighting scenes at the IRS. The first one with the fanny-pack was funny but then it just went on...
There's no denying, it's weird and ridiculous (and I'm not a fan of fighting either!), but I think the actors and creators do a fine job of making all of that, the inanity and dizzying pace, exactly the point. I'm no film critic. I have trouble remembering the names of most everything I watch. But this strikes me as a modern amalgam of the Wizard of Oz and several of the Python films, in which the story is more of a parable or commentary on life as we know it. Just my $.02. I promise, there's no quiz at the end. 😅
I like your yellow Crayola bandaid!
Suzanne, isn't that the funniest thing!? I didn't pick it. That's just what they offered. Way better than boring beige, and so photo-worthy! Thanks for reading.
I love the play with the structure here, Elizabeth, and how, once finished, one instinctively goes back to the top to see, again, how things are sequenced. I love, too, that these parts become a series of vignettes in a day and include your knack for honing in on the stories of people around you. The juxtaposition of stories in these parts is wonderful.
Gosh, how wonderful to know that you not only enjoyed this piece but also went back over it a second time. I'm honored! I mentioned in another comment that these seemingly insignificant interactions (I'd call them "everyday meetings" only I don't have them daily) have become more important to me recently. They are an unexpected source of reassurance.
Always a pleasure to read your reflections, Amy. Thank you.
what an incredible way to reflect on a day- thank you for loaning us your perspectactles for a view!
Perspectacles! I'm stealing that one! Thanks, Roe.
Absolutely loving so much about this - particularly the creative structure of the piece!
Clever and enjoyable.
Aw, thanks, Sue. When I started writing, I didn't immediately know I was going to tell the story (-ies) in reverse, and after it ended up that way, I wasn't at all sure it would work for anyone else. So, I'm really glad to know you enjoyed it.
This was lovely! I could really relate to this - making random positive comments to strangers, the stoic at the health centre with the nervous humour, the unexpected injury (dammit!), the casula thoughts about dinner. And backwards - wonderful.
Thanks, June. Glad to know I'm not the only one out here talking to strangers. LOL! I'm so glad to know you enjoy this one, complete with its upside-down structure.
OMG I didn’t see the ending (beginning?) coming! My foot hurts just thinking about what happened to yours. Glad you were able to get the shot right away
Ahh...yeah. Not a particularly pleasant experience, and yet so much goodness came of it. Lucky me having a clinic like that just a short drive away, still open on a Sunday night, and that I could manage the expense. Tetanus is no joke!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Noha. It's great to see you here!
Love the format. We should all think of narrating life backwards, Memento-style. I actually read it four times: twice in each direction. Wonderful. Where we wind up seems so random; and on examination there are so many finger prints are all over the scene. That’s because we touch each other’s lives. Right?
Exactly right, and thank you for articulating that so beautifully, Stew. You've made me think about going back in to see if I can improve the flow in the other direction. With a few tweaks, I could (should?) reverse order of the series of events at the urgent care, too. Funny that didn't occur to me in the process, but now I can't unsee it! 😅
What a wonderful way to tell a story about (partly at least) keeping one's emotional and psychic balance in the midst of A Bit Of A Day -- letting each part be a part but JUST a part of the day, making room for all of it. This was a treat to read, Elizabeth. Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth, and I also appreciate that you understood the desire to have each part stand on its own. It's like that, isn't it, this life we live? Each interaction an opportunity, each reaction having a certain element of choice. On we go.
Like everyone else, I love the upside down delivery of this day, so you got to end at the peaceful beginning, with all things still possible. Very clever! Also, nice touches with the other people who passed through the tale. Even Saggy Mask has a story.
I'm glad you were able to get your shot! 💪
Oh, Tara, that's such high praise coming from you. Thank you! And yes, there are Saggy Masks and Thumb Wreckers every where we go, aren't there?
We're fortunate to live in a place and style that gives us access to healthcare. I know that's not the case for everyone.
I feel fortunate with health care, too, mostly. With the exception of a recent exodus of women’s health care providers and a dearth of teen counselors, we’re in an attractive place for medical people to set up practice. Waiting rooms make me curious about individual stories, too. I suppose it passes the time. 🙄😉