Hi Lynn! Thank you for those lovely, lovely words. I am so grateful for them, you when I was floundering in Gersonland and since then. That I have provided you with a sense of belonging is astonishing. I will be thinking about how that could be for a while. I've seen you as a role model for being wise, purpose-driven and at ease with life all this time.
Yes, to the universality of feeling, emotions and living. I recognize I have lived a vivid life. And, thanks to my affinity for film and photography, I like to think I have a way with words. I'm enjoying marrying the two, and hopefully info-taining folks along the way.
I'll have to read me some Bukowski. I know the name but never read anything.
Hi there! Thanks for such lovely feedback. I had a handle on the Personal and Playful of POP coming into WOP. It was the Observational I needed to sift and refine. The personal part obviously comes from the many ridiculous situations I've been in, which might be easier to work with than "sciency" facts. The playful part, however, involves leaning into conversational speaking, stand-up comic delivery (one-liners = short sentences), stroytelling, my education in film (there is nothing as vivid and concise as a screenplay!) and knowing my audience. Perhaps some of those approaches might apply to your writing intentions. I hope our paths cross in a breakout as well.
Hey Zach! Thanks for your messages and for your support. Don't feel bad about laughing. Not at all! I laugh about it all myself, all the time. It's laughable!
I don't think I've ever felt so wrong about laughing for such a prolonged period of time. Am I a bad person for admitting how much I enjoyed reading this? I hope not because I need more
...so excited to read more of your writing here...i tried so hard to hide from the barbie movie, but like death or bad gas after leftover pad thai it was inevitable...great read Andrew!...
Amazing how you can tell such a personal story and yet on some level be telling moments from every reader’s story. Well, I suspect this to be true. It’s feelings that are part of the human condition- not necessarily the facts. Your writing reminds me in many ways of the writing by the great Bukowski. And Andrew, my dear friend, I want to tell you how much I love you and wish you peace and happiness. You’ve often brought me a great sense of belonging in a world that did not seem to be a good fit.
Wow, Andrew! Thank you for opening up about your life and perspective. I am struggling to incorporate more personal and playful into my writing. Your writing has a personal depth that draws on so much raw emotion that I am looking forward to whenever our paths may cross in one of these breakout rooms. Glad to be in your kitchen a couple times per week. Thanks again for the inspiration to be more human in my writing not just "sciency" and fact-based. Rooting for you on your journey!!
Andrew - as a fellow sunflower who gets bombarded by are you okay? what's wrong? and why are you so quiet? when I'm trying to take one-god-damn minute to get my thoughts together I feel you. Let's be substack buddies!
I need to read this again, and again and again, to properly tell you exactly which bits made me want to reach across the ocean and give you an IRL hug... This is powerful and I can't wait to read more from you, thank you so so much 🥰
This essay deserves a standing ovation. So much heart! Such great voice and pacing. Kudos my friend. Thanks for opening your heart and sharing your voice with the world.
Hi Lynn! Thank you for those lovely, lovely words. I am so grateful for them, you when I was floundering in Gersonland and since then. That I have provided you with a sense of belonging is astonishing. I will be thinking about how that could be for a while. I've seen you as a role model for being wise, purpose-driven and at ease with life all this time.
Yes, to the universality of feeling, emotions and living. I recognize I have lived a vivid life. And, thanks to my affinity for film and photography, I like to think I have a way with words. I'm enjoying marrying the two, and hopefully info-taining folks along the way.
I'll have to read me some Bukowski. I know the name but never read anything.
Hi there! Thanks for such lovely feedback. I had a handle on the Personal and Playful of POP coming into WOP. It was the Observational I needed to sift and refine. The personal part obviously comes from the many ridiculous situations I've been in, which might be easier to work with than "sciency" facts. The playful part, however, involves leaning into conversational speaking, stand-up comic delivery (one-liners = short sentences), stroytelling, my education in film (there is nothing as vivid and concise as a screenplay!) and knowing my audience. Perhaps some of those approaches might apply to your writing intentions. I hope our paths cross in a breakout as well.
Hey Zach! Thanks for your messages and for your support. Don't feel bad about laughing. Not at all! I laugh about it all myself, all the time. It's laughable!
I don't think I've ever felt so wrong about laughing for such a prolonged period of time. Am I a bad person for admitting how much I enjoyed reading this? I hope not because I need more
...so excited to read more of your writing here...i tried so hard to hide from the barbie movie, but like death or bad gas after leftover pad thai it was inevitable...great read Andrew!...
Amazing how you can tell such a personal story and yet on some level be telling moments from every reader’s story. Well, I suspect this to be true. It’s feelings that are part of the human condition- not necessarily the facts. Your writing reminds me in many ways of the writing by the great Bukowski. And Andrew, my dear friend, I want to tell you how much I love you and wish you peace and happiness. You’ve often brought me a great sense of belonging in a world that did not seem to be a good fit.
Wow, Andrew! Thank you for opening up about your life and perspective. I am struggling to incorporate more personal and playful into my writing. Your writing has a personal depth that draws on so much raw emotion that I am looking forward to whenever our paths may cross in one of these breakout rooms. Glad to be in your kitchen a couple times per week. Thanks again for the inspiration to be more human in my writing not just "sciency" and fact-based. Rooting for you on your journey!!
Wow man. That was inspiring. You've got a gift Andrew! I'll be reading everything you put out now
Keep shining, Andrew!
Andrew - as a fellow sunflower who gets bombarded by are you okay? what's wrong? and why are you so quiet? when I'm trying to take one-god-damn minute to get my thoughts together I feel you. Let's be substack buddies!
I need to read this again, and again and again, to properly tell you exactly which bits made me want to reach across the ocean and give you an IRL hug... This is powerful and I can't wait to read more from you, thank you so so much 🥰
"I walk in, stand alone, then walk out five years later." Powerful line.
Excited to keep learning about your past, and to see where your writing bring you.
This essay deserves a standing ovation. So much heart! Such great voice and pacing. Kudos my friend. Thanks for opening your heart and sharing your voice with the world.
Buddies, we are!