Drawing a Blank
In memoriam: one of many17 total reviews
Comment from estory
What you relate here is the classic running away syndrome, through shopping, through running, literally, and through painkillers. There's some great self depreciating humor here, an ability to look at oneself and see yourself in your failings, in your hopes, and in your mistakes. All while keeping the personality in the writing and the language. The more we seem to run, the more our shadow seems to follow us. estory
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2020
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What you relate here is the classic running away syndrome, through shopping, through running, literally, and through painkillers. There's some great self depreciating humor here, an ability to look at oneself and see yourself in your failings, in your hopes, and in your mistakes. All while keeping the personality in the writing and the language. The more we seem to run, the more our shadow seems to follow us. estory
Comment Written 23-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2020
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Thank you for your thoughtful response. That piece--and the 13 preceding!-- were written years ago--pre Fanstory--the ugly fallout of the intense relationship indeed devastated me--luckily my emotions are not as raw these days, though I get pangs--it doesn't help that I can't avoid passing by his house!--we walk on occasion when we chance to cross paths but we've devolved to blandness. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from kmoss
Did you ever remember the song or is it still a blank? Is a bird in the hand worth two in the bush? I have a lot of bats in the belfry. I'm such a nerd that I like to research the origin of old sayings. Good times! I have the thought bouncing around in my head about a poem or flash fiction with old sayings, but I haven't pieced it together yet. Another flowing, well written piece. You continue to impress me! Ever thought about adding a bakers's dozen plus 1 to your already baker's dozen plus one stories and making a M&M chapbook? I think it would be great!
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2020
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Did you ever remember the song or is it still a blank? Is a bird in the hand worth two in the bush? I have a lot of bats in the belfry. I'm such a nerd that I like to research the origin of old sayings. Good times! I have the thought bouncing around in my head about a poem or flash fiction with old sayings, but I haven't pieced it together yet. Another flowing, well written piece. You continue to impress me! Ever thought about adding a bakers's dozen plus 1 to your already baker's dozen plus one stories and making a M&M chapbook? I think it would be great!
Comment Written 23-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2020
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Krystal--Thank you for the lovely ssssssurprise and for your thoughtful response. That piece--and the 13 preceding!-- were written years ago--pre Fanstory--the ugly fallout of the intense relationship indeed devastated me--luckily my emotions are not as raw these days, though I get pangs--it doesn't help that I can't avoid passing by his house!--we walk on occasion when we chance to cross paths but we've devolved to blandness. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Wendy G
Sad, yet compellingly creative simultaneously. So well written that we are totally WITH you, and we all have our ways of coping with/running from/ facing our changing realities. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2020
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Sad, yet compellingly creative simultaneously. So well written that we are totally WITH you, and we all have our ways of coping with/running from/ facing our changing realities. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 23-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2020
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Wendy--Thank you for your thoughtful response. That piece--and the 13 preceding!-- were written years ago--pre Fanstory--the ugly fallout of the intense relationship indeed devastated me--luckily my emotions are not as raw these days, though I get pangs--it doesn't help that I can't avoid passing by his house!--we walk on occasion when we chance to cross paths but we've devolved to blandness. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from lyenochka
Still so sad about the end of that relationship. He seemed like a really intelligent and thoughtful guy. I liked your various ways of dealing with it. "When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping," then running then get writing! I'm not much of a shopper. I stopped regular jogs a year ago. I'm still writing! Let's keep at it.
I always understood it as "drawing a blank (card)" - but I like your humorous take on it.
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2020
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Still so sad about the end of that relationship. He seemed like a really intelligent and thoughtful guy. I liked your various ways of dealing with it. "When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping," then running then get writing! I'm not much of a shopper. I stopped regular jogs a year ago. I'm still writing! Let's keep at it.
I always understood it as "drawing a blank (card)" - but I like your humorous take on it.
Comment Written 23-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2020
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Drawing a Blank is an instance of our (to us) witty wordplay repartee, much treasured by both.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. That piece--and the 13 preceding!-- were written years ago--pre Fanstory--the ugly fallout of the intense relationship indeed devastated me--luckily my emotions are not as raw these days, though I get pangs--it doesn't help that I can't avoid passing by his house!--we walk on occasion when we chance to cross paths but we've devolved to blandness. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Mary Vigasin
In reading the first paragraph it struck me and I hope you do not mind me saying this. Michael's reaction to your statement of "drawing a blank." a popular statement when one cannot remember - your mind is just blank.
His response seems to arrogant and a put down. I do not know the person but it struck me as a little cruel.
Your a prolific writer with a unique perspective that is interesting and like many good writers, you march to your own drummer.
Mary
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2020
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In reading the first paragraph it struck me and I hope you do not mind me saying this. Michael's reaction to your statement of "drawing a blank." a popular statement when one cannot remember - your mind is just blank.
His response seems to arrogant and a put down. I do not know the person but it struck me as a little cruel.
Your a prolific writer with a unique perspective that is interesting and like many good writers, you march to your own drummer.
Mary
Comment Written 22-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2020
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Funny, Mary, someone else took that comment as a put down. In fact, it was simply an instance of our (to us) witty wordplay repartee, much treasured by both.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. That piece--and the 13 preceding!-- were written years ago--pre Fanstory--the ugly fallout of the intense relationship indeed devastated me--luckily my emotions are not as raw these days, though I get pangs--it doesn't help that I can't avoid passing by his house!--we walk on occasion when we chance to cross paths but we've devolved to blandness. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. LIZ
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Thank you for the clarification.
Comment from GregoryCody
BRILLIANT. This is fantastic. You're succinct and your words choices are perfect.
Silent witnesses to the expense are bursting from my closets--multitudes of superfluous shoes and accessories from myriad mall runs.
Do you write poetry? I bet you're superb. I'll check.
This deserves a much more in depth review. I am just in a hurry. There are so many lines I like.
This deserves a six overall. Well deserved ð???
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2020
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BRILLIANT. This is fantastic. You're succinct and your words choices are perfect.
Silent witnesses to the expense are bursting from my closets--multitudes of superfluous shoes and accessories from myriad mall runs.
Do you write poetry? I bet you're superb. I'll check.
This deserves a much more in depth review. I am just in a hurry. There are so many lines I like.
This deserves a six overall. Well deserved ð???
Comment Written 22-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2020
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What a delightful ssssssurprise, Gregory!
Thank you for your thoughtful response. That piece--and the 13 preceding!-- were written years ago--pre Fanstory--the ugly fallout of the intense relationship indeed devastated me--luckily my emotions are not as raw these days, though I get pangs--it doesn't help that I can't avoid passing by his house!--we walk on occasion when we chance to cross paths but we've devolved to blandness. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. LIZ
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Im sorry. I know how that is. I had a bad break up in college and then in my twenties. It was pretty devestating. I'm sorry you went through that. Let me know if you ever want me to write a poem that gets your mind off it ;)
Have a great day!
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This breakup was agonizing.
The irony is that he wasn't my official boyfriend--I had (still have) one (whom I call my Best Man, given he's 60 year past boyhood.)
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I'm sorry. It rips you apart. (ESPECIALLY if you have abandonment issues from childhood, yikes). Yeah it was tough on me. Both were. The twenties one was harder.
So you have a boyfriend now? Was he with you back then or did you know him when the break up happened?
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Same one! (Chuck.) Michael and I met walking our dogs, and over a couple of months developed a close friendship; being unemployed we spent hours walking. Chuck can't/won't walk. We'd make lavish lunches, to which Chuck was always invited; he'd decline. He resented the close relationship; for his part, Michael sulked that I put Chuck first in my affections. Moral of this too-damn-long tale: if you are fulfilled in your life and befriend someone who has no life apart from you, his initial gratitude will turn to envy and resentment; thus commenced the death spiral that ended things. Apologies for the ramble if you made it this far.
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Haha I liked reading it. I hear you. So forgive me but are you still with one of them? Chuck was a depressed person?
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I've been with Chuck for over 11 years; we see each other nearly every day, mostly in the evenings, hence all my free time to walk, etc. Michael is the one who is depressed: crummy PT job, no social life, at age 58, still lives with mother, doubtless always will. Our friendship sweetened both our lives; the difference was that for me it was icing on top of an already-frosted cake; for Michael, who had nothing but stale crumbs, our relationship was his sole sustenance.
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Oh no. That is a recipe for disaster. Well it sounds like you are a pretty happy person though :)
Comment from nedgarcss
I like the freedom you take with your writing. It seems like you allow the reader into your head to roam around. I only started FanStory and so don't know the background on the M&M. I was hoping this writing would tell me. I'll keep following you.
Nancy
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2020
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I like the freedom you take with your writing. It seems like you allow the reader into your head to roam around. I only started FanStory and so don't know the background on the M&M. I was hoping this writing would tell me. I'll keep following you.
Nancy
Comment Written 22-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2020
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Hello Nancy. You didn't miss anything--M&M is just my coinage- shorthand for Michael and Me (His self-styled logo is a titled M; we used M when writing each other.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. That piece--and the 13 preceding!-- were written years ago--pre Fanstory--the ugly fallout of the intense relationship indeed devastated me--luckily my emotions are not as raw these days, though I get pangs--it doesn't help that I can't avoid passing by his house!--we walk on occasion when we chance to cross paths but we've devolved to blandness. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from RetroStarfish
Love this story and am delighted (and sorry) to hear/read that you have an entire collection of stories about the end of your friendship. This musing made me laugh out loud - sadly it was the offhand reference to "habitual use of pain killers." I have been accused of exploiting my pain for laughs. If this is what you're doing, I can't wait to read more.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2020
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Love this story and am delighted (and sorry) to hear/read that you have an entire collection of stories about the end of your friendship. This musing made me laugh out loud - sadly it was the offhand reference to "habitual use of pain killers." I have been accused of exploiting my pain for laughs. If this is what you're doing, I can't wait to read more.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2020
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Indeed, I often exploit my pain, for laughter or tears, as the case may be.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. That piece--and the 13 preceding!-- were written years ago--pre Fanstory--the ugly fallout of the intense relationship indeed devastated me--luckily my emotions are not as raw these days, though I get pangs--it doesn't help that I can't avoid passing by his house!--we walk on occasion when we chance to cross paths but we've devolved to blandness. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Ric Myworld
All of life is a progression. Some actions lead us to the Heavens, prosperity or the poor house, and others lead us to the grave, and eventually to somewhere I would just as soon not mention, since maybe, it's all real. But for me, I've always lived by the philosophy, spend it while you've got it. That's why my got it days are in past tense. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2020
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All of life is a progression. Some actions lead us to the Heavens, prosperity or the poor house, and others lead us to the grave, and eventually to somewhere I would just as soon not mention, since maybe, it's all real. But for me, I've always lived by the philosophy, spend it while you've got it. That's why my got it days are in past tense. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 21-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2020
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Thanks Ric, for your always wise and witty words. Stop by anytime! Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Goodadvicechan
I like the title: Drawing a Blank. I have the same question how can drawing leaving a blank paper until I read the following paragraph:
"As our friendship faded inexorably thereafter over five demoralizing years... However hard I try to bring to mind the wonderful moments we shared, all that ever comes to mind is...nothing."
Good times means nothing once a relationship is broken.
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2020
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I like the title: Drawing a Blank. I have the same question how can drawing leaving a blank paper until I read the following paragraph:
"As our friendship faded inexorably thereafter over five demoralizing years... However hard I try to bring to mind the wonderful moments we shared, all that ever comes to mind is...nothing."
Good times means nothing once a relationship is broken.
Comment Written 21-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2020
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Thank you for your thoughtful response. That piece--and the 13 preceding!-- were written years ago--pre Fanstory--the ugly fallout of the intense relationship indeed devastated me--luckily my emotions are not as raw these days, though I get pangs--it doesn't help that I can't avoid passing by his house!--we walk on occasion when we chance to cross paths but we've devolved to blandness. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. LIZ
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It is hard but the will heal
