A Thousand Words

Little sweetheart, I found this note and put it by one of my favorite pictures of you. It kinda says it all. With love forever, your Michael

Halloween movies, pt 3

Little sweetheart, this was our absolutely favorite of the season. 

Even today, few people know about it. It's an incredibly unique and intriguing 2008 movie - billed as a "romantic horror film" - directed by Tomas Alfredson and adapted by John Ajvide Lindqvist from his own novel. 

The film is set in Sweden, a suburb outside of Stockholm, in the 1970's. The main characters are a boy and girl, both 12. I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone but despite being a "vampire movie" I think - and I think we both do, little sweetheart - that it is a love story. 

The two kids find and save one another, in many, quite literally, existentially. 

So, of course, it resonates with me forever, because I remember our earliest moments and how very much I believe that you changed and saved my life. I know that you did. And I am forever grateful.

With all my love...  

 

 

 

 

Halloween movies, pt 2

Little sweetheart, this was one of our favs. 

It actually came out well before we'd even met but neither of us had seen it. One day went to that great indie shop in your neighborhood, Le Video. I'd bought us a membership with my Visa card and it was our go-to place in SF (in Davis, we went to Blockbuster). 

Infamously, we always wandered around browsing for ages before we finally settled on a title or two. Finally, we brought this DVD to the clerk, who very enthusiastically approved our choice. We both LOVED the film. 

Later, I discovered that your Mom did too and that she has actually bought the double-disc soundtrack - which was out of print by the time she lent it to me! 

This is always in my Halloween rotation.

Halloween Movies, Pt 1

Little sweetheart, I only discovered this one a couple years ago - the others are longtime favs of ours - but I think you would so like it. It's directed by Nicholas Roeg and stars Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. It's mostly set in Venice and shot on location in the 70's. There's a very spiritual aspect to it and I feel you nearby as I watch it tonight...

About Halloween...

Little sweetheart, as I said before, I think aside from Christmas, Halloween was your favorite holiday. 

Somehow in my years and travels and disappointments, I had lost the joy I had had of the occasion as a child. Maybe - unless we're lucky enough to have children of our own - that happens to many of us. But I'll repeat here a brief story (that is detailed fully in our book). 

Halloween 2008 found me in LA at the end of a brief run of two of my plays in rep - Real Real Gone and Seven Pages Unsigned - at The Road theatre company in West Hollywood. I'd spent the week there and you were famously bemused because I was "in your state!" but we both were working - you about to transfer Rock n Roll from SF to Boston and me down in LA. 

You couldn't make it south although I came to Boston shortly thereafter. 

Halloween was the day I flew back to NYC from the Van Nuys airport and everyone at the Jet Blue desk was in costume. They were even giving out candy. The penny dropped. Like in a thousand others things your love showed me the light. 

When did I go off Halloween?! Gah! Was I too cool for it? How did that help anything? 

You gave me back so much light, little sweetheart. I had a five hour flight and you yourself were en route to Logan, but I couldn't wait to tell you.

One More From Ireland

Little sweetheart - I'm so grateful that I have almost 300 pictures from our trip to Ireland and I just came across another one, so please forgive me for interrupting the timeline, here! 

This is a delightful picture - so very you! - plopping yourself face down on the bed of our cottage in Kilcrohane after the long journey (begun leaving London at 4am!) when we finally arrived, settled in and were in our new home. 

So perfect! Love you forever! 

14th Anniversary of "Of Love and Loss"

Little sweetheart, it was 14 years ago today that we released the second Bipolar Explorer, Of Love and Loss  - a double-album that was both your debut, the redirection of the group's sound and its forthgoing dedication to be of, for and about you. 

4 years ago, on the 10th anniversary of its release, I played a live solo electric set here in NYC that was recorded and put out as a Bandcamp exclusive EP. Today, that live show will have a wider release. 

With all my love...