Well, here we are. Rolling on up, 2023 ready to be put up alongside all those other years gone by. Move over, past; here’s some more. I had to look at my calendar to confirm the redolent satisfaction of having survived and thrived—no insignificant matter these days. I hope you also found ways to fly in small, unexpected, challenging or major ways. Flying with full on Isis (the Egyptian goddess not the other!!) level mojo wings. The world is so desolate these days, it can be a respite to go micro, up close. Tune in to personal stories for hope and strength.
I have read enough of your writings to say that you're a great writer! I also think you're a great actress, song writer, performer and guitar player! It's possible I might be a little biased, but that's my opinion!
Speaking of opinions, I was wondering what you thought about the TAMI show? It was a live rock and roll show that came out in 1964 and had many of the best musical acts of that time on it. I would love your professional opinion, because I watched it again last night! Happy New Year!
Finally back to type before the year goes out the window!
First off, keep WRITING! It's just like the analogy of Bob Seger telling a young Glenn Frey to keep writing songs, encouraging him to continue, even if some of the songs were going to come out bad.
Same thing with writing a book! I had an English teacher who was provocative as well as one to provoke arguments. (Imagine the early 80's, this teacher telling you "The Rocking Horse Winner" is all about masturbation, to go to the bookstore and purchase books that were unabridged / non-annotated versions, especially Vonnegut (definitely not get copies from the school / city libraries) Writing essays started as a painful process, especially since I had to endure dealing with dyslexia, and ADD, but he was patient with me, and thanked him for it after 3.5 yrs of dealing with him and his antics. (Especially his rants about he was an ACLU member, and none of the parents of past students who had tried to get him ousted were successful legally)
I am glad the move is getting better! I hope you had a Happy Christmas, and a Happy Boxing Day!
2023 highlights for me: coming here to read your musings, knowing that my long departed aunt hit the century mark (birthday wise) the settlement for my traffic accident in 2021, finally having all the health researching and labwork pay off for the proper diagnosis (Primary Hyperparathyroidism) and hearing my friend's voice on the phone for what would be the last time I would talk to him....
Just when I thought Christmas was going to be Merry and bright, I got the news on December 18th that my friend (whom I last spoke to on the phone on October 1st, and last texted on December 15th) had died of a massive heart attack. My friends and I were completely devastated that we lost somebody who respected us at such a personal level, in spite of his celebrity status... still going through the grieving process, still looking at his phone number on my cell phone, and knowing he won't ever answer it again.... it has been devastating to process, and the grief is overwhelming. We were all awaiting the Christmas broadcast, just like kids waiting for Santa... only to find out it just wasn't meant to be.
I have been listening to podcasts, past interviews, past broadcasts, just to keep his voice in my head so I will always remember it, so I don't ever forget it. (I find that over the decades, I've somewhat forgotten what my father's voice sounded like. It's been 8 yrs since I lost my mother, but I still remember her voice)
Let's hope 2024 is a much better year for all of us.
Howdy KV. I hope you're Christmas was lovely. I enjoy reading your stories of life. I'm having a horrible holiday. I got CATFISHED and scammed for a LOT of money by a name that you know. She scammed me by hooking me up with her fake mgt company. The fake company took me for more than my years salary. They say that Christmas time is the most depressing time of year. My sobriety date was Feb 13, 2021. No drink or blow since. I'm in a really bad way. The bridge as a jumping point is looking good. I don't know how to get out of this. The lady who started this said she replaced Charlotte while she was on maternity leave from the band. This person is a phoney. Her company was a phoney. I have to go into 2 banks and tell them I was scammed. I couldn't go visit my 3 month old grand daughter bcuz they said I was going to LA for Christmas. I took off work for a lot of this year so I wouldn't mess up my job by taking off last minute. I'm a camera man, high end video operator and stagehand.
I cry every day. My life is in shambles. I'm so sorry to bum you and your readers out for the holidays. I'm saying this to total strangers bcuz I have no one else to tell. I'm embarrassed that I was a dumb man. I haven't had a drink, but I sure want one. Ho ho ho
Oh, gosh! You sound like me~ doing so many things & having an *overwhelming* sense of~ not even self-doubt~ self-hatred. That particular core belief/brain wrinkle/associated junk + Capricornism is quite the mindfck. I get the sense you’re an (obsessive + excellent!) editor, too… and well, you know how that goes 🥴
Maybe we can both work on not sabotaging our voices/art/creative outputs before we even have a chance to be objective? You’re a hell of a writer. ‘Vacation’ wasn’t a fluke. ‘All I Ever Wanted’ wasn’t a fluke. The thoughtful & powerful RRHOF speech wasn’t a fluke and neither is this substack! ❤️
ugh, acquiring. I get it. So much is in the curation for me. Thankful I also love a good purge!
I'm happy the packing process is moving along and that you are getting some help from your friends! And cats will be cats! 😁
Your memoir was very well written. I'm looking forward to your next project whether it's short stories or memoir #2. I know you want to improve on your writing , but truthfully, I think your talent will take you to the level you want to achieve. ❤️
Love the title , "Self on a Shelf" ! I cannot wait to read some of your Railway Essays! How fun and cool. Hoping for some pictures too, during your travels. I love riding the train. Most of the times when I head up to The City (SF) I take the train. 2 weeks ago a friend and I rode the train to The City see the awesome Stevie Nicks...good times!
I'm glad your KV Swag store was such a hit for you. Thank you for the bass pick guards. You made me purchase a P-Bass (LOL), which I should get soon so that I can properly display your autograph. :) Side note: I've always been a wanna be musician (even before discovering the Go-Go's), but I'm not very good...so I have a great guitar (and now bass) collection going. :) Is that considered a hoarder or a keeper? Hmm...
Good luck on your move and can't wait for your next dispatch!
Your upcoming birthday could be also be a farewell USA/welcome UK celebration.
Again, good luck with your move! Since I am moving myself, I have volunteered you to be part of my long-distance support group (for some reason, I have a lot acquaintances moving this past year). So far I have over 40 boxes packed up and there are tons of tasks that still await me. Note to self: you don't have to save EVERYTHING. As you observed, bit by bit and step by step will get the job done and don't stress about the big picture.
Good luck also with your writing. Maybe when you get to St. Albans you can find a local writers group. I know I suggested this before, but the two groups I belonged to proved to be very worthwhile. Each were composed of conscientious people who read everyone else's manuscripts and critiqued honestly about them (both the good and the bad).
I love the way you write! I don't care what anyone else thinks. Keep it all coming - look forward to your railway essays. Happy travels!!! 🕊💙📚🎶 And here's to peace in 2024.
Thank you again, Kathy, and I’m glad (as always) to see that at least one of my acquaintances has a reliable collection of wolf pee. (I’ve never written that sentence before … which just goes to show that I DO have things to look forward to!!)
My two cats appear on my pillow, usually at about 3:30 in the morning, and begin licking my hair … because they want to become hairdressers (?), or maybe because they assume that I’m just a big kitty.
And after all, to paraphrase your vet: “Maybe we all just want to be big cats.”
I hope the trip to England isn’t too traumatic, and someone has a cup of PG Tips and a plate of Rich Tea biscuits waiting when you arrive!
Happy New Year..
Happy Birthday...
Happiness Always Kathy! 🥰
Happy birthday Kathy. Have a beautiful day.
🌹💋💜😎✌🏼
Happy birthday KV
HAPPY NEW YEAR KATHY! You are an inspiration! XX
I have read enough of your writings to say that you're a great writer! I also think you're a great actress, song writer, performer and guitar player! It's possible I might be a little biased, but that's my opinion!
Speaking of opinions, I was wondering what you thought about the TAMI show? It was a live rock and roll show that came out in 1964 and had many of the best musical acts of that time on it. I would love your professional opinion, because I watched it again last night! Happy New Year!
Hello Kathy!
Finally back to type before the year goes out the window!
First off, keep WRITING! It's just like the analogy of Bob Seger telling a young Glenn Frey to keep writing songs, encouraging him to continue, even if some of the songs were going to come out bad.
Same thing with writing a book! I had an English teacher who was provocative as well as one to provoke arguments. (Imagine the early 80's, this teacher telling you "The Rocking Horse Winner" is all about masturbation, to go to the bookstore and purchase books that were unabridged / non-annotated versions, especially Vonnegut (definitely not get copies from the school / city libraries) Writing essays started as a painful process, especially since I had to endure dealing with dyslexia, and ADD, but he was patient with me, and thanked him for it after 3.5 yrs of dealing with him and his antics. (Especially his rants about he was an ACLU member, and none of the parents of past students who had tried to get him ousted were successful legally)
I am glad the move is getting better! I hope you had a Happy Christmas, and a Happy Boxing Day!
2023 highlights for me: coming here to read your musings, knowing that my long departed aunt hit the century mark (birthday wise) the settlement for my traffic accident in 2021, finally having all the health researching and labwork pay off for the proper diagnosis (Primary Hyperparathyroidism) and hearing my friend's voice on the phone for what would be the last time I would talk to him....
Just when I thought Christmas was going to be Merry and bright, I got the news on December 18th that my friend (whom I last spoke to on the phone on October 1st, and last texted on December 15th) had died of a massive heart attack. My friends and I were completely devastated that we lost somebody who respected us at such a personal level, in spite of his celebrity status... still going through the grieving process, still looking at his phone number on my cell phone, and knowing he won't ever answer it again.... it has been devastating to process, and the grief is overwhelming. We were all awaiting the Christmas broadcast, just like kids waiting for Santa... only to find out it just wasn't meant to be.
I have been listening to podcasts, past interviews, past broadcasts, just to keep his voice in my head so I will always remember it, so I don't ever forget it. (I find that over the decades, I've somewhat forgotten what my father's voice sounded like. It's been 8 yrs since I lost my mother, but I still remember her voice)
Let's hope 2024 is a much better year for all of us.
Howdy KV. I hope you're Christmas was lovely. I enjoy reading your stories of life. I'm having a horrible holiday. I got CATFISHED and scammed for a LOT of money by a name that you know. She scammed me by hooking me up with her fake mgt company. The fake company took me for more than my years salary. They say that Christmas time is the most depressing time of year. My sobriety date was Feb 13, 2021. No drink or blow since. I'm in a really bad way. The bridge as a jumping point is looking good. I don't know how to get out of this. The lady who started this said she replaced Charlotte while she was on maternity leave from the band. This person is a phoney. Her company was a phoney. I have to go into 2 banks and tell them I was scammed. I couldn't go visit my 3 month old grand daughter bcuz they said I was going to LA for Christmas. I took off work for a lot of this year so I wouldn't mess up my job by taking off last minute. I'm a camera man, high end video operator and stagehand.
I cry every day. My life is in shambles. I'm so sorry to bum you and your readers out for the holidays. I'm saying this to total strangers bcuz I have no one else to tell. I'm embarrassed that I was a dumb man. I haven't had a drink, but I sure want one. Ho ho ho
Eric😓
Oh, gosh! You sound like me~ doing so many things & having an *overwhelming* sense of~ not even self-doubt~ self-hatred. That particular core belief/brain wrinkle/associated junk + Capricornism is quite the mindfck. I get the sense you’re an (obsessive + excellent!) editor, too… and well, you know how that goes 🥴
Maybe we can both work on not sabotaging our voices/art/creative outputs before we even have a chance to be objective? You’re a hell of a writer. ‘Vacation’ wasn’t a fluke. ‘All I Ever Wanted’ wasn’t a fluke. The thoughtful & powerful RRHOF speech wasn’t a fluke and neither is this substack! ❤️
ugh, acquiring. I get it. So much is in the curation for me. Thankful I also love a good purge!
I'm happy the packing process is moving along and that you are getting some help from your friends! And cats will be cats! 😁
Your memoir was very well written. I'm looking forward to your next project whether it's short stories or memoir #2. I know you want to improve on your writing , but truthfully, I think your talent will take you to the level you want to achieve. ❤️
Love the title , "Self on a Shelf" ! I cannot wait to read some of your Railway Essays! How fun and cool. Hoping for some pictures too, during your travels. I love riding the train. Most of the times when I head up to The City (SF) I take the train. 2 weeks ago a friend and I rode the train to The City see the awesome Stevie Nicks...good times!
I'm glad your KV Swag store was such a hit for you. Thank you for the bass pick guards. You made me purchase a P-Bass (LOL), which I should get soon so that I can properly display your autograph. :) Side note: I've always been a wanna be musician (even before discovering the Go-Go's), but I'm not very good...so I have a great guitar (and now bass) collection going. :) Is that considered a hoarder or a keeper? Hmm...
Good luck on your move and can't wait for your next dispatch!
Great share. Aging isn’t for the weak. You are doing amazing. Stay at it:) BTW - love your work
Happy 2024!
Your upcoming birthday could be also be a farewell USA/welcome UK celebration.
Again, good luck with your move! Since I am moving myself, I have volunteered you to be part of my long-distance support group (for some reason, I have a lot acquaintances moving this past year). So far I have over 40 boxes packed up and there are tons of tasks that still await me. Note to self: you don't have to save EVERYTHING. As you observed, bit by bit and step by step will get the job done and don't stress about the big picture.
Good luck also with your writing. Maybe when you get to St. Albans you can find a local writers group. I know I suggested this before, but the two groups I belonged to proved to be very worthwhile. Each were composed of conscientious people who read everyone else's manuscripts and critiqued honestly about them (both the good and the bad).
Great video review of this past year.
Cheerio!
I love the way you write! I don't care what anyone else thinks. Keep it all coming - look forward to your railway essays. Happy travels!!! 🕊💙📚🎶 And here's to peace in 2024.
Thank you again, Kathy, and I’m glad (as always) to see that at least one of my acquaintances has a reliable collection of wolf pee. (I’ve never written that sentence before … which just goes to show that I DO have things to look forward to!!)
My two cats appear on my pillow, usually at about 3:30 in the morning, and begin licking my hair … because they want to become hairdressers (?), or maybe because they assume that I’m just a big kitty.
And after all, to paraphrase your vet: “Maybe we all just want to be big cats.”
I hope the trip to England isn’t too traumatic, and someone has a cup of PG Tips and a plate of Rich Tea biscuits waiting when you arrive!
How you became a base player and rockstar and throw in some Go-Gos shenanigans would make a great book.
Good writers write about what they know and feel. You do both.
Happy New Year, Kathy! I've loved all of your writings this past year. Thank you.