Recalling a Kiss

Sorry to keep you hanging, Bonnie! Just dropped you a line...

Also want to tell you, I randomly caught an episode of "Hello, My Lady," a Korean soap opera, and it was _fascinating_ --- totally over-the-top like all good soap operas, but also a unique glimpse at the culture clash between city and country and young and old that many contemporary Koreans face. It's on KBS (Channel 41), around 7:30 pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6371

*A first kiss, a dental emergency, identifying the Big Man on Campus and talking back to Punky Brewster.

Thanks, Sally! I would love to write everyday... or exercise everyday... or even shower everyday... but sadly, such discipline is something I've yet to master. ;-)

Support from people like you is remarkably galvanizing, though, so I thank you.

Out of curiosity, do you write everyday?

http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6371

*A first kiss, a dental emergency, identifying the Big Man on Campus and talking back to Punky Brewster.

http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6371

*A first kiss, a dental emergency, identifying the Big Man on Campus and talking back to Punky Brewster.

Romance in a honkytonk... who knew? Not I --- but I'd love the address of that honkytonk. :-)

Thanks for listening!

http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6371

*A first kiss, a dental emergency, identifying the Big Man on Campus and talking back to Punky Brewster.

Hi Craig,

Yes, I'd already seen "When Harry Met Sally" many times, so that's why ignoring the movie and engaging in other, shall we say, activities, was acceptable to this sappy cinephile.

Tell me about using the word "brava." Is that what you do when you're complimenting a female's performance? I didn't realize "bravo" was gender-specific...

http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6371

*A first kiss, a dental emergency, identifying the Big Man on Campus and talking back to Punky Brewster.

Hey Stephi,

Thanks for the shout out! And you should know, I loved meeting you too.

For anyone who's never met Stephi, you should know that her personality is immediately arresting, bound to bowl you over with warmth, humor, openness, and energy. Spending time with her is a privilege.

Steph, you are one VERY special lady, and if you give me the name of this "minister's daughter," I'll track her down and make sure she knows it. But good.

;-)

http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6371

*A first kiss, a dental emergency, identifying the Big Man on Campus and talking back to Punky Brewster.

Thanks, William, I appreciate it. In terms of the actual show... Well, I guess you could say that I'm not giving away any free milk here. The piece isn't necessarily indicative of my full-length, one-hour, brilliantly-conceived, gloriously-diverse radio program. I'm just trying to show-n-tell who I am. Hostiness. You know what I mean.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks, Cathy, I'm glad you liked the piece. I look forward to listening to your entry! Thanks again!

Love the wordplay, right up there with mental floss.

Yeah, Punky was a part of my growing up. Loved her wagoncart bed and tree house. Feared her experience of a mother entering a grocery store, never to return.

Think about it: that's scary.

So how did your TV heroes shape you? Did you expect male adulthood to be brimming with high-stakes adventure? And has it been?

What about the Vulcans?

Spock for distance and "passion" for logic.
Garner for amused cynicism.
Gordon for inventiveness.
MacNee for a sense of style.

No desire for high-stakes adventure. But sheesh, you'd think so with all those role models, eh?

*n*

"The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about" - Oscar Wilde

As I'm all thumbs, this is the only weaving I'll be doing, the only yarn I'll be spinning.

Thanks for your validation, Jennifer, I appreciate it.

So a radio home, eh? Wonder what its basement is like... I DO have a certain reputation to maintain.

My mother has been saying it for years... ;-)

Thanks so much for your kind words, Jonathan. I appreciate your support and am really glad you enjoyed the piece.

Thanks, Shanna, I appreciate it! Thanks for listening!

Thanks, MommyDocs! Despite all of my illicit basement kissing, I am a sweet girl. My adherence to orthodontic regimen probably gave that away.

I never even mentioned the headgear (complete with denim skull straps) that I took up to overnight camp the previous summer. That really would've confirmed your suspicions. :-)

Thanks, Sam, really glad you liked it!

Thanks, David. I was a kid who was always captivated by story and performance -- TV, movies, theater, books -- consuming and creating, cataloging and cross-referencing. The more people I meet, the more research I pursue, the more I'm convinced that I'm far from the only one.

George Gerbner has some interesting things to say about the power of stories. Also, I was just reading Robert Sternberg's theory about love stories. He says, basically, that there are 26 major love metaphors (love as travel, love as gardening) depicted in media. Then people adopt certain stories as mental schemas, which means that we actually expect love to follow those outlines in terms of how events unfold, the type of rapport that's established, etc. I don't know if I'm making any sense here, but it's fascinating, I tell you, fascinating! And worth checking out!

Anyway, I'm glad you liked the story and my voice. I really appreciate your comments!