**************************************************************

From: "Jeff

Subject: Re: REHEARSAL UPDATE #1

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 11:19:28 -0600

I offer these opinions only by deduction via the facts in the play and

screenplay and my own muddled notions:

1) Ste's mother died, as the screenplay calls Ronnie an Irish widower.

Hard

to decide what might have killed her. Breast cancer? Lung cancer?

Ronnie?

2) Deducing further that "Council said bullocks to benefits" for Jamie,

one

might assume that the Gangels have been living there for at least 15 or 16

years. Which council isn't clear. Thamesmead's council? Perhaps they

started in a flat in one of the lousier point blocks (the tall buildings

in

Thamesmead) and moved to the most spacious, classier townhomes eventually.

As for the Russells, they, too, could easily have lived there before Leah

was born. Assuming Rose is an immigrant from, say, Jamaica or some other

British colony, perhaps she moved to London (perhaps Brixton?), got

involved

with someone, had Leah, then moved to Thamesmead.

As for the Pearces, I'd venture to say they haven't lived there the whole

time. Maybe they lived in Woolwich before Ste's mom died and moved there

only after the death. Perhaps Ronnie and Ste's mother were so in love

that

he declined after she died?

3) I think Sandra was so burned by a relationship some years ago that she

hasn't seen fit to have another. She apparently was beaten. And she's

"addicted to that pub." Not enough time, perhaps.

4) Tony sees a bit of stability in Sandra. I think that's why he's

attracted to her. And she's, well, a real babe.

5) Sandra is finally letting her guard down, and Tony appears to be

harmless. They certainly aren't on the same level intelligence wise, but,

apparently the sex is good. Hate to say it, but that is sometimes the

only

reason why people are together. Imagine that.

Having seen BT on the big screen and having read the play script, I know

both stand alone nicely. I still favor the BT with the chase/kiss scene

and

the visit to the Gloucester. I know those both might be difficult to

accomplish onstage.

I'm sure under the licensing agreement it would be totally illegal, but is

there any chance you'll be videotaping your version of BT? Many would be

clamoring for it. Who knows when many Americans will ever see a stage

version.

Jeff

**************************************************************

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 10:54:08 -0800 (PST)

From: Mike

Subject: Re: REHEARSAL UPDATE #1

Interesting questions to speculate on. Here're mine.

At 12:54 PM -0400 12/12/97, Michael  wrote:

>

>1. What happened to Ste's mother?

She left Ste's dad for another man.

>2. How long have Jamie/Sandra, Ste and Leah been living in Thamesmead?

At least two years, probably longer. I suspect Ste and Leah lived there

before Jamie and Sandra moved in.

>3. Why hasn't Sandra had a boyfriend in five years?

The prior relationship was an abusive one so she was taking 'time out'

from

all that.

>4. Why is Tony attracted to Sandra?

Tony is attracted to her strength of will and characater (as he lacks

these

qualities himself).

>5. Why is Sandra attracted to Tony?

He's younger, non-threatening, flattering to her ego.

 

Good luck with the production and keep us upt to date!

Mike

**************************************************************

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 11:05:12 -0800 (PST)

From: Mike

Subject: Re: Rewriting Ste and Jamie

At 6:25 AM -0500 12/13/97, matthew wrote:

>I suppose it is fun imagining a sexual encounter between Ste and Jamie

>-- but I find that totally out of character with the sweet and painful

>tone of the original story. They are both innocent and virgins. To play

>out some sort of heated sexual scene between them sours the whole idea

>of the freshness which the movie conveys. That's my opinion. Thanks.

>MATT

>

You have a point, Matt. I feel a bit differently about it myself. For one

thing, nothing *blatantly* sexual has yet been described (sensuous, yes,

sexual, no). There certainly is a lot of sexual tension in the air, but

that seems right-on to me. I advise waiting till all the scenes have been

shared with us before offering opinions or criticisms. I'm curious to see

what Kent and Sandra have up their sleeves (and no comments from Sandra

about things being 'up' whatever, please ;->) and I don't want to

influence

the outcome.

 

MW>

**************************************************************

From: Amicus

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 15:00:09 -0800

Subject: "Bedroom Scene"

Remember in making your scenario for Jamie and Ste that they are NOT Bel

Ami models.

--

**************************************************************

Date: Sun, 14 Dec 1997 02:53:10 +0100

From: jmcs

Subject: Re: REHEARSAL UPDATE #1

At 12:54 12/12/97 -0400, Michael wrote:

>This week we have been rehearsing the bedroom scenes with Jamie (Simon

>Corfield) and Ste (Andrew Wallace). The entire process of developing the

>two characters has involved a lot of hard work. A part of that process

has

>meant exploring the characters' pasts and life experiences. The actors

have

>also improvised scenes that are not in the film: such as when Sandra met

>Tony at the supermarket; Christmas at Sandra's, and; when Jamie and Ste

>first met.

That's great!! It's a beautiful way to create a character!!

I'm always fantasizing about their backgrounds... and writing about it!

Christmas at Sandra's has been enticing me lately: Jamie and Ste's

first

Christmas as a couple... above the Anchor, of course. [sorry, but I had

to

make Sandra and Jamie take Ste with them. Besides, it's my story and I

chose

to write it that way! :) ] I've also thought a lot about how Ste and

Jamie

first met. In my story both of them remember that first time and they

share

their thoughts and feelings when they first saw each other.

Michael, I would love to hear what the actors think about it. Actors

usually

have a strong instinct and intuition about their characters. After all,

the

character comes from them, from their feelings and emotions. It would be

very interesting to know what they 'feel' about their pasts.

>While the actors have developed their own ideas, I am interested to know

>what others believe are the answers to these questions:

>1. What happened to Ste's mother?

I've asked myself that question many times. I have only two possibilities

:

she's dead or she left and ran away. As a woman, I find it hard to

believe a

mother runs away without her children, especially leaving them with a

'father' such as Ronnie. Another possibility is that she was worse than

Ronnie (a violent alcoholic, maybe even a drug addict; to heroin,

perhaps).

It was clear to me, though, that she's been away a long time. Ste

clearly

has never known any motherly love; the way he embraces Sandra is revealing

enough. He's starved for love. Maybe (I'm almost positive of it)

Sandra and

Jamie's love is the only love he's ever known.

In any case, Ste's mother has been out of the picture for many many

years.

>2. How long have Jamie/Sandra, Ste and Leah been living in Thamesmead?

In my opinion, Ste and Leah were born in Thamesmead and I have the feeling

they have always lived in the same flats. Sandra and Jamie moved there

from

someplace else some years before (probably Bermondsey, as Sandra herself

said), maybe when Jamie was 10/11 years old.

>3. Why hasn't Sandra had a boyfriend in five years?

According to the stageplay, since Jamie's dad was no saint, Sandra's

been

with a few men, the last one was Richard, a barman, who left one night

after

beating her. It's completely understandable she rejected male company

for

several years. Tony looks harmless enough for Sandra to try it again, if

only as an experiment.

>4. Why is Tony attracted to Sandra?

Sandra's witty, funny, atractive, lively, sexy and fun to be with.

She's

older than Tony but I see no problem with that, she's obviously

attracted to

younger men. They're very different but they say opposites attract. They

make a nice couple.

>5. Why is Sandra attracted to Tony?

He's funny, sensitive, he has a way with kids and in a way, I think he

complements her. Sandra is down-to-earth, realist and knows how hard life

can be. Tony seems to live in another world but that's precisely what

she

needs, someone funny and caring, the complete opposite of her, someone to

forget her worries with.

>As you could imagine, creating "Beautiful Thing" is an incredible

>experience. It has proven to me, even further, just what a sensational

>piece it is.

What would I give to see BT in a theatre in Madrid! It would be very

interesting to see how they translate the slang terms (the ones that never

appear in the film, that is) and especially, when Jamie and Leah start

speaking in Spanish (how they're gonna translate that, since they're

already

speaking in Spanish?). Besides, seeing BT in a theatre would be a

completely new way to feel it, it would add a new dimension to it, you

would

be so close to them!

A question: Have you included in the stageplay any scene that only

appeared

in the film? Have you created any scene that never appears neither in the

play nor in the film? The character's backgrounds provided by the

actors'

ideas have helped you to understand them better?

>Anyway, I'll keep updating you all as the rehearsals continue and next

week

>I'll include a jpeg of the full cast.

Please, do so! It's so very interesting!!

 

Take care.

Sandra.

**************************************************************

From: DC

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 21:39:05 EST

Subject: Re: BT Scene-- Third Part!

In a message dated 97-12-13 21:20:20 EST, you write:

<<

I apologize again if any other of the members of the list also thought we

were doing wrong.

>>

Sandra,

Thanks for the clarifications. I didn't catch that it was an alternate BT

universe... But your work is great! I think speculating on the "missing

scenes" really gives one insight into the characters and the development

of

the whole story.

Cheers,

Dirk

--

**************************************************************

Date: Sun, 14 Dec 1997 20:55:25 +1100

From: Andrew

Subject: Re: BT Scene-- Fourth Part!

Kent wrote:

>Ste weight is fully on Jamie's body. "Now, how 'bout if I touch *you*,

>Jay?" says Ste with a smile. Jamie's response, a warm smile and

>slightly quizzical eyes, says "Oh, God please. I am so excited." When

>Jamie takes Ste's hand in his own, his response becomes unmistakable.

>

Kent, have you been reading those Gordon Merrick novels again? :)

Andy.

**************************************************************

Date: Sun, 14 Dec 1997 21:48:40 +1100

From: Andrew Shepherd <ajs@vision.net.au>

Subject: Re: REHEARSAL UPDATE #1

Here is the web site listing at SydneySidewalk for the Australian stage

performance of Beautiful Thing...

http://www.sidewalk.com.au/DefaultDetail.asp?ID3D11103

Andy.

**************************************************************

Date: Sun, 14 Dec 1997 13:23:00 +0100

From: jmcs

Subject: BT Scene-- Fifth Part!

 

 

Now, he bends over Jamie and, very softly, Ste starts sliding his lips

across his beloved's face. A lingering kiss on each eyelid, an

affectionate rub to Jamie's nose with his own. Jamie giggles and

sighs

while Ste rains small, tiny kisses all over his cheeks, his nose, his

forehead, his lips, his chin...

"Oh, Ste!!", Jamie moans, his hands wandering and drawing circles on

his

back.

"I love you, Jay. More than anything", Ste whispers in Jamie's ear

and

kissing it at the same time. Jamie's body starts trembling again.

Ste tightens his arms around his love's thin frame. Jamie's eyes are

bright with unshed tears.

"Oh, my lo...", Ste takes his lips in a passionate kiss. Jamie raises

his hand and his fingertips start caressing Ste's neck and shoulders.

Ste presses his whole body against Jamie's. They need to be as close

as possible. They are starved for the other's touch, they crave their

beloved's skin.

"I've never been so alive, so happy, Jamie. You're everything to me,

love", Ste says hiding his face in Jamie's neck. Suddenly shy, he

kisses his throat and cuddles against him. "I need you!!"

"Oh, Ste. I love you so much... I... I..." his hands caress the soft

and

warm back. "You're so soft, so beautiful. The most beautiful thing

that's ever happened to me. I love you!!"

Moaning, Ste sits up and looks at his beloved, entranced. "YOU're the

one who's beautiful!! Your eyes, your lips..." the back of his hand

starts caressing each feature. He bends again and kisses Jamie's eyes

and lips. "Your brows," -(kiss)- "Your hair," -(kiss)- "Your nose,"

-(kiss)- "Your eyes... Did I tell you blue's my favourite colour?", he

asks seductively while rubbing his lips to Jamie's.

"Nooooo!", Jamie moans while pressing his chest against Ste's. Ste's

hand is descending from Jamie's face to his neck, his shoulder...

[continued... Can't you feel the tension growing???]

 

**************************************************************

From: "Kent ."

Subject: BT Scene-- Sixth Part!

Date: Sun, 14 Dec 1997 05:34:14 PST

 

 

They both decided at the same time that they had to know even more of

each other, they had more parts to explore on the landscape of their

bodies. They just couldn't wait!!! As with one mind, they hurriedly

unloosened the buttons of each other's trousers, and the pants were

quickly slid off their legs, and dropped to the floor, one pair settling

atop the other. On the bed, that is the same thing that happened to

Jamie and Ste. They again embraced and could press their legs-- now

nearly totally naked-- against and along each other, sliding up and

down

and in between, locking them and the heat of their passion closer and

closer together.

Ste, in those brief instants when his mind was capable of reflection,

could not believe how fast his heart was racing; Jamie-- well, Jamie

was beyond ecstasy, approaching a floating delirium as his whole being

was Sensation and Feeling. His hands were wrapped tightly around

Ste's

back, as Ste was on top of him. Now he dared to move his caresses

lower; his hands were now on the thin material of Ste's boxer shorts.

 

Gasping aloud at the sensation, knowing how intimate his touching had

just become, he began to let his hands explore the curving shape they

encountered, but oh so very slowly, as if this was a dream and too much

"reality" would snap him awake. But no, he was still in his room, Ste

was pressed firmly against him, and he was starting to feel excited

beyond anything he had thought imaginable. He thought he must be

going

mad, his brain was about to explode, he started to tremble and gasp.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes (he had not realized they had become

closed

in his rapture), and he saw Ste, or rather, the top and back of Ste's

head, pressed against him. It seemed as if Ste was biting his lips,

or

maybe they were just trembling, too?

[continued...]

**************************************************************

Date: Sun, 14 Dec 1997 23:01:23 -0500

From: "Harry

Subject: Visits to Hallowed Ground

I have to confess that all my efforts to get 'into' BT have changed my

ability to 'get lost' into a story told by a film. The wandering about

Thamesmead, the Cutty Sark, a ride on the 180 bus, a couple of different

visits to the Gloucester, the comparing scene by scene bwtween the stage

play and film script, and all our discussions over the past year have left

me looking at most films and tv productions as pieces of work. I guess it

was a comment by Davie shortly before he dropped out of the dialogue that

brought me up short. I don't want to repeat it for it might have a

similar

effect on others but I'm a bit too close to the production and a bit too

distant from the fantasy for my taste. The craft of the job is now my

first impression of a piece of work: how was a scene filmed, who was doing

what, where were the cameras and how many times did the actors do the

scene.

I also have to confess that even though I have a couple of copies of the

video I haven't watched BT all the way through on the small screen. My

last viewing of the film (my 15th, 16th or 17th) was the last performance

in Center City Philadelphia last Spring. It is only listening to the

music

that I can conjure up the feeling that BT left me.

Of course I still pursue BT notes and items and I love the mailing list :

) but the BT feeling seems illusive, as though I've looked too closely at

the magic and it ceased to be magic. It's special, don't get me wrong,

just I've lost my way.

Maybe, also, it's bound up with Glen Berry and Scott Neal rather than

Jamie

and Ste. Maybe I want to believe that they really are lovers and that I

don't think that's in the cards.

Anyway, my BT thoughts at the moment (and Eric's BT site is terrific) : )

- Harry

--

**************************************************************

Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 12:53:28 -0800 (PST)

From: Mike

Subject: Re: Visits to Hallowed Ground

At 11:01 PM -0500 12/14/97, Harry wrote:

<snip>

>I love the mailing list :) but the BT feeling seems illusive, as though

>I've >looked too closely at the magic and it ceased to be magic. It's

>special, don't >get me wrong, just I've lost my way.

>

I feel somewhat the same way, Harry. I've seen the film/video many times

and have shared it with many friends (even groups of people). The film

still means a lot to me but it doesn't always evoke the same 'magic'.

Way back in the first incarnation of this list I was asking the question,

how can we make the 'magic' BT evokes more apart of our lives? I pointed

out then that the Beautiful Thing about BT is what it conjures _in us_.

That feeling, what we're calling 'magic', is in US, not the film. The film

is just celluloid or video tape. I think this is very important to

understand.

One way we've succeeded in making this 'magic' more apart of our lives is

this list. There is a magical quality to it because we've all been touched

by the same thing -- and because each of us in our own way bring some of

that magic to the list (through our 'fan' enthusiasm if nothing else).

There is a Zen proverb, however, which warns us not to mistake the finger

for that toward which it points. BT is the finger, the 'magic' is that to

which BT points.

BT had a dramatic influence on my life because it showed me something I

was

barely aware of -- that I had certain needs in my life that weren't being

met within my relationship. Yes, I was in a loving relationship, but it

had

its problems (as all relationships do) and there was something missing _in

me_ within that relationship. BT helped me see some of what was missing.

The words I used at the time were 'passion' and 'presence'. After seeing

BT

I thought to myself, "I want that kind of passion and presence in my

life!"

Once I could 'feel' this need more consciously and articulate it more

clearly, I brought this into my relationship with David. It became clear

that something was shifting in me and I needed this to be acknowledged and

reflected within the relationship.

As it turned out, this was fortuitous in the *extreme*. About the same

time

the original list started, David (my lover) was diagnosed with a brain

tumor which, within two weeks, took his life. Believe me, those two weeks

were the most 'passionate' (obviously I don't mean sexual) and 'present'

weeks of my life. Suddenly David and I were 'there' with one another in

much the same way Jamie and Ste are 'there' for one another in BT. It was

INTENSE! What is more, the time immediately following David's death was

equally 'intense'; I was fortunate to have so many loving friends around

me

both in RL (real life) and on the Internet (including this list). It

probably saved me from going out of my mind.

But then something else happened: I met my new lover, Thomas. It was a

shock to me that a new love could emerge in my life so suddenly. I

certainly wasn't 'looking' for it, much less expecting it. I was (and

still

am) in mourning for David. Yet there was this new man who was attracted by

the very 'passion' and 'presence' that BT and, subsequently, David's death

had evoked in my life. We locked onto one another so fast and so strongly

-- like two magnets. Very quickly we became almost inseparable, drawn by

our 'passion' for life, our holding 'presence' as a primary value. Now we

get to work this out along with all the inevitable 'baggage' that each

person brings with him into a relationship. It's always wonderful --

although it isn't always 'easy' or 'comfortable'. Certainly not a 'bed of

roses'. It's far too real for that.

So, for me, the 'magic' isn't in the film. It's in my commitment to that

to

which BT points.

>Maybe, also, it's bound up with Glen Berry and Scott Neal rather than

Jamie

>and Ste. Maybe I want to believe that they really are lovers and that I

>don't think that's in the cards.

Well, now you're in the realm of imagination and fantasy, which is okay so

far as it goes. Its safer than RL and the necessary first step in

understanding more about your RL self (dreams serve much the same

function). But I have a question -- where are YOU in this, Harry? In other

words, what's important isn't whether Glen and Scott are lovers any more

than whether Jamie and Ste are lovers -- since the first pair are not

people you know personally and the second pair are works of art. They all

operate as figures within your own imagination. They 'live' in _you_ and

are the psychic embodiments (aka 'projections') of your own needs and

desires. Does this make sense? (Hey, I live in California, I can say stuff

like this ;-) ). The question I have is, how can you become 'present'

enough to these needs and desires in yourself that you can begin to embody

them, actually live them in your life? Understand, I'm not asking an

academic question here and I'm not expecting or offering an answer. This

is

a _very important_ question, one of those questions who's 'answer' can not

be presented in words in the mind. It must be worked out through your

experiences of living an ever more authentic -- from the heart -- life. Do

you see what I'm getting at?

I realize that by writing this to the list I run the risk of embarrassing

you in some way. That is certainly not my intention and if I have done so,

here is my apology in advance. My reason for bringing this to the list

rather than privately to you is that I think this question is important

enough to be considered by everyone, each in his or her own way. For me

that begins with understanding that the 'magic' of BT is not 'out there'

in

some work of art. That which is evoked in us IS OURS! It belongs to us and

is ours to embody (literally, make apart of our bodies) and use in our

lives. I know from first hand experience just how important that is. It is

precisely this, IMO, which makes works of art (of whatever sort)

meaningful. Being an 'artist' myself, I take these things _very_ seriously

-- which is not without an appropriate sense of humor, you understand. :-)

Art, like dreams shared collectively, can help us understand ourselves and

our lives more clearly. Help us understand who and what we really are --

which is much more than we generally know. In this way, art can actually

contribute to the quality of our life experience. Provided, of course, we

are willing and able to 'own' as our own the Beautiful Things it inspires

in us.

Love to you all,

Mike

**************************************************************

Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 00:38:35 +0100

From: jmcs

Subject: Re: Visits to Hallowed Ground

At 23:01 14/12/97 -0500, Harry wrote:

>I have to confess that all my efforts to get 'into' BT have changed my

>ability to 'get lost' into a story told by a film. The wandering about

>Thamesmead, the Cutty Sark, a ride on the 180 bus, a couple of different

>visits to the Gloucester, the comparing scene by scene bwtween the stage

>play and film script, and all our discussions over the past year have

left

>me looking at most films and tv productions as pieces of work. I guess

it

>was a comment by Davie shortly before he dropped out of the dialogue that

>brought me up short. I don't want to repeat it for it might have a

similar

>effect on others but I'm a bit too close to the production and a bit too

>distant from the fantasy for my taste. The craft of the job is now my

>first impression of a piece of work: how was a scene filmed, who was

doing

>what, where were the cameras and how many times did the actors do the

>scene.

>I also have to confess that even though I have a couple of copies of the

>video I haven't watched BT all the way through on the small screen. My

>last viewing of the film (my 15th, 16th or 17th) was the last performance

>in Center City Philadelphia last Spring. It is only listening to the

music

>that I can conjure up the feeling that BT left me.

>Of course I still pursue BT notes and items and I love the mailing list

:

>) but the BT feeling seems illusive, as though I've looked too closely

at

>the magic and it ceased to be magic. It's special, don't get me wrong,

>just I've lost my way.

>Maybe, also, it's bound up with Glen Berry and Scott Neal rather than

Jamie

>and Ste. Maybe I want to believe that they really are lovers and that I

>don't think that's in the cards.

>Anyway, my BT thoughts at the moment (and Eric's BT site is terrific) :

)

- Harry

 

Hi everybody,

Harry, I can understand how you feel. So often I've reached that point

with

many films: "Bah, it's just a movie! Real life is not that perfect.

They're just actors playing a character. Maybe they don't even like

each

other in real life..." And suddenly, the magic was gone.

But you know what? Not with BT. I REFUSE to let that happen with BT. A

couple of times I almost reached that point: When I learned Scott's

tears

were faked 'cause he couldn't cry and when I knew they had several

drinks

before kissing each other. But I didn't let that discourage me.

Instead, I

turned the situation in my mind into a funny experience. I imagined Glen

saying Scott: "D'you want me to beat you? Maybe that way you'll cry."

Or,

after the whiskeys, I imagined Hettie saying to the boys: "... and then

you

stop by the tree, you go to him and you start kissing." And Scott asked:

"Which of'em? I see three Glens." The point is to turn everything into

a

positive experience.

It's rather stupid, I know, but that's the way I face things in my

life.

When I have a problem, a serious problem, I say to myself: "You have no

right to complain. Some people find themselves in far worse situations.

Look at the bright side of life, you'll always find something worth

smiling

for. Even now."

The last three years have not been easy for me. But one winter day, BT

came

to me and as strange as it may seem, I learned a lesson from it. Magic

exists. Here. Now, there's magic. Everywhere. The 90 minutes I spent

smiling while watching BT were magic. Everytime I see it again, there's

magic. Every single post all of you write is magic. And the hours I

spend

daydreaming about BT, Glen, Scott... are magic. It doesn't matter that

in

real life they're just actors playing a role. It doesn't matter they

are not

gay in real life. What matters is what you think, what you create. Your

magic. Maybe they are not that nice in real life, maybe reality will

shatter our dreams. Reality is the monster that always ends up shattering

our dreams. But we can't let that happen. Because we are magic, we

create

magic, and without us magic would never exist.

I'd also love Glen and Scott were lovers, but they are friends, and a

good

friend is one, if not the greatest of gifts a person can have. A friend is

a

blessing, a comfort, a priceless joy. And I wholeheartedly embrace their

friendship. And I pray they learn to nurture their friendship and make it

grow. They are very fortunate. I hope they cherish it and really value

what

they have. We must learn to accept the things that we can't change.

It's so

very difficult sometimes, but reality is not that bad. Well, only

sometimes...

Gasp! I think this is the most euphemistic post I've ever written. And

the

rosiest, too. I hope you forgive me for my incoherent ramblings.

Harry, it's normal you resent that real life is not as magical and

perfect

as a movie. I do, too. But all you have to do is listen to BT's

soundtrack,

watch it and hope that life will be just a little better tomorrow (even

though you know it won't be) and let yourself soak in the magic every

new

day brings. Our life is not a movie, Thank God!! Can you imagine the

boredom of knowing today will be at least as happy as yesterday was? How

monotonous! :)

Life isn't perfect, but fortunately, there's BT. A mere movie, but

look at

how much happiness it has brought to our lives!! Isn't that in itself

pure

magic? A film is a lie that looks real, but sometimes a lie can make us

feel sooooo good. Live Long, BT!! Take care, Glen and Scott, even though

you are not Jamie and Ste. Jamie and Ste live in our minds, we make them

grow and mature. They are in us. Isn't that magic?

I'd better stop now before my PC breaks down with so much surrealism.

Go on and make your own Beautiful Thing. No one will do it for you. It

depends on you.

 

Take care. (And forgive my eccentric post. I'm between friends, am I

not?

 

Sandra.

**************************************************************

Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 00:57:47 +0100

From: jmcs

Subject: ?iso-8859-1?Q?Mike's? undescribable post

Hello again,

Mike, I really don't know what to say. Just the humblest of thank yous.

You've left me speechless, amazed at your incredible wisdom. As I read

your

post, I thought you were talking to me, talking about me, about what I

really wanted to say and express and I couldn't find the right words to

say

it. I'm not ashamed to say I'm the most inexperienced person in the

list.

Sometimes I think I will never mature. Sometimes I feel as vulnerable and

helpless as a child. So often it scares me. Your words are so comforting,

so

healing... thank you.

I pray all of you will see through my clumsy and awkward words of my

earlier

post and make any sense of them. Writing in English is always a challenge

to me. I don't wanna know what I would have written in Spanish!

Probably

even more stupid nonsense.

Thank you all and thank you, Mike. God bless you.

Take care.

 

Sandra.

**************************************************************

From: "Chris

Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 11:29:14 +0000

Subject: Re: Hello and intro stuff......

> Hello all!

>

> > Ben said " Yes everyone I do know Matthew and he is as lovely as he

> > sounds!"

> I wrote this without realising what was happening. :)

Well I have to say it is true, Matthew is a very very nice man, and

Ben isn't that bad either. (See I told you I could be nice ;-P)

>

> > I think all you students studying in Kent sound lovely, but I'm

> > concerned that a pattern is developing or is ther something in the

> > water,

> > I'm seriously concidering moving if down your way if more closet doors

> > are flung open on this list

> Do move this way, we're a happy bunch of people. Aren't we Chris,

> Mat??!! :P (I won't tell them if you don't want me to!) :)

Of course we are :-) I just get grouchy sometimes.

>

> > Remember Channel4 10pm Wednesday!

> I'll be there watching! :) Remember I have yet to see the film. I've

> only read the play! :) So expect a gushing mail about how great I

think

> it is.

>

> WHEN WILL OUR LEADER ADDRESS US??

Now? :))

> (That's to Chris!) :P

>

> Speak to you soon!!

>

> Ben. xxxxx

>

Chris

**************************************************************

From: DC

Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 10:41:19 EST

Subject: Re: Visits to Hallowed Ground

In a message dated 97-12-16 03:22:27 EST, Mike W. writes:

<< It was a

shock to me that a new love could emerge in my life so suddenly. I

certainly wasn't 'looking' for it, much less expecting it. I was (and

still

am) in mourning for David. >>

 

Mike,

I am very moved by what you have shared with the list, especially because

it

resonates so much with my own experience. My partner, Jimmy, died just

over

five years ago, after we had been together for almost three years. He was

already ill when we got together, so we were able to know form the

beginning

how important it was to be able to present to one another, without shame,

without fear. We became icons in our community of what a loving relationsh

ip

is about.

Shortly after his death, I fell in love again with Jim who became my

lover.

(we are now going in 4 1/2 years!) I am convinced that I was able to fall

in

love again so soon because of my life with Jimmy. However, Jim and I

expect

to have a good, long life together so we have had our rough spots as we

have

taken time to focus on our own careers and vocational formation.

Complicating matters (in society's eyes) is that he is an Anglican

(Episcopal)

priest and I am preparing to become one. _Beautiful Thing_ reminded me of

what it means to be fully present to another person, to be fully open and

honest about who you are. That film helped me to find that again within

me,

which has meant that Jim's and my relationship has become more visible and

open, and therefore stronger and more life-affirming than ever.

Jamie and Ste knew how to share their love, and they have shown so many of

us

how to be open with that love. To use your Zen proverb, BT really is the

finger that points to greater object. I just think that every now and

then we

need a little reminder along the way.

Peace,

Dirk

PS: David/Duncan - perhaps this makes up for not being creative with the

"PFL

Scene"?! :-) Again, I repeat, just who are you and why are you here?

You

did promise and The World wants to know!!!! (At least the BT fans) :-)

--

**************************************************************

From: Duncan

Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 18:21:43 EST

Subject: Sandra, don't ever go away!

In a message dated 16-Dec-1997, Sandra writes:

<<hope that life will be just a little better tomorrow (even

though you know it wont be) and let yourself soak in the magic every new

day brings>>

Sandra,

I think your post is beautiful. (Dare I add that it is a ...

"beautiful thing"?!!!!!) I only wish, however, that you had *not*

added the part in the ( ) about "even though you know it won't

be"!!!! That was entirely too pessimistic and unraveled a tiny

little bit of the "umph" your message packed. I know we can't

all look at the world through rose-colored glasses, but if we

stop holding the world to "higher standards and expectations,"

we really do lose sight of the reason we exist in the first place.

I *must* go on believing that I am on planet earth to try to leave

it in better condition than it was when I arrived on it. I also feel

that you believe that about yourself as well!

So, please, Sandra, do go on inspiring us with your thoughtful

commentary, but please, oh, please, do resist the temptation

to belittle - even in the slightest - your core belief that

tomorrow has *got* to be a better day! I have had enough

difficulty just getting through the last couple years without

going stark-raving mad. It has been the tone and warmth and

SINCERITY of posts like yours that keep me from moving on

to La-La Land!

Feliz Navidad!

David

**************************************************************

From: "Benjo

Subject: Re: ASKII Experiment...

Date: Wed, 17 Dec 1997 13:01:52 +0000 (GMT)

Your experiment didn't work.

Ok guys and girls, I'm sorry to say that this will be my last post of

1997 because I go home on Thursday night (GMT) and I don't have

internet access. (HOW WILL I SURVIVE??) Also, I'll miss you lot. :( But

hopefully I'm meeting up with some univeristy friends (HINT HINT!)

You can reply up until about 7pm GMT on Thursday. After that I'm gone.

:(

BT on the telly tonight! :)

 

Speak to you soon!!

Ben. xxxxx