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I (Don't) Play Rocky...

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Dear Juliet Maybe I'm being a bit self-indulgent, but I just saw the trailer for I Play Rocky and it gave rise to a few mushy thoughts... Back in the days of Dear Miss Landau , it did seem like I was washed-up . I'd taken the literary beating of all time about Macnab in 2009 and, creatively exhausted, I shelved it. Then, for a bit of fun, I thought I'd write a short story about a certain character in Buffy . It was maybe a bit like suddenly getting a shot at the title. Hollywood royalty and one of the greatest IPs in the world. It takes a while for heavyweights to hit peak form, and I had no idea that grinding away chiefly on Macnab for twelve or thirteen years had beaten my neural networks into top shape. As Dear Miss Landau  and New Scientist explained: “It seems you have to put in at least a decade of focused work to master something and bring greatness within reach ...  both the number and strength of the nerve connections associated with a memory or skill increase ...
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From San Diego to Mazar-e-Sharif!

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Dear Juliet I hope you enjoy the upcoming convention in San Diego. I think you reread The Glorious 14th , amongst a few others? Well, it's all up to you (see Timshel and the Big Toe ) but I could send you the updated Dru Quartet if you'd like? Graveyard has had some modifications and exposition. Actually, there's no one else on the planet I'd send them to... Anyway: Love, James
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Nature Therapy Films (Point Lobos)

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Dear Juliet I found this one hour spiritual travelogue about Point Lobos today. It begins at Gibson Beach, I'm pleased to say. I hope you're okay and I hope you enjoy it? Remember, you don't have to be perfect to be liked, and I like you just the way you are. Love, James
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Are You Okay, J?

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 Dear Juliet Are you okay, J? Are you scared the shoe's going to drop? No, it won't. It's okay. Well, I have to work tonight and tomorrow night (Monday-Tuesday) but a substantial portion of my day is usually free and I usually carry my smartphone with me. I think you remember my email address... Take care, and God bless. Love, James
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Bouquet From Bridgnorth!

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Dear Juliet I'm probably going to be shot at dawn for this (and I'm really not a morning person...) but I thought you'd like this metaphorical bouquet from Bridgnorth! I didn't really have the stuffing to climb up to the High Town again and, walking over the bridge, noticed these beautiful flower baskets. I lined up a couple of shots, I hope you like your flowers. I really liked doing that. You're really worth it. Love, James
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Even Gene Kelly Missed a Step!

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Dear Juliet I don't know if the emotional floodgates are opening, although it's quite likely. Yes, there are worse solutions than Ben & Jerry's. I think I'll get through one myself tonight. It's absolutely normal sometimes to feel the need to sob your guts out, and I think it would be/has been very good for you. How are you feeling now? I just filed photographs all afternoon and I have three calls this evening, might dance in the street again afterwards! Not quite like opening an emotional floodgate, but it's healthy. You'll be on my mind. There's nothing wrong with having eyes red-rimmed from crying, it's just part of who you are. You don't have to be perfect. Even Gene Kelly occasionally missed a step! I'll check in and see if there's been any activity on the blog when I get back tonight. Probably about 3.00 pm your time. Everything will be okay. Love, James
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Through The Valley Of Death For My Helen of Troy!

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Dear Juliet I see you read a few blogs last night? Well, if you're having a bit of a crisis don't worry, I'm here. And as Frasier Crane would say, "I'm listening." It's all right. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. Everyone has these two o'clock in the morning moments; where reality crashes in and you feel like the wreck of the Hesperus , storm-tossed amidst heaving seas. I'm not too bad myself, but I usually feel pretty grouchy and hopeless in the mornings. This too shall pass. Have a hug: 🤗 It's actually been a slow news day here, so I was thinking of showing you a few old shots from Needles in Death Valley. That segued on to thoughts of whether you might retire from a declining Hollywood and buy a flat in Primrose Hill, but I won't dwell on that. So: 1) You've got my contact details if you need to unload (reminds me of that time you were being overwhelmed by moths and spiders in London in 2011 and we spent half the nigh...
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