Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog’s Comments (group member since Sep 11, 2012)

Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog’s comments from the Brandon Shire Fan Group group.

Anna (Bananas!) wrote: "I'll have to properly buy a copy of The Value of Rain."


Me too Anna. I haven't purchased it yet. I will next week. Then I'll have to file it away, under lock and key until the buddy read. I'm gonna be a slobbery mess.

I've been meaning to post this for a week or so, eh, but that's me.

Our group, as mentioned above, made a donation to GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services - GLBTAYS.org, last month. I received not only a personalized form letter but also a full page hand written thank you.

Neither letter asked for further donations but both just thank us for Our support, in Brandon's name.

I just wanted to mention this because I find it very rare to receive this kind of acknowledgement. I don't donate financially often, but I when I have I don't think I've ever received this level of personal recognition. It's nice to see first hand that your contribution really reached a person.

Anyways, they seem like a great group and are doing super important work. If you are a holiday season donator, like I am, I can really recommend supporting them.

Congratulations Anna, I'm very impressed...but not surprised.

I'm afraid Brandon will come up with something much harder next time. Uh oh! I'll be in big trouble.

:)

The Amy Winehouse cover and his other covers really worked for me. Great stuff, thanks!

Shirley wrote: " I think he much rather be with an equal or with someone who could challenge him...."


This is a big part of why I really enjoy Hunter and Dillon together. They both come across as strong characters that have faced and conquered challenges.

It's interesting to think about Hunter seeking his freedom, to live his own life, compared to Dillon being comfortable and then having everything taken away. Kind of an interesting dichotomy of circumstances.

I don't think Brandon is done with us though. I think he's really got something up his sleeve for A2.

I'm lovin' the new energy on this thread. Great discussion.

Backing up a few paces, I really got it when Hunter asked "Frank" to describe the street scene, that Hunter was looking to find something, more, in "Frank". I don't think Hunter has a lot of patience for stupid, not that he wouldn't have taken "Frank" home regardless, but it was obvious Hunter was surprised to find something more there.

***

Girl-friends, love 'em and can hate 'em. The worst part of being funny/catty/judgmental/bitchy...etc, is when you're called out on it. Especially by a girl-friend. "Hey, you didn't give her a chance." Ouch! If a man would say that to me, I might blow him off for not understanding "how women are." If another woman called me out on it, I would be shamed and humiliated. It's easy to go too far, and SO hard to stop at the beginning of that "fun" and THINK.

Guilty, guilty, guilty.

***

@Ja'M, leave it to you to make me wonder who else here has a blindfold. o_O

There seems to be some discussion about not being able to envision Hunter and Dillon. Brandon has said this was intentional and I've had these thoughts:

I didn't notice it during the first read and have yet to see if it bothers me during the reread but maybe we're not supposed to picture them. Hunter has no visual reference to draw from to describe things. I think Brandon worked really hard to get us to see things differently. I know you all know that already, but we still cling to our visions of descriptions when I think what Brandon hopes we would do is feel the description. Can I feel, rather than see each character?

I'm not sure whether a blind person has a mental image or not. I'm not sure if they could. If they're blind from birth how could they? So their three dimensional grid has to be filled other things; with texture and smell and even tensile density to form an understanding. Does any of that make sense? Is there even a way that that could be written so we, sightlings, would be able to 'feel' the characters?

I'm going to try to read this with that in mind. I'll try to feel the sensations rather than picture them. Maybe I'll feel ripped off or something, but hopefully I'll feel more rewarded. Hm, we'll see.

December 6th Sheri!

Yes, The Value of Rain. I haven't read it yet, but I know it's intense and I don't think it was intended as a romance.

Listening to Dust is gorgeous and beautiful but in a very dark and gut-wrenching way. I love it, but be careful that you're ready to read it.

That sounds like a great time for me. I'll put it on my calendar. I'll see if I can figure out how to add it here too. Susan added the group read for Afflicted.

deirdre wrote: "the value of rain . . . i am planning that after the holidays and during my time off from work. . . ."

We're planning a buddy read, right d?

I didn't give it a lot of thought the first time 'round, but I really love the idea. Why isn't this done? A full production recording of great writing, with different voice actors, sound effects and music. Hell, you could probably sell advertising, just like they used to.

I suppose finding a audience might be hard, but I think it could really resonate (snicker) with some. My kindle plays mp3's and there are times that I would love to listen to a quality book recording. I kinda want it.

Frantically??? Really?

Well, it is good to have Susan's attention, isn't it? :)


Hey Ja'M, now you're here we can get this party started!

Both Dust and SF are PAIN. Pain with beauty in there though, but lots of pain.

I am thinking Rain will be worse(?). I think it's for entirely different reasons though.

Brandon, you describe Hunter's business of publishing audio books as something akin to "old radio style programs". It sounds like Hunter looks for modern, edgy books with an ear to detail. Is this something that exists, or did you make this up?

I used to love listening to old radio shows. As a kid I used to sail a lot and when we were off-shore we couldn't get tv, so we tuned into an L.A. radio station that played some of those old shows. I haven't really heard any recently. This concept with a modern twist could be very enjoyable.

The audio books I've heard just always lack something or flat out change my take on the book. Those old shows were an entire production, completely different than audio books.

Really glad you're both here Jen and Sheri.

Jen, I've been forewarned by Brandon NOT to read The Value Of Rain during the holidays or anytime you can't be destroyed. Listening To Dust was terribly emotional too and you might want to be in a good solid place first.

Sheri, I don't want you to be spoiler'd on Afflicted but want you to join in the discussion. Hurry, read faster, LOL ;)

I looked it up last night and the record is something like reading 4,000 wpm. What? With a retention of 63%. Wow.

I love a fast paced book, one that reads intensely and is a speed fest, page turner, BUT, what I really love is slow, savory writing that makes me reach down for the underlying meaning to the writers words. I never know if it's intentional on the authors part but I'd like to think they're trying to reach me on a deeper level. That's exactly what I think I've found in Brandon's writing, and why I can reread it again, with enjoyment.

Getting lost in reading is why I read. If the author changes my pace, all the better. I'm sure there have been passages where I've read 1,000 wpm (???) and others where I've slowed to 10 wpm. Hopefully it's the intention of the author to make me read like that. If I'm reading slowly because I don't comprehend, that's a shame. If I'm reading slowly to savor, that's a win.

Brandon's writing, particularly in Dust, affected my heart rate. Causing changes both up and down. That's stellar.

Thanks Baba, I love bunnies and snow bunnies are the best!

I'm feeling all better today :D

Brandon wrote: "I read 800 wpm and I still can't keep up. Maybe I need to be more selective. :)


I have never tested my reading speed...until tonight. Damn Brandon! I won't even reveal my speed (although it is better than average).

I still have confidence in my comprehension abilities though. ^_^

I think it's sweet enough for you both and not too tech-y, while at the same time making you wonder how you'd do in such a situation. Really likeable MC's too.

Thanks for my evening's entertainment Brandon. Let me hit you back:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pivLTW...

There were so many to choose from, but this just spoke to me. It's original, not a cover so maybe it doesn't quite fit. Maybe you'll forgive me.