I like very much the contrast between the three stories. In the first one, the innocence of a child, believing in what his father told him. I sometimes think about that. How our parents told us sweet lies to hide reality, or the way they try to introduce us into it. I remember the first time I traveled abroad, I was 19 years old and went to Russia with my mum. I remember every building and every place were very big, and the differences between the culture here in Spain and there in Russia were also amazing. The second one is quite dark, but not far away from reality. A boy trying to help his girlfriend hurting himself to avoid her doing that... The end of the story is open so I choose to think he succeed with his porpoise. I think, the third one is my favorite. Friendship put to the test. Sometimes you think you know well somebody, but it is not till you live with him/her that you start to know how he/she is. In the end, you both survived and you keep your friendship 😊
You will, pretty soon!😁 Thanks again for reading. This is such a thoughtful comment. And yes, all the stories are quite different, in the beginning I wanted to link them together with a common theme but they ended up being what they are, with nothing else in common other than being true. These stories surprised me too, I didn’t realize I still remembered these moments, especially the first two. Still, I think the next thing I write will be a bit happier.
This was an excellent read, Andrei - thanks for sharing. Love that you didn’t publish something because it was too safe, if only more of us pushed our boundaries with what we feel comfortable publishing. It’s the stuff that we’re scared to write that’s often the most interesting
Yes! 🙌🏻 Thanks for reading. Deciding what to publish this week was a damn emotional roller coaster. I went through multiple drafts until I discovered something I was excited about.
My current best friend was my second college roommate. The first was an insomniac partier and we didn't gel and she moved out after a month. When the new girl moved in, we hit it off immediately. But we were very different, and it didn't take long for us to start to drive each other nuts. I'll never forget the one time we got into an actual physical fight. Can't remember what started it, I only know that we walked away better friends than we were before the fight. I guess we just needed to strangle each other the one time to find our balance. 😂
BTW, I'm really enjoying how much your writing makes me remember things like this. Thank you for the invitation to reminisce.
Thank you for reading! That’s the beauty of memoir, I think. Much easier to directly relate to it, instead of more conceptually or emotionally, like with fiction. I’m glad you got to re-experience those memories!
I love these short essays. It is the small events that bring a person to life. I wish more people would follow your lead. You write beautifully but it is not necessary to be a professional to write your own story.
When I was 19 my friends and I went on the last ride of the big wheel, before the funfair closed for the night. The operator thought he would give us a treat and run it for twice as long as normal. OMG I was never so ill as when I eventually got off that big wheel. And I have never been on one since.
I loved these 3 small pieces. Reading the Vienna one, I was reminded of my only trip there, a long time ago (before you went). I was with a friend and we went to the Prater too and the ferris wheel, and I guess we don't stop being dreamers when we grow up, because I felt myself transported in the black and white world of "The Third Man".
Thanks so much for saying so! I haven’t seen that one yet, but I will. For me, the process of coming up with these pieces really surprised me. I got to relieve some memories I’d never paid much attention to before, and discovered new and wonderful things about them. Ultimately, I really like how this project came out.
I like very much the contrast between the three stories. In the first one, the innocence of a child, believing in what his father told him. I sometimes think about that. How our parents told us sweet lies to hide reality, or the way they try to introduce us into it. I remember the first time I traveled abroad, I was 19 years old and went to Russia with my mum. I remember every building and every place were very big, and the differences between the culture here in Spain and there in Russia were also amazing. The second one is quite dark, but not far away from reality. A boy trying to help his girlfriend hurting himself to avoid her doing that... The end of the story is open so I choose to think he succeed with his porpoise. I think, the third one is my favorite. Friendship put to the test. Sometimes you think you know well somebody, but it is not till you live with him/her that you start to know how he/she is. In the end, you both survived and you keep your friendship 😊
Hope to read more from you soon 😃
You will, pretty soon!😁 Thanks again for reading. This is such a thoughtful comment. And yes, all the stories are quite different, in the beginning I wanted to link them together with a common theme but they ended up being what they are, with nothing else in common other than being true. These stories surprised me too, I didn’t realize I still remembered these moments, especially the first two. Still, I think the next thing I write will be a bit happier.
Thanks to M.E. Rothwell for the recommendation. I enjoyed all three of these mini essays and look forward to more.
Thanks so much for reading!
This was an excellent read, Andrei - thanks for sharing. Love that you didn’t publish something because it was too safe, if only more of us pushed our boundaries with what we feel comfortable publishing. It’s the stuff that we’re scared to write that’s often the most interesting
Yes! 🙌🏻 Thanks for reading. Deciding what to publish this week was a damn emotional roller coaster. I went through multiple drafts until I discovered something I was excited about.
Well the result was worth it. Brilliant
My current best friend was my second college roommate. The first was an insomniac partier and we didn't gel and she moved out after a month. When the new girl moved in, we hit it off immediately. But we were very different, and it didn't take long for us to start to drive each other nuts. I'll never forget the one time we got into an actual physical fight. Can't remember what started it, I only know that we walked away better friends than we were before the fight. I guess we just needed to strangle each other the one time to find our balance. 😂
BTW, I'm really enjoying how much your writing makes me remember things like this. Thank you for the invitation to reminisce.
Thank you for reading! That’s the beauty of memoir, I think. Much easier to directly relate to it, instead of more conceptually or emotionally, like with fiction. I’m glad you got to re-experience those memories!
I love these short essays. It is the small events that bring a person to life. I wish more people would follow your lead. You write beautifully but it is not necessary to be a professional to write your own story.
When I was 19 my friends and I went on the last ride of the big wheel, before the funfair closed for the night. The operator thought he would give us a treat and run it for twice as long as normal. OMG I was never so ill as when I eventually got off that big wheel. And I have never been on one since.
Thanks so much for reading! Maybe someday I will be a professional, who knows!😳
Oh my! Bravo. Dark? No! You wrote of life.
a non-brainer to put a 💙 on this.
Loved them all.
I was in every step of #1. I saw everything vividly through the boy’s eyes
#2 opened emotions recalling a friend’s pain and hurting herself
#3 I saw, I smelled, felt emotions, and understood the almost loss of a friend
Thank you!
Thank you so much for reading, and I’m glad you enjoyed!
Andrei, I love your writing. I look forward to reading more of it.
I really appreciate you saying so! Looking forward to having you as a reader.
I loved these 3 small pieces. Reading the Vienna one, I was reminded of my only trip there, a long time ago (before you went). I was with a friend and we went to the Prater too and the ferris wheel, and I guess we don't stop being dreamers when we grow up, because I felt myself transported in the black and white world of "The Third Man".
And we definitely don’t stop being dreamers when we grow up. I hope this will never change for me.
Thanks so much for saying so! I haven’t seen that one yet, but I will. For me, the process of coming up with these pieces really surprised me. I got to relieve some memories I’d never paid much attention to before, and discovered new and wonderful things about them. Ultimately, I really like how this project came out.
Such good writing style, Andrei! I perceive the Romanian culture and customs in between the lines. 😉
You have all the reasons to be proud, as you write in your latest Note. 👏🏼