Intimates

[thrihyrne]

Just finished watching “The Sum of Us.” I first saw this film in Australia when it was in theatres there, my first trip back in 1994 (3 days after turning 16 in 1986 I flew from Virginia to Brisbane and lived there for a year, where I met one of the truest “pals ‘o me heart” to quote O’Neill, a best friend of mine for nigh on 17 years now, jensa). I watched it with T. and her husband, and was drunk on the accent and being back, at home.

This was the third or so time I’ve seen it since then, and I was again struck by its honesty, and how wonderful it is to see Russell Crowe before he was famous, and the witty dialogue, and the fact that it will break your heart to see such astute observations on life, and love, and family obligation (and hotness! I had no idea of slash and/or gay life when I saw it first, I’m sure, and seeing it now just made me giddy in its unabashed splendor). All articulated with one of the most beautifully honest accents I know, the Australian. While I have become captivated by exotic Scottish lyricism (fie on you, Billy Boyd, and your gorgeous country into which I fell into immediate lust), it is the Australian brogue in which I am most at ease, and can, as a Selkie back into her sealskin, slide with only the most sussurative of murmurs. There is no languor like speaking, “Yeah?” pronounced “yehhhh?” with a slight lilt at the end which is Australian. There is golden sunlight in the words “goodonyeh” even when pronounced by your dearest confidante, PhD, in tepid winter midday in the midst of discussing one of the blackest, bleakest days you ever shared from halfway across the world, when your other best friend was dead.

Especially after having seen, a day earlier, the mirth in such dark expressive eyes, hooded over hot coffee, hands patting their beloved poochie and me having danced belatedly in the shower to a song from my youth that T. so generously affirmed for me (“This is Australia” by Kangajang, popular on Aussie radio ’86)… and hearing in affectionate confidence, “Oh now, Kristi,” breathed out in a way that lingers unspeakable to American tongue.

Friendship is the most sacred covenant to which I have ever been freely bound, and I long since surrendered as a supplicant. Blood ties are one thing, and marital another, but those with whom one chooses to cleave one’s heart, beyond family and physicality, are on quite another plane. They can allow you to feel sublime, to be washed when you feel beyond being cleansed, to be admired and adored when you feel useless.


I guess this is my treatise short commentary on friendship.

Have to put in this quote from ASTB, as it made me think of T., and R., and myself:

Above on my perch I sit and watch. Alone one man.

---Not entirely alone, said Scrotes.

---No, MacMurrough conceded. One is never alone with the ghost of a friend.

Comments

[jensa.livejournal.com]

Gads. Now you've made me cry. At work no less. *big, trans-pacific hug*

That is beautifully written, a pure joy to read such depth of emotion in finely wrought text. You really must treatise more often. *g* Have had brain-buzz lately - am in midst of writing you letter so beware... ;)

Just in passing, I would like to note that in the past couple of years, I have gotten to know a handful of gorgeously sensitive, politically savvy and beautiful boys (ie. under-25s). One of them just gave me a going away present and hugged me goodbye. *eyes water up* It was so sweet.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. I didn't mean to make you cry!! Thank you for your kind words about the mini-treatise. You are just so dear to me. I don't know how I have been so blessed to have so many deep-souled, intelligent, beautiful friends. But I have. I got your orange flyer over the weekend- I LOVE it!! It's hilarious! I especially loved all of your rooming options. What a riot.

(((mega cross-Pacific hugs back to you)))

[mrsronweasley.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, MacEmm... God, I love that quote so much. Thank you for that.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

God, I love that quote so much. Thank you for that.

I do too! You're welcome. It's in my footer of my email right now. Just "spot on."

I need to write to you about my reading experience of ASTB. I kindof cheated and hurried through parts of the end so I'd just know what happens, so I'm going to slowly reread the whole thing.

[helveticat.livejournal.com]

Wow.

I like you.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Wow.

I like you.

*blush*
I like you too.

[llembas.livejournal.com]

Gah! Even your lj posts are beautifully written.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Gah! Even your lj posts are beautifully written.

J., you know that isn't the truth. :P Usually it's rambling or matter-of-fact. I was very sentimental last night. But I'm flattered that you think it was beautiful.

I've been thinking about you a lot. Please know that I'm holding you and your family in my heart.