Letters from the Inside, Michael Swango, #117-118

Dear Kelly,
Much to get to, but not much time today. So let me write what I can now get that in the mail and then write more over the weekend.

OMGKK! Your letter just arrived/mentions the premiere of Amir's new film "Building Stories" on May 11. I am so genuinely excited! That is so cool and so awesome. And you are part of it! Having seen "Wag the Dog" I am of course aware the producer is the heart and soul and brains of any film worth its salt and all hail the exec producer.

And speaking at the premiere--Donald Trump and Pete Hamill! Again--awesome and impressive. Clearly your executive producer has some great connections. You probably know that Trump has been everywhere on TV the pst few weeks, teasing teh media with hints of a run for President. I would not bve at all surprised if there is some element of this in the natiional press at hte premiere since Trump will be in attendance.

In the interim could you sendm e smoe info/bio on architect Costa Kondyllis? Must be an interesting man to attract the attention of Amir and PBS.

So glad ot hear your work has picked up so much. That has to be a major calming influence on your otherwise stress-filled (so-called) life. Wasn't that long ago that you were almost desperate for new clients. Must be your high public profile and winning personality! :-)

By the way: You and Amir = Power Couple.

Thanks you for Ozymandias. It is just as stirring and unforgetable as I remember. When I watched the statues of Lenin fall in the late 80s and 90s it was that poem that I thought of. When the Romanian dictor Ceausescu, absolute despot of Romania for 22 years was executed by his own poeple on ChristmasDay 1989...It was the ancient fallen statue of Ozymandias that came to mind...same when I first saw the massive feet of the statue in Lost.

Don't ask me why but I always connect it to Sailing to Byzantium. They both hav ethe feel of eternal unchanging time.

So frustrating! Several things of interest (I hope) to say regarding both the subway vignette and the bookstore blog entry by John. but not enough time to do them justice. Will start there next time.

The 2 hour pilot of THE KILLING was brilliiant, dark, and bleak. In other words: PERFECT. I am sure you and I will be talking a lot about this show.

Again, sorry this is so short. More to follow very soon You take care and stay safe. I'm glad you added these words:

"Believe me I appreciate my Amir and let him know it. I love him more than anyone and he is very clear on this."

Appreciating one's love and telling them so is often so rarely done. Lord knows Amir should be clear on this...how many times has he been told?


Your friend,
Michael
***

Dear Kelly,

Hi sunshine! At least your "inner Kelly" matches the weather outside. Since you suffer from a least a mild case of SAD the onset of spring weather has to improve your general mood,n'est-ce pas?

Before resuming where I left off, a few times:


- You may recall my early-on comment about the unusual number of KK's on this planet. Meet one with an even more alliterative name than your own:

KATTY KAY (pronounced CATTY]

She is the Washington correspondenbt for the BBC and one of the few talking heads who I will go out of my way to listen to. Very bright, with original insights on our American ways. She also occasionally hosts the BBC World News which airs on BBC-A/PBS.

- The first season of Masters of Horror has finished airing . Many thanks for your season 1 guide. Could you do the same for Season 2? They may not always be your cup of tea but all are highly original and well-done. Again the whole idea was to give well-known directors of horror/terror films a virtual free hand to tell a one-hour story.

- [Ed.: Omitting Civil War piece talk.]

- WTHell! the power of music the complete opposite of the magisterial "A. Farewell" ... "What the Hell" is the latest song from Avril Lavigne---pure pop/infectiously chirpy--one it is in your head...

"All my life I've been good, but now
Wo-o, Wo-o, Wo-- Wo-o

What the Hell!

Yes, I know, lyrics worthy of Yeats!

***

Yes, I was a bit confused regarding the two HIV John stories. You are normally quite clear and precise so I probably missed the appropriate clues (which bothers me because I read everything quite closely) Anyway...that does put the subway incident in a much more chilling lightg. It somwhat mirrors the filctional story of how two people met across a room..that you sent me.

NYC is the prefect laboratory for the Law of Large Numbers. Another subject to discuss.

The second story about "The Bookstore" Written by John. I do realize exactly waht you are saying about that story being written to appeal to and prey upon people's sensibilities. But more interesting was your comment that you were surprised I was touched by it.

This raises two fascinating points we've touched upon before:

> Even those with sociopathic traits in some areas of their lives can be deeply and emotionally and genuinely moved by events or things in other areas of their lives.

> Have you ever considered the possiblity that a sociopath (male or female) could be "ensnared" by an even more insidious sociopath? or one who is more complete?

A novel I have thought about in this regard, with a twist:

Two sociopaths meet in college. Both realize instinctively that they were really made for each other and that such a mate will not come along again. Adopting Cleckely's "mask of sanity" , they stay together.

Have no fear KK: For our literary purposes we can dispense with the accuracy of partial sociopaths. These two can be icy and complete, except in their "love", devotion and obsession with each other... Both pursue lucrative careers, professions where their sociopathic tendencies can be subsumed and hidden. They marry. They have a child or children. Not because they are loving parents (they only love themselves and each other), or because they give their children a better l iife, but because the children can adance their needs, wants and desires... How such a child is raised (and perhaps sacrificed to our evil duo) is part of the novel...as is the story of how our couple amuse themselves with the lives of family, friends and co-workers and whoever else crosses their paths...

Your thoughts, Kelly? I an imagine solme horrendous and riveting chapters.

Wow! All the above from your brief paragraph.

Fascinating that you are still in touch with, albeit sproradically, Reidtard. Do any of your ex-boyfriends have nice nicknames? Reidtard, HIV John....???


He is clearly still smitten and obsessed. Let's face it, Kelly: Men love you and women want to be you!



[Ed.: Omitting film discussion.]

Yours,
Michael