Confessions of a Jackie Collins Addict!

Hey everyone,

This week, I read Jackie Collins’ latest novel, Confessions of a Wild Child: Lucky- the Early Years.  Jackie Collins is a New York Times bestselling author whose sister, Joan, was the legendary Alexis Carrington of the popular 1980’s show, Dynasty.  Jackie Collins’ beloved heroine is Lucky Santangelo, and the character has appeared in 8 of her books: Chances, Lucky, Lady Boss, Vendetta: Lucky’s Revenge, Dangerous Kiss, Drop Dead Beautiful, Poor Little Bitch Girl, and Goddess of Vengeance. The latest Lucky novel depicts her teenage years as briefly touched upon in Chances, but has more love, sex, boys, and oh, did I say, SEX? 😉

I love Jackie Collins and I respect her very much. She and her sisters came from a poor British background and her talent was one of writing and creating stories. She revolutionized modern literature by taking an inspiration in her own time, a novel by D.H. Lawrence called Lady Chatterley’s Lover.  She not only writes about sexual practices but in a way that celebrates the empowerment of women, unlike much of her contemporaries, E.L. James (author of the Fifty Shades of Grey series) which convey S&M and male dominance in romantic and sexual relationships. As an aspiring writer, I want to write erotic fiction the way Jackie Collins does, but about gay empowerment, as Kim and I are doing a project on the uprising and empowerment of the gay community.  I am thinking of writing about L.G.B.T. love in young adult novels.  I want to write about love in every aspect, where my characters find what they’re looking for. Everyone is entitled to happiness and I look forward to my happy ending. 🙂

Wishing you love,

Franco

My Muse

Last semester, I was in a dilemma, and my life had begun to unravel.  The only solace I had was Kim.  She and I both took “Writing Your Life: The Art of Personal Narrative” with Kate Gies, a remarkable woman and phenomenal teacher.  In that class, I shared my innermost thoughts and feelings via free writes, for which I received tons of compliments.

I never would have gotten through these last few months without Kim and her unconditional love and patience.  To this day, she lets me ramble about my problems and secrets, and she always manages to calm me down and give me a healthy perspective.  She has never judged me.

In Kate’s class on November 8, 2013, we were asked to write a poem.  Kim and I, as well as our friend, Leslie, composed a piece that is inspirational to me in trying times.  This poem can be found in the Poems section of the blog.

The snow gently falls on the mountain tops

Tops of cake

Cake and ice cream, chocolate, and dreams

Dreams are my heavenly spot where I am safe

Safe is what I feel when I’m with my dearest friend

Friend, you are who I need to make my life content.

These last 2 lines are applicable now more than ever.  Without Kim’s support, I could never have survived a terrible ordeal.  She has been there for the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.

She brought me to my first Pride when no one else in my life would.

Kim taught me that it is important to be judged for who I am as a person, and not for the mental health issues I struggle with.

She texts me the morning of a test or an assignment and has complete faith in me that I will kick ass.

She is always concerned of history repeating itself in relationships and she gives me her honest opinion, and she never leads me astray.

She prays for me, and she encourages me to pursue my writing ability because I have a passion for words.

What kind of friend does that?

Kim demonstrated to me that I don’t need a man to complete me, and it will happen when the time is right and when I least expect it.

This reminds me that friends like Kim are rare, and last month, she made me a beautiful bracelet, signifying that she’s always with me and cheering me on in spirit.  It is the bracelet and the poem we wrote together from which I gain my strength in facing stressful situations and thinking positively.

Friends always stick together in times of happiness and in crisis, but romantic relationships don’t survive such a test.  This inspires me to appreciate the people who care about me and to treasure every single moment.

Yes, the end of 2013 brought terrible self-destruction and wreaked havoc on my mind that unfortunately, continued well into the New Year, but what is inspiring me now is the beginning of spring, life renewing itself and bringing forth tremendous promise for me to start anew.

I’m so grateful, Kim, that you came into my life.  Thank you so much for being such a great friend to me.  🙂

Love always, your bestie Franco  🙂  XO

 

 

 

My Guardian Angel

I met my guardian angel a little over one year ago. Her name is Kim. I started school again after graduating from university six years earlier, and I was very nervous and scared. I felt like that little kid starting J.K. for the first time, lost amongst a sea of students and wanting to cry. On the first day alone, she helped me not to be scared by agreeing to let me sit with her during lunch. I knew that we were going to be friends, but admittedly, it was difficult to socialize with her because I hadn’t socialized with anyone in years. I was isolated and withdrawn from the world. I remember her piercing, beautiful blue eyes and her perfect blonde hair pulled into a ponytail, but what I love most about her is her laugh. When she starts laughing, I start laughing as well. She brings a smile to my face and always cheers me up when I’m feeling down. She has never judged me.

I remember when we finally connected on a much deeper level. We discussed self-advocacy in our Interpersonal Skills class and ways it went wrong, and it was very triggering for her and for many other students. At the end of it, I gave her a big hug. It was later on that day that she told me she loved me for the first time by announcing it in Jon Lightman’s Assertiveness class. I immediately felt the same way.

We got closer in our second semester, and it was then that we started confiding in one another. I won’t break her confidence, but I remember telling her about my diagnosis and my non-existent love life. She told me I should never settle for less and I deserve so much more because I’m a really kind and loving person, but like with her, I don’t see in myself what she sees in me. She has complete faith in me that I will succeed. She has reassured me that I will be okay and my time will come as well.

If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have gone to my first Pride Parade last summer, and I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun. I was scared at attending such an event for the first time, but she made me feel so comfortable and I enjoyed her company, her son’s, and our friends who also came to support me and had a great time along with me. The sun was shining, but it was shining on her and the wonderful person she is. She is a ray of sunshine and a very special lady.

She gives me a sense of peace that I haven’t known in a long time, and I feel comfortable telling her things that I wouldn’t tell anyone else. I feel like she’s the only one who is on my side and she will never leave me. She has always looked out for me and doesn’t want me to get hurt again. She wants me to be happy. She wants me to succeed. She wants me to find the love of my life. I don’t know if that will ever happen, but I know that just because she may not physically be present with me, she’s always cheering me on in spirit. I’m scared that in spring of 2014 when we go our separate ways, we may never see each other again. I’ve parted ways with many friends, each promising me we’ll stay in touch and that has rarely happened. I hope that this time will be different and my guardian angel and I will be with each other always.

Love you lots Kim! – Forever your bestie, Franco

How Lucky I Am

Good afternoon, everyone!

In August 2013, my brother Michael invited me with his friends to the Fan Expo.  I’m not really a sci-fi fan, but it was so kind of him nonetheless.  Because of him, I met Zachary Quinto and got his autograph.  My brother and I went to his press conference, and I got my brother to raise his hand and Spock himself answered his question.  At the fan signing, Michael persuaded me to use the birthday money I had left over to get Zachary’s autograph.  I impulsively asked the actor if he was single, LOL.  He seemed so down-to-earth and easygoing.  I shook his hand twice and took a picture with him.  I’ll always be grateful to Michael for that day because we shared a memorable experience together.  It taught me to appreciate the blessings in life, because that’s what it was.  🙂

Wishing you sunshine always,

Franco