Several weeks ago I had an amazing email from a reader of this blog who, despite being straight, identifies with a lot of what I write on this blog. TM is a 30-something year old straight reader from Germany who at the end of an email full of compliments and observations, told me he’d bought me a gift that he knew I would like.
In a bookshop in his home city he’d found all these treasures that he knew I’d love so bought me and sent to me a stunning copy of my much adored “Bear Pond” by the legendary Bruce Weber, Mario Testino’s “Portraits” book and a special edition of Stern, again by Bruce Weber called “Roadside America”.
How do I ever thank someone for that kind of generosity? I write this blog for a little bit of self-therapy, as a way to interact with many different people around the world and because it’s fun. There are some perks here and there, like being invited to various things I wouldn’t have been invited to otherwise and the odd freebie here and there, but being sent beautiful books worth stupid amounts of money is just humbling and flattering. I’ve actually been almost too nervous to truly enjoy Bear Pond. For me it’s almost the holy grail of photography books and a stranger felt compelled to send it to me.
TM, I haven’t stopped thanking you and I don’t know when I will. Thank you!
This just goes to show how much you mean to a lot of us ( me ) I found a lot of me reading about you this last year THANKS
Mike
Brenton mate,
i enjoy reading your blog/web page very much, when i catch up with my mates we all have a chat about aussielicious and say how light hearted and fun you are. Wish you live in Brisbane.
As a loyal radom reader i wish to express my thanks to you for your time and energy spent on your page.
Its great and your blogs strike a note in all your readers hearts, we all have similar fears and we all share a common understanding of the hurdles of gay modern life.
Your just brave enough to say it as it is.
Sometimes you have an impact upon people just by being an honest open person and something touches another person in a special way at a time when they need that touch.
Wow, he really IS generous. Two years ago I sold my mint condition of Bear Pond, for which I paid $50USD for $550USD. Last time I checked I think it was going for better that $700USD on Amazon.
I love reading your blog and visit it regularly to catch up with what goes on – like everyone says, the light hearted, but more importantly, the open and honest approach is something that inspired me a lot when I felt like giving it all up some months ago so thank you mate ! One day I will visit Australia and meet the illusive Mr P in person I think !