I cannot help but comment on the recent mass shootings that took place in California.

That they are tragic and appalling seems obvious. That the massacre in Monterey Park occurred at the beginning of the Chinese New Year appears ironic and disheartening.

Contrast the Shakespearean horror of 11 dead, and others hospitalized with gunshot injuries,  with the following day in Pasadena. All Saints Episcopal Church proceeded with its celebration of Lunar New Year.

And festive it was, indeed! Bright red lanterns and banners filled the church with joy. Weicheng’s Canterbury Choir, soloists, and Chinese singers and musicians embellished the celebration.

The service opened with a performance of lovely music played on the guzheng, known as the Chinese zither. A large Asian choir sang in Chinese with great delicacy and beauty.

The result — pure joy and aspiration. We needed that after the night before.

AN APPLE A DAY

On the literary front, I am very pleased to announce that two of my books have been updated and published anew last week.

BLESSED BY THE BEST, Surviving Addiction: A Spiritual Journey, synthesizes my life experiences with entertainment greats, recovery from alcohol addiction, and spiritual growth. Here, synthesize means to “combine (a number of things) into a coherent whole.” That’s what I hope to have accomplished. Please read and give a review!

DRUMBEATS, a Romantic Novel of Triumph Over Terror, marks my fiction debut. Based on my screenplay of the same name, it details a bisexual romance in the entertainment industry as one young drummer-singer seeks to discover his sexual identity. Unfortunately, there must be a hate crime against Gays, undoubtedly sparked by the Republicans’ rhetorical campaign of fear and terror. There’s lots of glamour, too, from Los Angeles to Broadway to Britain’s Glyndebourne Opera Festival. Don’t forget to give it a review!

They are on Apple Books. As it appears on Google:

https://www.apple.com › apple-books

Apple Books – Apple

Apple Books is the single destination for all the books and audiobooks you love — and all the ones you’ll love next. Browse the Book Store and Audiobook Store to find the perfect book to read or listen to. Track what you’ve read and want to read and set your own Reading Goals — all in one app and across all your Apple devices. Reading Now.

Take a read. Or listen. Learn. Enjoy!

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