The Friendship Book and the Mystery of Francis Gay
I am a now reading this old book titled, The Friendship Book, by Francis Gay. I said old because what I’ve got is a 1972 version of the annual book, which I only bought for Php8.00 in August 2, 1997. Yes, I know the date when I bought it from Booksale at Makati Cinema Square because that’s what I do to all the books I bought - I write on the title page the date and place when I bought the book then sign up. It’s my ritual so before I flip the pages, I’d be brought to some nostalgia when I bought them.
Anyways, the author of the book is Francis Gay, but it’s still a mystery up to now who is the real Mr. Gay. I searched over google who is the man, but I got no useful answer. One search result came up - Francis Gay is a captured murderer in the US, hehe. Of course, he is not the author of The Friendship Book, coz that man in jail is only in his late 40s. Whereas, the oldest Friendship Book I found over the net is dated 1948, plus Mr. Gay is British, not American. For sure the author is just using a pseudonym, but whoever Francis Gay is, his tradition of writing a thought for each day in every year has consistently become a best seller. As a matter of fact, part of the British gift-giving tradition during the festive Christmas season is giving a copy of The Friendship Book to a treasured friend.
So what is this Friendship Book that sells in the tens of thousands of copies each year? It’s a compendium of inspiring meditations by Francis Gay for everyday. This perennial bestseller offers up a pot-pourri of enriching verses, humour, life reflections, poems and delightful photographs. I could say that The Friendship Book is where personal blogging originated.
Reading this old book of mine made me think that I should follow how Mr. Gay writes - not too long but full of insights, humorous but no-nonsense, enriching but not boring - and of course, I should also blog daily (that I would try to do but I think writing daily is the hardest feat - but I would try!). So to follow suit, I wish to give you a daily dose for today (courtesy of Mr.Gay):
Misfortunes come to everyone,
And, sure, you have your share –
So many things that all seem wrong
Bring you a load of care.
But if you look depressed for long,
If long you weep or sigh,
Folk may be sorry, but you’ll find
They’ll somehow pass you by.
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just wanna comment on your new page layout… why it has become so commercialized? naliligaw ako! i would still want to see the old layout…. very simple and not gloomy to the eyes.
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malinesky reply on January 7, 2008:
thanks for the honest comment. I just got tired of the old blue one, plus it’s a little dim for me. I opted for this one, simpler with no big graphics. I dunno, to start the year I just wanted a subdued one. Sorry about the ads, if they turned you off. I am still experimenting with the layout, including the placing of ads so they won’t be eye-sores. but actually, i am still using the same 3-column, with 2 rightsidebars. Hopefully when u come back, u’ll get used to the theme. Thanks!
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