It's better this way. If you'd kept it it'd just gotten old and dusty in the garage until you finally got rid of it when you decided to downsize, all of its luster gone. But by selling it in the moment it created a sense of longing for it so it will always be that special lamp you lost. This is how you keep it.
I think the reason that Isak Dinesen line is so affecting is because probably all of us have "had a farm in Africa," something unexpected and special which we didn't even plan on being or becoming special, and then it was gone. And you look back and it's stunning to believe it ever existed at all, let alone has passed. Well, I know you've had others, but Stain was a damn fine moment.
I was resisting the temptation to do any awkward or otherwise name dropping (as I know I tend to do) because your story is so fine it deserves the entire stage, but since you asked (and thank you)...
When I first went to NYC and it was kicking my ass, Tom Waits was my hero and he came into Astor Wine where I was working and I rather obnoxiously announced, "Mr. Tom Waits!" as he rocked back and forth down the aisle toward me. I think I got away with it because I really knew his music and had recently seen him in Austin and was able to deflect away from his "star-ness" toward music and then wine. He was odd, yes (I'd bet big money he's an introvert), but kinder than he had any reason to be, and he actually talked music with me for a number of minutes, and afterwards, and after I'd set him up with a bottle of Portuguese wine, which he'd requested, I got a great, authentic, and firm handshake from him.
The success of this encounter made me too cocky, so when Karen Allen came in to the store I talked movies for a moment, and once I set her up for her order and she was walking away I said, too loudly, probably, "See you at the movies!" And I saw her shrink and collapse into herself. I still feel bad about that one. Embarrassed. But what are you gonna do?
One I don't feel as bad about is the time Tim Curry reached out to shake my hand and I thought, to hell with that - I'm hugging him. I mean, he'd already bought me an Elvis wall hanging(!). And so I did, pushed right through the handshake. It was a bit awkward but I've always been a bit awkward hugging men. I'm still hit-and-miss but I'm better, and I do try to practice whenever I have an opportunity.
Oh these are grand encounters and I think you did extremely well, especially with Tom Waits, that's an awesome one wow! I hope if I was more one-on-one with these folks I could pull off some kind of convo but we'll never know. For someone who can talk so much in the right setting I'm so ridiculously shy!
Yes, I just hit the pocket with him, and I know part of it was because I truly loved and knew his work. And also, he's just such a cool person. My friend, an investment banker and high school friend, was waiting nearby for me to get off work so we could have a beer, and he asked afterward if "that guy" was "some bum." I said no, he was one of the greatest songwriters in America.
P.S. This happened during my first NYC venture when I was desperate to make something happen and was obviously willing to make a fool and/or ass out of myself. There were a couple of times I was very lucky I was unable to follow through on my accostations. I pulled myself more in control. Although...Krista if we ever get together I'll have to tell you the time I told Andi MacDowell to "get a mop." And I *like* Andi MacDowell!
These are great stories and a huge part of charm of living in NY that you can stumble into these people in more everyday life ways than anywhere else. With Tom Waits you win the cool cred
Ok I have such nostalgia and “did that really happen?!” Even though I was only a bystander, a sometime patron, and very occasional bartender! Was it real?? Can we go back in time just for a night? You are a marvel, my friend, the dreams you make real are many, Stain just one of them.
A bartender too! I forgot!! I'd forget so much of this if I didn't have the clippings to prove it. An actual scrapbook. How the heck did it happen. If we go back, I would to not be working. Just sit there and get a drink and watch the cool kids!
Maybe I need a part 2 since other friends are reminding me of things forgotten, like how I chased down Le Tigre band at the height of their fame for the glasses they were taking from my bar as they got into their car one night with their half-drunk bottle of wine. I ran after them and asked for my glasses back like a crazy loon. How I can respin this is I'm thinking if they were punk for stealing my glasses, I'm also punk for getting them back? Me who can't talk to Mike Myers but can do this with the riot grrls. Go figure.
I think my greatest regret in life is selling that lamp on FB marketplace for $10
I remember that lamp! It was a great lamp.
Oh what have I done!
It's better this way. If you'd kept it it'd just gotten old and dusty in the garage until you finally got rid of it when you decided to downsize, all of its luster gone. But by selling it in the moment it created a sense of longing for it so it will always be that special lamp you lost. This is how you keep it.
: ) ?
Oh nooooooo
recently no less! I'm so dumb. I immediately wanted it back
I think the reason that Isak Dinesen line is so affecting is because probably all of us have "had a farm in Africa," something unexpected and special which we didn't even plan on being or becoming special, and then it was gone. And you look back and it's stunning to believe it ever existed at all, let alone has passed. Well, I know you've had others, but Stain was a damn fine moment.
I was resisting the temptation to do any awkward or otherwise name dropping (as I know I tend to do) because your story is so fine it deserves the entire stage, but since you asked (and thank you)...
When I first went to NYC and it was kicking my ass, Tom Waits was my hero and he came into Astor Wine where I was working and I rather obnoxiously announced, "Mr. Tom Waits!" as he rocked back and forth down the aisle toward me. I think I got away with it because I really knew his music and had recently seen him in Austin and was able to deflect away from his "star-ness" toward music and then wine. He was odd, yes (I'd bet big money he's an introvert), but kinder than he had any reason to be, and he actually talked music with me for a number of minutes, and afterwards, and after I'd set him up with a bottle of Portuguese wine, which he'd requested, I got a great, authentic, and firm handshake from him.
The success of this encounter made me too cocky, so when Karen Allen came in to the store I talked movies for a moment, and once I set her up for her order and she was walking away I said, too loudly, probably, "See you at the movies!" And I saw her shrink and collapse into herself. I still feel bad about that one. Embarrassed. But what are you gonna do?
One I don't feel as bad about is the time Tim Curry reached out to shake my hand and I thought, to hell with that - I'm hugging him. I mean, he'd already bought me an Elvis wall hanging(!). And so I did, pushed right through the handshake. It was a bit awkward but I've always been a bit awkward hugging men. I'm still hit-and-miss but I'm better, and I do try to practice whenever I have an opportunity.
Oh these are grand encounters and I think you did extremely well, especially with Tom Waits, that's an awesome one wow! I hope if I was more one-on-one with these folks I could pull off some kind of convo but we'll never know. For someone who can talk so much in the right setting I'm so ridiculously shy!
Yes, I just hit the pocket with him, and I know part of it was because I truly loved and knew his work. And also, he's just such a cool person. My friend, an investment banker and high school friend, was waiting nearby for me to get off work so we could have a beer, and he asked afterward if "that guy" was "some bum." I said no, he was one of the greatest songwriters in America.
P.S. This happened during my first NYC venture when I was desperate to make something happen and was obviously willing to make a fool and/or ass out of myself. There were a couple of times I was very lucky I was unable to follow through on my accostations. I pulled myself more in control. Although...Krista if we ever get together I'll have to tell you the time I told Andi MacDowell to "get a mop." And I *like* Andi MacDowell!
These are great stories and a huge part of charm of living in NY that you can stumble into these people in more everyday life ways than anywhere else. With Tom Waits you win the cool cred
I think it helps if you're kind of a bad person. I think I must be. Oh well.
BTW Stain and You were awesome!
Bad person? No never!
Ok I have such nostalgia and “did that really happen?!” Even though I was only a bystander, a sometime patron, and very occasional bartender! Was it real?? Can we go back in time just for a night? You are a marvel, my friend, the dreams you make real are many, Stain just one of them.
A bartender too! I forgot!! I'd forget so much of this if I didn't have the clippings to prove it. An actual scrapbook. How the heck did it happen. If we go back, I would to not be working. Just sit there and get a drink and watch the cool kids!
Maybe I need a part 2 since other friends are reminding me of things forgotten, like how I chased down Le Tigre band at the height of their fame for the glasses they were taking from my bar as they got into their car one night with their half-drunk bottle of wine. I ran after them and asked for my glasses back like a crazy loon. How I can respin this is I'm thinking if they were punk for stealing my glasses, I'm also punk for getting them back? Me who can't talk to Mike Myers but can do this with the riot grrls. Go figure.