We'll See How This Turns Out

Before the show, Video

I just liked the way that sounds.

Before the show, a woman associated with Tom Paxton was wandering through the audience with a video camera.  She was soliciting people who wanted to share their memories of Paxton ~ first show, best show, memorable incident, etc.

I thought about it.  They're mostly shallow but I had several meetings with and memories of Tom. 

Mandy, after her Beth Taylor makeover

But she's going to put this on Kickstarter.  Tom's new album is being funded there; you can go to Kickstarter and see some videos and information about the new project (and join if you're a fan).

I thought it was a bad idea, but I wasn't sure why.  So I raised my hand each time she seemed to be looking for another victim subject.  I figured, if she didn't choose me, then it would have been a bad idea.  if she did, it probably would be OK.

She never looked in my direction.  Until almost showtime, when she did.

She came over and I told her a number of stories, video camera staring at me the whole time.  I told of fixing his computer, him asking me if I was a lawyer at Newport (his song "One Million Lawyers" was just released), bringing vinyl for an autograph, how I could never sing Jimmy Newman because my voice would break and I'd tear up....  I meant to mention a couple of more obscure songs when she asked for favourites and my mind went blank so I mentioned a couple of more popular songs.  I forget to tell her that I used to sing "Annie's Gonna Sing Her Song" to my oldest when he was a baby and he'd sing back the second line of the chorus when I'd sing the first.

But I talked too long and when I let her go I said "and now I'm sure you can cut that down to two words" and she laughed and said "we'll edit it."

It hasn't shown up on the site yet.  We'll see if I get my fifteen minutes, per Andy Warhol.  I'll keep you posted (unless you all donate and get updates direct from Tom).

By the way, I "stole" Mandy's picture from her website.  If you want to see the magic Elizabeth Taylor did you can go to Mandy's blog and then on to Beth's website.

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Maybe I DO Pass

After the show, I headed for the stage, along with many in the crowd.  Tom had said that if you buy a

My friend Mandy at the park

CD it needs to be autographed "to unlock the CD."

I first met Tom at the Newport Folk Festival, where we spoke briefly while he was signing autographs.  Many years later, he was doing a show at a town event in Herndon (I think) and I was wandering around, as is my wont.  There, behind the stage, was Tom and I said hi and asked him about one of his songs.

A few years ago, I had a call from someone who said his name was "Tom Paxton" and he wanted help moving files from his old Mac to his new Mac.  I told him I could help with that, and at the end of the call I said "I have a question.  Are you THE Tom Paxton?"  He asserted that, if I meant the folk singer, yes, that was he.

When I arrived at his house, I was greeted by Tom holding his newest CD out for me.  He also offered me and my son (who came along) free tickets to his upcoming Wolf Trap performance.  It was a superb show, by the way.

But every time I was in drab, and he didn't really seem to remember previous meetings at each event.  That's understandable ~ he meets a LOT of people, I am sure.

This time was a bit different.  I went up, bought a copy of the CD re-release of his first album, thanked him for signing it, and left.

No I didn't.  I should have ~ it would have been the smart thing to do.

Instead I said "you probably don't remember me."  He agreed that he did not.  I told him I came by his house to transfer files to his new computer a few years ago but that didn't ring a bell.  I mentioned that, a couple of years prior, I brought a vinyl album for him to sign.  No recognition.

I figured those would be pretty unique events.  My guess is, either I was wrong and these sorts of things happen all the time, or I pass better than I think.

I mean, if someone transgendered came up to me and said "remember me?  We met at..." I'd try to remember where I met such a person before.  I'd think that the other events would stand out if the person talking to you stood out as well.

But maybe he was thinking "I don't remember a woman fixing my computer.  Maybe she's mistaken" and "I get so many people asking me to sign old albums, why would I remember her?"

I did everything but pull off my wig and say "I'm a man."  It was a good ending to Some Like It Hot (and Bosom Buddies (from around 14:30) but I thought it would be wrong in real life.
Sometimes, you can't come out if you WANT to!

There's one more event I haven't mentioned here.  It may take a week or two to come out (so to speak) and I want to wait until it does to post.

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Tom Paxton, Of Course

After several false starts, Mandy and I finally met.  She doesn't live that far away but east of the Chesapeake.  Crossing the

Click to enlarge.

Bay Bridge is a trip one doesn't take lightly, especially in the summer. 

Although she normally dresses androgynously, she doesn't "dress dress" at home.  She has a blog called "From Me to Mandy;" her take on her visit is here and I think she plans to add another post.  The title of her post, The Marvelous Weekend, is a play on the first song Tom Paxton wrote, The Marvelous Toy.

Mandy came to town to get a mani-pedi and an Elizabeth Taylor makeover.  She also wanted to visit Udvar-Hazy, one of very few aviation museums with a Space Shuttle.  It's about an hour west of DC.

I wanted to see Tom Paxton Friday evening.  Every year he gives a free concert locally and I'd been once, maybe twice before.  I talked Mandy into joining me; she was unfamiliar with Paxton, or so she thought.  She looked at some of his music and it was familiar.  I've been a fan  forever.  In fact, at his last concert I brought a vinyl album for an autograph.

At Clydes

We had dinner at Clyde's before the show.

Everyone was fine, we were addressed as "ladies" together, "ma'am" individually.  Other patrons ignored us, including the nearby table with a family with a few kids.  I don't know how many; I ignored them too.

We touched up our makeup in the car.  I know most people don't, but I think it's rude to put on lipstick at the table at a restaurant.  I should probably get over that.  I think that's an easier hurdle than spending extra time in the ladies' room standing at the mirror.  Besides, I'd be nervous doing that and nervous is Bad For Makeup*.

I was a bit apprehensive about going to the show.  I'll explain why next.

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* I tried to find the makeup lady scene from Airplane! but was unsuccessful.

Minority Call Out!

On Friday, I wrote about how the fact that someone is trans and did something nasty is showing up less in headlines.  I also noted that other groups that were fingered in headlines or article leads lost that distinction as time went on and people complained.

In Saturday's Washington Post, there was a letter from someone complaining that the Virginia first lady, on trial right now, was described in the paper as someone “who still wears her bangs feathered and her hair below her shoulders.”  The writer went on, "Is there an age limit for women on hair length? Apparently, male politicians get a free pass on their fake tans and dyed hair."

Some groups still lack invisibility.  Their status is put up front-and-center, with the idea, I suppose, that pointing it out will show it's rarity, but the lesson the great unwashed might get is "what's wrong with those people?"  A recent headline showed one such group.  The headline:

PhD and his wide convicted of first-degree murder

In other news, Mandy came to town for a visit this past weekend. Her main goal was to get an Elizabeth Taylor makeover, but she made some time to meet up.  We had dinner and saw a local concert on Friday, and met again Sunday morning for breakfast. Details to follow.

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