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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Concert in the Park ~ The Show

We got to the park in plenty of time to get a good seat and enjoy the sound check for the main act.
Note: "good seat" is on a hard wooden bench near the stage.  Many people brought folding chairs and set them up in front of the benches.  Others brought blankets or cushions to sit on.

As I said, I was somewhat concerned about going to this particular show for a couple of reasons:

- Last time I went to one of his shows I ran into a co-worker.  It turns out she is a fan, of the huge variety.  We ran into each other on the To Get An Album signed line.  I was considering contacting her before this show to see if she was going, but it occurred to me that I'd rather not have her looking for me in the (not very large, really) crowd so I didn't.  I didn't see her; I did send her an e-mail afterwards.  She was indeed there.

- Mr Paxton knows me.  I've been to his house (on business).  I could just hide in the crowd and disappear afterwards, but, well, I didn't.




So I had a great opportunity to out myself.  As it happened, I outed myself more than I had planned.  More on that later in the week.

In the past, I've mentioned the obvious: outing oneself is better than being outed.  Control of the situation means you've run through at least some scenarios in your head and your prepared.  Saying to someone "you know me.  I'm Jeff" is better than "Jeff?  Is that YOU Jeff?"  It's also better because you've chosen your target, not been chosen yourself.

If the co-worker was looking for me, she might be scanning the crowd and wonder if the woman near the front is really a woman and maybe decide she looks a bit familiar.  I think she'd be OK, but I also think she'd tell everyone we know which could affect future career opportunities.  Not everyone is as open as you'd wish.

Before the concert, I pointed out Penny Gross, who was on stage, to Mandy.  Ms Gross has been our district supervisor for close to three hundred years.  I think she came over on the Santa Maria.  She knows me too, but I didn't seek her out ~ she's OK but I'm not a fan.

When I mentioned Ms Gross, the man sitting to my left leaned over and said "the other women are Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer."  The names were familiar but I must have looked puzzled.  He said "do you know who they are?"  And I remembered and said "folkies.  They do a lot of kid shows."  He said "they do a lot more than just 'kid shows.'"  That was about the whole of our conversation until the show started and Tom mentioned something about the crowd being on the older side and the man said to me "we're not old!"  I said "I'm certainly not" and smiled.  Again that was the whole conversation.  A couple of times while I was singing along to a song my eyes met that guy's eyes and we smiled, but that was it.  I remember saying something else to him (age-related) during the show but forget what.

When the concert ended, a crowd started forming by the table by the side of the stage where Tom would be signing CDs.

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Who?

Does anyone know who the sitting man is? 

Really Bad Hint: he's least well-know for being a client of mine :)