I interrupt this great discussion of action figures to bring you my report on the events of yesterday.
Thanks to Meryl, Juan, Kirk, David, and Philly Jeff for posting such great descriptions so far. (And for the link to my site in your post Juan! Sorry you didn't know about it before. I'll make an announcement somewhere around here for people who didn't know.)
So, as they said, I, along with everyone else who actually lives in New York, got there later than all those who came by planes and trains. We were in the bar area for a little while, very happily surprised when they put on the Brokeback soundtrack for us. I guess we were kinda obvious. LOL. After Jeff from Hoboken came (and though he's been absent from here for lo these many weeks, he promised to come over and register. So you better show Jeff! You're missed!), we were seated at our booth. Presents were passed around. I got my two little dogs from Sarah (no .30-.30 though--dang it!),and my bandana from Meryl, but in my attempt to "break in" my bandana, I crumpled it all up and kinda ruined it, temporarily. But Meryl was kind enough to give me another
After Kirk and Pete got set up on the conference call, I brought out my little harmonica (sans dents) and brought some smiles to people's faces when I started trying to play "if you want to sing out, sing out" (emphasis on the word "trying"). This was repeated for Anke much later when she interviewed me for the recording project that will hopefully be up for your listening pleasure later today, or maybe when she gets back to Germany. I am not a good interview, tho, so I hope she edits out 90% of what I said. I was all nervous and stupid!
It was great talking to Kirk and Pete in San Fran (and they called me at exactly the same time, so you know that the Brokie Gods had a hand in it), and everyone else there of course. It was too bad I couldn't really be in on all the conversations that happened at the far end of the table, but all the more reason to meet again. I was especially taken by Jeff Wrangler's photos from the movie, including lots of great shots I'd never seen. Thank you for bringing them, Jeff.
Speaking of pics, we got lots of great ones of us (can't wait to see them posted) and yes, Kirk and Pete are in just about every one -- like Jack said, we can do our marriage over the phone! After we ate, we headed over to the Whiskey Dust store, where I had a blast trying on different belt buckles for strummin. The hats were great too, but man, they ain't kiddin--they were expensive! I saw one for $210, and Anke said some of them were $400! I wonder how much Jack and Ennis had to pay for theirs?
The best part was when David called over to me about trying on a flat topped "Joe Aguirre" type hat, and I yelled back, "No!" (I admit, I forgot to add, 'not on your fuckin life!') and this random guy who was not part of our group looks at me and says, "that Joe Aguirre ain't got no right makin us do somethin against the rules." !! I love it--brokies are everywhere! Hoboken Jeff and Juan left our party around then and we had our goodbye hugs. I was glad Juan got to look at the Oscars promo book that I brought to share.
When we got outside the Western wear store I started whoopin and yeehaawin for joy cause of my new belt buckle, and Anke had to calm me down, saying, "Jenny, this thing grabs hold of us, at the wrong time, and in the wrong place..." LOL.
At the fourth stop we made, Chummley's (all still the west village) we got to talkin and drinkin some more, and then the Daughters of the American Revolution descended on us with their tri-pointed Revolutionary War hats and flutes! I thought we were weird, but man...some people! We lamented again the fact that Jake has left town, cause we were in prime Gyllenhaal territory that whole day--and Jake recently shaved the beard off, so we were doublely heart-broken that he skipped town on us now that his sexy face is visible again.
It was another case of the Brokie Gods stepping in to bestow their blessings upon us when, on our way to stop #5, we ran into Jeff from Hoboken about 2 hours after he'd left us to go to the anti-war protests--there he was, crossing the street towards us! We made our way to Marakas, where my friend Antonia (whom I saw the movie with on opening night) met us for more drinks and dinner.
I tried valiantly to get everyone to come and do some Karaokeing with me, but like Anke said, "it ain't gonna be like that." And David added, "if you promise I don't have to saaaang!"
So, quite a day we had! It was so great to meet you all, and though it's always a different experience to talk in a big group of people in a loud room than to post and read from home, I am always up for a brokie gathering, any time, any place. That's some high class entertainment, if you ask me.
Love to all, and best wishes for John, whose presence we missed dearly (along with Paul and DeeDee!),
Jenny
Meryl, Ima coming too! I'll call you now.
