Today John Gallagher and I had a date, set months ago, for lunch. We met at a little place called The Savoy at the corner of Prince and Crosby, two blocks north of Broome Street. We wore our Heath stripes, and I brought along two red roses.
After lunch, we strolled slowly down to Heath's old apartment building, wondering whether there would be any other flowers left there for him today. John thought not, but I wasn't surprised to see several bouquets leaning beside the door with accompanying letters and mementos.
What did surprise me was that there were cameramen there! Except this year, instead of an army of anchorpersons, miles of cable and a forest of tripods there was one cameraman and one pretty blonde woman looking on curiously as I added our two BetterMost roses to the little shrine. A couple of other men with cameras were clicking away at more of a distance, but I never found out who they were.
As John was taking his own pictures, the woman approached me and asked if I'd tell her why we were here. As soon as she heard we were from a fan site, she asked if I would go on camera for a brief interview, and I agreed. Her name was Ronnie, and she and her colleague work for Channel Seven in Sydney! They were very down-to-earth and friendly, also sympathetic, so as I talked, I'm afraid I got a bit verklempt. But she was very interested to hear we'd met each other through knowing Heath. I mentioned BetterMost and our trips to Alberta and Wyoming. I said we thought of Heath as a good friend, and how bittersweet it was that he'd been nominated just this morning (that's when my voice got all weird on me). We shook hands and parted, and John told the Aussies how to find an Aussie coffee shop where we were heading for our coffee and dessert. Ronnie told me to check seven.com.au to see if their interviews get aired.
We walked up to Houston Street, then headed east to Second Avenue, then to First Street, where we found the tiny eatery called the Tuck Shop. John is amazing. He knows all these great little places! We had delicious, rich Australian lattes and awesome, awesome bread and butter pudding and "vanilla slice," which is like a Napolean without the chocolate drizzle. We managed to "tuck" away both plates quite handily. John then walked me up to 14th Street, where I got the subway.
Later tonight John will post lots of pictures, so stay tuned. 8)
This day could have been so much heavier and more sad without my BetterMost family. I'm blessed to have met John and everyone here. It took the sting away somehow, and I didn't even notice that we were at 421 at just about the time all those awful events were unfolding a year ago. Thanks so, so much, buds. (http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/merylmarie/Emoticons/grouphug2.gif)
Meryl
This day could have been so much heavier and more sad without my BetterMost family. I'm blessed to have met John and everyone here. It took the sting away somehow, and I didn't even notice that we were at 421 at just about the time all those awful events were unfolding a year ago. Thanks so, so much, buds. (http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/merylmarie/Emoticons/grouphug2.gif)
Meryl
Aw, Meryl, such a great experience. Thank you for representing us. So glad you and John could be together.
You've been very much in my thoughts today, as I recall "breaking the news" to you this time last year.
Hugs,
Paul
(((Meryl)))
I watch the Channel 7 news most nights at 6pm and will certainly be watching tonight, to see if you and John are featured, Meryl.
Channel 7 has other news-like daily programs that I don't usually watch. They're the sort of programs that show human interest type stories. I've missed this morning's "Sunrise" program. It is the sort of program this story would likely appear on. Did any other Aussies happen to see 7's "Sunrise" program this morning? Sue? Rob? Anyone?
I will also be watching 7's "Today Tonight" program this evening at 6.30pm, following the News.
I look forward to seeing John's photos.
:-* {{{ Meryl & John }}} :-*
I just saw it too Kerry.........
I asked all my family here to stop and watch with me.
To have a member of Bettermost, be shown leaving those roses, felt like you were representing us all, and for that I thank you.
Great pics John, thank you for sharing.....
I've said it before, but I LOVE your photo reportages John. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us. :-*
And Meryl, I saw you on tv (well the tv item on my computer anyway). You were very dignified. Loved to rose.
Thank you. :-*
*sigh* :-\
To have a member of Bettermost, be shown leaving those roses, felt like you were representing us all, and for that I thank you.
I just checked the Australian TV site, and there is video of 421 Broome Street, AND you can see me for a couple of seconds as I put the two roses on the windowsill! Go here and click on the video box titled "Ledger nabs Oscar nomination."
http://au.news.yahoo.com/
8)
On this sad occasion, some cause for joy tonight!
I have just seen Meryl on Australian Channel 7's prime-time 6 o'clock News telecast!
It is Friday night here in Sydney - Jan 23.
Meryl, the news item showed you in your long black coat, leaving flowers.
The item also mentioned Five Leaves and showed the interior of the restaurant. They interviewed press and fans at Broome Street and also a very distressed man at Five Leaves who was in tears and couldn't speak.
I just saw it too Kerry.........
I asked all my family here to stop and watch with me.
To have a member of Bettermost, be shown leaving those roses, felt like you were representing us all, and for that I thank you.
I find it fitting, Meryl, that your 15 minutes of fame comes at a time when John is sporting the Andy Warhol look. :)
I find it fitting, Meryl, that your 15 minutes of fame comes at a time when John is sporting the Andy Warhol look. :)
Thank you, Paul! (Actually, yestersday I told Meryl I looked like Eraserhead!
Now I'm beginning to wonder--what's the difference? ;D
:laugh: What an apt observation, Paul! ;D
Thanks to everyone who commented. It's very rewarding to us to be able to be on the scene in NY on a sad day like this. Thanks especially to John, who makes it such a pleasure and brings it all to life with his marvelous pictures! :-*
I can't watch the video Meryl. I'm on dial-up. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I think you and John were the perfect Brokie representatives. Maybe John will post some pictures soon and I can see what it looked like. :)
I love NYC, it one of my favorite places. I have a friend who keeps a place in the Woodstock Tower of Tudor City on East 42nd.
Also, I think it would be a great tradition to wear stripes as you do, in honor and remembrance of Heath every January. I'm going to shop for a striped sweater this weekend for sure. I saw a grey and red horizontal striped sweater on clearance and Banana Republic like Heath was pictured wearing, so I'll try to get it.
Thanks, my rugger stripe was bought for the purpose after months of looking--and I found it at the Gap for only $40--Michelle Obama would be pleased, I think. and yes, I saw the gray and red horizontal too--it's great! I bet Heath would have liked it.
(I mean to expand my stripe-y wardrobe!)
Thank you, John and Meryl. Here's a bit more on Rahni Sadler, who interviewed you:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahni_Sadler
(((((Meryl))))), (((((John))))), thank you so much for doing this trip! :-*
I am so, so glad that they interviewed you, they could not have made a better choice.
(((((Meryl))))), (((((John))))), thank you so much for doing this trip! :-*
I am so, so glad that they interviewed you, they could not have made a better choice.
(http://www.divshare.com/img/3613126-033.jpg)
Yay! I got me the grey and red striped v-neck sweater on clearance at Banana Republic for $15.99, plus I had a coupon for $20.00. I'm going to wear it in honor of Heath every January. I'd wear it on his b-day in April too, but here in Phoenix, it's way to hot for a sweater then. I guess I'll have to get a striped tee.
I love NYC, it one of my favorite places. I have a friend who keeps a place in the Woodstock Tower of Tudor City on East 42nd. I love visiting!
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j174/jmmgallagher/WS3.jpg)(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j174/jmmgallagher/WS2.jpg)(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j174/jmmgallagher/WS1.jpg)
Yay, me too! I found this on eBay!
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j174/jmmgallagher/pradastripes.jpg)
Definitely will be worn on major 'Heathdays'!
Also, again:
NOW the link is working--here is your 'Woodstock'--on 42nd Street, that is, from East to West! ;D