Finally today we got to my project.
Rob grabbed my notebook and started writing in it upside down/sideways-ish. I was disturbed as that meant I had nothing to write on. I tried to regurgetate what he’d said later and asked my friend I’d met to help.
He felt the idea needed to be much more than a book, more like a multimedia presentation and beyond that even. He stressed that the message is about allowing art, whatever that might be for people, to help you pull forward and recover.
I had made prints and taken them to pass around. That felt bold, but I had decided what the hell. As people were looking, someone said these have a lot of liminal space in them. I liked that idea.
The entire event feels life-changing already. This is the first thing I’ve done that feels pretty intentional and pretty much just for me. It cost money. It took time.
I met a great person I think I’ll stay in touch with. She also has a shocking story of being forced to not be herself as a kid, but her family connections are national and her story, if it came out, would be shocking. She’s also been a Zagat reviewer and when she introduced herself, Rob was like, “You people!” We’re an interesting bunch, all of us church refugees.
Later this evening, we had dinner at a great Asian restaurant then went out and smoked cigars in a great little cigar bar. We talked about my friend’s project ideas and just had fun in general. It was cool to walk around the Melrose area and enjoy it all, take it in.
One kindof fun thing I did on a whim was to send Richard Rohr a birthday card of sorts. I had walked by the Weidman Gallery a few times and noticed they primarily sell vintage prints and old advertising papers. I bought an old paper that was used on the side of orange crates. I took it back to the venue and asked people to sign it. I asked Rob to sign it. He was sort of reluctant but then he did!
I’m going to have group people sign it too then send it off. It’s Rohr’s 75th birthday this week. ( I sent it when I got home and he later sent me an email thanking me for it. He said notes like this are what makes it all worthwhile).
I’m heading next up to San Fran to see my auntie. I feel overwhelmed with the need to process all this but figure it will come in time.