I know I said I would be writing from the train but this one’s coming from my workspace. No clients today.
So after a whole career of doing paperwork and such at home, I now pay a whole bunch of money for an empty desk and an empty file cabinet in what is usually an empty room. I am paying for EMPTY SPACE. And it’s brilliant. No distractions from work. (Except now I am writing this blog so I guess nothing is foolproof.)
Most of the people here are running start-ups. They grow bigger and upgrade to bigger and bigger spaces until they finally move out and rent whole floors somewhere else. It’s inspiring! My goal is to just keep up with the work that I am already supposed to be doing. I expect to be here forever and hope that no one finds me.
The community here is very friendly. We get newsletters every week, at least, boasting of member accomplishments. So and so launched their new website! This guy’s product will be available to sample tonight at happy hour! Congrats to this girl for publishing her first book! Recently it was this:
Big congrats to Alan Alda! Alan is the 55th recipient of SAG-AFTRA’s highest honor. He’ll get the award in January at the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, which airs live on TNT and TBS
Huh. Even super famous and successful people use co-working space, I guess. Because the rents in NYC are “too damn high,” even for him? Or because he is trying to avoid the dishes and the laundry and the dog that needs to go out like I am? We all have our reasons.
Mr. Alda isn’t at my location, but one close by. I add him to my mental list of celebrities that I know live in
A few days later I see him. Of course, I do.
I am leaving the same building he is about to enter. The doorman is in between. Not sure who will get there first. He’s been on my mind since the co-working space newsletter made it seem as if he was just like one of us hopeful young entrepreneurs. I have been reflecting on the surprising influence he has had on my life. I grew up, literally (NOT figuratively), listening to Free to Be You and Me, the children’s album he put out with Marlo Thomas, Mel Brooks
Free to Be You and Me teaches that it’s okay to cry (like Dudley), that girls may or may not grow up to be pretty and boys may or may not grow up to be strong, that we shouldn’t judge people by their appearances, and that it’s okay if boys want to play with dolls- it will only make them better fathers (like William). Michael Jackson and Diana Ross sing on the album. Carol Channing is in some of the skits. It is perfection. I knew Alan Alda’s voice years before I ever saw his face.
After a small gap, Mr. Alda came back into my life via MASH reruns. Every single night around dinner time. For years. I was supposed to do PT exercises for my back every day when I watched MASH (we call that “habit stacking” now). To this day, when I do a bridge in yoga class, I think of this man. I hear him on NPR, as an academic, talking about science and communication and his new projects in these fields. He is ever-present in my life.
Now I know that he rents space to write. And where he lives. And we are about to walk through the same doorway at the same time and it isn’t big enough for
Should I tell him that I still have my original Free to Be album? (It has survived every move)! Should I tell him that several years ago Marlo Thomas signed it at her book signing? Would he chuckle when I told him that instead of saying “Dear Eileen,” it says “Dear Roman” because of a small communication mix-up that night between my best friend from kindergarten and Caroline (of Caroline’s) where the signing took place? And how hard I laugh every time I look at it?
Since most famous people in NY appreciate being left alone I decide (as I expected I would) to just smile and say “excuse me.”
He smiles back and steps aside.
He is all for equal rights and he is also a gentleman.
from stlyrics.com, as sung by Diana Ross
When we grow up, will I be a lady? Will you be an engineer?
Will I have to wear things like perfume and gloves?
I can still pull the whistle while you steer.
Well, I don’t care if I’m pretty at all. And I don’t care if you never get tall.
I like what I look like, and you’re nice small.
We don’t have to change at all.
When I grow up, I’m gonna be happy and do what I like to do,
Like making noise and making faces and making friends like you.
And when we grow up, do you think we’ll see
That I’m still like you and you’re still like me?
I might be pretty; you might grow tall.
But we don’t have to change at all.
This post is dedicated to my best friend from kindergarten who grew up to be both pretty and tall. 🙂
I love this. This is wonderful. You have a way of bringing us into your story with you and it feels so real.
Great entry! (I feel like I’m reading your diary!) You have such a great way of telling a story! 🙂
Dear Roman
I hope by some twist of the #universe this reaches Alan Alda and he smiles and remembers the young woman who let him pass and smiled but didn’t press him for a celebrity interaction but then reading what she would have said feel like he is the one who missed a celebrity encounter.
Love this! I’d be star struck 🤩 f course!
Very cool. I am going to YouTube the Free to Be album tonight. Probably been about 40 years since I have heard it sitting and staring at the record player. Happy New Year and best wishes for your new endeavor! I am subscribing as well.
I always knew you would do great things! I love getting to see where your journey takes you-thanks for sharing.
Blog Name/Title Ideas:
New Amsterdam Observatory
Uncritical Lens (in reference to a Critical Lens essay)
Laudatory Lens (if you want an alliteration)
Long Winded Blurbs
Alan Alda is also one of my favorite celebs. I always get starstruck when I meet celebs. I think too that you did well to smile at him and get a response. Better that gawping at him or blathering on nonsensically! I enjoyed your blog.
Thank you, everyone, for reading and commenting! XO
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