Thank you Patti! The magic you bring to each post and the people you have met are incredible. I continue to smile and shake my head with joy and amazement. I feel so lucky to be a subscriber.
I’m late responding to this but I just subscribed and I want to say that I understand completely how you jump up while listening to Astronomy. I have the same reaction to a lot of BOC. Still one of my favourite bands to listen to and, I think, one of the most underrated groups in history. Thanks for your continued memories of Sandy Pearlman - with Year of the Monkey - and this fabulous band.
Hi there. My name is Annie Murphy and I have been meaning to write to you for quite some time now. I hope you are doing well, it’s so exciting to finally be back in the world seeing things again. It has been exciting to see you getting to travel again. I was just in Joshua tree two weekends ago and saw a show in Pioneertown. I saw that you will be there in a couple of weeks, I’m sad I’ll miss you.
I originally had this written as a letter but realized that I didn't know how I could get this to you. So just imagine this message as a handwritten letter from me, Annie. I want to tell you a bit about me so that you may have a better grasp of who I am and maybe that will make it easier for you to picture my handwriting. Do you ever think about that? Like what a person's handwriting says about them? Or if you could imagine a person's handwriting simply from an interaction...who knows. Anyways, I am 23 and from Seattle. I’m a Libra and although I don't know a ton about astrology, that's important to me. I currently live in Oakland, California and enjoy writing, observing the life that moves around me and am finally getting around to writing to you.
I have been thinking about doing this ever since I read Just Kids. Then I read M Train, and Year of the Monkey, which gave me even more reason to write. I love the way you explain your surroundings in such detail and verbalize your thoughts and emotions. All of the books of yours that I have read and your posts on Substack have been such joys to read. When I read your writing, I can’t help but feel comforted knowing how powerful it is to be observant and detail oriented. I know that there are plenty of humans who are thinking in deep detail and are ultra observant. But the way in which you express it, is so spot on to me. Whether it’s your exact order for breakfast and the kind of mug your coffee comes in or the way the air feels at the beach, the descriptions are always so precise.
I think the real encouragement to write to you however, came after a dream of mine that you were in. A few days later I read a Substack post of yours about the dream you had about Bob Dylan and how Sam had one as well. I've always believed in the power of dreams and am constantly entertained and curious about the ones that I have. Now, I am sure that this situation isn’t similar to yours with Sam. I’m sure that you didn't also have a dream about you and I meeting but I figured I may as well share it, in case you might have, maybe you just didn't recognize me. I kid when I say that but at the same time you never know. Is my sense of humor coming across?
My dream took place on a big beach, I think it was somewhere on the east coast. It was a bit of an overcast day and the beach had a cement path that ran along it. I was sitting on top of these sand dunes with some friends looking out at the view of the ocean, when I decided I wanted to walk down towards it. As I approached the cement path, I saw you and Jesse walking in the direction towards me. Somehow we got to talking and suddenly we were sitting in a black booth on a train car that was sitting in the sand of the beach. It started to get crowded in the car and a bit claustrophobic. Next thing you know the three of us were walking the streets of New York. It was rather quiet and empty, we walked down the middle of a street. You saw my notebook in my tote bag and encouraged me to write everyday. Everything felt so natural.We turned into an entrance of what I realized was a theater. We had to enter through a turn style that popped out a ticket when you made it through. I realized that this was an entrance to a theater that I had never been to. You turned to me and smiled saying “I know, isn’t this fun!” I remember looking at the ticket in my hand, it was green and putting it in my notebook so that I wouldn't lose it.
When we entered the theater it was grand. A massive opera house. The seats were red leather and the ceilings were painted with gody images of angels and clouds. There were heavy red velour curtains lining the walls. The three of us found a place to sit fairly close to the front, near the screen. I didn’t know what we were there to see, but I was so encapsulated by the detail of the room that it didn't matter. We sat there talking, waiting for the screening to begin. I turned toward you and Jesse and said, “I don’t want to be weird or over the top, but this has been one of the greatest days of my life.” I could feel tears start to well up in my eyes and I thanked you both for being so welcoming to me. You and Jesse smiled and told me you were grateful I joined you today.
That was all, that was the dream. But boy did it mean the world to me. Though I may never get to know you in this life and have a run in with you the way you did with Bob Dylan. I am forever grateful for my dreams and imagination that provides me with the wild and whimsy experiences that somehow feel real. You may never see this, or write back or anything. But know that the impact you have made on this world, your writing and music, is something that will never be forgotten. Perhaps one day our paths will cross in real time but for now I hold onto the words that you write and the dreams that I have. Talk soon Patti, enjoy wacky Pioneertown.
Thank you everyone for your comments. It was strange having Sandy and his strong so much on mind and forgetting it was his birthday. It felt good to write about him.
Patti - there is a Blue Oyster Art Project Space in Dunedin. It supports emerging artists, writers, practitoners, and was founded in 1999. Playfully named after the Blue Oyster gay biker bar featured in the 1984 comedy film Police Academy. Any relation?
Thank you Patti I totally loved the song! While listening I was transported to another time and another place far kinder and more joyous than this one ….. unfortunately! But that IS the power of music after all!
Thank you Patti! The magic you bring to each post and the people you have met are incredible. I continue to smile and shake my head with joy and amazement. I feel so lucky to be a subscriber.
I’m late responding to this but I just subscribed and I want to say that I understand completely how you jump up while listening to Astronomy. I have the same reaction to a lot of BOC. Still one of my favourite bands to listen to and, I think, one of the most underrated groups in history. Thanks for your continued memories of Sandy Pearlman - with Year of the Monkey - and this fabulous band.
🙏⭐🙏
Dear Patti,
Hi there. My name is Annie Murphy and I have been meaning to write to you for quite some time now. I hope you are doing well, it’s so exciting to finally be back in the world seeing things again. It has been exciting to see you getting to travel again. I was just in Joshua tree two weekends ago and saw a show in Pioneertown. I saw that you will be there in a couple of weeks, I’m sad I’ll miss you.
I originally had this written as a letter but realized that I didn't know how I could get this to you. So just imagine this message as a handwritten letter from me, Annie. I want to tell you a bit about me so that you may have a better grasp of who I am and maybe that will make it easier for you to picture my handwriting. Do you ever think about that? Like what a person's handwriting says about them? Or if you could imagine a person's handwriting simply from an interaction...who knows. Anyways, I am 23 and from Seattle. I’m a Libra and although I don't know a ton about astrology, that's important to me. I currently live in Oakland, California and enjoy writing, observing the life that moves around me and am finally getting around to writing to you.
I have been thinking about doing this ever since I read Just Kids. Then I read M Train, and Year of the Monkey, which gave me even more reason to write. I love the way you explain your surroundings in such detail and verbalize your thoughts and emotions. All of the books of yours that I have read and your posts on Substack have been such joys to read. When I read your writing, I can’t help but feel comforted knowing how powerful it is to be observant and detail oriented. I know that there are plenty of humans who are thinking in deep detail and are ultra observant. But the way in which you express it, is so spot on to me. Whether it’s your exact order for breakfast and the kind of mug your coffee comes in or the way the air feels at the beach, the descriptions are always so precise.
I think the real encouragement to write to you however, came after a dream of mine that you were in. A few days later I read a Substack post of yours about the dream you had about Bob Dylan and how Sam had one as well. I've always believed in the power of dreams and am constantly entertained and curious about the ones that I have. Now, I am sure that this situation isn’t similar to yours with Sam. I’m sure that you didn't also have a dream about you and I meeting but I figured I may as well share it, in case you might have, maybe you just didn't recognize me. I kid when I say that but at the same time you never know. Is my sense of humor coming across?
My dream took place on a big beach, I think it was somewhere on the east coast. It was a bit of an overcast day and the beach had a cement path that ran along it. I was sitting on top of these sand dunes with some friends looking out at the view of the ocean, when I decided I wanted to walk down towards it. As I approached the cement path, I saw you and Jesse walking in the direction towards me. Somehow we got to talking and suddenly we were sitting in a black booth on a train car that was sitting in the sand of the beach. It started to get crowded in the car and a bit claustrophobic. Next thing you know the three of us were walking the streets of New York. It was rather quiet and empty, we walked down the middle of a street. You saw my notebook in my tote bag and encouraged me to write everyday. Everything felt so natural.We turned into an entrance of what I realized was a theater. We had to enter through a turn style that popped out a ticket when you made it through. I realized that this was an entrance to a theater that I had never been to. You turned to me and smiled saying “I know, isn’t this fun!” I remember looking at the ticket in my hand, it was green and putting it in my notebook so that I wouldn't lose it.
When we entered the theater it was grand. A massive opera house. The seats were red leather and the ceilings were painted with gody images of angels and clouds. There were heavy red velour curtains lining the walls. The three of us found a place to sit fairly close to the front, near the screen. I didn’t know what we were there to see, but I was so encapsulated by the detail of the room that it didn't matter. We sat there talking, waiting for the screening to begin. I turned toward you and Jesse and said, “I don’t want to be weird or over the top, but this has been one of the greatest days of my life.” I could feel tears start to well up in my eyes and I thanked you both for being so welcoming to me. You and Jesse smiled and told me you were grateful I joined you today.
That was all, that was the dream. But boy did it mean the world to me. Though I may never get to know you in this life and have a run in with you the way you did with Bob Dylan. I am forever grateful for my dreams and imagination that provides me with the wild and whimsy experiences that somehow feel real. You may never see this, or write back or anything. But know that the impact you have made on this world, your writing and music, is something that will never be forgotten. Perhaps one day our paths will cross in real time but for now I hold onto the words that you write and the dreams that I have. Talk soon Patti, enjoy wacky Pioneertown.
Gratefully,
Annie
Thank you everyone for your comments. It was strange having Sandy and his strong so much on mind and forgetting it was his birthday. It felt good to write about him.
I hope so. Sorry for using this column, everyone , but I’m trying hard to keep up. We’re so lucky to have her!!!!
Is today a sub stack day?
"I miss my friends but happy to be alive to remember". Thanks for your words Patti. They give form to old longings like a fireside glow.
Thank you to introducing me to the Blue Oyster Cult, amazing song!!! Love you 💖🇧🇷
Your words as ever inspire, dear Patti. 🤗💚
212 am just woke..a cup of orange juice...yr words Patti..back to dreams..jt
Patti - there is a Blue Oyster Art Project Space in Dunedin. It supports emerging artists, writers, practitoners, and was founded in 1999. Playfully named after the Blue Oyster gay biker bar featured in the 1984 comedy film Police Academy. Any relation?
I love how you knit constellation after constellation in your writing. A quilt of love.
Beautiful. ❤️
Thank you Patti I totally loved the song! While listening I was transported to another time and another place far kinder and more joyous than this one ….. unfortunately! But that IS the power of music after all!
Dog Star