We all have a face that we hide away forever
July 13, 2012
"And that's when Billy Joel touched me... in my heart." Photo by Spencer Ritenour.
I did this show a couple of weeks ago called the Soundtrack Series. It was fun, and terrifying. I love doing readings, but this was my first time storytelling, without all the words written on paper so I could remember what to say. I was about 80% sure that I would forget my story and cry until someone came up and led me off the stage. Fortunately, I was wrong, and all went according to plan.
For the show, each storyteller picks a song and discusses the memories they associate with it. When I was asked I knew right away the story I would tell. Here, for your enjoyment, is the story of THE STRANGER, my ill-fated Billy Joel musical. It's only eight minutes. LISTEN.
And now let's discuss my hair, which is out of control. I'm trying to grow it out, and it's...it's getting so big. No matter how I tamp it down, it sproings up again. I can't remember how to have more than two inches of hair. It's been a while. I also don't remember if I always had curly/wavy hair or if this is a new thing. (That's how long it's been.) This hair certainly seems different than the hair I remember from my youth, and not just because it's gray. Did pregnancy change my hair? Stress? Drugs? Magic?
Reader Comments (19)
That was absolutely hilarious...touching and funny all at the same time.
I love everything about this story. Except Missy. That little creep.
That was excellent. And now I really hope somehow Billy Joel's people somehow see this and hook you up. :)
Most enjoyable. You are truly a multi-talented person.
Gray hair is TOTALLY different from "regular" hair. My hair just to be so fine and silky and now it's a coarse, springy mess. Having babies also takes it toll on hair, usually in the form of hair loss. And now I'm going to listen to your story, which is what you asked us to do. The hair questions were probably rhetorical, right?
Awkward.
Damn, I just love this story!!!!
I'm completely obsessed with Missy. Also, I don't understand why you don't do the musical now that you are all grown up.
The one thing I'm also curious about is whether you were upset afterward or felt horribly betrayed.
I once had a girl convinced she was a multi-millionaire and had a butler and maids, a chaffeur. Then I went to her house--It was a condemned house, ready to be torn down. I am still so impressed by her deception and her aspirations. She was also very nonchalant about the absence of the household staff. They were on break or something.
I think I felt stupid, mostly. Her lies were all so obvious. I never spoke to her again.
I remain gullible to this day. Anyone have a pyramid scheme they want to tell me about?
Stressful pregnancy magical drugs. Happens to the best of us. Also, I so want to punch Missy for you, saying "Keep Linda Rondstadt's name out your mouth, wench", then pour purple dye all over her hands so she couldn't get that next hand modeling gig. I would have been your stereotypical angry black friend.
It was magic. Sorry about that. (You didn't think getting wine spilled on you at your reading in Seattle was an accident, did you?)
Aw, but now it's sad because as an adult, you're too good for Billy Joel, but doing the musical would be awesome nonetheless. An aside, ugh, there are way too many Missys in the world.
The blurb at the end said that this was at "The Gallery at Poisson Rouge in New York" - that sounds an awful lot like the stage at the mall in Huntington. I think it just took a while for you to get there. And Handflapper is exactly right about gray hair.
Oh, ALICE.
Oh, Alice.
WHo stands a chance against the magic that is you?????
Your story (and hair) are great! Post-pregnancy my hair became wavy/curly, which was quite a shock after stick straight hair.
I knew a girl who told me, when we were about 10 or 11, that she was secretly married to a local high school boy and when I didn't believe her, she brought out a "ring" that I seem to recall was the ring part of a key ring. I was irritated and saddened in about equal measure. What is it about that age?! What Missy did was much worse. Poor 11-year-old you!
I always had fine, straight, sort of silky hair until pregnancy and the grays; now it's much more unmanageable. Yours looks great!
I had a Missy in my youth. Her name was... Missy. And I am as gullible as you. The older I get, the more I talk with people my own age about their youth, I realize just how gullible I am. Which makes the gesture you and Eden did for me last year at the Camp Mighty final morning all the more awesome. I shall never forget being invited to join internet celebrities at breakfast. You cancelled out at least our two Missys with that.
So cute! Great story and good for you for remembering all those details... it is better to be totally gullible than suspicious in life!
Kristina
The "Contact" online form always times out, so I am hoping someone here can help me out! It was love at first sight when I saw the picture of Alice's Charlie in the "Three's A Crowd" article in the Ladies Home Journal; however, I cannot find the one of him alone on LJH's website! Does anyone happen to know where I can find it? Too cute (and I'm a cat person)!
You were fabulous! (what else is new) And no one's hair sproings quite like yours. xo
Are you aware that Alec Baldwin just interviewed Billy Joel on "Here's the Thing"? If not go listen to it, it's awesome.