That is great Rick! The fact that it took the sales girl to
believe it was Joni, by looking at her card, when she was standing right in
front of her is hilarious. I had a good laugh over that one.
Much love
NP:"Shadows and Light"-JM
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: A Sweet Joni Story and This-N-That (Long, but good)
>Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2001 22:04:08 EDT
>
>The past seven days have been the coolest in a long time. And I don't mean
>in Los Angeles temperatures.
>
>Last Tuesday night, Brad and I were out celebrating his father's 82nd
>birthday. When we arrived home, there were two semi-frantic messages on
>our
>machine. Both from my enduring pal, Dianna. Concerned by the tone of her
>voice, I immediately called her back. She asked if she could come over
>immediately. She indicated nothing was really wrong, but she had to see me
>immediately, regardless of the late hour. Of course I told her to come
>right
>over.
>
>Rather than me tell this story, I asked Dianna to send me an email about
>her
>adventure I could post to the JMDL. Here's what I received (and am sending
>verbatim):
>
>Tuesday, 5:15 P.M.
>May 29, 2001
>
>Dearest Rick:
>
>This afternoon, on my way to the gym, I had a most unique experience that I
>must share with you. It was a beautiful, sunny southern California day
>that
>lent itself to shopping before working out with my trainer. I stopped by
>the
>lovely French boutique, Agnes b. on North Robertson at Alden on the border
>of
>LA and Beverly Hills to try on a skirt I had been thinking about
>purchasing.
>
>The store was nearly empty and I proceeded to try on a couple of different
>skirts. As I was giving myself the *once over* in the mirror, I realized I
>wasn't certain which fitting room I had been using. I almost started in
>the
>wrong one when, luckily, the sales girl directed me to the right dressing
>room. At that point I realized that the person in the room right next to
>me
>was none other than Joni Mitchell.
>
>The dressing rooms at Agnes b. are simply an off white canvas fabric
>floor-to-ceiling on 3 sides and then your mirror is on the wall on the
>fourth. I knew I had to call you to somehow come to the shop while Joni
>was
>there but I was sure she would be able to hear me through the curtains and
>would think I was a psycho. If I spoke softly, I was sure you wouldn't be
>able to understand me on the cell phone. So, I was compelled to take
>drastic
>measures.
>
>We happened to buy our purchases at the same time and at this point, we
>were
>the only two in the store. I said, "I love your work." To which she
>replied, "Oh, thank you." As we were standing next to each other at the
>counter, I continued. "I never do this, but would you mind terribly
>signing
>an autograph for my friend, Rick?" She said, "Oh no, not at all, I'd be
>happy to." Not being shy by nature I said, "Rick is your biggest fan. He
>has Joni parties all the time." She said, "Do you listen to the music or
>what?" I said, "Yes, only your music. The last time he invited me to a
>Joni
>party I said, 'Joni who?' and I immediately got an email back that said,
>'Don't be a bitch. There is only one Joni.'" [The sales girl then said as
>she took Joni's credit card -- "it is Joni Mitchell!" and I looked at her
>like, "well, duh!"] The sales girl said there were some postcards by the
>make up. Joni went to get one and signed it just for you. Since it has a
>picture of lips on the card, I said, "What a great card. Perfect." She
>said, "I should kiss it for him" and picked out a tester lipstick from the
>makeup counter and kissed it just for you on both sides. I told her it
>would
>probably be framed within 3 hours knowing you. I thanked her profusely for
>making my day and allowing me to give you a special surprise.
>
>She is as beautiful as you would expect, perfect cheekbones and all. She
>was
>wearing a straw brimmed hat and very casually, but nicely dressed. Sorry I
>didn't notice her purchases as I was trying to decide if I should block her
>car until you could get there! You know I would do anything for you, but
>kidnapping...maybe not. Enjoy your own personal autograph from Joni
>Mitchell.
>
>I love you,
>
>Dianna
>
>Me again:
>
>What Dianna failed to mention was Joni actually kissed the card on both
>sides. She kissed the colored side, over the illustrated lips. It didn't
>show up well, so she turned it over and kissed the white back, over her
>signature and greeting. Knowing Dianna, this meant even more to me. She
>has
>a very interesting, large circle of friends (including this
>not-as-interesting correspondent) and is well acquainted with many people
>of
>celebrated lives. Asking for an autograph doesn't come naturally to her.
>
>What she said was right, Brad just got back from the framer and the card is
>framed beautifully with an opening in back showing the front of the card
>and
>Joni's *other kiss.* It took him a bit more than three hours, but it was
>worth the wait!
>
>End of Joni Content.
>
>Now for the This-N-That:
>
>I just got back laaaatttteee last night from San Francisco. On Friday, my
>good pal Gary and I took two people riding in the 8th Annual California
>AIDS
>Ride to the start in San Francisco. Over three thousand people are riding
>a
>course of 575 miles from SF to Los Angeles. It was an amazing and very
>moving
>experience to just attend the opening and see our friends on their way.
>We
>followed the beautiful beginning of the course Sunday and Monday, stopping
>at
>various places to cheer the riders along. We held huge signs thanking and
>encouraging the riders and had a CD on the BoomBox that repeatedly played
>the
>song *You Sexy Thing* by Hot Chocolate. The lyrics were perfect and the
>passing riders loved it. I Believe in Miracles.... We began to get a
>reputation among the riders -- there are those two guys again!! It was a
>blast and felt so good to be even a peripheral part of such an amazing
>sacrifice made by these gentle people. It's a particularly important year
>for the ride as we recognize the twentieth anniversary of the AIDS virus.
>Twenty years.
>
>Thursday, I am having my tonsils removed and having some minor throat
>surgery. The last seven days have prepared me well. I am such a chicken.
>I've been told I won't be able to speak for a week, which some consider a
>reprieve. But, I can sure read and type, so, until then...
>
>No regrets,
>
>Coyote Rick
>Casa Alegre
>Hollywood, California
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