This is really lovely and giddy and I can feel how weak in the knees and smitten you were, to the serenade of that song. Brings me back to basement parties sweetly! You scored! Your rockstar moment!
This lovely story reminded me of my first crush. Nothing ever happened with him, but that feeling of being giddy, swoony and weak in the knees every time he was near (or even in the same building) is still strong. Interesting...I just realized I no longer remember his name.
For a moment in your story I feared your donut would not be well-received. How awesome that you were so bold and that you got the chance to play it out.
Thank you for this empowering story--heartbreak and longing as precious rather than just "he hurt me" kind of memory. Now, of course, I'm longing for a donut, preferably heart-shaped. I went to Garden City High School and graduated in 1963. Yes, I'm 80. These times!!! Those times. Yikes. (Constance Congdon, getconnie@gmail.com)
Dear Tanya, You did it again. Amazing descriptions. I wonder if I was ever written about like that? I doubt it. Anyway. Very good work. Again. And Happy Valentine's Day. Love, Hans
God damn, Tanya, you are beautiful inside and out! What a gorgeous, heartfelt essay, nailed me in all the feels. I LOVE that song too, and love your writing. I am an '86 Oberlin alum, and still remember singing with you at the Cat, "I Like Your Style." I can't believe it's been over 40 years since I started there....Happy V-Day -- please keep in touch! -- Jonathan Turner (563-742-0874)
Thank you so much, Jonathan!! So glad you enjoyed it! It's always great to hear from a fellow Obie. I don't remember that song?!? But of course I remember the wonderful times at the Cat!
Oh yeah! I recognize that song! How did we happen to be doing it at the Cat? Did it have something to do with Seth? I remember learning a lot of new Broadway songs for the radio show he was doing then.
No, I just love Broadway, I had seen "Barnum" and really liked the song. Were you friends with Seth then? I didn't know he was doing a radio show in school. I remember loving his "Wonderful Town" at Wilder Hall, and we were both in "1776" my senior year, which we did during commencement weekend. I don't know why I never kept in touch with him, I have followed his amazing career from afar....I have been so pissed at Oberlin over the Gibson's lawsuit controversy (you must be familiar), I stopped donating any money for years. Did you see this scathing Ted Koppel segment on the issue? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZUzUN3iG48
Yes, Seth and I were friends in college. We've kept a bit in touch over the years. I've seen him in NY a few times, and in 2017 when my musical The Fourth Messenger played at the New York Musical Festival, he had me on his show, which was a huge treat.
I am still deeply connected to Oberlin. It's a very special place for me. I feel like the amount they took from the college in the lawsuit was grossly unfair. The protests were student-led. Even if they were misguided, I don't think it's fair to blame the college. They didn't sponsor the protests. What were they supposed to do? And certainly thirty-one million dollars was an extremely unfair judgment. That's my perspective, anyway.
I'm sorry, we'll have to agree to disagree. The college did support the protestors, as you can see in the Koppel segment, and the final court judgment was $36 million they had to pay, which was upheld on appeal. It was totally justified, based on our justice system and evidence presented. There was absolutely NO reason for the protests in the first place, and Gibson's had never had any pattern of racist behavior. The 2016 incident that sparked all this was a crime and anyone should be accountable for breaking the law.
This is really lovely and giddy and I can feel how weak in the knees and smitten you were, to the serenade of that song. Brings me back to basement parties sweetly! You scored! Your rockstar moment!
Thanks, Hilary!! So glad you enjoyed it! And yep...There's nothing quite like that rush of early smittenness! 😊❤️
This lovely story reminded me of my first crush. Nothing ever happened with him, but that feeling of being giddy, swoony and weak in the knees every time he was near (or even in the same building) is still strong. Interesting...I just realized I no longer remember his name.
For a moment in your story I feared your donut would not be well-received. How awesome that you were so bold and that you got the chance to play it out.
Thank you so much, Yvette! It was definitely lucky for me that my doughnut was well received, even if things degenerated shortly thereafter!
Beautiful story and I'm sure a reminder to many of us of those moments of discovery and overwhelming love that we never forget. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Phoebe! ❤️🥰
💘 🌷 💙. Sweet!
❤️❤️😀
Gorgeous writing, Tanya!! So sweet and tender and poignant. Loved every word!!!
Thank you so much, Alison! ❤️
I love this story, Tanya! It helps me remember the magic of those first crushes.
Thanks so much, Sally! So glad you enjoyed it. ❤️
Verifying worked!
Thank you for this empowering story--heartbreak and longing as precious rather than just "he hurt me" kind of memory. Now, of course, I'm longing for a donut, preferably heart-shaped. I went to Garden City High School and graduated in 1963. Yes, I'm 80. These times!!! Those times. Yikes. (Constance Congdon, getconnie@gmail.com)
Thank you, Connie! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it! And I'm so glad verifying worked. :-) Big hugs to you.
Dear Tanya, You did it again. Amazing descriptions. I wonder if I was ever written about like that? I doubt it. Anyway. Very good work. Again. And Happy Valentine's Day. Love, Hans
Thank you, dear Hans! Happy Valentine's Day! I bet you appear in many people's fond Valentine memories. 😌❤️
You are full of incredible surprises. You had more confidence than I could ever marshal. Great story, and an even better experience:)
Thanks so much, Barb!
God damn, Tanya, you are beautiful inside and out! What a gorgeous, heartfelt essay, nailed me in all the feels. I LOVE that song too, and love your writing. I am an '86 Oberlin alum, and still remember singing with you at the Cat, "I Like Your Style." I can't believe it's been over 40 years since I started there....Happy V-Day -- please keep in touch! -- Jonathan Turner (563-742-0874)
Thank you so much, Jonathan!! So glad you enjoyed it! It's always great to hear from a fellow Obie. I don't remember that song?!? But of course I remember the wonderful times at the Cat!
Maybe this will jog your memory (it's no "How Deep Is Your Love," but it's still wonderful).....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_2bp9HFUy8
Oh yeah! I recognize that song! How did we happen to be doing it at the Cat? Did it have something to do with Seth? I remember learning a lot of new Broadway songs for the radio show he was doing then.
No, I just love Broadway, I had seen "Barnum" and really liked the song. Were you friends with Seth then? I didn't know he was doing a radio show in school. I remember loving his "Wonderful Town" at Wilder Hall, and we were both in "1776" my senior year, which we did during commencement weekend. I don't know why I never kept in touch with him, I have followed his amazing career from afar....I have been so pissed at Oberlin over the Gibson's lawsuit controversy (you must be familiar), I stopped donating any money for years. Did you see this scathing Ted Koppel segment on the issue? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZUzUN3iG48
Yes, Seth and I were friends in college. We've kept a bit in touch over the years. I've seen him in NY a few times, and in 2017 when my musical The Fourth Messenger played at the New York Musical Festival, he had me on his show, which was a huge treat.
I am still deeply connected to Oberlin. It's a very special place for me. I feel like the amount they took from the college in the lawsuit was grossly unfair. The protests were student-led. Even if they were misguided, I don't think it's fair to blame the college. They didn't sponsor the protests. What were they supposed to do? And certainly thirty-one million dollars was an extremely unfair judgment. That's my perspective, anyway.
I'm sorry, we'll have to agree to disagree. The college did support the protestors, as you can see in the Koppel segment, and the final court judgment was $36 million they had to pay, which was upheld on appeal. It was totally justified, based on our justice system and evidence presented. There was absolutely NO reason for the protests in the first place, and Gibson's had never had any pattern of racist behavior. The 2016 incident that sparked all this was a crime and anyone should be accountable for breaking the law.