What a week of stories! We had FGS on Thursday, and the Folklife story showcase on Friday. Thanks to everyone who came out to one or both of those shows.

Before I go any further, I need to ask a quick favor. Can you please forward this email to freshgroundstories@gmail.com if you bought a membership to the Swedish Club in the past year? I know how many I’ve given away at the show, but I don’t know how many folks paid for one themselves. So if you or a friend or family member got one just to support FGS and the club, let me know by forwarding this email to me and letting me know how many you signed up for. Thanks!

Ok, back to the shows…

If you’ve been attending for a while, you know that my favorite part of any show is when a first-timer walks up to the mic. I know how hard it is to speak to a room full of strangers, especially when you’re saying something personal. All four first-timers we had Thursday night nailed their story. Thank you, Jose, Ed, Eric, and Nick. I loved each one of your stories and hope you come back and tell more with us. Write me if you’d like your audio.

Our regular tellers that night were just as inspiring. Cliff’s story was so moving to me that I almost proposed to my girlfriend from the stage. I didn’t, of course, because she would hate that, and then I’d probably have to find another girlfriend. But I did enjoy the look of terror on her face when I talked about doing it. I’m pretty sure she was laughing when I said it. Did anyone look over? Was that a smile or a grimace pretending to be a smile? 

Cliff’s story had nothing to do with marriage. It was about doing something you’re not used to doing and what it felt like to do it anyway. In Cliff’s case, it was a quick decision to move from Washington DC to Seattle. As I listened to the story, my body shook loose a fear I didn’t know I had of being trapped with the wrong person for the rest of my life. I don’t know why this story made me think of that, but it hit me so hard that I had a sudden urge to marry my girlfriend, who was sitting one row behind me. Luckily, I came to my senses by the time I got to the mic and managed to admit to the urge without giving in to it. 

That’s what stories do to us. They bring up stuff that might have nothing to do with what’s going on in the story. As scary as that moment was for me and then Marni, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. That’s why I keep running this show and telling my stories. I don’t get those moments anywhere else. 

Cliff was just one of our regular tellers that night. We also heard from Craig, Lance (welcome back!), Brian, and David. (I hope I didn’t forget anyone) 

I could tell from the number of names in Mr. Coffee that we wouldn’t have time to get everyone on stage that night, so I want to extend my extra-special thanks to the folks who let me know that it was ok to bump them. That helps me a lot. I feel terrible when I have to bump people, even though I give them a guaranteed spot on any future show. It still sucks to work on a story and not get to tell it. So thanks to everyone who let me know ahead of time.

Even more thanks to everyone who showed up at the Folklife story showcase Friday. What a treat to tell stories in a theater! All but one of the tellers were regulars at FGS. The only one who hadn’t done our show was Tom Rawson from Canada. He killed it that night. I told him the next time he comes down, it needs to be a third Thursday. You will love Tom when I finally get him to our show. Big thanks to Joanna Demarest, the folklife story coordinator, for making it all happen. I hope we can do it again next year.

That’s all for now. Our next show is June 18. The theme is “Stories of people surprising you.” I’ll get the invite out as soon as I can.

I hope you’re all having a great long weekend. I have to go install a sump pump now.

Paul

Freshgroundstories at gmail dot com