Cute Little Story
Might have posted something like this once before but it's short so if I did, just bear with me.
Someone on a forum I occasionally post on was discussing Tom Robbins the other day. It was slightly off topic but reminded me of this story. Here is what i wrote.
I've been a fan of Robbins for a long time. And I have a funny Tom Robbins story to tell. About 10-12 years ago, I got a call. I answered. "Hello, this is Tom Robbins. I hope you don't mind but Terence McKenna gave me your phone number and said you were the expert on frog hallucinogens. I'm writing a book about them and wonder if you could talk to me about them..."
Well, I worked with Phylomedusa bicolor, the Matses' sapo medicine, and Robbins was talking about the Bufo Alvarious, which I knew but certainly was not an expert on. And what I did know was from the Bufo Amazonas. So I couldn't help him much. I think I gave him Tom Lyttle's number, and for those of you who know, Tom Lyttle was a crazy genius who died way too young. The book Robbins finally wrote was Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas, a terrific piece.
But while I couldn't help him out, I was thrilled to get the call. "This is Tom Robbins...Terence McKenna gave me your phone number..." Man, I thought I made it right there. It was so cool that I was probably shining for a week.
Of course, still struggling to pay the mortgage and keep shoes on my kids's feet, I know I'm not there yet, but for a minute a decade ago, well, I was sky high.
6 comments:
that is so awesome! I probably would have passed out....then I would have called Terence and suggested we do shrooms together...haha
Passing out is about what I did. Terence and I later did one or two radio shows together. I mean, I had met him and knew him a little--a little, not much--but the Robbins' call was so cool. I think the radio show I remember was on WBAI in NYC. I don't know if I have a copy or not. But he was very gracious on it.
Other very cool people I met include Jimi Hendrix--when I was helping build his Electric Ladyland studio on St. Marks--Sting and his wife Trudy, when I wrote a pamphlet for them; and then a million people, not including you yet, Johnny the Dagger. But that will be cool when we eventually meet, eh?
umm...yeah...I guess you don't recognize me from the picture..I guess I should have signed my real name....I'm Alan C. Miller..I traveled with you in 2001..I was married to Marjorie.
I can't get Coast to Coast AM on my radio here....I guess I should get something better than an alarm-clock radio if I want better reception. All about finding the tools hear the message.
Hey Pete,
Interesting article on publishing books.
http://www.arthurmag.com/2010/09/29/rushkoff-why-i-left-my-publisher-in-order-to-publish-a-book/#more-13198
Well, I thought it was you, Alan, but with the name Johnny I figured you must be someone who knew Alan. Anyway, nice to hear from you.
Post a Comment