October 04, 2003
When cookies are a GOOD thing
Posted by Jess in
Tech Talk
MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm cookies.
It's coming up on me and Matt's two year wedding anniversary, so I'm getting kind of sentimental thinking about what a great day that was.
I thought I'd share a strange twist of fate in which cookies helped me to have one of the most memorable aspects of my wedding.
Consider it a breath of fresh air in the midst of all the other issues that go with them.
As I think I mentioned before, my father plays classical guitar, and used to play in NYC both by himself, and as part of the band of well known acts. He's played in Birdland in the 50's, right at the height of the smoky jazz scene, and also has the honor of being the very first person ever to play classical guitar in the Army band in Washington, D.C. (Steve Lawrence was also in the band, and required a classical guitarist for his arrangements. Since there was none, both Steve and my dad made a trip to the Pentagon to petition for a new spot in the band.)
Anyway, I knew my dad had went on tour with Les Elgart sometime in the 50's. After some inconspicuous questioning, I got a year - 1958. I also knew that he had no idea where any recordings might be. I really wanted to have a song that he was playing on for the father/daughter dance at my wedding, so I went on a mission.
First stop, contacting the Columbia Records archive department, as that was the record label that Les Elgart used, thanks to Amazon.com. The man was very sympathetic and said he would have loved to help, but there was simply too much music and they didn't keep track of individual people on albums.
After that, it was the web to do more research. Nothing.
One year went by and I realized the wedding was coming up soon, and my idea was a bust.
So one day I just happened to stumble on Amazon.com's home page. Remember how I had used Amazon.com to look up Les Elgart's music to find the record label? Right there on the home page was a recommendation for me. "New Release: Les Elgart on Tour".
I did a quick check to find out that someone, for some unknown reason, had randomly decided that it had been far too long since anyone had a new Les Elgart CD. The year of the tour? 1958. My father was on this one.
It did not take me long to pick "Five foot two, eyes of blue" as the song (which I might add, is a very sweet instrumental), and I managed to surprise him by telling the guests the backstory before dancing with him to this song at my wedding.
So, the tide was right, the moon was in the next phase, and my planets were in alignment that day.
I still get chills thinking about it.
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OK, no tears in the eyes here - held 'em back in best guy style - but definite misty. That is so way cool, to make that special memory even more special for you and your dad.
Jess - Just loved this entry and the one about the Indian Burial Ground. You and Matt are very special people and I am honored to have you as friends. Thanks for thinking about us last weekend, sorry I couldn't make it.
- Martin
PS: I gave Alex your cards and he said he would route them to proper people!
Jess - Just loved this entry and the one about the Indian Burial Ground. You and Matt are very special people and I am honored to have you as friends. Thanks for thinking about us last weekend, sorry I couldn't make it.
- Martin
PS: I gave Alex your cards and he said he would route them to proper people!
LOL Joe!
Martin, thanks! We missed you there.
It was also nice watching Izzy beat up on Matt. :-P
