The Thrift Shop
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.50 total reviews
Comment from Spitfire
Brilliant Sis Cat. I felt so many emotions. Your thrill at finding Jesus Christ Superstar--how ironic in view of the later event (JCS is one of my favorites too) Paired with The Carpenters we have a second reference to Jesus. A clever double prejudice with the talk show on homosexuals. Your fear of the gun but your courage in bargaining for the album. The image in your mind of what could have been.
You need to enter this into a contest.
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Brilliant Sis Cat. I felt so many emotions. Your thrill at finding Jesus Christ Superstar--how ironic in view of the later event (JCS is one of my favorites too) Paired with The Carpenters we have a second reference to Jesus. A clever double prejudice with the talk show on homosexuals. Your fear of the gun but your courage in bargaining for the album. The image in your mind of what could have been.
You need to enter this into a contest.
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Thank you, Spitfire, for your generous, six star review. Based upon what I know now in regards of recent shootings, I am glad I got out of that shop alive and gladder still that I can share my experiences. I entered the written version of my story in a FanStory contest and may try to submit a performed version for a live storytelling contest. Thank you again for your support.
Comment from cterp
Quite a story, Andre. I can feel you arching your back as you walked out. I'm not black, so I won't pretend to say I know how you feel, but I can identify with you in other ways.
This is the paragraph that got me:
Nodding his gun, the shopkeeper demanded, "Aren't you going to buy more records?"
You've got it all in there. Your brilliant writing, your fear, the shopkeeper's ignorance, your love of records.
Good luck in the contest.
chris
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Quite a story, Andre. I can feel you arching your back as you walked out. I'm not black, so I won't pretend to say I know how you feel, but I can identify with you in other ways.
This is the paragraph that got me:
Nodding his gun, the shopkeeper demanded, "Aren't you going to buy more records?"
You've got it all in there. Your brilliant writing, your fear, the shopkeeper's ignorance, your love of records.
Good luck in the contest.
chris
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Thank you, Chris, for your generous, six star review. Based on what I now know about shootings, I am glad I got out of that shop alive, but I grieve for those who did not escape such situations. Mine was an odd situation. The shopkeeper accused me of being a thief, but he was the one holding the gun and demanding I buy more records.
Thank you also for wishing me success in the contest.
Comment from Thomas Bowling
I hate being so old that you have to explain The Carpenters to me. Love the video. Multi talented. I only have one, two if you count masterbation.
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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I hate being so old that you have to explain The Carpenters to me. Love the video. Multi talented. I only have one, two if you count masterbation.
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Ha, Thomas, for our multiple talents! I am glad I am able to use both my written and performed storytelling talents to influence one another. That distinguishes me on the stage and on the page. I am glad you love the video. I love your review, too.
Comment from c_lucas
Racism is alive and well in the land of the free. This is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very good read.
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Racism is alive and well in the land of the free. This is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very good read.
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Thank you, C_lucas, for your generous review. What disturbs me about this story is that for me it happened thirty-six years ago, but incidents like this are still happening today "in the land of the free." This is disheartening. Mine story is not old news but current news. Thank you for your review.
Comment from F. Wehr3
I would say WOW to this story unfortunately it's an all too familiar occurrence. If I were you, I would have suppressed that memory as well. Really strong entry for the contest. I'm glad you made it.
Take care,
Russell
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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I would say WOW to this story unfortunately it's an all too familiar occurrence. If I were you, I would have suppressed that memory as well. Really strong entry for the contest. I'm glad you made it.
Take care,
Russell
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Yes, Russell, it is hard to suppress the memory when every shooting reminds me, "That could have been me." I question why I live and others died in similar circumstance. It is hard for me to perform the story because I relive the fear and page and start crying on stage before an audience. I channel that grief and trauma to push forward to finish my story in honor of those who never lived to finish theirs. Thank you for your generous, six star review.
Comment from Mastery
Hello, Cat. How ya been? I always...always enjoy your stories, and this is no exception. (I don't think they had Goodwill stores back in my day...50s and 60s.
I cannot imagin eliving that life of threats and disrespect and fear, but I can tell you I am sorry it happens to you or anyone else in this world...no matter what color. I have a fantastic collection of LPs I saved all these years and now they are back. LOL.
The imagery is great throughout this story, cat. like: " Gun in hand, he stretched his arms wide, and then returned the gun to aim at me."
Suggestion: "He stopped laughing. He shifted his eyes from the queers on TV to the one who walked in his door." (I would join these two thoughts together with "and and skip the period.)
Good luck in the contest, my friend. Bob
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Hello, Cat. How ya been? I always...always enjoy your stories, and this is no exception. (I don't think they had Goodwill stores back in my day...50s and 60s.
I cannot imagin eliving that life of threats and disrespect and fear, but I can tell you I am sorry it happens to you or anyone else in this world...no matter what color. I have a fantastic collection of LPs I saved all these years and now they are back. LOL.
The imagery is great throughout this story, cat. like: " Gun in hand, he stretched his arms wide, and then returned the gun to aim at me."
Suggestion: "He stopped laughing. He shifted his eyes from the queers on TV to the one who walked in his door." (I would join these two thoughts together with "and and skip the period.)
Good luck in the contest, my friend. Bob
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Thank you, Bob, for your generous six star review and suggestions. I made the corrections. It is hard for me to relive this incident when I perform my story on stage. Audiences today are moved to hear my story. Even though LPs are making a comeback, I take pains to explain what a record is. Thank you again for your review and support.
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Do you explain the whole process from acetate to Masters etc? Nice. Bob
Comment from Kelly2
Love your writing style, as well as your choice in music. I grew up in Detroit, Motown, and in 1980 when I was 17, I moved to the LA area. I adore Jesus Christ Superstar and my sister and I still sing to the Carpenters and the Stylistics and always, forever Stevie Wonder. Funny story...my daughter, who was born in 1982, recently found this small yellow disk-like object. She said she had been looking at it for over an hour, trying to figure out what it was. I laughed my ass off. It was an insert for a 45.
Anyway, I could go on and on, but I need to get on with this review.
Fantastic storytelling. That storekeeper had the mentality of Archie Bunker. You could not have been more innocent, totally enraptured in the vinyl before you. He could be arrested for holding you at gun point, but he would have told a different story than you and they would have believed him. He also could have killed you and gotten away with it because there was only one left to tell the tale. I moved to Tennessee 20 years ago and the prejudice I see here is unreal.
Your story was funny, too. "Is he holding me at gunpoint to buy records?" made me laugh out loud. I bet you never went back there to buy records again. Which is sad. It sounds like they had a lot of good vinyl. Why did you go back 33 years later? Just to see if it had changed? I liked your description of the quality of light. I would imagine everything becomes more vivid when you have a gun in your face.
My only critique is when you think, "your people" stood as bodyguards. I know that's what HE was saying, but wouldn't you be thinking, "Yeah, it's great that "my people" are doing such and such. It's just like if someone said to me, "Your kind is always causing problems." My reply would be, "Oh, MY KIND, eh?"
I want to fan you, but yesterday I used up all my "fans" because I was reviewing stories all day to get member dollars to promote my book, Cry Me a River. I also want to see your video, but it has disappeared from the screen. Maybe when I hit save here, it will come back.
Great job! I would imagine it's a whole 'nother thing being an oral storyteller as compared to a writer. You are simply great with words and imagery.
Kelly
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Love your writing style, as well as your choice in music. I grew up in Detroit, Motown, and in 1980 when I was 17, I moved to the LA area. I adore Jesus Christ Superstar and my sister and I still sing to the Carpenters and the Stylistics and always, forever Stevie Wonder. Funny story...my daughter, who was born in 1982, recently found this small yellow disk-like object. She said she had been looking at it for over an hour, trying to figure out what it was. I laughed my ass off. It was an insert for a 45.
Anyway, I could go on and on, but I need to get on with this review.
Fantastic storytelling. That storekeeper had the mentality of Archie Bunker. You could not have been more innocent, totally enraptured in the vinyl before you. He could be arrested for holding you at gun point, but he would have told a different story than you and they would have believed him. He also could have killed you and gotten away with it because there was only one left to tell the tale. I moved to Tennessee 20 years ago and the prejudice I see here is unreal.
Your story was funny, too. "Is he holding me at gunpoint to buy records?" made me laugh out loud. I bet you never went back there to buy records again. Which is sad. It sounds like they had a lot of good vinyl. Why did you go back 33 years later? Just to see if it had changed? I liked your description of the quality of light. I would imagine everything becomes more vivid when you have a gun in your face.
My only critique is when you think, "your people" stood as bodyguards. I know that's what HE was saying, but wouldn't you be thinking, "Yeah, it's great that "my people" are doing such and such. It's just like if someone said to me, "Your kind is always causing problems." My reply would be, "Oh, MY KIND, eh?"
I want to fan you, but yesterday I used up all my "fans" because I was reviewing stories all day to get member dollars to promote my book, Cry Me a River. I also want to see your video, but it has disappeared from the screen. Maybe when I hit save here, it will come back.
Great job! I would imagine it's a whole 'nother thing being an oral storyteller as compared to a writer. You are simply great with words and imagery.
Kelly
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Thank you, Kelly, for your generous, enthusiastic review and I hope you view the video. Many African American writers, who, when complimented by others about "your people," reuse that exact loaded phrase in their stories. Me changing it to "my people" in my thought would not work because it would mean I would be accepting his racist view. I reread my 1980 diary entry yesterday in which I noted the shopkeeper's use of "your people" and "colored." I am so grateful I have that diary!
Thank you again for your review.
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I've kept a diary for over 40 years. It's really come in handy!
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Yes, Kelly, diaries come in handy. I have kept one for forty years, too. I can mine it for stories for the rest of my life. Cheers. Pleasant writing.
Comment from Brett Matthew West
Stand Your Ground proved Zimmerman did not murder Martin.
33 years ago since this incident occurred?
This incident occurred on February 26, 2012. Just four years ago, in Sanford, Florida.
Were Zimmerman's actions necessary? Perhaps not.
Were they legal? Yes.
Has this been a major controversy since? Even your posting depicts the answer to that question.
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Stand Your Ground proved Zimmerman did not murder Martin.
33 years ago since this incident occurred?
This incident occurred on February 26, 2012. Just four years ago, in Sanford, Florida.
Were Zimmerman's actions necessary? Perhaps not.
Were they legal? Yes.
Has this been a major controversy since? Even your posting depicts the answer to that question.
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Thank you, Cody's Corner, for your review and questions. Yes, the incident occurred in 2012, but when I used the phrase "Thirty three years later," I referred to the verdict in the trial in 2013. I added the phrase "in 2013" to clarify this.
The odd thing about my incident is that I stood my ground and continued to shop for records. It probably was not wise to remain there while the shopkeeper hurled insults at me and aimed his gun, but I wanted to finish my task of shopping. My continued presence while I shopped threw off the shopkeeper and forced him to engage in storytelling about his son. Nine out of ten people would have fled. I walked out of his shop with my life, my records, and my own story to tell.
Thank you for your review.
Comment from light
You tell your story with such feeling that you make the reader endure your emotion. There is nothing anyone can do to erase your past, but maybe the future can change for other young black men. Thanks for sharing.
Elaine
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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You tell your story with such feeling that you make the reader endure your emotion. There is nothing anyone can do to erase your past, but maybe the future can change for other young black men. Thanks for sharing.
Elaine
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Thank you, Elaine, for your generous review. I performed this story live in front of a sold out crowd in Oakland last Thursday. People, young and old, black and white, were moved by my story, because people who have had a gun pulled on them in similar circumstances did not survive to tell their stories. Thank you again for your review.
Comment from I am Cat
Andre,
When I received an email yesterday from YouTube in which this video was sent, I knew I would be, and couldn't wait to review this and give it the highest marks possible.
It touched my heart so.
So frightening, yet told with your natural enthusiasm. The ending with its high drama took me to a different plain altogether! Wow!
I was applauding with all the people there.
Beautifully told, this tale of absurdities. And when you ask, "was I being held at gunpoint to buy records?" Brilliant!
In the poem at the first, I wonder at the use of the word "groves", did you mean, "grooves"?
Also, one point I found when watching the video, when you become excited in your storytelling, it's amazing to watch you, but it sometimes becomes very difficult to understand what you are saying. Your articulation slips (as happens to most of us when we slip into that mode). Be careful of that.
Just a thought.
I loved this.
Bravo!
Another winner here, Andre'
Cat
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Andre,
When I received an email yesterday from YouTube in which this video was sent, I knew I would be, and couldn't wait to review this and give it the highest marks possible.
It touched my heart so.
So frightening, yet told with your natural enthusiasm. The ending with its high drama took me to a different plain altogether! Wow!
I was applauding with all the people there.
Beautifully told, this tale of absurdities. And when you ask, "was I being held at gunpoint to buy records?" Brilliant!
In the poem at the first, I wonder at the use of the word "groves", did you mean, "grooves"?
Also, one point I found when watching the video, when you become excited in your storytelling, it's amazing to watch you, but it sometimes becomes very difficult to understand what you are saying. Your articulation slips (as happens to most of us when we slip into that mode). Be careful of that.
Just a thought.
I loved this.
Bravo!
Another winner here, Andre'
Cat
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2016
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Thank you, Cat, for your generous, six star review and correction of "grooves." This is not a normal, "calm" story. It is very hard to relive the trauma of a near death experience. When I tell the story, I nearly cry at the end. That happened again when I performed the story last Thursday, but I added a new ending (my visit to the shop thirty-three years later), allowing me to channel the grief and energy into a powerful message. Thank you again for your review and support.