13 Thursday: Sushi Belushi
1. The worst part of being dressed up as a Blues Brother for Halloween and wearing a buttoned-up shirt and tie is that my bra strap slipped off my shoulder while dancing at a party and I couldn’t find a way in to put it back. Pictures HERE.
2. This week I attended the Radford University counseling class on grief and loss that uses my book (The Jim and Dan Stories) about losing my two brothers a month apart as part of their curriculum. I speak to the class, do some readings, and answer questions. It was my fifth time attending, the first time being in 2003.
3. My poet friend Mara whose husband died the same month my brothers did and her twelve year old daughter Kyla also attended as speakers to give their perspectives on grief and loss. Mara’s father and Kyla’s grandfather died a little more than a month ago and they talked about that too.
4. After the class, we went out for sushi, which is when Kyla showed me the sushi shirt (pictured) hanging behind the restaurant counter. “Next year I want to wear that shirt, put on dark sunglasses and be Blues Brother John Belushi Sushi,” I said.
5. When Mara introduced herself and Kyla to the class, she said, “Think of us as the Gilmore Girls, but they have better writers.”
6. For me, speaking to the class is a little unsettling, kind of like being on Jay Leno and having to talk about myself and the making of my last movie instead of just acting in the movie.
7. When I told Mara that Rumi did not write down his poetry but spontaneously recited it as people followed him around and wrote it down, she was jealous and said, “I want someone to follow me around and write down what I say.”
8. I began the talking part of my presentation by trying to put the class at ease, telling the story of how I recently received a Sports Illustrated mailing in my brother’s name that was soliciting a renewed subscription from him. On the envelope in big letters next to Danny’s name it said, “We Want You Back.” I was able to laugh and say, “Yeah, I know what you mean. Get in line.”
9. Beatles music played a role in the book I wrote, especially the song “Let it Be,” which we sang to Dan when he was dying and then at his funeral. Kyla sang George Harrison’s “Blackbirds” to her grandfather when he was sick and at his memorial party. The RU professor teaching the class ended it by playing THIS song. We sang along.
10. Every time I do the class I get some version of a question about whether or not I believe in an afterlife. My current short answer is this: My heart tends to believe it. My mind tends to not believe it.
11. Read about two past classes HERE. Blog writings on grief and loss are HERE.
12. I’ve never seen The Gilmore Girls and when Mara referred to her and Kyla that way I was thinking of The Golden Girls (three elderly ladies living together) and was confused. I asked her about it later and she explained it over sushi.
13. Kyla was Facebook for Halloween. I like eel.
More playing 13 Thursday HERE.
November 5th, 2009 1:05 am
i ve not seen gilmore girls as well 😀
HAPPY TT
Human-ness still a mystery
November 5th, 2009 1:51 am
Gilmore Girls is one of my all time favorite tv shows!! (I also like Golden Girls)
I think that you should be Blues Brother John Belushi Sushi for Halloween next year….that is too funny!
I would like for someone to follow me around and write what I say…but I’m afraid it wouldn’t be too interesting.
Happy TT!
November 5th, 2009 6:24 am
Interesting T13.
November 5th, 2009 6:42 am
I like the way you recapped your evening and the tangents it produced.
Dona Nobis Pacem & Thursday Thirteen
November 5th, 2009 7:19 am
I love “Let it Be” song!
My hands are full with my to do list
November 5th, 2009 8:20 am
I’m always in awe when i learn something new about you. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your life. Happy T13!
November 5th, 2009 8:20 am
I love #8!!!!!!! and that particular Beatle song on YouTube is one of my favorites. xox
PS Joan Wagner and myself played that song over and over again…and she dated Danny. xo
November 5th, 2009 8:49 am
#8 gah.
since dad died, and filtered his name to sell to charities, there has been more addressed ad mail in his name than ever in his life. talk about missing the boat.
November 5th, 2009 8:53 am
sending hugs to all of you.
November 5th, 2009 9:09 am
Sounds like you’re doing a good thing and helping many. Thanks.
November 5th, 2009 9:14 am
I may be that Rumi type person for Mara if she’ll walk in your beautiful natural surroundings there.. Want the shirt sandy
November 5th, 2009 1:33 pm
Was the shirt for sale, or just for looks?
November 5th, 2009 4:26 pm
I have never seen the Gilmore Girls, either, so when I read your blog I thought of The Golden Girls, too.
November 5th, 2009 7:57 pm
Not for sale. The owner said someone gave it to him but it was too much for him to wear. Our food was served in boat dishes though and Kyla bought her dish at the end of the meal. It was red.
November 6th, 2009 9:03 am
A wonderful 13 Thursday, as always, Colleen. I do believe in the Afterlife for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that I’ve had a number of visitations from people who have passed on. One of those was from a dear friend before I even knew she had passed.
November 6th, 2009 10:07 am
I do know that there is a lot more going on here than what we can see or prove to be. I have had a visitation dream like the one you mention too.
November 6th, 2009 9:26 pm
Really, Sandy? We could walk to many beautiful places.
Love the post, Colleen. It is always so good to spend time with you, and having sushi after the class made the unsettling parts much easier. xxoo
November 15th, 2012 12:13 am
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