Mercury Retrograde

It's a small world. You hear it said a million times but it really is. The comedian Steven Wright follows up with the sucker punch, "...but I wouldn't want to paint it."

I was recently at the concert in Brooklyn for Mark Mulcahy, someone I once knew who it looks like is finally getting the credit he deserves as a masterful singer and songwriter. There, I ran into D., a really sweet college friend -- another talented musician -- who now tours with Ween. At that moment, Mark leaned over and sing-songed in my ear, "it's a small world."

The town's annual (or semi-annual) Open Studios kick-off party was tonight. I had it marked on my calendar as a good opportunity to meet people. I missed the Second Saturday events earlier in the month because of my high school reunion. I put on some make-up and fixed my hair, took a deep breath, and ventured out of the house for the short walk to the east side of town.

Along my walk, I thought, "Even if I know no one at this party, and I don't talk to anyone, it will be more interesting than most of the random socializing in my life over the last few years." I was getting a taste of Friday night in my new world. I was really nervous. It's bad enough and alienating enough to walk into any room that is full of artists, but worse if it's a small town where everyone knows everyone else.

Overall, the art was good. I really liked a lot of what I saw, and I will be sure to visit the studios over the weekend. The only person who spoke to me asked me what I thought of this one small painting on the wall. The figure in the painting was the same man, only in splotchy oils and wearing a hat. It was such a cliche, the artist pretending to be anonymous. I joked, "Whoever this guy is, he's obviously quite handsome." He replied, "If you really think about it, every piece in this room is a self-portrait."

I grabbed a plastic cup of red wine and pretended to be writing something in my brochure. I sat down on a bench and became an obvious observer. Then I walked outside. Coming down the street was my old friend K. I recognized him immediately. He lives here. I knew he did at one point, but I thought he moved. It was so great to see him. In the period of 30 minutes he introduced me to 3 people. We talked for a while and made plans for dinner. A friend!

Okay, yeah, it's Mercury Retrograde for another week, if you believe in these things. I do, but in the sense that people come back into my life for a reason and it's up to me to determine the significance. The astrological warnings serve as sort of a heads-up to the possibilities when they might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Sometimes it's to say good-bye when you didn't have a chance the first time. However, the last few weeks have been a profound rewind. All of it worthwhile and immensely enjoyable.