Bruuuuuce.......talk to me

Did you ever want something SO bad, when it happened you were so nervous, you didn't know what to say. Anytime I have met Southside Johnny, Bruce Springsteen, or Patty Scalfia I felt that way. But, looking back, the conversations really made me happy for the opportunity. Here are my "situations" when I had an opportunity to say something: Walking out of Martell's after seeing Southside Johnny and ended up walking side by side as he was meeting his car. I was with my best friend from high school and college. And, she just kept on saying "Say something". I turned to her and said "I am the shy one here!". So, I said: "Southside, we love you!". and he went to his car and got in. Still laughing out loud to myself here. The most epic and longest opportunity came when Patty Scalfa came into Brielle Galleries with her mother. She said she was driving to go antique shopping in Point Pleasant and then decided to see what she could find for when they make their annual trip overseas to celebrate Sting's birthday. I really tried to act cool here, and not too much of a geek. Also, it was after 18 tracks was being released. And, like most times in my life, I am selling beautiful, expensive items and I can't even afford to buy the cd of 18 tracks. I believe it was around $50 around 1999. Anyway, I try to make a connection and try to relate to her on some level. But, most of all I remember saying "you are doing an amazing job raising your family, being the wife of Bruce, and I just saw you were on the Late Show with your own release". She thanked me, but I didn't feel much of a connection. But, then the next year (the last year Brielle Galleries was open) she came in and asked for me by name. OH MY GOSH!!!! It was much more of a fun experience this time. And, I wasn't quite as nervous as the last year. The best was trying to find a flask for Bruce Springsteen, that I knew would end up in his pocket (never found "the one she was looking for"). The best part of this interaction was the stories I had to tell my kids when I picked them up for school. And, when I was doing invitations for someone's daughter who worked there. We talked about Bruce and how much her fiance loved him. It ended up somehow they ended up with 2 18 track Cd's and she gave me one! The last is the funniest one ever. My son Ian, was invited to see Pokemon the day it was released for a birthday party. My daughter and friend begged if I could take them to the same theatre (Eatontown) to see the movie. I granted their wish, but the movie was sold out. But, I was told there was another theatre showing the movie in a few minutes that wasn't advertised. So, of course we went in. I sat through it for a while and the age that they were, I just was so sick of cartoons. It was very loud and the lights were giving me a headache. There were several times I thought about sitting outside and waiting for them to come out. When the movie was over the girl in the row behind me asked if I knew who I was sitting across from. I said no, and she told me it is Bruce Springsteen with his kids. OPPORTUNITY! So, we walk very close to them and I am able to tell my daughter who we are next to. And, she keeps saying "talk to him" several times. Finally, I get the nerve and look to him and ask:"So did you write any songs while watching" "Maybe Blinded by the Light part 2" He laughed and then I knew it was him. Then my daughter continued to nudge me to say more. So, I asked if he could shake my daughter's hand and her friend. So, they could say for the rest of their lives: they met Bruce Springsteen. I felt bad at this point, looking at his daughter's face and the boys just kept walking. But, he obliged very kindly and then we just walked to our car on cloud nine. One of the last times I worked in my store Greetings from Geralyn in Convention Hall in Asbury Park, I believe Bruce was in my store. I didn't want to shout over the fan or turn off the music, so I left the counter and walked towards him. He was looking at the 45 clocks and shaking his head in approval. And, exactly the same time I was approaching him, a co-worker who had just quit her job working next to me in Woodbridge, walked in. We had a lot to talk about and I kept nodding my head towards him. And, I have to say our conversation took over, because he walked out before I could ever acknowlege him. These are some of my stories, when I think about, they make me so happy. I have found in life, well really since I had my own store, how important our stories are. It is really helping me now in my present job. Because, what I am finding is I really enjoy hearing my customers stories. And, I am letting them know this. AND, I am so happy they are getting this experience, instead of ordering on the internet. I am never going to knock the internet. Because, after all the stories I continue to have with a lot of customers, I can continue. And, they are from all over the world. Like the sign in the picture: That is DEB DRESBACH and she is one of the customers I connected to the MOST. She is a teacher who lives in Florida. We have exchanged cards from time to time. She makes great Bruce Springsteen cards. And, she has a rich history with Asbury Park. And, her story sparked so much in me. Because, she experienced Asbury Park way deeper then me. I love her enthusiasm and I love her signs. She is a VERIFIED FAN in my book. And, that SHOULD be a good thing!!!!