In my last post, I dedicated ‘gone fishing’ to Brené Brown, Amanda Palmer and Fritz Tramonte. This is both brief backstory, and also reflection on becoming a new fan of someone in ‘popular culture.’ Brené has been on my ‘team’ for some time (I found her extraordinary TED talk on vulnerability as I was writing my dissertation in 2011, and made sure I found a place to include it). I have been reflecting on vulnerable ecology (not to mention vulnerable White and gender identities!) for some time. Anyway, I’ve been captivated by the writing/ storytelling of Neil Gaiman for years, and heard that he’d married someone named Amanda Palmer. I figured if she was good enough for Neil, then she must be really cool! I had no idea!! Now Amanda has written a book, The Art of Asking and OF COURSE, the Foreword is by Brené Brown!!! Ah, synchronicities… #TheArtOfAsking
Amanda was in Austin, Texas last week and spouse, Jenny, and I attended. The place was packed at least an hour before. It was full of fans! In the spirit of building community, I asked the person sitting next to us how they knew Amanda. “I’ve been following her since she was the Dresden Dolls.” Obviously, a real fan, I thought self-consciously. “We’re newbies,” I offered. And once Amanda read, performed, and talked with us, it was clear that she was a performer, artist, community organizer, humble leader, supporter, and mentor. That was even more evident as we waited in line for her to sign books, ukuleles, and probably many other things…
Amanda Palmer has something to teach me about trusting myself as an artist, as a teacher, as a person who thrives on feeling connected to others.
And that’s the third dedication: Fritz Tramonte. He sat in front of us at the event, and we talked with him only briefly. Hours later, after Amanda had signed our stuff, we had ventured off to eat some food, attempt to process, and integrate some of what she’d offer us, we walked by Bookpeople, and there was Fritz sitting outside. We approached him, and talked for at least 30 minutes. He is a poet, and shared some of his stunning words. It was another synchronicity that I desperately needed.
I woke up the next morning and while Jenny dozed in bed, I wrote ‘gone fishing’. Thanks to Fritz, Amanda, and Brené!
For all of this and much more, I’ve added Amanda Palmer to my links.