Anne, I would happily see Megalopolis with you (one time)! Much like the content of this newsletter, it also seems like a big artistic experiment that neither of us may understand.
After nearly three years of the Cafe habit I have come to know that regardless of the topic, the tone of a post will always carry me through -- to wit (1) "Over the decades, he worked as a waiter, house painter and SEO consultant." (2) "So when I'm ready, I will be ready." (3) "To be rich enough to be a dervish" AKA a religious mendicant. The next time someone references a religious preacher or a self-promoter like Swaggart or Ben Shapiro or Jordan Peterson my mind is now settled enough to understand they are merely religious mendicants -- ill-aligned dervishes who have much more in common than they might seem at first blush :) Thanks again for fifteen minutes of fun and foment. Thanks to the Cafe I can now joyfully intersperse busker and dervish into a conversation and realize there is a strange venn diagram where both apply. Cecil's was a story worth hearing -- thanks.
I LOVE the idea of Swaggart, Shapriro, Peterson etc as modern-day mendicants, Mr. Dolan!
And yes, there's nothing like a good Venn diagram. Glad you've got a new one rotating around in your head! I've been composing a similar one in my own!
While I think all three have a lot in common in their desperation to possess the whole truth, I'm not so sure I associate them as likely to whirl (whirling dervishes). However, when their rants are questioned their movements do become quite manic but not quite a whirl I suppose :)
Thank you Queen Anne. Another fascinating piece. Two perfectly matched puzzle pieces that fell into place. Though I have my doubts about whether J will last the two years before moving on. It definitely helps that he and Cecil are so compatible. A terrific and somewhat mind-bending (mind-expanding?) read. Thanks so much.
Beth, I'd be surprised too, if J stayed for two years. But then, people are always surprising me. I'm definitely planning to check in on these two down the line and write an update.
What a beautiful story. J’s dream to go out west was no coincidence. He had a divine premonition. There’s a lesson for all of us to listen to our instincts, intuition, whatever you want to call it. And Cecil is a role model for humanity. Truly giving by mentoring a fellow artist.
Wow, really fascinating story; it's easy for me to fantasize that the world could be transformed if this kind of one on one outreach and generosity were more common, but I know the sad reality is that many homeless people with trauma are nowhere near as emotionally stable and functional as J.
Anywhoo, enjoy Megalopolis! Regardless of reviews, I will see it for the cast alone. I think I'd probably be up for a documentary "Aubrey Plaza Goes To the Laundromat"!
That's a good point. I was once friends (sort of) with a sort of on-again, off-again homeless lady who was mentally ill. I let her stay overnight at my place once and that was enough to convince me that it was way more than I could take on. And she noted, once, that when you need a little help it's easy to get but when you need a LOT of help it's almost impossible to get the sort of help that is needed.
Thank you for investigating and reporting on this. They are both beautiful and evolving beings. Inspiring. With people like that, and the Cafe Anne substack, there is reason to be optimistic in this world. Happy Monday!
Cecil and J seem like bright lights, and the challenge is a quality spin-kick to the cynicism I walked into the premise with. The contrast between the early abuse to the determined career mentorship underlines much more early support is than the material (though the material is great for not being extremely cold or hunting food). It's that base of faith and knowledge that makes much more possible.
I often think, DD, that the only way to really help someone is to give them this sort of super intensive, one-on-one support. And of course there simply is not enough of that to go around.
Interesting Lucy! There is a lot of overlap, of course. And there are many people who are artists AND poets or poets and prose writers or musicians and poets etc. But I do think it might be safe to say that your typical poet is more like your typical artist than like your typical prose writer.
Thanks Courtney. My thinking is that to stop expecting from others, I have to cultivate happiness within. Then I don't NEED others to make me happy. They can do whatever they want and I'm good.
So it's 100% an inside job. I am super into INSIDE JOB these days!
Agree that this is the answer. Or one answer, anyway. My dad says if you lend money to family, think of it as a gift. Not a loan. (You might be repaid, but you might not. And you need to decide ahead of time to be at peace with that.) Arguably, everything is an inside job, right? Remember “The Inner Game of Tennis”? Even TENNIS is an inside job!
That’s is so fascinating. These two “artistic souls” found each other and bonded in a special way, We need more Cecil’s in the world.
I agree, Toni. Imagine if everyone adopted another person who needed some support. And with no expectations! I think that last part is key.
"Exactly!" said Cecil. "To be rich enough to be homeless in America!"
ah! the dream
I loved this quote too, Janet. So funny!
Anne, I would happily see Megalopolis with you (one time)! Much like the content of this newsletter, it also seems like a big artistic experiment that neither of us may understand.
HAHA Eden that would be very fun. Yes, I need a movie buddy who can watch it from a very particular perspective.
I would like to award this piece one (1) Pulitzer. <3
I'd rather win one for my SKWON story, Emily:
https://annekadet.substack.com/i/122263684/calling-a-scone-a-skwon
But I am not so fussy that I'm turning this down. Thank you!
This was quite a Monday for Cecil! He's featured on Noted today too.
No kidding! How funny! Taking a peek now Jillian!
Wow haha his notes are just bizarre! Everyone take a look!
https://jillianhess.substack.com/p/how-9-of-noteds-readers-use-their
Thanks for the features Jillian and Anne! I posted a brief article on touchonian.com linking over to the two articles. I love what you guys do! Cecil
Fascinating!!!
After nearly three years of the Cafe habit I have come to know that regardless of the topic, the tone of a post will always carry me through -- to wit (1) "Over the decades, he worked as a waiter, house painter and SEO consultant." (2) "So when I'm ready, I will be ready." (3) "To be rich enough to be a dervish" AKA a religious mendicant. The next time someone references a religious preacher or a self-promoter like Swaggart or Ben Shapiro or Jordan Peterson my mind is now settled enough to understand they are merely religious mendicants -- ill-aligned dervishes who have much more in common than they might seem at first blush :) Thanks again for fifteen minutes of fun and foment. Thanks to the Cafe I can now joyfully intersperse busker and dervish into a conversation and realize there is a strange venn diagram where both apply. Cecil's was a story worth hearing -- thanks.
I LOVE the idea of Swaggart, Shapriro, Peterson etc as modern-day mendicants, Mr. Dolan!
And yes, there's nothing like a good Venn diagram. Glad you've got a new one rotating around in your head! I've been composing a similar one in my own!
While I think all three have a lot in common in their desperation to possess the whole truth, I'm not so sure I associate them as likely to whirl (whirling dervishes). However, when their rants are questioned their movements do become quite manic but not quite a whirl I suppose :)
Human interest story to the MAX! My mouth is still hanging open.
Thanks B.A. I wish I'd had more time and space to delve deeper into this one. I still have so many questions!
I can imagine. Maybe you can touch base in 6 months or a year, and see what has transpired…?
That is a great idea!
Thank you Queen Anne. Another fascinating piece. Two perfectly matched puzzle pieces that fell into place. Though I have my doubts about whether J will last the two years before moving on. It definitely helps that he and Cecil are so compatible. A terrific and somewhat mind-bending (mind-expanding?) read. Thanks so much.
Beth, I'd be surprised too, if J stayed for two years. But then, people are always surprising me. I'm definitely planning to check in on these two down the line and write an update.
Happy you enjoyed the story!
What a beautiful story. J’s dream to go out west was no coincidence. He had a divine premonition. There’s a lesson for all of us to listen to our instincts, intuition, whatever you want to call it. And Cecil is a role model for humanity. Truly giving by mentoring a fellow artist.
I wonder how many of us receive such premonitions and ignore them, CK. Or just discount them as completely bonkers?
Wow, really fascinating story; it's easy for me to fantasize that the world could be transformed if this kind of one on one outreach and generosity were more common, but I know the sad reality is that many homeless people with trauma are nowhere near as emotionally stable and functional as J.
Anywhoo, enjoy Megalopolis! Regardless of reviews, I will see it for the cast alone. I think I'd probably be up for a documentary "Aubrey Plaza Goes To the Laundromat"!
That's a good point. I was once friends (sort of) with a sort of on-again, off-again homeless lady who was mentally ill. I let her stay overnight at my place once and that was enough to convince me that it was way more than I could take on. And she noted, once, that when you need a little help it's easy to get but when you need a LOT of help it's almost impossible to get the sort of help that is needed.
This is phenomenal.
Thank you for sharing this very unusual "experiment."
Glad you enjoyed Drew. It was super fun for me to learn and write about.
Thank you for investigating and reporting on this. They are both beautiful and evolving beings. Inspiring. With people like that, and the Cafe Anne substack, there is reason to be optimistic in this world. Happy Monday!
Thanks mordy! Happy Monday for sure!
Cecil and J seem like bright lights, and the challenge is a quality spin-kick to the cynicism I walked into the premise with. The contrast between the early abuse to the determined career mentorship underlines much more early support is than the material (though the material is great for not being extremely cold or hunting food). It's that base of faith and knowledge that makes much more possible.
I often think, DD, that the only way to really help someone is to give them this sort of super intensive, one-on-one support. And of course there simply is not enough of that to go around.
I like art more than poetry, but I think artists may be like poets.
Interesting Lucy! There is a lot of overlap, of course. And there are many people who are artists AND poets or poets and prose writers or musicians and poets etc. But I do think it might be safe to say that your typical poet is more like your typical artist than like your typical prose writer.
Adopting a 42-year-old man - they’re so cute at that age. . .
😂
I guess the key really is to not expect anything from each other. Yet how do you do that. Fantastic story. Thank you, Anne!
Thanks Courtney. My thinking is that to stop expecting from others, I have to cultivate happiness within. Then I don't NEED others to make me happy. They can do whatever they want and I'm good.
So it's 100% an inside job. I am super into INSIDE JOB these days!
Agree that this is the answer. Or one answer, anyway. My dad says if you lend money to family, think of it as a gift. Not a loan. (You might be repaid, but you might not. And you need to decide ahead of time to be at peace with that.) Arguably, everything is an inside job, right? Remember “The Inner Game of Tennis”? Even TENNIS is an inside job!