Just Desserts
Guest-posted by seagirl.
OK, if you must know, Deborah had the Brown Butter Pecan Tart and Roberta, something equally decadent that I failed to get a fork into fast enough. The rest of us stuck with espresso and chocolates.
Then again, this whole thing really wasn’t about food. But there are some parallels.
Someone recently described themselves as a “lurker” in that they didn’t usually post, but had been appreciating the site for many months now. For me personally, I like the word saveur better because it really describes how I feel about the BoK community:
SAVEUR (f): savor, flavor, taste; relish, zest
Part of being part of any community is giving back. And I admit, since discovering BoK just after the start of Season 2, you haven’t heard much from me. Part of that is bandwidth – I travel all the time for my job. Another part is I’m very left-brained, so it doesn’t come natural. So many of you have such wonderful insights into the characters, the themes and especially dialogue. I marvel at this. It’s not in my DNA. But what I do have is a true passion for all things MadMen, which in no small part is due to BoK, and that is why I was so happy to give something back to all of you through the ASF auction.
And just another point about the auction I want to clarify– at the onset the ASF advised me of their standard process they’d set up for all of the winners. Just one guest was the expectation. Later, once the gals met with Jon in LA, and Andy Ostroy himself understood the special circumstances he could not have been more helpful in making sure Mrs. Lipp did not have to choose between her daughters. He went out of his way personally to keep me informed about timing, etc. and made sure Jon could accommodate our desired NYC location, etc. etc. So we three could not have been happier with the outcome. This is a great group of people to work with.
The time we spent together at Café Cluny just flew by, but there are some images I’ll always remember, sort of in chrono order. Apologies to those who equate this with gossip, but I don’t think Jon will mind:
1. Waving across the street to Roberta and Deborah (we’d never met before this) and admiring Roberta’s great shoe get, while waiting for Jon. Hugs all around outside the restaurant, with many more to follow.
2. Roberta’s special Basket of Kisses (see below) which I got to take home on the plane. Yum!
3. Seeing Jon walk into the Café – no other way to say it, he just shines. Really lean and trim, looking great even after months of shooting The Town in Boston.
4. Watching admiring, envious patrons nearby watching all of us, and graciously staying put.
5. Jon’s amazing eye contact and genuine interest in speaking with all of us. He has a gift for making you feel like you’re the only person in the room when he does this. It threw me a little because I’ve never met anyone as physically striking as he is, so coupled with that intensity, I’m thinking: Whoa? Do I have green stuff in my front teeth? Mascara streaks? Why is he staring at ME? No, he’s just really interested in what you’re saying. It shows.
6. As Deborah pointed out, hearing Jon talk about Jennifer, his partner, her family, her career and their relationship just reinforced how deep that partnership is and how much it means to him. We all would have loved to meet her, too.
7. Jon did have a chance to buy the John Deere mower from “Guy” but for whatever reason, passed. Something about how it could have come in handy in Missouri, perhaps? But less so in Los Feliz.
8. Not once during the whole meal did he look at his watch, his iPhone, or anywhere but the table.
9. Having said that (Jennifer, sorry! Yes, I’m happily married) he really does have a killer side profile and I kept wishing he’d turn his head just a little more.
10. We talked about a bunch of things Jon is considering next year outside of MM. Suffice it to say he’ll continue to be heavily in demand. And we will hopefully not have to wait until August to see/hear him again on the big or small screen. With all that going on, getting us all together in just seven months and three days from the auction date was much appreciated! Roberta did ask about MM Revue which Jon hasn’t been able to get involved in due to schedule conflicts.
11. Finally, Deborah and Roberta were so lively and entertaining I tended to sit back, relax and enjoy the show. Being somewhat shy myself, I think this took the edge off for everyone at the table and we rarely if at all lapsed into small talk. Naturally, there were a few things I forgot to ask about, like Jon playing the piano at an early age, and if there is ANYTHING he does not do well, but maybe in our next life we’ll get to do it again.
When we all had to head out, both Andy and Jon could not have been nicer or more gracious in taking photos, etc. Roberta, Deborah and I shared the glow for a few more minutes.
The whole experience was like a wonderful meal with several courses, to be savored for a long, long time. I truly wish we could have shared it with each and every Basketcase.
PS: OK, the scarf story. We hadn‘t done any upfront planning on gifts. I love to create custom accessories as a hobby so thought it would be fun to do something stylish and special spanning Don and Jon. Good intentions, bad execution. The “oh shit” moment arrived on our lucky Friday the 13th when we heard from ASF and had just five days to get it together. Fortunately, I had about 4,000 miles of air time to kill. On the very last trip leg, we’re circling over JFK, with me furiously manning the needles. Smart-ass stewardess gets on the PA system and explains the pilot is doing a few more rounds just so I can finish. Seatmates getting testy as we taxi endlessly around the tarmac, thinking this is really true. By this time. I just wanted to grab the mike and say: YES, WE HAVE IMPORTANT BUSINESS TO COMPLETE. THIS IS FOR DON F-ING DRAPER. PLEASE SIT DOWN AND TAKE A SEAT!
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:13 am
Hello Seagirl,
I don’t know you, have never met you, but you write and tell a story with such a lovely visual narrative, it was like I was listening to a song and I was part of the melody.
Thank you for sharing and I am sure you will keep this memory with you forever.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 am
Seagirl-
Don’t feel an apology is necessary to the few comments that labeled this as “gossip.” To those of us that truly celebrate this amazing show and its actors, it’s refreshing to here a Basketcases’ view, especially in an intimate setting. On the flip side, how lovely is it to be represented as a group, by such three smart and down-to-earth people such as yourself and the Lipps? Y’alls interest, understanding, and insight regarding the show, surely demonstrate the intellect often found on these pages.
Thank you for bringing us along for the ride!
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:21 am
Thanks, Seagirl
You are so right about bok, I too like your term “saveur”. And arranging for the lunch was a dynamite gift to all of us. I was thinking about what I would have asked him if I was having lunch with Don/Jon. Wish I knew what after shave he wore. I wear Clark Gable’s favorite scent to bed on nights I need to escape.A little dab of Don/Jon would be dreamy.
Keep writing. You know how to tell a story very well.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Very nice – thanks so much for sharing!
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I love the airplane scarf story! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and impressions with us. I almost (but only almost!) feel like I was there.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
So lovely! Thanks for the details. I just discovered the site and the show during this season, and don’t post often, but I can already tell how much there is to savor. *digging through archives now*
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Nice.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Thanks for the update Seagirl. I’m glad you all had a great time.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Seagirl,
I think it was wonderful of you to share the opportunity with Deborah and Roberta, and vicariously, with all of us. Thank you. The details you gave us only enhanced our enjoyment, and it wasn’t gossip. My asking what Jon smelled like was gossip.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
heh.
but it was fun gossip. if only I’d had an answer.
I mean, here’s the thing, y’all. As omigogomigodomigod as we sometimes make it sound, that’s our way of having fun. Is he devastatingly handsome? ‘course, but we knew that already. The thing that is important to get across is that just sitting and having a conversation with the guy was easy. Not making fools of ourselves, not being nervous, not having to practice restraint from asking invasive questions, not actually drooling was easy.
Why? Two reasons. One is, he’s a pleasure, and a real guy, and a smart, comfortable one, and that just puts you at ease. But the other? The three of us are pretty much normal. We’re grownups, y’know? We’re, what–a pleasure, and real women, and smart, comfortable ones that just put a person at ease.
Really not a mystery. It was just lunch.
(Lunch that will leave me glowing for weeks.)
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 pm
True post-script:
So I take my enlarged glossy print and autographed card over to the local frame store to preserve the occasion. They are busy, so I put the photo
down on the counter and look at framing materials. Before I could set the record straight…
Clerk 1: OMG! Is that your boyfriend? He’s GORGEOUS! Ellie, come here
and look at this guy.
Ellie (Clerk 2): Wow! What beautiful eyes he has. You’re so lucky.
Clerk 3 (Jewish motherly type): You look so nice together. Are you two
married?
Of course, this is way too kind, me being old enough to be Jon’s very young, already married mom. But what was more telling was nine women over 40 in the store had never seen MM. We still have work to do!
SusanF, neither Roberta nor I, when quizzed by Jules, could recall any hint of cologne or fragrance. Sorry, but if you could find “clean and good” in a spray bottle, that would be your pillow lullaby.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:31 am
I’m just grateful the TSA kept clear of any hassle concerning knitting needles on board. For once, The Man gave enough slack for a nice thing to happen.
Now, the important details — what was the yarn, pattern, gauge? A nutty Koigu, or a swirly Arucania?
November 24th, 2009 at 8:38 am
cgeye, don’t get me started on TSA but I did switch to plastic needles after 9/11. Other than Qantas, which doesn’t allow in-cabin, the rest of the world seems to think they’re less harmful than 3 oz liquids.
Nothing elaborate, very simple 3k3p rib, with dark grey Italian cashmere yarn on #5. Improvised from several patterns. Stayed on the narrower side cause I wanted more of a retro look vs. mall muffler.
You are way ahead of me on Kiogu and Arucania!
November 24th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Aw, heck, I only fondle them in the shop — I’m a Brown Sheep gal, cause that’s what my stash can afford.
But the Italian cashmere? Tasteful, simple, timeless.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
So glad (but not really that surprised) to hear he doesn’t wear cologne! I’m even glad to hear he doesn’t smell like cupcakes (although that would have been completely acceptable). Thanks Seagirl — for supporting and promoting a great cause, and for sharing the experience with Debra and Roberta, and all of us. Represent!
November 24th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Would I be out of order if I wrote him a fan letter and asked what he wore? And does anybody know where I could snail mail him? Sorry for sounding ridiculous but I happen collect this kind of trivia. For instance, George Clooney, happens to wear the same thing as Cary Grant wore.(Green Irish Tweed) I would love to get me some scent of don/jon. Thanks for the help.