Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Introduction to "23 Years!"
The Waiting Room Journal
This is such a treat and treasure. A journal was left for the well wishers to..well...wish. And wish well they did. this is a fantastic collection.
Look here:
Larry's Hospital Journal
Or visit the full screen document here (highly recomended..click the word "here")
Lar-a-thon
Anyone who knows me knows that music is a big part of my life. It has affected every aspect of my life. I was working at the campus radio station, KUCI, at the time of my accident. My group of friends were mostly all from KUCI. The night of the accident, I was with this group of friends at a concert that was promoted by the radio station. I had coordinated a ticket giveaway for the concert, the Meat Puppets at The Coach House. I had notoriously interviewed the band earlier that day on the station (“notoriously” because I had been put up to doing the interview with a band that I knew virtually nothing about, with them making me sound like a fool).
It is therefore no surprise that my friends used music to show their support for me. The following week, my best friend and radio partner Marian used our radio slot and a couple other radio slots to hold a "Lar-a-thon", playing music that I loved, that could encourage me, and told stories with other DJs who came to the station for the show. I know I was touched then (or at least a few weeks after when I finally heard it… I was “out of it” at the time), and it still chokes me up and makes me smile to this day.
Thanks to modern technology, I was able to take this tape and digitize it and share it with the world. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.
The wonderful people who participated in the Lar-a-thon:
Marian Cordry
Skeetor (Bill Derouchey)
Christa Lauer
Mina Milani
Toby Rechenmacher
Kevin Stockdale
Angela Martin
Carol Moore
Angela Martin
Steve Rice
Dave Mathieson
Adeela Zuhurudin
Troy Hansborough
The Songs:
Eurythmics – Take the Pain Away
Velvet Underground – Im Sticking With You
Game Theory – Erica’s Word
Billy Bragg- A New England
Jane’s Addiction – I Would For You
Jane’s Addiction- Standing in The Shower Thinking
Japan: Adolescent Sex
(a funny radio ID with Rajneeshnesh)
Mission UK: Black Mountain Mist
(a funny bit in here with Marian about my writing..and almost prophetically saying I was “meant to be a doctor”)
Bourgeois-Tagg – I Don’t Mind At All
Dan Crow - Oops
Prefab Sprout - Hey Manhattan!
Three O' Clock - Love Explosion
Style Council - You're The Best Thing
(Eric Nusbaum call-in)
The Church - A New Season
Pixies - Cactus
Minutemen - King Of The Hill
Ramones - Something To Believe In
Dream Academy - In The Hands Of Love
(Mina & Marian Top Of Pops story...and Marian touches me to this day by being the first person in my life to call me their "best friend")
Gene Loves Jezebel - Coal Porter
Wild Man Fischer - My Name Is Larry
Led Zeppelin - Good Times/Bad Times
Guns & Roses - Rocket Queen
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Get Up and Jump
David Bowie - Up the Hill Backwards
David Bowie - Somebody Up there Likes me
(Dave call in)
Iggy Pop - Repo Man
(Poodle with a Limp ID)
Prince- Lady Cab Driver
Eurythmics-Miracle Of Love
Poco loco show
Swamp Zombies -Purple Haze
Swamp Zombies - Zombie Jamboree
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Jane's Addiction - Jane Says
Download your very own copy of the show here, suitable for playing on the portable player of your choice, your computer, or burning on a CD. (right click it to copy, by the way..or ctrl-click for mac users)
Make a Wish
This bit is inaudible (although I clearly hear her ask at the beginning, “Do you like Boy George, Larry?”) but it is mom reading to me a letter from a woman from Wells Fargo bank who I did the Make A Wish day at Disneyland with. Mom is telling me about the day I spent with a terminally ill boy. This starts making her sad and she says that I made his day and he would come visit me if he could. So I tell mom to make it happen.
I get angry
Mom helps me get angry.
Me: I don’t want it!
Mom: What don’t you want?
Me: I don’t want it…I don’t want a cold one.
Mom: Let’s talk about where you are. Let’s talk about how you feel. Does anything hurt?
Me: I’m in the hospital.
Mom: You’re in the hospital.
Me: I know
Mom: Why are you in the hospital?
Me: Does anything hurt?
YES! Everything hurts, Mom.
Mom: Especially…
Me: My whole body hurts!
Mom: It’s sad, isn’t it?
Mom: How’s that taste?
Me: Oh god…it’s freezing.
Mom: Is it good?
Me: It’s freezing!
Mom: Do you like it or not?
Me: It’s good…but it’s freezing, Mom! It’s freezing!
Mom; O.k., but do you want some more?
Me: No. I don’t want anymore. I’m going to be peeing it out later.
Mom: That’s o.k. You can pee it out. That’s how it goes.
Me: I’m going to be peeing it on later, Mom.
Mom: You know Larry, it’s o.k. to be angry.
Me: O.k.
Mom: Why don’t we close the door.
Me: Let me know.
Mom: let see if we can eliminate some of this. Let me know what you’re angry about. It’s o.k. to be angry. You can tell me anything that is bothering you.
Me: o.k. It bothers me how you guys are treating me...
Mom: ok how are we treating you?
Me: you're treating me like somebody special or something.
Mom: You are somebody special;
Me: I am not!
Mom: You’re the most special person right now and you know it.
Me: I am not, Mom. I am not a special person compared with other people.
(somebody comes in the room)
Me: I don’t want it!
Mom: What don’t you want?
Me: I don’t want it…I don’t want a cold one.
Mom: Let’s talk about where you are. Let’s talk about how you feel. Does anything hurt?
Me: I’m in the hospital.
Mom: You’re in the hospital.
Me: I know
Mom: Why are you in the hospital?
Me: Does anything hurt?
YES! Everything hurts, Mom.
Mom: Especially…
Me: My whole body hurts!
Mom: It’s sad, isn’t it?
Mom: How’s that taste?
Me: Oh god…it’s freezing.
Mom: Is it good?
Me: It’s freezing!
Mom: Do you like it or not?
Me: It’s good…but it’s freezing, Mom! It’s freezing!
Mom; O.k., but do you want some more?
Me: No. I don’t want anymore. I’m going to be peeing it out later.
Mom: That’s o.k. You can pee it out. That’s how it goes.
Me: I’m going to be peeing it on later, Mom.
Mom: You know Larry, it’s o.k. to be angry.
Me: O.k.
Mom: Why don’t we close the door.
Me: Let me know.
Mom: let see if we can eliminate some of this. Let me know what you’re angry about. It’s o.k. to be angry. You can tell me anything that is bothering you.
Me: o.k. It bothers me how you guys are treating me...
Mom: ok how are we treating you?
Me: you're treating me like somebody special or something.
Mom: You are somebody special;
Me: I am not!
Mom: You’re the most special person right now and you know it.
Me: I am not, Mom. I am not a special person compared with other people.
(somebody comes in the room)
What mom & dad taught me
This one still sticks to us to this day. Mom and dad tried to fish out of me what qualities they handed down to me. Little did they know…
Me: Tell him to Stop!
Mom: What’s he asking? What’s he doing?
Me: He's just asking me stupid questions... he's trying to confuse me.
Mom: What would you like him to ask you?
Me: normal stuff
Mom: like?
Me: like how am I feeling today.
Mom: O.k…how are you feeling today?
Me: FINE.
Mom: O.k..anything else
Me: How'm I getting better?
Mom: Are you..getting better?
Me: Yes
Mom: What part of you is getting better?
Me: Part of me. Is getting better
Mom: Good
(I start to cough)
Mom: Cough it up, Lar.
Me: This is…this sucks, Mom. This sucks… I can’t believe that you guys got me doing this.
Mom: We didn’t do it. You got in an automobile accident. We didn’t do it to you, Larry.
Me: You.
Mom: No…how did you get here? What happened?
Why are you in the hospital?
Think.
Me: cause I got in an automobile accident.
Mom: Right, who were you with?
Me: Christa.
Mom: That’s right, so I didn’t put you here. The ambulance brought you here.
Me: Go on.
Mom: O.k.
Me: It wasn’t my choice to be here, though.
Mom: That’s right…it wasn’t mine either.
Me: It wasn’t my choice to be here.
Mom: No. None of us want you here, Larry…but you’re alive and you’re here. And we’re thankful
Me: Fuck…I didn't sign any release forms, mom.
Mom: O.k. we didn’t ask you to. They had to bring you here because you were sick, Lar. You were all broken. You had to be put back together again.
Me: Was I?
Mom: Yeah
Cough it up, babe.
Dad: What happens when you’re in an accident?
Does the ambulance come?
Me: What goes on, Dad.
Dad: Does the ambulance come?
Me: yes
Dad: and what do they do with people in the accident?
Me: Then realize how bad they are.
Dad: And then what do they do?
Me: Then they recognize…then they take them to the appropriate doctor!
Dad: And that’s just where you are right now.
Me: The appropriate doctor??!!??
Dad: You’re in the hospital where the appropriate doctors can see you.
Me: where?
Oh! O.k.!
I understand.
Dad: You understand that now?
Me: I understand Dad! I understand!
Mom: good!
Me: Wow!
Mom; See…and they’re going to make you better.
Me: They don't make me feel better but they do make me feel...o.k.
(me coughing)
Dad: one of these days you’re going to have that cough strong and you can cough up all that junk…want a cold drink now?
Me: yeah…Like you?
Dad: Like I can cough it up?
That’s because I’m not sick.
Mom: What would you…what would you say some of the things dad taught you in life?..huh?
Me: Some of the things?
I don’t know mom..i don’t know..
Mom: did he ever teach you anything?
Me: yes..some things.
Mom: Like?
Me: take the trash out every Tuesday… That’s what he taught me mom. Always help out at work.
Mom: Good..be a good worker.
Me: Be a good worker..exactly.
Mom: Yeah….you sound really good today, honey….you really do.
You sound terrific.
Me: Earn my god damned money
Dad: did I teach you how to drink a drink?
Me: Earn my money
Mom: Did he teach you about pop??
Me: yes he did.
Dad: here….take a sip.
Mom: How’s that taste, hmm??
Me: OOHHHH!! OHHHHH!!
Mom: delicious, or yucky?
Me: good.
Mom: 7-up is good, huh??
Me: really good
Mom: want some more?
Me: no
Mom: yes he..try it…even though he says no…see if he’ll take it
Dad: no?
Mom: No…he doesn’t…he says no..but he wants it
Me: OK mom…I said no
Mom: What are some of the things Mom's taught you in life??
Me: To always go up and get seconds, dammit.
Mom: What else?
(DAD failing to contain laugh in the background)
Me: When you can
(Dad losing it in background)
Mom: Yeah...what else?
Me: (obviously very sensitive) Stop that, you guys, Stop!
Mom: What are we laughing at?
Me: You guys, stop it, dammit!
Mom: OK, what else?
Me: (with a minor chuckle) Stop laughing, dammit.
Mom: Im not laughing...
Me: God dammit!
Mom: I'm not laughing.
Me: You did too.
Mom: well you know what was funny?
Me: what?
Mom: you said I taught you to go get seconds….you know you haven't said anything funny on purpose, but that was really funny. Don't you think so?
(I start coughing up a bunch of phlegm)
Mom: Cough it up.
(mom demonstrates)
do you love me? Like I love you?
(mom & dad talk about grandma & grandpa at home)
Me: Where’d she called..Mom. Where’d she call? Grandpa..grandma’s fmlug (indecipherable)
(I thought it was during this session, but also at one point I sad dad taught me to open the backs of vending machines)
Me: Tell him to Stop!
Mom: What’s he asking? What’s he doing?
Me: He's just asking me stupid questions... he's trying to confuse me.
Mom: What would you like him to ask you?
Me: normal stuff
Mom: like?
Me: like how am I feeling today.
Mom: O.k…how are you feeling today?
Me: FINE.
Mom: O.k..anything else
Me: How'm I getting better?
Mom: Are you..getting better?
Me: Yes
Mom: What part of you is getting better?
Me: Part of me. Is getting better
Mom: Good
(I start to cough)
Mom: Cough it up, Lar.
Me: This is…this sucks, Mom. This sucks… I can’t believe that you guys got me doing this.
Mom: We didn’t do it. You got in an automobile accident. We didn’t do it to you, Larry.
Me: You.
Mom: No…how did you get here? What happened?
Why are you in the hospital?
Think.
Me: cause I got in an automobile accident.
Mom: Right, who were you with?
Me: Christa.
Mom: That’s right, so I didn’t put you here. The ambulance brought you here.
Me: Go on.
Mom: O.k.
Me: It wasn’t my choice to be here, though.
Mom: That’s right…it wasn’t mine either.
Me: It wasn’t my choice to be here.
Mom: No. None of us want you here, Larry…but you’re alive and you’re here. And we’re thankful
Me: Fuck…I didn't sign any release forms, mom.
Mom: O.k. we didn’t ask you to. They had to bring you here because you were sick, Lar. You were all broken. You had to be put back together again.
Me: Was I?
Mom: Yeah
Cough it up, babe.
Dad: What happens when you’re in an accident?
Does the ambulance come?
Me: What goes on, Dad.
Dad: Does the ambulance come?
Me: yes
Dad: and what do they do with people in the accident?
Me: Then realize how bad they are.
Dad: And then what do they do?
Me: Then they recognize…then they take them to the appropriate doctor!
Dad: And that’s just where you are right now.
Me: The appropriate doctor??!!??
Dad: You’re in the hospital where the appropriate doctors can see you.
Me: where?
Oh! O.k.!
I understand.
Dad: You understand that now?
Me: I understand Dad! I understand!
Mom: good!
Me: Wow!
Mom; See…and they’re going to make you better.
Me: They don't make me feel better but they do make me feel...o.k.
(me coughing)
Dad: one of these days you’re going to have that cough strong and you can cough up all that junk…want a cold drink now?
Me: yeah…Like you?
Dad: Like I can cough it up?
That’s because I’m not sick.
Mom: What would you…what would you say some of the things dad taught you in life?..huh?
Me: Some of the things?
I don’t know mom..i don’t know..
Mom: did he ever teach you anything?
Me: yes..some things.
Mom: Like?
Me: take the trash out every Tuesday… That’s what he taught me mom. Always help out at work.
Mom: Good..be a good worker.
Me: Be a good worker..exactly.
Mom: Yeah….you sound really good today, honey….you really do.
You sound terrific.
Me: Earn my god damned money
Dad: did I teach you how to drink a drink?
Me: Earn my money
Mom: Did he teach you about pop??
Me: yes he did.
Dad: here….take a sip.
Mom: How’s that taste, hmm??
Me: OOHHHH!! OHHHHH!!
Mom: delicious, or yucky?
Me: good.
Mom: 7-up is good, huh??
Me: really good
Mom: want some more?
Me: no
Mom: yes he..try it…even though he says no…see if he’ll take it
Dad: no?
Mom: No…he doesn’t…he says no..but he wants it
Me: OK mom…I said no
Mom: What are some of the things Mom's taught you in life??
Me: To always go up and get seconds, dammit.
Mom: What else?
(DAD failing to contain laugh in the background)
Me: When you can
(Dad losing it in background)
Mom: Yeah...what else?
Me: (obviously very sensitive) Stop that, you guys, Stop!
Mom: What are we laughing at?
Me: You guys, stop it, dammit!
Mom: OK, what else?
Me: (with a minor chuckle) Stop laughing, dammit.
Mom: Im not laughing...
Me: God dammit!
Mom: I'm not laughing.
Me: You did too.
Mom: well you know what was funny?
Me: what?
Mom: you said I taught you to go get seconds….you know you haven't said anything funny on purpose, but that was really funny. Don't you think so?
(I start coughing up a bunch of phlegm)
Mom: Cough it up.
(mom demonstrates)
do you love me? Like I love you?
(mom & dad talk about grandma & grandpa at home)
Me: Where’d she called..Mom. Where’d she call? Grandpa..grandma’s fmlug (indecipherable)
(I thought it was during this session, but also at one point I sad dad taught me to open the backs of vending machines)
"Countless absurdities"
I pulled a lot of bizarre words and phrases out. My mind had no internal censor that tells you “hey… other people might be listening… you might not want to say that.”
Mom: What, honey? What? what does “countless absurdities” mean?
Me: Oh god!
Mom: Whats wrong?
Me: All those times I used bad language..
Mom: yeah?
Me: God dammit those are countless
Mom: Why do you do it?
Me: Do you have this tape recorder going?
Mom: Do you want me to?
Me: No!
Mom: (not shutting of tape recorder) O.k., then why do you do it?
Me: because, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know! It depends on whendowhichyear (indiscernable) are you. Is....It depends on if the year fucking uses or not...or if the year yerses or not.
Mom: I love you.
Me: Fucking's not used in the middle of...in the middle of ..traffic! But it is used.
Mom : o.k. here's some more popsicle.
Me: o.k.?
Mom: mmhmm
Mom: How is that?
Me: Do you hear my side?
Mom: mmhmm. good?
Me: Oh god! It's chained.
Me: It's fucking good. It's fucking great.
Me: shit.
Mom: what's wrong?
Me: I'm supposed to use fucking a lot.
Mom: No you're not!
Who said you're supposed to use it?
Me: I don't know... I d...I originally use it, don't I?
Mom: no! It's not in your vocabulary.
Me: It's not?
Mom: no.
Me: Oh god!
Mom: You've been saying it a lot...
Me: (shocked) I've been saying it a lot??
Mom: uh huh
Me (thinking about FCC guidelines) On the air??!!??
Mom: No..just in the hospital.
Me: Oh god!
Me: unmes..don't you? Don't you guys write these scripts up?
traivan...
Mom: you're gonna be better, you'll see.
Me: fucking.fucking. I really think that I'm gonna do a bad one now.
Mom: bad word?
Me: bad one of the fucking....
Mom: (gently) No you aren't..you're not bad.
Me: I am!
Mom: Don't say it, that's all. You want to say it, I'll close the door, o.k.??
Me: o.k.
Mom: let's finish the popsicle then i'll close the door.
Me: (with mouth full with the popsicle) mmnnmmhhmm.
Mom: what?
Me: close the door and then let me say it.
Mom: o.k. i'll close the door
(door closes)
O.k., say it.
Me: (low key) fucking.
Mom: (starting to say something)
Me: Please! Let me get it done, Mom.
mom: O.k. say....
Me: (cutting her off) O.k.?
Mom: Say it all you want....get it out.
(pause)
Mom : It's o.k.
Me: (burp) Oh god!
Mom: what?
Me: that was a yucky.
Mom: That was a burp, huh??
Me: (fading) uhhu.......
Mom: you want some more popsicle or not?
Me: do it
Mom: Taste good?
Me: Yes
Me: I'm on their mailing list, do you know that?
Mom: what mailing list?
Me: ch ch
Mom: who's mailing list?
Me: They're on our mailing list
Mom: o.k. take a bite. (phlegm in the backgound) here bite it.
(pause)
Mom: who's mailing list?
Me: Oh god! (heavy breathing)
Russo's World Of Pets, you know that?
Mom: Why Russo's World Of Pets?
Me: God dammit, because we send them a god damn....(pause)...a god bless you always...picture.
Mom: o.k..do you know why you're saying such bad words?
(me with phlegm)
Mom: cough it up. cough it up real good.
(mom demonstrates)
Mom: can you get it out?
(pause)
Mom: it's okay honey, I'm here, I love you.
Do you want the rest or do you want me to throw it out?
Good popsicle?
Me: Oh great........I don't know why i'm doing this mom.
But I know...But I know...that I'm doing this, GOD DAMMIT, Just because
Mom: Because you have a liquid built up in your head
They have to operate on it
Me: O.k...whatever the explanation is...
Mom: It's called hyro-...hydrocephallic...you're hydrocephallic and it's making you say bad words
O.k.?
Me: That sounds like a bad word itself.
Mom: You're right, it certainly does..can you say it? "Hydrocephallic".
Me: Hydrocephallic.
Mom: Sounds like "cephallic"
Cough!
Me: Dammit!
Mom: What?
Me: I don't what she's like?
Mom: Who?
Me: Her
Mom: Who's "Her"?
Oh..on TV?
Me: On...
Mom: what channel?
Me: The lady...who's on "Roach Controller"
Mom: Oh...I saw her...that was a commercial for roach control. Go on bite it. Go on.
Good?
Me: Oh God...
mom: hmm…What?
Me: This is the world's greatest biology teacher, mom.
Mom: who?
Me: Right here
Mom: Where?
Me: Here
Mom: That's Sizzler
Me: Sizzler...steaks and seemm
Mom: Steaks and seafood
Me: Oh god...this is the greatest fucking biology teacher in the world
Mom: who?
Me: my biology teacher over here.
Mom: What's his name?
Me: Mr. Watts
Mom: why is he so great?
Me: He is.
Mom: o.k. bite this. Eat it up.
Mom: why is he so great?
Me: He just is.
Mom: O.k…let’s finish this…good?
Mom: O.k. Who's Mr. Watt?
Me: The original story behind is name is that he's really got a long last name....
Mom: what is it? Something like Watakuski or something?
Me: But behind this curson..curtain, what are we going to cus..cut a wel...
(someone comes in)
Mom: What, honey? What? what does “countless absurdities” mean?
Me: Oh god!
Mom: Whats wrong?
Me: All those times I used bad language..
Mom: yeah?
Me: God dammit those are countless
Mom: Why do you do it?
Me: Do you have this tape recorder going?
Mom: Do you want me to?
Me: No!
Mom: (not shutting of tape recorder) O.k., then why do you do it?
Me: because, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know! It depends on whendowhichyear (indiscernable) are you. Is....It depends on if the year fucking uses or not...or if the year yerses or not.
Mom: I love you.
Me: Fucking's not used in the middle of...in the middle of ..traffic! But it is used.
Mom : o.k. here's some more popsicle.
Me: o.k.?
Mom: mmhmm
Mom: How is that?
Me: Do you hear my side?
Mom: mmhmm. good?
Me: Oh god! It's chained.
Me: It's fucking good. It's fucking great.
Me: shit.
Mom: what's wrong?
Me: I'm supposed to use fucking a lot.
Mom: No you're not!
Who said you're supposed to use it?
Me: I don't know... I d...I originally use it, don't I?
Mom: no! It's not in your vocabulary.
Me: It's not?
Mom: no.
Me: Oh god!
Mom: You've been saying it a lot...
Me: (shocked) I've been saying it a lot??
Mom: uh huh
Me (thinking about FCC guidelines) On the air??!!??
Mom: No..just in the hospital.
Me: Oh god!
Me: unmes..don't you? Don't you guys write these scripts up?
traivan...
Mom: you're gonna be better, you'll see.
Me: fucking.fucking. I really think that I'm gonna do a bad one now.
Mom: bad word?
Me: bad one of the fucking....
Mom: (gently) No you aren't..you're not bad.
Me: I am!
Mom: Don't say it, that's all. You want to say it, I'll close the door, o.k.??
Me: o.k.
Mom: let's finish the popsicle then i'll close the door.
Me: (with mouth full with the popsicle) mmnnmmhhmm.
Mom: what?
Me: close the door and then let me say it.
Mom: o.k. i'll close the door
(door closes)
O.k., say it.
Me: (low key) fucking.
Mom: (starting to say something)
Me: Please! Let me get it done, Mom.
mom: O.k. say....
Me: (cutting her off) O.k.?
Mom: Say it all you want....get it out.
(pause)
Mom : It's o.k.
Me: (burp) Oh god!
Mom: what?
Me: that was a yucky.
Mom: That was a burp, huh??
Me: (fading) uhhu.......
Mom: you want some more popsicle or not?
Me: do it
Mom: Taste good?
Me: Yes
Me: I'm on their mailing list, do you know that?
Mom: what mailing list?
Me: ch ch
Mom: who's mailing list?
Me: They're on our mailing list
Mom: o.k. take a bite. (phlegm in the backgound) here bite it.
(pause)
Mom: who's mailing list?
Me: Oh god! (heavy breathing)
Russo's World Of Pets, you know that?
Mom: Why Russo's World Of Pets?
Me: God dammit, because we send them a god damn....(pause)...a god bless you always...picture.
Mom: o.k..do you know why you're saying such bad words?
(me with phlegm)
Mom: cough it up. cough it up real good.
(mom demonstrates)
Mom: can you get it out?
(pause)
Mom: it's okay honey, I'm here, I love you.
Do you want the rest or do you want me to throw it out?
Good popsicle?
Me: Oh great........I don't know why i'm doing this mom.
But I know...But I know...that I'm doing this, GOD DAMMIT, Just because
Mom: Because you have a liquid built up in your head
They have to operate on it
Me: O.k...whatever the explanation is...
Mom: It's called hyro-...hydrocephallic...you're hydrocephallic and it's making you say bad words
O.k.?
Me: That sounds like a bad word itself.
Mom: You're right, it certainly does..can you say it? "Hydrocephallic".
Me: Hydrocephallic.
Mom: Sounds like "cephallic"
Cough!
Me: Dammit!
Mom: What?
Me: I don't what she's like?
Mom: Who?
Me: Her
Mom: Who's "Her"?
Oh..on TV?
Me: On...
Mom: what channel?
Me: The lady...who's on "Roach Controller"
Mom: Oh...I saw her...that was a commercial for roach control. Go on bite it. Go on.
Good?
Me: Oh God...
mom: hmm…What?
Me: This is the world's greatest biology teacher, mom.
Mom: who?
Me: Right here
Mom: Where?
Me: Here
Mom: That's Sizzler
Me: Sizzler...steaks and seemm
Mom: Steaks and seafood
Me: Oh god...this is the greatest fucking biology teacher in the world
Mom: who?
Me: my biology teacher over here.
Mom: What's his name?
Me: Mr. Watts
Mom: why is he so great?
Me: He is.
Mom: o.k. bite this. Eat it up.
Mom: why is he so great?
Me: He just is.
Mom: O.k…let’s finish this…good?
Mom: O.k. Who's Mr. Watt?
Me: The original story behind is name is that he's really got a long last name....
Mom: what is it? Something like Watakuski or something?
Me: But behind this curson..curtain, what are we going to cus..cut a wel...
(someone comes in)
Mom & me conversations
We talk about being in the hospital and not giving up hope. Conversations like this are what helped me become so accepting. Classic opening line.
Me: God dammit I'm tired!
Mom: o.k.
Me: I'm fucking tired.
Mom:I'm having a really good conversation with Larry. I asked Larry "What would you do if mom had an accident and was in the hospital? What would you tell me?
Hmmm????
Me: I'm tired, Mom! I'm tired! I have to get me myself some sleep, you know that??
Mom: O.k...after she feeds you your orange juice.
(simultaneously)
Me: After she me my orange juice.
Mom: I got covered in kaopectate one day from head to foot, and I was right over here.
Me: After she feeds me the orange juice, mom.
Mom: Lar
Me: Yes
Mom: What would you tell Mommy if I was in the hospital?
Me: I would tell you, I’d tell you, Look Mom, you’re in the hospital, man. You need to be cured. But it’s gonna cost a lot of money to cure you, so we’re not gonna be able to cure you
Mom: Yeah, but I have insurance that pays for everything. Then what would you tell me? How would you help me be brave if I was in the hospital??
Me: I’d say “ Look, let’s call up your insurance company, o.k.?
Mom: No, that wouldn’t make me brave, what words would you give me?
What would you say? “Mom, I know you had a bad accident, Mom” Then what would you tell me, cause you’re my best friend, aren’t you?
Me: That there is the possibility of us getting better.
Mom: Yes, there is.
You tell Mommy to always have hope, o.k.?
And what else would you say?
Never give up…
Me: Never give up?
Mom: That’s right.
Me: Yeah, I could say that.
Mom: O.k., and would you tell me it’s o.k. to be mad if I was in the hospital?
Me: O.k.
Mom: is it?
Me: I‘d say tell you yes.
Mom: And what else would you say?
Me: Yeah, I could say “Hey mom….never give hope”
Mom: That would be a good thing to tell me, wouldn’t it?
Me: Yes it would.
Mom: And would you stay by my side?
Would you be there for me when I needed you?
Me: Yes I would.
Mom: I know you would. It’s hard when someone you love is hurt.
You sometimes don’t know the right thing to say. But I think you would, wouldn’t you?
Me: mmhmm
Mom: And you’d want me to get better, you’d want me to want to get better?
Me: I would know.
Mom: You would know what to say
Me: I would know what to say, Mom.
Mom: Yeah
Me: Because I know that you…because I know you, and I know what you would say??
Mom: What would I say?
Me: Some stuff.
Mom: o.k. That’s cause we’re alike.
I’m so proud of the progress you’re making, Larry.
And I’m so glad you’re trying hard to get better.
And I want you to remember that if you get angry, it’ s o.k.
But I don’t ever want to see you give up hope, because that will make me angry
Me: Because that will make me angry.
Mom (at the same time as my last statement): You need to always, always have hope.
…and always have faith that you’re going to get better
Me:That’ll make me angry
Mom: and you always gotta try, o.k?
Me: Always have to give up faith.
Mom: No, no…you always have…
Me: THAT’LL MAKE ME FUCKING ANGRY, MOM!
Mom: Uh ah
Me: If I give up faith!
Mom: Faith (simultaneously with my “faith”) and we…
Me: THATLL MAKE ME ANGRY
You know that’s
Mom; OK, We’re we’re not angry now, we’re talking about hope.
Me: You know that..that will make me angry.
Mom: What will?
Me: If I give up anger
Mom: If you give up…..
Me: If I give up hope?
Mom: NEVER give it up, O.K.?
I’m gonna go home. Mom’s real tired. I’ve got…thank goodness all week’s been a short week, I’ve been able to get here early.
Me: How have you done thus far?
Mom: I’ve done o.k. I want you to keep well, o.k.? Get that temperature down, and I’d love you to try spit that out. I know it’s hard for you. O.k.
Me; Oh god….I’m going to try and get some sleep.
Mom: O.k., honey, I love you.
Me: I’m going to try and get some sleep now.
Mom: O.k. honey, Good night.
Me: Good night.
Mom: I love you.
Me: Love you.
Me: God dammit I'm tired!
Mom: o.k.
Me: I'm fucking tired.
Mom:I'm having a really good conversation with Larry. I asked Larry "What would you do if mom had an accident and was in the hospital? What would you tell me?
Hmmm????
Me: I'm tired, Mom! I'm tired! I have to get me myself some sleep, you know that??
Mom: O.k...after she feeds you your orange juice.
(simultaneously)
Me: After she me my orange juice.
Mom: I got covered in kaopectate one day from head to foot, and I was right over here.
Me: After she feeds me the orange juice, mom.
Mom: Lar
Me: Yes
Mom: What would you tell Mommy if I was in the hospital?
Me: I would tell you, I’d tell you, Look Mom, you’re in the hospital, man. You need to be cured. But it’s gonna cost a lot of money to cure you, so we’re not gonna be able to cure you
Mom: Yeah, but I have insurance that pays for everything. Then what would you tell me? How would you help me be brave if I was in the hospital??
Me: I’d say “ Look, let’s call up your insurance company, o.k.?
Mom: No, that wouldn’t make me brave, what words would you give me?
What would you say? “Mom, I know you had a bad accident, Mom” Then what would you tell me, cause you’re my best friend, aren’t you?
Me: That there is the possibility of us getting better.
Mom: Yes, there is.
You tell Mommy to always have hope, o.k.?
And what else would you say?
Never give up…
Me: Never give up?
Mom: That’s right.
Me: Yeah, I could say that.
Mom: O.k., and would you tell me it’s o.k. to be mad if I was in the hospital?
Me: O.k.
Mom: is it?
Me: I‘d say tell you yes.
Mom: And what else would you say?
Me: Yeah, I could say “Hey mom….never give hope”
Mom: That would be a good thing to tell me, wouldn’t it?
Me: Yes it would.
Mom: And would you stay by my side?
Would you be there for me when I needed you?
Me: Yes I would.
Mom: I know you would. It’s hard when someone you love is hurt.
You sometimes don’t know the right thing to say. But I think you would, wouldn’t you?
Me: mmhmm
Mom: And you’d want me to get better, you’d want me to want to get better?
Me: I would know.
Mom: You would know what to say
Me: I would know what to say, Mom.
Mom: Yeah
Me: Because I know that you…because I know you, and I know what you would say??
Mom: What would I say?
Me: Some stuff.
Mom: o.k. That’s cause we’re alike.
I’m so proud of the progress you’re making, Larry.
And I’m so glad you’re trying hard to get better.
And I want you to remember that if you get angry, it’ s o.k.
But I don’t ever want to see you give up hope, because that will make me angry
Me: Because that will make me angry.
Mom (at the same time as my last statement): You need to always, always have hope.
…and always have faith that you’re going to get better
Me:That’ll make me angry
Mom: and you always gotta try, o.k?
Me: Always have to give up faith.
Mom: No, no…you always have…
Me: THAT’LL MAKE ME FUCKING ANGRY, MOM!
Mom: Uh ah
Me: If I give up faith!
Mom: Faith (simultaneously with my “faith”) and we…
Me: THATLL MAKE ME ANGRY
You know that’s
Mom; OK, We’re we’re not angry now, we’re talking about hope.
Me: You know that..that will make me angry.
Mom: What will?
Me: If I give up anger
Mom: If you give up…..
Me: If I give up hope?
Mom: NEVER give it up, O.K.?
I’m gonna go home. Mom’s real tired. I’ve got…thank goodness all week’s been a short week, I’ve been able to get here early.
Me: How have you done thus far?
Mom: I’ve done o.k. I want you to keep well, o.k.? Get that temperature down, and I’d love you to try spit that out. I know it’s hard for you. O.k.
Me; Oh god….I’m going to try and get some sleep.
Mom: O.k., honey, I love you.
Me: I’m going to try and get some sleep now.
Mom: O.k. honey, Good night.
Me: Good night.
Mom: I love you.
Me: Love you.
Larry reminisces
Wherein I figure out where I am and why I am there.
Mom: What day is today?
No look at the calendar.
Me: July……4th
Mom: Today…..look, look at the month.
See it? October.
Today’s October 9th, 19…..
Me: 1988.
Mom: Oh good..and what hospital is this?
Me: St. Joseph’s
Mom: What hospital?
Me: St. Joseph’s.
Mom: No.
Me: Thank you very much, Mom
Mom: What hospital is it?
Me: Thank you very much, MOM!
Me: MOM! ST……….JOSEPH’S!!!!
Mom: Starts with an “M”
Me: ST…..MARY’S.
Mom: The hospital starts with an “M”
Me: (insistently) St. Mary’s…he told us.
Mom: Now think.
Me: Mother Mary’s
Mom: Lar
Me: What!
Mom: Do you know where you are?
Me: He said MOTHER MARY’S…MOM!!!!!! (getting frustrated)
HE SAID MOTHER MARY’S, DIDN’T HE?
Mom: Larry…do you know where you are?
Me: Josa Children Hospital…in santa ana
Mom: Why are you in the hospital?
Me: Im here…for..my insides.
MOM..I’M SICK..O.K…I’M SICK..
Mom: Why are you sick, what happened?
Me: I’m..sick.
Mom: What happened?
Me: I was born… with no …insides!
Mom: No…you have insides
You’re just fine.
Something happened on the night of August…..(thinking)…31st.
Me: I lost my mind.
Mom: You think so?
Me: MOM!! WHERE..DID…MY MIND..GO??
(ED note: “Where Is My Mind? By the Pixies was one of the most played songs on my radio show)
Mom: I don’t know. Think.
Me: Mom…I got..in an accident.
Mom: with who?
Me: with a girl.
Mom: What was her name?
Me: Carol.
Mom: Think.
Me: Kristy.
Mom: yeah…and what happened?
Me: It was MY FAULT!
Mom: Why?
Me: Because I shoulda never gone.
MOM…..I SHOULDA…NEVER..GONE!
Mom: Where did you go?
Me: We went..to…miniature golf.
Mom: You went to a concert.
Me: We went to a concert, she said.
Mom: You saw something about Meat….
Me: Mom…..who’d I go see?
Mom: Meat…Meat Potatoes..or something…I don’t
Me: Meat Puppets.
Mom: Meat Puppets
Me: Ahblah the eat Puppets, Mom, and I went with Christa and we both…shit..MOM! WE BOTH…GOT IN AN ACCIDENT..ON THE WAY OUT! (increasingly angrier) MOM!
Mom: yeah?
Me: MOM!
Mom: it’s o.k.
Me: Mom.
Mom: what?
Me: We got in an accident on the way out…which we should have never have gotten in
Mom: How come?
Me: Cause she..went..the wrong way.
(someone came in for something)
Mom: What did she do?
Me: Turned, Mom…she turned…out..and…there were cars coming towards her.
Mom: Oh…(handing me something)
Me: Mom….I don’t want anything, ok.?
(pause)
Me: I don’t want any, thank you.
(pause)
Me: Mom…I don’t want any of that.
(pause)
Me: Mom…I don’t want any, thank you.
(pause)
Mom: O.k…
Me: I don’t want anything.
Mom: So what did she so? You said she what? She turned the wrong way?
Me: On the turn lane, started turning…there were still cars turning.
Mom: Yeah….and she hit someone or someone hit her?
Me: Someone hit her.
Mom: and then what did your car do??
Me: it turned.
Mom: Upside down.
Me: around
Mom: yeah…do you remember it?
Me: upside down (simultaneously with mom)
Me: (increasingly angrier) I DON’T REMEMBER IT. I WASN’T EVEN IN IT, MOM. I WASN’T IN IT, O.K.? I WASN’T…IN IT.
Mom: O.k…so then the ambulance brought you here. Do you know where you are?
Me: yes.
Mom: where?
Me: Mission Community
Mom: That’s right.
Mom: You’re at Mission Community Hospital.
Me: Mission Community.
Mom: That’s right.
Me: They took us here Mom.
Mom: O.k…good!
Mom: What day is today?
No look at the calendar.
Me: July……4th
Mom: Today…..look, look at the month.
See it? October.
Today’s October 9th, 19…..
Me: 1988.
Mom: Oh good..and what hospital is this?
Me: St. Joseph’s
Mom: What hospital?
Me: St. Joseph’s.
Mom: No.
Me: Thank you very much, Mom
Mom: What hospital is it?
Me: Thank you very much, MOM!
Me: MOM! ST……….JOSEPH’S!!!!
Mom: Starts with an “M”
Me: ST…..MARY’S.
Mom: The hospital starts with an “M”
Me: (insistently) St. Mary’s…he told us.
Mom: Now think.
Me: Mother Mary’s
Mom: Lar
Me: What!
Mom: Do you know where you are?
Me: He said MOTHER MARY’S…MOM!!!!!! (getting frustrated)
HE SAID MOTHER MARY’S, DIDN’T HE?
Mom: Larry…do you know where you are?
Me: Josa Children Hospital…in santa ana
Mom: Why are you in the hospital?
Me: Im here…for..my insides.
MOM..I’M SICK..O.K…I’M SICK..
Mom: Why are you sick, what happened?
Me: I’m..sick.
Mom: What happened?
Me: I was born… with no …insides!
Mom: No…you have insides
You’re just fine.
Something happened on the night of August…..(thinking)…31st.
Me: I lost my mind.
Mom: You think so?
Me: MOM!! WHERE..DID…MY MIND..GO??
(ED note: “Where Is My Mind? By the Pixies was one of the most played songs on my radio show)
Mom: I don’t know. Think.
Me: Mom…I got..in an accident.
Mom: with who?
Me: with a girl.
Mom: What was her name?
Me: Carol.
Mom: Think.
Me: Kristy.
Mom: yeah…and what happened?
Me: It was MY FAULT!
Mom: Why?
Me: Because I shoulda never gone.
MOM…..I SHOULDA…NEVER..GONE!
Mom: Where did you go?
Me: We went..to…miniature golf.
Mom: You went to a concert.
Me: We went to a concert, she said.
Mom: You saw something about Meat….
Me: Mom…..who’d I go see?
Mom: Meat…Meat Potatoes..or something…I don’t
Me: Meat Puppets.
Mom: Meat Puppets
Me: Ahblah the eat Puppets, Mom, and I went with Christa and we both…shit..MOM! WE BOTH…GOT IN AN ACCIDENT..ON THE WAY OUT! (increasingly angrier) MOM!
Mom: yeah?
Me: MOM!
Mom: it’s o.k.
Me: Mom.
Mom: what?
Me: We got in an accident on the way out…which we should have never have gotten in
Mom: How come?
Me: Cause she..went..the wrong way.
(someone came in for something)
Mom: What did she do?
Me: Turned, Mom…she turned…out..and…there were cars coming towards her.
Mom: Oh…(handing me something)
Me: Mom….I don’t want anything, ok.?
(pause)
Me: I don’t want any, thank you.
(pause)
Me: Mom…I don’t want any of that.
(pause)
Me: Mom…I don’t want any, thank you.
(pause)
Mom: O.k…
Me: I don’t want anything.
Mom: So what did she so? You said she what? She turned the wrong way?
Me: On the turn lane, started turning…there were still cars turning.
Mom: Yeah….and she hit someone or someone hit her?
Me: Someone hit her.
Mom: and then what did your car do??
Me: it turned.
Mom: Upside down.
Me: around
Mom: yeah…do you remember it?
Me: upside down (simultaneously with mom)
Me: (increasingly angrier) I DON’T REMEMBER IT. I WASN’T EVEN IN IT, MOM. I WASN’T IN IT, O.K.? I WASN’T…IN IT.
Mom: O.k…so then the ambulance brought you here. Do you know where you are?
Me: yes.
Mom: where?
Me: Mission Community
Mom: That’s right.
Mom: You’re at Mission Community Hospital.
Me: Mission Community.
Mom: That’s right.
Me: They took us here Mom.
Mom: O.k…good!
This one's classic...Larry gets a hairwash
This is classic if only for the opening line.
Session starts out with….
Me: (yelling) SHIT MOM!!!!
Mom: You’re getting your hair shampooed, Larry!!!
Me: Mom!
(In the background: “Oh my goodness, there’s an earwig!”)
Dave: Larry…you have a new visitor…haha.
(shuffling in the background…”O.k., I think that’s about it, Lar”
Mom: Dad’s here.
Me: Mom!
Mom: What honey?
Me: Mom! You get the prize for being an idiot about my hair!
Mom: (laughing) Why?
Me: Mom..Mom..Mom..Mom..(other stuff going on in the room)
(people in background moving things and doing things..talk about twoo many people in the room)
Me: (continuing): Mom..Mom..Mom…Oh god Mom! Mom…Mom…that was really funny when you acted all knowledgeable about my..about my..about my…Mom (trying to get attention) Mom
Mom: Now we’re not quite as crowded.
Me: Mom…Mom….
Mom: yeah hun!
Me: that was really funny when you acted all knowledgeable about my ting holes (?) in my h air knuckles (?)
Mom: O.k…well, you know what Larry, they’re going to put you up in a chair now, o.k.? O.k.
Session starts out with….
Me: (yelling) SHIT MOM!!!!
Mom: You’re getting your hair shampooed, Larry!!!
Me: Mom!
(In the background: “Oh my goodness, there’s an earwig!”)
Dave: Larry…you have a new visitor…haha.
(shuffling in the background…”O.k., I think that’s about it, Lar”
Mom: Dad’s here.
Me: Mom!
Mom: What honey?
Me: Mom! You get the prize for being an idiot about my hair!
Mom: (laughing) Why?
Me: Mom..Mom..Mom..Mom..(other stuff going on in the room)
(people in background moving things and doing things..talk about twoo many people in the room)
Me: (continuing): Mom..Mom..Mom…Oh god Mom! Mom…Mom…that was really funny when you acted all knowledgeable about my..about my..about my…Mom (trying to get attention) Mom
Mom: Now we’re not quite as crowded.
Me: Mom…Mom….
Mom: yeah hun!
Me: that was really funny when you acted all knowledgeable about my ting holes (?) in my h air knuckles (?)
Mom: O.k…well, you know what Larry, they’re going to put you up in a chair now, o.k.? O.k.
The Mina and Mother Milani visit
oh...the infamous Mina and Mother Milani visit. This was “classic Larry”… pulling out all the stops to flatter Mina and her mother. There are some gems of lines in this one… ones that stick to us even to this day, such as my response to “we talk about you every day” to which I respond “you mean you sit around the breakfast table every day and say 'okay, let's talk about Larry.'" If you knew Mina, you are sure to appreciate this.
Mina’s mother: Yes and I wanted to (inaudible)..that’s why I came here.
Me: Really?
Minas Mother: Yes.
Mina: You know how you always call and you go “HI! Is Mina there?”
Me: Yes
Mina My father says “Larry….Larry…give us the last name”. And then you say “Larry Singer”
Me: Yes
Mina: And my father says, “O.k..that’s O.k.” The password is “Singer”.
Mina’s Mother: Can I touch you? Do you mind if I touch you?
Me: Mmm hmmm.
Mina’s Mother: O.k.
Me: Hello.
Mina: Hello my dear.
Me: Hello, my dear. Mina…why are your parents so wonderful?
Mina: Because I’m lucky, just like you are.
Me: Mina. You ARE lucky
Mina’s Mother: You have beautiful parents
Mina: You know we’re both lucky
Me: You have a beautiful daughter, did you know that ma’am
Mina’s Mother: Thank you.
Me: You’re beautiful Mina…did you know that Mina?
(Mom audibly laughing uncomfortably in the background)
Mina: Keep telling me, I feel better. All my insecurities out the window.
Me: (quietly) Mina, did you know that?
Mom: You’re adorable Mina.
Me: You have a beautiful mother.
(everyone speaking at once)
I mean it Mina.
Mina’s Mother: We LOVE You. We are..every day with you.
Me: Really?
Mina’s Mother: Every day!
Mina: Did you know we talk about you every single day??
Mina’s Mother: Evey day
Me: Really?
Mina: Yeah..really.
Me: You guys talk about me every day?
Mina’s Mother & Mina: We talk about you every single day.
Me (solo): Do you say at the breakfast table…
(mom bursts out laughing)
Me (giggling to myself): O.k. guys..let’s talk about, it’s time to talk about Larry
(mom still laughing)
Mina’s Mother (not catching on to my cynical sense of humour): No no..because I’m in the hospital…(inaudible)
Me: It’s time to talk Larry.
Mina (catching on): Yes, Larry.
Mina’s Mother: We call you.
Mom (laughing): That’s the first time he say (inaudible)
Dad; No, no..he told us a joke.
Someone: yes
Mina: Are you still making jokes?
You’re still cracking jokes… wiseguy.
Me: Instead of saying… instead of saying “okay guys, time for your prayer”… you go, “okay guys….It’s…” (can’t speak because I’m laughing. Mom & Dad join in the laughing. Meanwhile, in the other units of the ICU, people are wondering what kind of madness is going on in that room)
Mina: Yes..we pray for Larry.
(I start sort of choking in the background)
Mom: (laughing) Oh God!
Mina: You’re a regular Johnny Carson
Mina’s Mother: We love you.
Me: (self deprecatingly humorously) now it’s time to make fun of Larry
Uh huh
Mom: (seriously) no, they’re not going to make fun of you.
Mina: We would never make fun of you
Mina’s Mother: Often we talk about you, and we want you to be strong.
Me: (Startled) are you serious, ma’am?
Mina’s Mother: I am
Me: that is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard.
Mina’s Mother: Yes, be strong and patient, and you’re doing a wonderful job
Me: Mina
Mina: Yes
Me: You’ve got wonderful parents, did you know that?
Mina (laughing) I know that.
Me: Mina…Did you know that you have wonderful parents?
Mina: Yes, I know that.
Me: Mina…God did you know that!
(Mom with an uncomfortable chuckle)
Me: Mina..I wondered, how did you come out so perfect?
Mina: Perfect
Mina’s Mother: She’s O.k.
Mina: (laughing) I’m o.k. see?
Me: I said “Her parents better be perfect”.
Mom: (moving things along) O.k….
Mina’s Mother: We are going to… think about you every day, and we are going to pray for you
Me: Are you serious?
Mina: At the kitchen table!
Mom: (mom busts up) At breakfast….that’s Larry talking
Me: “okay everybody…time to go scare…(laughing)….time to go run away”
Mom: (laughing) That’s the first time he’s laughed. This is great.
Me: Time to go run away from the monster man
Mom: (sort of uncomfortably) Larrryyy….that’s the first time he told a joke.
Mina: You are a substantial joke teller.
Mom: Aww…that’s great.
Me: really?
Mina: That’s a substantial joke.
Me: serious?
Mina: substantial
Mina’s Mother: Your eyes are beautiful. You have beautiful eyes.
Me: You really think Ma’am
Mina: Yes
Me: you really think Ma’am?
Mina’s Mother: Yes, I have your picture at home.
Mom: they still have sparkle in them, don’t they?
Mina’s Mother: Yes.
Mina: Do you remember at Kevin’s graduation? Kevin Stockdale? And we all took pictures.
Me: Yes
Mina: I have those pictures
Me: Dammit
Mina: I’ll bring them for you
Me God damn
Mom: Hey Lar…you gotta watch your language
Me Mina..you have wonderful eyes too.
Mina: I’ve got, she’s got green eyes too.
Me: Mina
Mina: They’re really green eyes, not contact lenses
Me: You have wonderful eyes.
Me: Mina….
Mina: Yes.
Me: You’re pretty just like your mom, did you know that??
(silence)
Mom: o.k….you ready to take a nap, Lar?
Dad: He’s a real charmer, isn’t he?
Mina: Yes
Mom: I’m afraid we’re pushing our luck
Me: Mina
Mina: Yes
Me: Are you ready…to go..sleep..or what?
Mina: umm
Mom: No, no..I meant to leave, to go back to LA
Mina’s Mother: Yes, we have to go back to LA. I’m going tonight to hospital. I am working tonight, yes.
Mina: I’m going to come back and visit you..your birthday’s coming up.
Me: Your mom’s a secretary?
Mina: No…
Mina’s Mother: A nurse. I’m just a nurse. My specialty is geriatric medicine
Mom: Alzheimer’s
Mina: Can you handle all that??
Mina’s Mother: geriatrics too, and critical care. You’re doing a fine job.
Me: Is she a nurse?
Mom: mmmhmm
Me: she’s a nurse?
Everyone: Yeah!
Me: Marian?
(silence)
mom: Oh..he’s thinking…he calls his nurse “Marian”..his nurse is Maureen
O.k.
Me: what’s that song called?? “Nurse…nurse, um…nurse, um…nurse Raymond, or something like that?”
Mom: How about “Marian The Librarian”?
Me: What was that song called “Nurse”
Mina: nurse…
Mom: O.K.
Mina: …would you bring me my flowers?
Me: huh
Mom: O.K..say goobye Lar
Me: Goodbye Lar
Mina: Goodbye
Mina’s mother: Goodbye, Larry, we love you
Mina: Say Goodnight Gracie. Goodnight Gracie
Me: Goodnight Gracie
Mina: Can I give you a kiss on the cheek?
Me: Yes Marian
Mom: Mina!
(phone rings)
Me: Mina go ahead. Goodbye Mina.
Mina: Goodbye Larry. I’m going to come back and visit you.
Me: goodbye Marian
Mina’s Mother: Shalom!
Me: shalom to you to.
(mom on the phone in the background)
Mina: You take care of yourself..im going to call every single day.
Me; Goodbye Mina
Mina: I love you, Larry
Me: Love you too.
Dad: Thanks for coming by.
Mina’s mother: Yes and I wanted to (inaudible)..that’s why I came here.
Me: Really?
Minas Mother: Yes.
Mina: You know how you always call and you go “HI! Is Mina there?”
Me: Yes
Mina My father says “Larry….Larry…give us the last name”. And then you say “Larry Singer”
Me: Yes
Mina: And my father says, “O.k..that’s O.k.” The password is “Singer”.
Mina’s Mother: Can I touch you? Do you mind if I touch you?
Me: Mmm hmmm.
Mina’s Mother: O.k.
Me: Hello.
Mina: Hello my dear.
Me: Hello, my dear. Mina…why are your parents so wonderful?
Mina: Because I’m lucky, just like you are.
Me: Mina. You ARE lucky
Mina’s Mother: You have beautiful parents
Mina: You know we’re both lucky
Me: You have a beautiful daughter, did you know that ma’am
Mina’s Mother: Thank you.
Me: You’re beautiful Mina…did you know that Mina?
(Mom audibly laughing uncomfortably in the background)
Mina: Keep telling me, I feel better. All my insecurities out the window.
Me: (quietly) Mina, did you know that?
Mom: You’re adorable Mina.
Me: You have a beautiful mother.
(everyone speaking at once)
I mean it Mina.
Mina’s Mother: We LOVE You. We are..every day with you.
Me: Really?
Mina’s Mother: Every day!
Mina: Did you know we talk about you every single day??
Mina’s Mother: Evey day
Me: Really?
Mina: Yeah..really.
Me: You guys talk about me every day?
Mina’s Mother & Mina: We talk about you every single day.
Me (solo): Do you say at the breakfast table…
(mom bursts out laughing)
Me (giggling to myself): O.k. guys..let’s talk about, it’s time to talk about Larry
(mom still laughing)
Mina’s Mother (not catching on to my cynical sense of humour): No no..because I’m in the hospital…(inaudible)
Me: It’s time to talk Larry.
Mina (catching on): Yes, Larry.
Mina’s Mother: We call you.
Mom (laughing): That’s the first time he say (inaudible)
Dad; No, no..he told us a joke.
Someone: yes
Mina: Are you still making jokes?
You’re still cracking jokes… wiseguy.
Me: Instead of saying… instead of saying “okay guys, time for your prayer”… you go, “okay guys….It’s…” (can’t speak because I’m laughing. Mom & Dad join in the laughing. Meanwhile, in the other units of the ICU, people are wondering what kind of madness is going on in that room)
Mina: Yes..we pray for Larry.
(I start sort of choking in the background)
Mom: (laughing) Oh God!
Mina: You’re a regular Johnny Carson
Mina’s Mother: We love you.
Me: (self deprecatingly humorously) now it’s time to make fun of Larry
Uh huh
Mom: (seriously) no, they’re not going to make fun of you.
Mina: We would never make fun of you
Mina’s Mother: Often we talk about you, and we want you to be strong.
Me: (Startled) are you serious, ma’am?
Mina’s Mother: I am
Me: that is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard.
Mina’s Mother: Yes, be strong and patient, and you’re doing a wonderful job
Me: Mina
Mina: Yes
Me: You’ve got wonderful parents, did you know that?
Mina (laughing) I know that.
Me: Mina…Did you know that you have wonderful parents?
Mina: Yes, I know that.
Me: Mina…God did you know that!
(Mom with an uncomfortable chuckle)
Me: Mina..I wondered, how did you come out so perfect?
Mina: Perfect
Mina’s Mother: She’s O.k.
Mina: (laughing) I’m o.k. see?
Me: I said “Her parents better be perfect”.
Mom: (moving things along) O.k….
Mina’s Mother: We are going to… think about you every day, and we are going to pray for you
Me: Are you serious?
Mina: At the kitchen table!
Mom: (mom busts up) At breakfast….that’s Larry talking
Me: “okay everybody…time to go scare…(laughing)….time to go run away”
Mom: (laughing) That’s the first time he’s laughed. This is great.
Me: Time to go run away from the monster man
Mom: (sort of uncomfortably) Larrryyy….that’s the first time he told a joke.
Mina: You are a substantial joke teller.
Mom: Aww…that’s great.
Me: really?
Mina: That’s a substantial joke.
Me: serious?
Mina: substantial
Mina’s Mother: Your eyes are beautiful. You have beautiful eyes.
Me: You really think Ma’am
Mina: Yes
Me: you really think Ma’am?
Mina’s Mother: Yes, I have your picture at home.
Mom: they still have sparkle in them, don’t they?
Mina’s Mother: Yes.
Mina: Do you remember at Kevin’s graduation? Kevin Stockdale? And we all took pictures.
Me: Yes
Mina: I have those pictures
Me: Dammit
Mina: I’ll bring them for you
Me God damn
Mom: Hey Lar…you gotta watch your language
Me Mina..you have wonderful eyes too.
Mina: I’ve got, she’s got green eyes too.
Me: Mina
Mina: They’re really green eyes, not contact lenses
Me: You have wonderful eyes.
Me: Mina….
Mina: Yes.
Me: You’re pretty just like your mom, did you know that??
(silence)
Mom: o.k….you ready to take a nap, Lar?
Dad: He’s a real charmer, isn’t he?
Mina: Yes
Mom: I’m afraid we’re pushing our luck
Me: Mina
Mina: Yes
Me: Are you ready…to go..sleep..or what?
Mina: umm
Mom: No, no..I meant to leave, to go back to LA
Mina’s Mother: Yes, we have to go back to LA. I’m going tonight to hospital. I am working tonight, yes.
Mina: I’m going to come back and visit you..your birthday’s coming up.
Me: Your mom’s a secretary?
Mina: No…
Mina’s Mother: A nurse. I’m just a nurse. My specialty is geriatric medicine
Mom: Alzheimer’s
Mina: Can you handle all that??
Mina’s Mother: geriatrics too, and critical care. You’re doing a fine job.
Me: Is she a nurse?
Mom: mmmhmm
Me: she’s a nurse?
Everyone: Yeah!
Me: Marian?
(silence)
mom: Oh..he’s thinking…he calls his nurse “Marian”..his nurse is Maureen
O.k.
Me: what’s that song called?? “Nurse…nurse, um…nurse, um…nurse Raymond, or something like that?”
Mom: How about “Marian The Librarian”?
Me: What was that song called “Nurse”
Mina: nurse…
Mom: O.K.
Mina: …would you bring me my flowers?
Me: huh
Mom: O.K..say goobye Lar
Me: Goodbye Lar
Mina: Goodbye
Mina’s mother: Goodbye, Larry, we love you
Mina: Say Goodnight Gracie. Goodnight Gracie
Me: Goodnight Gracie
Mina: Can I give you a kiss on the cheek?
Me: Yes Marian
Mom: Mina!
(phone rings)
Me: Mina go ahead. Goodbye Mina.
Mina: Goodbye Larry. I’m going to come back and visit you.
Me: goodbye Marian
Mina’s Mother: Shalom!
Me: shalom to you to.
(mom on the phone in the background)
Mina: You take care of yourself..im going to call every single day.
Me; Goodbye Mina
Mina: I love you, Larry
Me: Love you too.
Dad: Thanks for coming by.
A cry for "Help!"
This was an odd interaction with me calling out for “help”. Funny, but I thought I was tied down… little did I know, or even remember, that I was paralyzed.
Mom: Why are you yelling “help”?
Me: Because
Mom: Why?
Me: Because I need help.
Help me mom
Mom: Help you what?
Me: Help me.
Mom: help you do what?
Me: get out of this hospital.
(loudly) HELP ME! HELP ME!
Mom: Larry….
Me: help me mom
Mom: why are you yelling “help”?
Me: mom, help me
Mom: I can’t
Me: Because… want to be…HELPED!
Mom: You need to get well…you’ll get help.
Me: yes I will
Mom: And you’ll get better soon
Me: I will mom.
Mom: I know
Me: I will mom.
Mom!
Mom: here’s some more food
Me: …Mom..will you let me out of here?? …Mom..will you let me out of here?? Please?? Stop recording and let me out of here!
Mom: How do you know I’m recording you?
Me: because I hear it, mom.
Mom: you can hear the recorder?
Me: yes mom..Stop beating me.
Mom: I’m not beating you honey.
Me: You’re tying me down, Mom
Mom: larry, I’m not tying you down.
Me: mom, you’re holding me
Mom: I’m not even touching you…look, there’s my hands.
Me: why am I tied down here, mom?
Mom; You’re not tied down!
Me: I am tied down, mom.
Mom; look..look at your hands
Me: Mom…mom…I’m tied down here
Mom: you had an accident, Larry…you broke your neck, remember? You can’t move.
Mom: Why are you yelling “help”?
Me: Because
Mom: Why?
Me: Because I need help.
Help me mom
Mom: Help you what?
Me: Help me.
Mom: help you do what?
Me: get out of this hospital.
(loudly) HELP ME! HELP ME!
Mom: Larry….
Me: help me mom
Mom: why are you yelling “help”?
Me: mom, help me
Mom: I can’t
Me: Because… want to be…HELPED!
Mom: You need to get well…you’ll get help.
Me: yes I will
Mom: And you’ll get better soon
Me: I will mom.
Mom: I know
Me: I will mom.
Mom!
Mom: here’s some more food
Me: …Mom..will you let me out of here?? …Mom..will you let me out of here?? Please?? Stop recording and let me out of here!
Mom: How do you know I’m recording you?
Me: because I hear it, mom.
Mom: you can hear the recorder?
Me: yes mom..Stop beating me.
Mom: I’m not beating you honey.
Me: You’re tying me down, Mom
Mom: larry, I’m not tying you down.
Me: mom, you’re holding me
Mom: I’m not even touching you…look, there’s my hands.
Me: why am I tied down here, mom?
Mom; You’re not tied down!
Me: I am tied down, mom.
Mom; look..look at your hands
Me: Mom…mom…I’m tied down here
Mom: you had an accident, Larry…you broke your neck, remember? You can’t move.
Mom & Dad with me the night before my operation
In this I express my love and my parents and they theirs for me… and I get some good shoulders scratching in. Anyone that visited knew that scratching my head, my shoulders, my nose, and my cheek were my joys of the day.
Mom: OK
Dad: Tell me what you see
Me: I love you…did you know that…DID YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU??!!!
Me: Mom…
Mom: yeah
Me: did you know that I love you??
Mom: yes…I know you love me…I know that you love me….and I love you, and will always be here with you.
Is it..are you upset because you’re in the hospital and you’re scared?
Me: No..no..no..
Mom: You’re just filled with a lot of love, right??
Me: Yes…mom…I’ve just..got so much..emotion
Dad: You’ve got a lot of emotion
Mom: what kind of emotion? Tell me,..what do you feel?
Me: a lot of love.
Mom: Oh..we love you too. You know we’ve been here every single day?
Me: No..I didn’t.
Mom: Every single night.
Me: I didn’t mom
Mom: somebody’s been with you…or we’ve been waiting in the waiting room.
Me: I didn’t know that...MOM..MOM…I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!
Mom: that’s ok…we do it because we love you. We want you to get better..and you have gotten better. Do you know how much better you’ve gotten?
Me: yes…
Mom: you want to live, don’t you?
Me: yes, I do, mom
Me: I will get (inaudible) every day
Mom: and David’s been here..and Jean
Me: and Jean
Mom: you know jean loves you?
Me: yeah
Mom: she was just here this morning..wasn’t she? Do you remember her?
(Dad open the window)
Mom: do you have anything else to say, Lar?
Dad: Can you see out the window, son?
Me: yeah
Dad: can you tell me what you see?
(I mumbled something)
Can you see the building there? They’re building something new.
Mom: what did you say about other kids…that it’s not fair they have parents?
Me: It’s not fair that they get stuck with parents that…THEY GET..OH GOD…I SAW MY PARENTS TONIGHT.
Mom: Why would they do that?
Oh…you’ve got parents that you want to see.
Me: mm hmm. I’ve got parents I really love. Me and my parents went out to dinner tonight. And we had the greatest time…and..huf huf….MOM! Most kids get to say ‘me and my parents went out to dinner tonight and it sucked.”
Mom: And you’re happy.
Me: Yes, I’m extremely happy
Mom: We love you.
Dad: We’ll have good times
Mom: We’ll have wonderful times.
Me: Mom..will you scratch my shoulder please?
Mom Yes…this shoulder?
Me: yes…right there…Oh god!
Mom: I got it?
Me: Yes..Oh god mom!
Mom: good?
me: yes
(She continues scratching and I continue exclaiming my pleasure)
Me: mom…that felt so good.
Mom: I’ll do it for you any time, honey.
What other things do you like to do with us? What other things are fun? Living with us is great, huh?
Me: living with you guys is extremely fun.
Mom: yeah
Me: so..you guys are so much fun. You guys are the FUNNEST PEOPLE..IN..THE..WORLD!
(I start crying)
Mom: it’s nothing to cry about
Me: You guys are the nicest people… in the whole…world.
Mom: That makes us feel real good…doesn’t it Dad?
Me: I hope so. I hope so You guys..deserve…to feel..happy
Mom: we do
Me: you guys deserve it.
Mom: You know why we’re so happy?
Me: Why?
Mom: Do you know the main reason why we’re so happy?
Me: why guys?
Mom: It’s because you’re alive.
Me: Really?
Mom: (starts crying): yes…I’m so happy cause you’re alive.
Me: (crying) no
Mom:yes
Me: no
Me: mom..whats the reason you guys are happy with each other?
Mom: you mean why has my marriage lasted so long?
Me: yes.
Mom: Dad never listens to me (laughs)
Me: no
Mom: that’s one of the reasons..I yell and he doesn’t pay attention to me.
Me: mom, what’s the reason you guys are so happy together?
Mom: Don’t you think that’s one of the reasons?
Dad: We have fun together
Mom: we have fun..we’re good friends.
Me: mom
Mom: he’s my best friend..besides you.
Me: Mom..is that it?? Is that it?? You guys..are just..best friends?
Mom: yes..dont you think that’s a good reason?
Me: I think that‘s..an..incredIbly…GOOD REASON..FOR YOU GUYS..TO STAY..TOGETHER!
Mom: and we have a family, and we have kids, and we did a good job of raising kids.
Me: you did. Will you help me out, please?
Mom: what should we do?
Me: please help me out…my…SHOULDER….HURTS..RIGHT..NOW!
Mom: This one?
Me: yes
Mom: same place
Dad: he’s been in pain…you’ve been in pain today, son. They don’t want to give anything for pain because tomorrow they can’t do it.
Me: OK dad
Dad: OK son?
Mom: OK…tomorrow…you’re gonna have a little operation.
Me: Thank you, Mom, thank you.
Mom: Feel good, honey?
Me: yes….OH GOD…THAT FEELS SO GREAT! Mom..rub the back of my neck.
Mom: The back of your neck?
Me: yes
Mom: right here?
Me: the very back…where you can never scratch
Mom: I’m not allowed to touch there, it’s where your neck is broken…don’t touch behind the bump
This is the 7th vertebra here, the ones above there are broken. This is the 7th, so it’s 4, 5, and 6 are right in there.
Me: Mom…
Mom: You can touch down there. Feel the bump? That’s the 7th vertebra.
O.K.?
Dad: (inaudible..Dad says something about Dr. Moffett coming in)
Mom: OK
Dad: Tell me what you see
Me: I love you…did you know that…DID YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU??!!!
Me: Mom…
Mom: yeah
Me: did you know that I love you??
Mom: yes…I know you love me…I know that you love me….and I love you, and will always be here with you.
Is it..are you upset because you’re in the hospital and you’re scared?
Me: No..no..no..
Mom: You’re just filled with a lot of love, right??
Me: Yes…mom…I’ve just..got so much..emotion
Dad: You’ve got a lot of emotion
Mom: what kind of emotion? Tell me,..what do you feel?
Me: a lot of love.
Mom: Oh..we love you too. You know we’ve been here every single day?
Me: No..I didn’t.
Mom: Every single night.
Me: I didn’t mom
Mom: somebody’s been with you…or we’ve been waiting in the waiting room.
Me: I didn’t know that...MOM..MOM…I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!
Mom: that’s ok…we do it because we love you. We want you to get better..and you have gotten better. Do you know how much better you’ve gotten?
Me: yes…
Mom: you want to live, don’t you?
Me: yes, I do, mom
Me: I will get (inaudible) every day
Mom: and David’s been here..and Jean
Me: and Jean
Mom: you know jean loves you?
Me: yeah
Mom: she was just here this morning..wasn’t she? Do you remember her?
(Dad open the window)
Mom: do you have anything else to say, Lar?
Dad: Can you see out the window, son?
Me: yeah
Dad: can you tell me what you see?
(I mumbled something)
Can you see the building there? They’re building something new.
Mom: what did you say about other kids…that it’s not fair they have parents?
Me: It’s not fair that they get stuck with parents that…THEY GET..OH GOD…I SAW MY PARENTS TONIGHT.
Mom: Why would they do that?
Oh…you’ve got parents that you want to see.
Me: mm hmm. I’ve got parents I really love. Me and my parents went out to dinner tonight. And we had the greatest time…and..huf huf….MOM! Most kids get to say ‘me and my parents went out to dinner tonight and it sucked.”
Mom: And you’re happy.
Me: Yes, I’m extremely happy
Mom: We love you.
Dad: We’ll have good times
Mom: We’ll have wonderful times.
Me: Mom..will you scratch my shoulder please?
Mom Yes…this shoulder?
Me: yes…right there…Oh god!
Mom: I got it?
Me: Yes..Oh god mom!
Mom: good?
me: yes
(She continues scratching and I continue exclaiming my pleasure)
Me: mom…that felt so good.
Mom: I’ll do it for you any time, honey.
What other things do you like to do with us? What other things are fun? Living with us is great, huh?
Me: living with you guys is extremely fun.
Mom: yeah
Me: so..you guys are so much fun. You guys are the FUNNEST PEOPLE..IN..THE..WORLD!
(I start crying)
Mom: it’s nothing to cry about
Me: You guys are the nicest people… in the whole…world.
Mom: That makes us feel real good…doesn’t it Dad?
Me: I hope so. I hope so You guys..deserve…to feel..happy
Mom: we do
Me: you guys deserve it.
Mom: You know why we’re so happy?
Me: Why?
Mom: Do you know the main reason why we’re so happy?
Me: why guys?
Mom: It’s because you’re alive.
Me: Really?
Mom: (starts crying): yes…I’m so happy cause you’re alive.
Me: (crying) no
Mom:yes
Me: no
Me: mom..whats the reason you guys are happy with each other?
Mom: you mean why has my marriage lasted so long?
Me: yes.
Mom: Dad never listens to me (laughs)
Me: no
Mom: that’s one of the reasons..I yell and he doesn’t pay attention to me.
Me: mom, what’s the reason you guys are so happy together?
Mom: Don’t you think that’s one of the reasons?
Dad: We have fun together
Mom: we have fun..we’re good friends.
Me: mom
Mom: he’s my best friend..besides you.
Me: Mom..is that it?? Is that it?? You guys..are just..best friends?
Mom: yes..dont you think that’s a good reason?
Me: I think that‘s..an..incredIbly…GOOD REASON..FOR YOU GUYS..TO STAY..TOGETHER!
Mom: and we have a family, and we have kids, and we did a good job of raising kids.
Me: you did. Will you help me out, please?
Mom: what should we do?
Me: please help me out…my…SHOULDER….HURTS..RIGHT..NOW!
Mom: This one?
Me: yes
Mom: same place
Dad: he’s been in pain…you’ve been in pain today, son. They don’t want to give anything for pain because tomorrow they can’t do it.
Me: OK dad
Dad: OK son?
Mom: OK…tomorrow…you’re gonna have a little operation.
Me: Thank you, Mom, thank you.
Mom: Feel good, honey?
Me: yes….OH GOD…THAT FEELS SO GREAT! Mom..rub the back of my neck.
Mom: The back of your neck?
Me: yes
Mom: right here?
Me: the very back…where you can never scratch
Mom: I’m not allowed to touch there, it’s where your neck is broken…don’t touch behind the bump
This is the 7th vertebra here, the ones above there are broken. This is the 7th, so it’s 4, 5, and 6 are right in there.
Me: Mom…
Mom: You can touch down there. Feel the bump? That’s the 7th vertebra.
O.K.?
Dad: (inaudible..Dad says something about Dr. Moffett coming in)
Freezing in the hospital
Due to my abnormal thermoregulatory system, I tend either get really cold or really hot. At this time, I was really cold.
Mom: let’s make a recording..this is mom and lar, in the hospital room, it’s five after five..on the 10th day of October, 19….
Me: 87
Mom: 80…
Me: 88
Mom: 88! And Larry’s in what hospital??
Me: Mission
Mom: Mission Hospital! And he’s a little cold, his teeth are chattering a little bit, huh?
Me: I’m sick.
Mom: want me to cover you?
Me: Hold on. Im sick Mom. Did you know that? IM SICK MOM…IM SICK! MOM!
Mom: I Know
Me: I’m telling you that I’m freezing cold!
Mom: O.k.
Me; (burping) Uhoh God! (burp again) Uhoh god!
Mom: Tony? You know Larry’s getting cold, his teeth are chattering. I’m just gonna cover him. His teeth are chattering…you might want to take his temperature.
(Nurse asks a question)
Mom: no…his body’s nice, but his face is a little warm
Nurse: Oh..he’s not abnormal at all
Mom: let’s make a recording..this is mom and lar, in the hospital room, it’s five after five..on the 10th day of October, 19….
Me: 87
Mom: 80…
Me: 88
Mom: 88! And Larry’s in what hospital??
Me: Mission
Mom: Mission Hospital! And he’s a little cold, his teeth are chattering a little bit, huh?
Me: I’m sick.
Mom: want me to cover you?
Me: Hold on. Im sick Mom. Did you know that? IM SICK MOM…IM SICK! MOM!
Mom: I Know
Me: I’m telling you that I’m freezing cold!
Mom: O.k.
Me; (burping) Uhoh God! (burp again) Uhoh god!
Mom: Tony? You know Larry’s getting cold, his teeth are chattering. I’m just gonna cover him. His teeth are chattering…you might want to take his temperature.
(Nurse asks a question)
Mom: no…his body’s nice, but his face is a little warm
Nurse: Oh..he’s not abnormal at all
Me telling mom she's pretty like Ginger on Giligan's Island
This was just a bizarre conversation between me and my mom, but shows the unconditional love that helped me through. I liked cracking my teeth together a lot during the hospital stay.
Mom: what were you thinking about me?
Me: I was thinking about you?
Mom: What were you thinking about, honey?
Me: about the gum
Mom: what were you thinking?
Me: (I crack my teeth together and struggle to say something)
Mom: Are you afraid you’ll hurt your teeth? Mom…who am I?
Me: Do you know, do you know, hello? Do you know how in Gilligan’s Island there’s Ginger?
Mom: mm hmm
Me: I used to think you ere pretty just like her.
Mom: Did you really? Like Ginger??!!??
Me: yes…I used to think you were so pretty
Mom: Aren’t I anymore? Have I gotten ugly?
Me: no…you’re very pretty
Mom: for an old lady, huh?
Me: you’re very pretty right now, mom.
Mom: You know why? Because my heart is so filled with love for you.
(I crack my teeth together again and mom grabs my jaw)
Me: Oww!
Mom: Don’t do that
Me Don’t Don’t Don’t MOM Don’t ok? STOP GRABBING ME!
Mom: I don’t want you to bang your teeth together you’ll break your teeth.
Me: Mom..stop grabbing me
Mom: why do you do that?
Me: I don’t know
Mom: then don’t do it
Me: stop grabbing me ok? Please
Mom: just don’t do that to your teeth again
Me: OK Im sorry mom
Mom: Im sorry
Me: Im sorry
Mom: Im sorry
Me: IM SORRY!
Mom: Lets kiss and make up
Me: Ok..Im sorry mom
Mom: You don’t have to say you’re sorry…you’re forgiven
Me: Im sorry mom
Mom: You know it’s unconditional…I love you
Me: it is unconditional
Mom: Yes…it always has been
Me: it’s unconditional that I love you too. Im sorry mom, im sorry.
Mom: just don’t grind your teeth together like that, you’re going to break your teeth
Me: what time are they aren’t ready?
Mom: operate on you? Tomorrow morning
Me: what time?
Mom: 10:30
Me: 10:30 to what time?
Mom: probably 2:30..then I’ll be here to see you. I’ll be here with you all day.
Me: really?
Mom: mm hmm
Me: thank you
Mom: it won’t hurt too much, you won’t feel anything.
Me: I’m supposed to work tomorrow. Yuck.
Mom: you’re in the hospital… you can’t work.
Me: I know, I can’t work. I’m supposed to work though, at the site.
Mom: you’re at the site… you’re at the Mission Hospital site.
Me: I know… mom, will you help me find another job when I get out of here?
Mom: Yeah…you’re gonna have..when you get out
Me: help me
Mom: When you get out of here
Me: help me
Mom: you’re gonna have a lot of work to do
Me: help me, mom
Mom: you don’t need another job.
Me: help me
Mom: for a long time.
What do you want me to help you with?
Me: help me with money. PLEASE! PLEASE!! HELP ME! HELP ME!
Mom: OK…I’ll give you all the money you want…o.k.?
Me: O.k. Mom…
Mom: all the money you want. How much money do you need?
Me: about a dollar
Mom: I’ll give it to you…all that you want
Me: a dollar fifty
Mom: o.k., I’ll give it to you
Me: Mom…that’s how much I need mom
Mom: o.k.
Me: (louder) Mom…that’s all that I need
Mom…Mom..all that I need
Mom: o.k.
Me: tomorrow…shut this off, mom
Mom: o.k….
(turns off then back on)
mom: tell the recorder
Me: I love you an awful lot mom
Mom: how much?
Me: an awful lot
Mom: you really love me lots and lots?
Me: an awful heck of a lot!
Mom: Ok…I love you too
Me: I love you too mom.
Mom: OK..smack!
Mom: what were you thinking about me?
Me: I was thinking about you?
Mom: What were you thinking about, honey?
Me: about the gum
Mom: what were you thinking?
Me: (I crack my teeth together and struggle to say something)
Mom: Are you afraid you’ll hurt your teeth? Mom…who am I?
Me: Do you know, do you know, hello? Do you know how in Gilligan’s Island there’s Ginger?
Mom: mm hmm
Me: I used to think you ere pretty just like her.
Mom: Did you really? Like Ginger??!!??
Me: yes…I used to think you were so pretty
Mom: Aren’t I anymore? Have I gotten ugly?
Me: no…you’re very pretty
Mom: for an old lady, huh?
Me: you’re very pretty right now, mom.
Mom: You know why? Because my heart is so filled with love for you.
(I crack my teeth together again and mom grabs my jaw)
Me: Oww!
Mom: Don’t do that
Me Don’t Don’t Don’t MOM Don’t ok? STOP GRABBING ME!
Mom: I don’t want you to bang your teeth together you’ll break your teeth.
Me: Mom..stop grabbing me
Mom: why do you do that?
Me: I don’t know
Mom: then don’t do it
Me: stop grabbing me ok? Please
Mom: just don’t do that to your teeth again
Me: OK Im sorry mom
Mom: Im sorry
Me: Im sorry
Mom: Im sorry
Me: IM SORRY!
Mom: Lets kiss and make up
Me: Ok..Im sorry mom
Mom: You don’t have to say you’re sorry…you’re forgiven
Me: Im sorry mom
Mom: You know it’s unconditional…I love you
Me: it is unconditional
Mom: Yes…it always has been
Me: it’s unconditional that I love you too. Im sorry mom, im sorry.
Mom: just don’t grind your teeth together like that, you’re going to break your teeth
Me: what time are they aren’t ready?
Mom: operate on you? Tomorrow morning
Me: what time?
Mom: 10:30
Me: 10:30 to what time?
Mom: probably 2:30..then I’ll be here to see you. I’ll be here with you all day.
Me: really?
Mom: mm hmm
Me: thank you
Mom: it won’t hurt too much, you won’t feel anything.
Me: I’m supposed to work tomorrow. Yuck.
Mom: you’re in the hospital… you can’t work.
Me: I know, I can’t work. I’m supposed to work though, at the site.
Mom: you’re at the site… you’re at the Mission Hospital site.
Me: I know… mom, will you help me find another job when I get out of here?
Mom: Yeah…you’re gonna have..when you get out
Me: help me
Mom: When you get out of here
Me: help me
Mom: you’re gonna have a lot of work to do
Me: help me, mom
Mom: you don’t need another job.
Me: help me
Mom: for a long time.
What do you want me to help you with?
Me: help me with money. PLEASE! PLEASE!! HELP ME! HELP ME!
Mom: OK…I’ll give you all the money you want…o.k.?
Me: O.k. Mom…
Mom: all the money you want. How much money do you need?
Me: about a dollar
Mom: I’ll give it to you…all that you want
Me: a dollar fifty
Mom: o.k., I’ll give it to you
Me: Mom…that’s how much I need mom
Mom: o.k.
Me: (louder) Mom…that’s all that I need
Mom…Mom..all that I need
Mom: o.k.
Me: tomorrow…shut this off, mom
Mom: o.k….
(turns off then back on)
mom: tell the recorder
Me: I love you an awful lot mom
Mom: how much?
Me: an awful lot
Mom: you really love me lots and lots?
Me: an awful heck of a lot!
Mom: Ok…I love you too
Me: I love you too mom.
Mom: OK..smack!
Me perseverating
In this short clip you hear me doing what is called “perseverating”, repeating the same sound over and over again… behavior typical of a head injury.
Mom: O.k.
(you can hear me in the background saying “ock, ock, ock, ock…”)
Mom: Alright, we’re going to record today…today is August…I mean August! What’s the date today? October what?
Me: Ock, ock, ock….
Mom: October….what?
Me: Ock ock ock, ock…
Mom; I can’t remember the date. Today’s the 14th of October!
Me: Today….is…the…four..teenth
Mom: of
Me: of, of, of, of….
Mom: October
Me: of, of, of, (straining), of, of October, of…ouch, ouch, ouch
Mom: O.k., you just have ice on your shoulders because she’s going to do your arms…and, what hospital are you in?
Me: I, I, I, I, I, I, I,…
Mom: you what?
Me: I, I, I, I, I, I,…
Mom: I’m at…
Me: I, I, I, I, I, I, I…
Mom: You’re at Mission Hospital
Me: I’m, I’m I’m, I’m, I’m…
Mom: at
Me: I’m, I’m, I’m….
Mom: o.k.
Me: I’m, I’m, I’m…
Mom: at….say “I’m at Mission Hospital”
Me: at, at, At, AT, AT
(Mom shuts off recorder then restarts)
Mom: Say it now…”I’m at Mission Hospital..say it”
Me:”I, I, I I’M….at…Mission…Ha…Hel…hel…hel..hel..”
(tape recorder off)
Mom: O.k.
(you can hear me in the background saying “ock, ock, ock, ock…”)
Mom: Alright, we’re going to record today…today is August…I mean August! What’s the date today? October what?
Me: Ock, ock, ock….
Mom: October….what?
Me: Ock ock ock, ock…
Mom; I can’t remember the date. Today’s the 14th of October!
Me: Today….is…the…four..teenth
Mom: of
Me: of, of, of, of….
Mom: October
Me: of, of, of, (straining), of, of October, of…ouch, ouch, ouch
Mom: O.k., you just have ice on your shoulders because she’s going to do your arms…and, what hospital are you in?
Me: I, I, I, I, I, I, I,…
Mom: you what?
Me: I, I, I, I, I, I,…
Mom: I’m at…
Me: I, I, I, I, I, I, I…
Mom: You’re at Mission Hospital
Me: I’m, I’m I’m, I’m, I’m…
Mom: at
Me: I’m, I’m, I’m….
Mom: o.k.
Me: I’m, I’m, I’m…
Mom: at….say “I’m at Mission Hospital”
Me: at, at, At, AT, AT
(Mom shuts off recorder then restarts)
Mom: Say it now…”I’m at Mission Hospital..say it”
Me:”I, I, I I’M….at…Mission…Ha…Hel…hel…hel..hel..”
(tape recorder off)
Steve Rice and Dave Desmond live at Mission Hospital
This was later on… towards the end of October. Dave Desmond and Steve Rice came and visited complete with a guitar. Mind you, this was still in intensive care unit and they are none too keen to loud noises. Anyone that knows Dave and Steve know that alone they are hilarious, but together the same room it can be lethal. Add in the copious amounts of narcotics I was taking and still experiencing the aftereffects of my head injury… and what could be expected to result is nothing short of what you might hear at Animal House.
Those of you who know these characters… enjoy. The others, listen to what you want and feel free to shut off at any moment.
The transcript:
(Steve Rice talking to me in the background)
Steve: We made a tape of me and Kevin, and we played Thursday at lunch… and we made a tape for you(?)
Me: What was it?
Mom: 7, 8, 9, 10
Steve: It was…
Dave Desmond: They played as a band it was so funny.
Steve: It was like (?)
Me: Yeah?
Steve: It was really…the songs were really bad..but they we so bad, they were funny.
Me: hi tape recorder, how are you doing?
Dave: Doing fine, thanks!
Mom: tell the date anyway, while you’re on there, guys.
Steve: Ok..its October 23
Me (simultaneously):October..twenty..third
Steve: and it’s…
Me: 1988
Steve: am I pressing enough?
Me: Four O clock yes you are, Steve.
Steve: Thank you…Oh you’re going to take pictures.
Dave: picture time!
Steve: O.k.
Me: Steve.
Steve; Let me get a picture here.
Mom: O.k. can you bend your head down a little?
Dave: Booda boo! Booda boda boo.
Mom: eh.I can’t get the camera to work.I don’t understand.
(everyone talks at once)
Dad: go outside and see…
Me: My name…is…Larry
(Steve and Dave sing next line of “My name is Larry”)
Me: Steve…do you..want to..know what..my brother’s real name is? And my Mom, and my Dad’s?
Steve: Sure…I know your mom’s. I always forget you dad’s
Mom: joyce
Me: Sandy..Sandy
Steve: Oh yeah I can remember that
Me: david.
Dad: David’s your brother’s name.
Me: Davids my brother, Teri’s my sister
Steve: yeah
Dad: And Vivian’s your
Me: grandma..and jack is my grandpa
Mom: and you knew grandpa joe.
Steve: mm hmmm
Me: and Sallys my other grandma…who had alzheimer’s disease…don’t you know?
(QUIET)
Steve: Which one do you want to play first, Dave?
15:26
Dave: Uh, let’s see here…
(Dad says they should lay in the ward and mom says “They can’t hear the guitar. It’s a steel string” while I mumble something)
Me: Mom…they’re so cool…Steve’s the coolest.
Dave: Steve IS the coolest…except for me.
Steve: We kind of wrote this song, but we stole it from Van Morrison..Dave’s an (inaudible) from me.
Me: “Oh it’s a beautiful night for a moondance…”
(Dave scats “Moondance”)
Me: That’s van Morrison.
Dave: You know it. …This is a different one.
(They play “Larry”…to tune of “Gloria”)
(in the middle of the song, I ask my dad to itch my nose)
Me; Mom……you know..what song..this is a take-off of? Mom…mom....mom…
(they are futzing with something)
Dave: hold on a second, she’s looking for someting.
Dad: What’s the matter?
Mom: the nurse looked out there
Me; mom, you know what song that was? “Gloria” by van Morrison
(mom whispers in the background about the nurse)
Dad: She said what?
Mom: Nothing..we’re o.k.
Me: Mom…itch my nose please
Dad: Why don’t you just go outside and see how loud it is.
Mom: No..they can’t even hear. That new nurse is out there.
(changing the subject) So..what have you guys been up to?
Dad: let’s hear “Larry” I want to hear “My name is Larry”
Me: Talk to me Dave
Dave: Well…what do you want to hear Lar?
Me: What?
Dave what do you want to hear? Hey…I played my second rugby match yesterday
Me: Rugby? KUCI Rugby?
Dave: No…KUCI doesn’t have a team, I’m playing for UC Irvine.
Steve: He’s getting demolished.
Dave: For the school, yeah..
Mom; You like it?
Dave: It’s pretty fun…there are a lot of big boys out there.
Me: Mom..itch my nose…please.
Mom: he’s going to be on the record for “itch my nose, itch my nose’
Dave: I know
Mom: Hey…I got an itchy nose.
(Steve starts playing KUCI theme song with “itch my nose” lyrics)
Me: Steve…that’s the theme song for KUCI
Mom: Don’t play that til the nurse is gone.
Steve: That’s the…
Dave: “The Broken Radio Blues”..we’ll play that later..when the nurse leaves
Mom: Do you wnt to stop the recorder or do you want this all recorded?
Me: Yes..stop the recorder.
19:32
(Nurse taking vitals and “My name Is Larry” in background, talking about my sister Teri’s job)
Mom: You guys want some jellybeans, help yourself.
Dave: OH! How could I forget! Larry..look at my teeth. No braces, man.
Me: You got a retainer, Dave. That’s so cool.
Dave: isn’t that nifty?
Mom; how many years?
Dave: 3 years I had them on.
(mumbling)
Dave: This is the first time you’ve seen my new teeth, and aren’t they magnificent?
Me: Mom..itch my right neck, please.
(Dave taking it on)
Mom: The right side of his neck is where you would think is left.
Me: It is right..the other right.
Mom: left.
Steve: Your right.
Mom: Its my right when I look at you, but it’s your left when you’re laying there. You’re right.
(everyone laughs)
(cross chatter)
Me: Steve-O..what’s up, bro?
(talking about hair and cutting Eric Nusbaum’s hair)
Mom: I cut Eric’s…the night he stayed here with me.
Steve: Did he know you were cutting it?
Mom: No..he asked me to.
Steve; That’s funny
Me: Steve..shoot..turn the tape recorder on.
Steve & Dave: Oh it’s on.
Steve: What song do you want to hear.
Dave: Do you want to move it closer to you, Lardog?
Me: No dave, I can’t hear it. It’s recording.
Dave: No..I meant…well fine, just make me feel like a fool, Larry…you goober.
Mom: he hasn’t lost his sense of humour, has he?
Dave: No..he can still riff on me
Steve: We all do that.
Dave: yea
Me: Right curly! Curly!
Dave: hey..hey..hey.I don’t need your abuse
Steve; Sure you do, it makes us better people, doesn’t it?
Dave; It sure does. We’re gonna have the weird recording
Me: Stereo mix
Dave: The 12” remix
Steve; It’ll be like “Whole Lotta Love” from Led Zeppelin
Mom: He wants to hear the song “Larry”
Steve; O.k., we’ll make them up..
(They sing “My Name Is Larry”)
Me: Steve, Play the guitar, dammit! Excuse my language.
Steve: There’s no guitar in “My name is Larry”
Mom: back to that stuff again, Lar?
Steve; Oh yeah…
Me; Did you hear about that, Steve?
Steve; Yeah…show us the picture.
Mom; Show us your drug overdose face
Me: Did you hear about my cuss-fest Steve?
Dave & Steve: Yeah
Me: itch my nose
Dave; “Cuss fest”…that’s funny
Mom: he told me to go ‘f” myself
Me: Isn’t that smart of me? “Mom…go biip yourself.
(Steve starts strumming and I sing “Larry” to the tune of “Lola”)
Dave: Oh do you know “Lola” By the Kinks?
Me: I do
Steve: How does it go? I can figure it out
Dave: (after singing) We’re too raucous for this hospital.
Me: (like I know what I’m doing) steve..D, D, D, D, D minor
Steve: D minor?
(Mom & dad go out)
Mom: We’re gonna leave you guys alone with Larry
Dad: Don’t go away
Me; bye dad
Mom: have a good time guys.
Dave: o.k.
Steve: It goes G, D…
Me: D, D minor,
Dave: Is your nose itchy again
Me: yeah
Dave: just the bottom?
Me: yes
Dave: like that? That good? I’ve been working on it. You know that big tall funny guy? I’m living with him again.
(a bunch of banter between us)
Me: Steve…who do you live with?
Steve: I’m with my mom and dad
Me: momadpop fraternity. Remember that “Happy Days?”..”momandpop fraternity” that was Ron Howard.
Steve: That’s who AJ looks like..Ron Howard. Looks like Richie..20 years later
Dave; Opie..the extended version
(more banter)
larry; Do you know D’yer Mak’r
I know Stairway To Heaven
Dave: I l know the start of it. Shall I do it show my musical prowess?
Me: Show it, Dave
Dave: give it to me Stevie.
(hands Dave guitar)
Dave: I don’t need a pick.
Steve:Hear that he doesn’t need a pick.
Me: Go Diamond Dave!
(dave plays first few notes)
Dave: that’s all I know
Me: That’s not right,
Dave: Isnt that right?
Steve: na ah.
(more futzing)
Steve: It is, but it’s in the wrong key
Dave: let’s see if you can name this other tune…the only other one I know.
(Dave starts picking U2 song)
me: New Years Day!
Dave: Sunday Bloody Sunday
(all start singing)
(I stat singing my own words and everyone starts laughing)
Me: Stop it…Ill laugh so hard, my sides will ache, my heart will go pitter pat
(Start singing “Felix, the wonderful cat”)
(The we start sing “Gilligan’s Island”..and then play “Name that tune”)
(a bunch of banter that probably only is interesting to those present or those who knew those present at 42 minutes there’s a funny interaction between us about itching and at some point they play The Broken Radio Blues)
Those of you who know these characters… enjoy. The others, listen to what you want and feel free to shut off at any moment.
The transcript:
(Steve Rice talking to me in the background)
Steve: We made a tape of me and Kevin, and we played Thursday at lunch… and we made a tape for you(?)
Me: What was it?
Mom: 7, 8, 9, 10
Steve: It was…
Dave Desmond: They played as a band it was so funny.
Steve: It was like (?)
Me: Yeah?
Steve: It was really…the songs were really bad..but they we so bad, they were funny.
Me: hi tape recorder, how are you doing?
Dave: Doing fine, thanks!
Mom: tell the date anyway, while you’re on there, guys.
Steve: Ok..its October 23
Me (simultaneously):October..twenty..third
Steve: and it’s…
Me: 1988
Steve: am I pressing enough?
Me: Four O clock yes you are, Steve.
Steve: Thank you…Oh you’re going to take pictures.
Dave: picture time!
Steve: O.k.
Me: Steve.
Steve; Let me get a picture here.
Mom: O.k. can you bend your head down a little?
Dave: Booda boo! Booda boda boo.
Mom: eh.I can’t get the camera to work.I don’t understand.
(everyone talks at once)
Dad: go outside and see…
Me: My name…is…Larry
(Steve and Dave sing next line of “My name is Larry”)
Me: Steve…do you..want to..know what..my brother’s real name is? And my Mom, and my Dad’s?
Steve: Sure…I know your mom’s. I always forget you dad’s
Mom: joyce
Me: Sandy..Sandy
Steve: Oh yeah I can remember that
Me: david.
Dad: David’s your brother’s name.
Me: Davids my brother, Teri’s my sister
Steve: yeah
Dad: And Vivian’s your
Me: grandma..and jack is my grandpa
Mom: and you knew grandpa joe.
Steve: mm hmmm
Me: and Sallys my other grandma…who had alzheimer’s disease…don’t you know?
(QUIET)
Steve: Which one do you want to play first, Dave?
15:26
Dave: Uh, let’s see here…
(Dad says they should lay in the ward and mom says “They can’t hear the guitar. It’s a steel string” while I mumble something)
Me: Mom…they’re so cool…Steve’s the coolest.
Dave: Steve IS the coolest…except for me.
Steve: We kind of wrote this song, but we stole it from Van Morrison..Dave’s an (inaudible) from me.
Me: “Oh it’s a beautiful night for a moondance…”
(Dave scats “Moondance”)
Me: That’s van Morrison.
Dave: You know it. …This is a different one.
(They play “Larry”…to tune of “Gloria”)
(in the middle of the song, I ask my dad to itch my nose)
Me; Mom……you know..what song..this is a take-off of? Mom…mom....mom…
(they are futzing with something)
Dave: hold on a second, she’s looking for someting.
Dad: What’s the matter?
Mom: the nurse looked out there
Me; mom, you know what song that was? “Gloria” by van Morrison
(mom whispers in the background about the nurse)
Dad: She said what?
Mom: Nothing..we’re o.k.
Me: Mom…itch my nose please
Dad: Why don’t you just go outside and see how loud it is.
Mom: No..they can’t even hear. That new nurse is out there.
(changing the subject) So..what have you guys been up to?
Dad: let’s hear “Larry” I want to hear “My name is Larry”
Me: Talk to me Dave
Dave: Well…what do you want to hear Lar?
Me: What?
Dave what do you want to hear? Hey…I played my second rugby match yesterday
Me: Rugby? KUCI Rugby?
Dave: No…KUCI doesn’t have a team, I’m playing for UC Irvine.
Steve: He’s getting demolished.
Dave: For the school, yeah..
Mom; You like it?
Dave: It’s pretty fun…there are a lot of big boys out there.
Me: Mom..itch my nose…please.
Mom: he’s going to be on the record for “itch my nose, itch my nose’
Dave: I know
Mom: Hey…I got an itchy nose.
(Steve starts playing KUCI theme song with “itch my nose” lyrics)
Me: Steve…that’s the theme song for KUCI
Mom: Don’t play that til the nurse is gone.
Steve: That’s the…
Dave: “The Broken Radio Blues”..we’ll play that later..when the nurse leaves
Mom: Do you wnt to stop the recorder or do you want this all recorded?
Me: Yes..stop the recorder.
19:32
(Nurse taking vitals and “My name Is Larry” in background, talking about my sister Teri’s job)
Mom: You guys want some jellybeans, help yourself.
Dave: OH! How could I forget! Larry..look at my teeth. No braces, man.
Me: You got a retainer, Dave. That’s so cool.
Dave: isn’t that nifty?
Mom; how many years?
Dave: 3 years I had them on.
(mumbling)
Dave: This is the first time you’ve seen my new teeth, and aren’t they magnificent?
Me: Mom..itch my right neck, please.
(Dave taking it on)
Mom: The right side of his neck is where you would think is left.
Me: It is right..the other right.
Mom: left.
Steve: Your right.
Mom: Its my right when I look at you, but it’s your left when you’re laying there. You’re right.
(everyone laughs)
(cross chatter)
Me: Steve-O..what’s up, bro?
(talking about hair and cutting Eric Nusbaum’s hair)
Mom: I cut Eric’s…the night he stayed here with me.
Steve: Did he know you were cutting it?
Mom: No..he asked me to.
Steve; That’s funny
Me: Steve..shoot..turn the tape recorder on.
Steve & Dave: Oh it’s on.
Steve: What song do you want to hear.
Dave: Do you want to move it closer to you, Lardog?
Me: No dave, I can’t hear it. It’s recording.
Dave: No..I meant…well fine, just make me feel like a fool, Larry…you goober.
Mom: he hasn’t lost his sense of humour, has he?
Dave: No..he can still riff on me
Steve: We all do that.
Dave: yea
Me: Right curly! Curly!
Dave: hey..hey..hey.I don’t need your abuse
Steve; Sure you do, it makes us better people, doesn’t it?
Dave; It sure does. We’re gonna have the weird recording
Me: Stereo mix
Dave: The 12” remix
Steve; It’ll be like “Whole Lotta Love” from Led Zeppelin
Mom: He wants to hear the song “Larry”
Steve; O.k., we’ll make them up..
(They sing “My Name Is Larry”)
Me: Steve, Play the guitar, dammit! Excuse my language.
Steve: There’s no guitar in “My name is Larry”
Mom: back to that stuff again, Lar?
Steve; Oh yeah…
Me; Did you hear about that, Steve?
Steve; Yeah…show us the picture.
Mom; Show us your drug overdose face
Me: Did you hear about my cuss-fest Steve?
Dave & Steve: Yeah
Me: itch my nose
Dave; “Cuss fest”…that’s funny
Mom: he told me to go ‘f” myself
Me: Isn’t that smart of me? “Mom…go biip yourself.
(Steve starts strumming and I sing “Larry” to the tune of “Lola”)
Dave: Oh do you know “Lola” By the Kinks?
Me: I do
Steve: How does it go? I can figure it out
Dave: (after singing) We’re too raucous for this hospital.
Me: (like I know what I’m doing) steve..D, D, D, D, D minor
Steve: D minor?
(Mom & dad go out)
Mom: We’re gonna leave you guys alone with Larry
Dad: Don’t go away
Me; bye dad
Mom: have a good time guys.
Dave: o.k.
Steve: It goes G, D…
Me: D, D minor,
Dave: Is your nose itchy again
Me: yeah
Dave: just the bottom?
Me: yes
Dave: like that? That good? I’ve been working on it. You know that big tall funny guy? I’m living with him again.
(a bunch of banter between us)
Me: Steve…who do you live with?
Steve: I’m with my mom and dad
Me: momadpop fraternity. Remember that “Happy Days?”..”momandpop fraternity” that was Ron Howard.
Steve: That’s who AJ looks like..Ron Howard. Looks like Richie..20 years later
Dave; Opie..the extended version
(more banter)
larry; Do you know D’yer Mak’r
I know Stairway To Heaven
Dave: I l know the start of it. Shall I do it show my musical prowess?
Me: Show it, Dave
Dave: give it to me Stevie.
(hands Dave guitar)
Dave: I don’t need a pick.
Steve:Hear that he doesn’t need a pick.
Me: Go Diamond Dave!
(dave plays first few notes)
Dave: that’s all I know
Me: That’s not right,
Dave: Isnt that right?
Steve: na ah.
(more futzing)
Steve: It is, but it’s in the wrong key
Dave: let’s see if you can name this other tune…the only other one I know.
(Dave starts picking U2 song)
me: New Years Day!
Dave: Sunday Bloody Sunday
(all start singing)
(I stat singing my own words and everyone starts laughing)
Me: Stop it…Ill laugh so hard, my sides will ache, my heart will go pitter pat
(Start singing “Felix, the wonderful cat”)
(The we start sing “Gilligan’s Island”..and then play “Name that tune”)
(a bunch of banter that probably only is interesting to those present or those who knew those present at 42 minutes there’s a funny interaction between us about itching and at some point they play The Broken Radio Blues)
Lar-a-thon
Anyone who knows me knows that music is a big part of my life. It has affected every aspect of my life. I was working at the campus radio station, KUCI, at the time of my accident. My group of friends were mostly all from KUCI. The night of the accident, I was with this group of friends at a concert that was promoted by the radio station. I had coordinated a ticket giveaway for the concert, the Meat Puppets at The Coach House. I had notoriously interviewed the band earlier that day on the station (“notoriously” because I had been put up to doing the interview with a band that I knew virtually nothing about, with them making me sound like a fool).
It is therefore no surprise that my friends used music to show their support for me. The following week, my best friend and radio partner Marian used our radio slot and a couple other radio slots to hold a "Lar-a-thon", playing music that I loved, that could encourage me, and told stories with other DJs who came to the station for the show. I know I was touched then (or at least a few weeks after when I finally heard it… I was “out of it” at the time), and it still chokes me up and makes me smile to this day.
Thanks to modern technology, I was able to take this tape and digitize it and share it with the world. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.
The wonderful people who participated in the Lar-a-thon:
Marian Cordry
Skeetor (Bill Derouchey)
Christa Lauer
Mina Milani
Toby
Rechenmacher
Kevin Stockdale
Angela Martin
Carol Moore
Angela Martin
Steve Rice
Dave Mathieson
Adeela Zuhurudin
Troy Hansborough
The Songs:
Eurythmics – Take the Pain Away
Velvet Underground – Im Sticking With You
Game Theory – Erica’s Word
Billy Bragg- A New England
Jane’s Addiction – I Would For You
Jane’s Addiction- Standing in The Shower Thinking
Japan: Adolescent Sex
(a funny radio ID with Rajneeshnesh)
Mission UK: Black Mountain Mist
(a funny bit in here with Marian about my writing..and almost prophetically saying I was “meant to be a doctor”)
Bourgeois-Tagg – I Don’t Mind At All
Dan Crow - Oops
Prefab Sprout - Hey Manhattan!
Three O' Clock - Love Explosion
Style Council - You're The Best Thing
(Eric Nusbaum call-in)
The Church - A New Season
Pixies - Cactus
Minutemen - King Of The Hill
Ramones - Something To Believe In
Dream Academy - In The Hands Of Love
(Mina & Marian Top Of Pops story...and Marian touches me to this day by being the first person in my life to call me their "best friend")
Gene Loves Jezebel - Coal Porter
Wild Man Fischer - My Name Is Larry
Led Zeppelin - Good Times/Bad Times
Guns & Roses - Rocket Queen
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Get Up and Jump
David Bowie - Up the Hill Backwards
David Bowie - Somebody Up there Likes me
(Dave call in)
Iggy Pop - Repo Man
(Poodle with a Limp ID)
Prince- Lady Cab Driver
Eurythmics-Miracle Of Love
Poco loco show
Swamp Zombies -Purple Haze
Swamp Zombies - Zombie Jamboree
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Jane's Addiction - Jane Says
Download your very own copy of the show here, suitable for playing on the portable player of your choice, your computer, or burning on a CD. (right click it to copy, by the way..or ctrl-click for mac users)
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