I think the last time I was awestruck by someone it was when I took a baggage claim from Julia Child. I would've been maybe 24 at the time, and she was extremely gracious about the entire exchange. I still think it's cool that I get to have regular conversations with Pulitzer Prize-winning poets, and that I'm on a pub trivia team with an actual rock star, but it's not awe for me so much as it is appreciation.
This reminded me of my first awe inspired encounter. I was a weird, opera obsessed teenager. My first live opera experience was at the San Diego Opera’s production of Daughter of the Regiment with the incomparable Beverly Sills. I was determined to meet her after the show and waited star struck at the stage door with a small group of like minded. I caught her eye as she swept through the door and we had a brief lovely chat and she signed my program. I had a chance to meet her again years later at a benefit and was able to tell her what that brief encounter had meant to me.
I get it. I can talk to anyone, about anything, anywhere. Unless they're a writer I respect. Then my tongue blows up to twice its size and my brain just seizes in awe. Keise Laymon, Beverly D'Onforio, Abigail Thomas, boy poet Michael Klein, Darcey Steinke, Steve Almond, Alexander Chee...absolutely tongue.freaking.tied. My instinct is to just genuflect and back away, slowly and deferentially.
I was a talent agent for half a dozen years. Movie stars, I was fine with them. Writers? Demigods. 🌟 Thank goodness Raymond Chandler is dead because if we ever met, I'd be absolutely go into anaphylactic shock.
I met Lorrie Moore when David was inducted into the Academy of Arts & Sciences and I still remember it, see her face when I shook her hand, like it was a moment frozen in time. I barely got out "so nice to meet you."
I met you briefly at a signing and appearance with David Sedaris in Milwaukee a few years ago. I guess you could say I was retroactively awestruck when I read your book afterwards. The sensitivity, empathy, and deep understanding in your writing really moved me. I did literally feel chills after reading the first essay in Mother Noise and I remember feeling like here's a person who so completely gets what it's like to be a sensitive person in the world. It felt like meeting a genuine kindred spirit.
This is an amazing thing to write to me, Karen. Thank you. It's the kind of comment that will stay with me for a long time.
And I loved Milwaukee. That was the stop where David blatantly hinted to the audience that he'd love to try frozen custard and then we had pints and pints of it at the signing table. I said to David, "Stop. No one's going to bring you frozen custard." He said, "It's Milwaukee. Of course they will." He was right.
That is hilarious. We're pretty decent people here for the most part -- and always eager to show off the best of our city. 😄 I am so looking forward to your next book and I hope to see you again at my favorite bookstore and official "third place."
Love this. And I am struck by despite how much you have achieved, and how many of us you have helped find our voice and direction (and I def include my lil self here), helped us navigate writing through the hardest ever times of our lives, you are still so humble about it all. You are AWEsome (sorry but I had to). And I know there were writers at that party who were thinking, omg is that Cindy House??
Thank you so much for this, Leah. It means a lot to me.
And now let me assure you that not a single person at that party knew or cared who I was. Which is totally fine. Although someone did ask me if I was one of David's sisters.
I am experiencing second hand AWE over the idea of having dinner with David Sedaris. Holy shit! I'm also completely awestruck that I have just been able to write a response to you.
One of my favorite podcast episodes this year was with four friends. I had asked them, with their unique backgrounds, to join me at the mic after reading the book AWE by Dacher Keltner. Keltner describes awe as connecting to something larger than yourself. I feel awe every time I step into a trout stream, but I also felt it that morning as the four of us talked. I am not religious, but I felt blessed by the universe—in awe—to sit with those four incredible people. https://www.queticocoaching.com/blog/309-the-awe-factor-boosting-curiosity-creativity-and-empathy
You had me at we won’t be needing the wine list. We are both tragic alcoholics.
AWE. That’s a great word and a great feeling. Are you trying to erase the
Moment I realized it was you at the performing arts center in purchase and shrieked CINDY. CINDY HOUSE. ITS ME. ITS GINNY. ITS YOUR STUDENT. ITS ME!!!!And you smiled ,barely, stuck like glue to the security guard and rapidly moved away. I said to my friend I’d dragged there two hours before start time, “ do you think that was bad?” And she said, “she did look kind of scared …” here’s hoping a dog toy and brownies worked their magic. I’m in awe of all you’ve accomplished, what you bring as a teacher and a writer and a parent and a puppy owner. Not DOG MOM. AWE on you. And thanks for sharing this magical experience.
I wasn't scared! It's always a little chaotic at the pre-signing when I first get there. And Mars still loves that ball but the brownies barely lasted until the next day.
Don’t you forget that there are those awestruck by you Miss Cindy House! 🤩
This makes me blush! No way.
Yes way.
I think the last time I was awestruck by someone it was when I took a baggage claim from Julia Child. I would've been maybe 24 at the time, and she was extremely gracious about the entire exchange. I still think it's cool that I get to have regular conversations with Pulitzer Prize-winning poets, and that I'm on a pub trivia team with an actual rock star, but it's not awe for me so much as it is appreciation.
Love this. Thank you.
This reminded me of my first awe inspired encounter. I was a weird, opera obsessed teenager. My first live opera experience was at the San Diego Opera’s production of Daughter of the Regiment with the incomparable Beverly Sills. I was determined to meet her after the show and waited star struck at the stage door with a small group of like minded. I caught her eye as she swept through the door and we had a brief lovely chat and she signed my program. I had a chance to meet her again years later at a benefit and was able to tell her what that brief encounter had meant to me.
I absolutely love knowing this about you. Thank you for sharing it. It's so endearing.
I get it. I can talk to anyone, about anything, anywhere. Unless they're a writer I respect. Then my tongue blows up to twice its size and my brain just seizes in awe. Keise Laymon, Beverly D'Onforio, Abigail Thomas, boy poet Michael Klein, Darcey Steinke, Steve Almond, Alexander Chee...absolutely tongue.freaking.tied. My instinct is to just genuflect and back away, slowly and deferentially.
I was a talent agent for half a dozen years. Movie stars, I was fine with them. Writers? Demigods. 🌟 Thank goodness Raymond Chandler is dead because if we ever met, I'd be absolutely go into anaphylactic shock.
I kind of hope I never lose that awe...
I love this.
I met Lorrie Moore when David was inducted into the Academy of Arts & Sciences and I still remember it, see her face when I shook her hand, like it was a moment frozen in time. I barely got out "so nice to meet you."
I met you briefly at a signing and appearance with David Sedaris in Milwaukee a few years ago. I guess you could say I was retroactively awestruck when I read your book afterwards. The sensitivity, empathy, and deep understanding in your writing really moved me. I did literally feel chills after reading the first essay in Mother Noise and I remember feeling like here's a person who so completely gets what it's like to be a sensitive person in the world. It felt like meeting a genuine kindred spirit.
This is an amazing thing to write to me, Karen. Thank you. It's the kind of comment that will stay with me for a long time.
And I loved Milwaukee. That was the stop where David blatantly hinted to the audience that he'd love to try frozen custard and then we had pints and pints of it at the signing table. I said to David, "Stop. No one's going to bring you frozen custard." He said, "It's Milwaukee. Of course they will." He was right.
That is hilarious. We're pretty decent people here for the most part -- and always eager to show off the best of our city. 😄 I am so looking forward to your next book and I hope to see you again at my favorite bookstore and official "third place."
Awestruck at how tender and funny a night... "We won't be needing this. We are tragic alcoholics." What a life.
Love this. And I am struck by despite how much you have achieved, and how many of us you have helped find our voice and direction (and I def include my lil self here), helped us navigate writing through the hardest ever times of our lives, you are still so humble about it all. You are AWEsome (sorry but I had to). And I know there were writers at that party who were thinking, omg is that Cindy House??
Thank you so much for this, Leah. It means a lot to me.
And now let me assure you that not a single person at that party knew or cared who I was. Which is totally fine. Although someone did ask me if I was one of David's sisters.
Oooh that must’ve been an amusing moment.
I am experiencing second hand AWE over the idea of having dinner with David Sedaris. Holy shit! I'm also completely awestruck that I have just been able to write a response to you.
He's as delightful a dinner companion as you'd expect him to be. And he treats.
One of my favorite podcast episodes this year was with four friends. I had asked them, with their unique backgrounds, to join me at the mic after reading the book AWE by Dacher Keltner. Keltner describes awe as connecting to something larger than yourself. I feel awe every time I step into a trout stream, but I also felt it that morning as the four of us talked. I am not religious, but I felt blessed by the universe—in awe—to sit with those four incredible people. https://www.queticocoaching.com/blog/309-the-awe-factor-boosting-curiosity-creativity-and-empathy
Amazing. Thank you.
You had me at we won’t be needing the wine list. We are both tragic alcoholics.
AWE. That’s a great word and a great feeling. Are you trying to erase the
Moment I realized it was you at the performing arts center in purchase and shrieked CINDY. CINDY HOUSE. ITS ME. ITS GINNY. ITS YOUR STUDENT. ITS ME!!!!And you smiled ,barely, stuck like glue to the security guard and rapidly moved away. I said to my friend I’d dragged there two hours before start time, “ do you think that was bad?” And she said, “she did look kind of scared …” here’s hoping a dog toy and brownies worked their magic. I’m in awe of all you’ve accomplished, what you bring as a teacher and a writer and a parent and a puppy owner. Not DOG MOM. AWE on you. And thanks for sharing this magical experience.
I wasn't scared! It's always a little chaotic at the pre-signing when I first get there. And Mars still loves that ball but the brownies barely lasted until the next day.
We were on the same wavelength today, I think!
Your substack was gorgeous! I always love it but tonight's was especially lovely. Maybe because you are right and I was in a similar mood.
Reading a Mona Simpson story at 17 is definitely a mood!