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Monday, July 11, 2005

Coincidence? I Think Not

So, last week I heard the Sufjan Stevens cd. Then I remembered the whole fiasco with the cover, and the original artwork bearing the image of Superman on it. DC Comics were fighting to get it removed (though why they didn’t fight with the producers of Seinfield, I don’t know). Sufjan’s label did a recall right about the time the album came out on Tuesday, and so none of the cd stores in Salt Lake had them.

I have this annoying trait—I think I inherited it from my crazy father—where I want to collect things. So, what would you do, if you were in my shoes? That’s right, I went to Ebay and bid on a few of the cd’s with original artwork. I won one of the auctions. The seller is this guy sbrackbill. Oddly enough, I was reading the music news about Q and Not U breaking up and the band mentions this guy named Shawn Brackbill. Let’s be honest, how many S. Brackbill’s can there be? It’s like my last name: Grotepas. Sort of a tongue-twister. It’s Dutch/French and everyone in America with that last name is my relative. So anyway, sbrackbill who sold me the album is Shawn Brackbill. Why does this matter? I don’t know. I just though it was interesting.

Interesting and strange. It’s like Robert Goulet. You know the Will Ferrell SNL skit where he makes fun of Robert Goulet? I thought that was just a made up character like Richard, the copy machine moron. So I’m looking through the records at my grandma’s house this weekend and, hello! I find two Robert Goulet albums, one of them with my mom’s name on it (should I be embarrassed or proud? I don’t know, since I haven’t listened to the music and Will Ferrell has made fun of excellent musical figures before. I mean, come on, Neil Diamond?).

Robert Goulet is REAL? And I thought I knew things about music. And then, I’m looking through my copy of The Soul of the Night and on the acknowledgements page, Chet Raymo thanks Robert Goulet and some lady for their support and contributions. Robert Goulet? What is this, the Twilight Zone? You know what I mean. There should be a word for this phenomenon, where you haven’t heard a name or word EVER and then suddenly, you bump into it two or three times in the space of a day and a half.

Maybe there is a name for it and I’m just not aware of it. Maybe in one of Jay Ingram's books. Maybe.



*remember the post about my odd father. What a character. If you want to read it, click here. Though I’m warning you, it’s rather long.

8 comments:

Kathryn said...

Hi there. I have to admit, after reading through your latest posts, I am floored by your compliment of my writing! Yours is amazing!!! I just started today. I have known I needed to write for awhile, but whenever I write I seem to end up crying! It is therapuetic I know, but hell, it unleashes my emotions. Almost like, if I keep things bottled up and not written down, they aren't happening! Writing them down suddenly makes them official and TRUE. Maybe it's just me. Anyway, thanks for reading my blog and for your encouraging post. How did you find it? I can't figure out how to search on this blog site??????

Anonymous said...

Dear aries327: There's also a Simpson's episode where they make reference to Robert Goulet...

For a quick read that will get you thinking, read

Consider the Butterfly: Transforming Your Life Through Meaningful Coincidence -- by Carol Lynn Pearson

It's not bad...the book is divided into short anecdotes so you can read a few of them every day or the entire book at once.

Read it, and let me know what you think.

Nicole said...

purewaterfall -- thanks for the compliment. I understand what you mean about once you write them down, they seem true. I feel that way also. I found your site by clicking on the button in the top right corner of blogger blogs. It takes you to the next blog. That's how I found yours and how you can just surf blogs. There's a lot of crap out there, like advertising blogs and whatnot, but sometimes you can stumble on a good one. Like I did with yours.

Shannon --

Which Simpson's episode? I wish you'd made me tapes of the episodes you have, like my all time favorite Tomacco. Yesterday Stoker, Cassi and me watched about a million episodes of Futurama. It's pretty funny.

I'll consider that book you suggested, currently I'm reading about CSS design because I'm going to take over the world.

Anonymous said...

Deararies327: I can't remember the episode--it's been a while. It's the one where Bart sneaks into a casino or something and they sing the "Jingle Bells" song (...Batman smells, Robin laid an egg...etc.)

It's really funny because a man (it may even be Robert Goulet!) says to Bart, "Are you sure this the casino? I think I'd better call my manager..."

And Nelson says, "Your manager said for you to shut up!"

And the man innocently appalled says, "Veara said that?"

It's very funny...you really must watch it...writing about it doen't do it justice...

Anyway, finish your CSS

Anonymous said...

Deararies327:

Sorry, I accidently hit Login and Publish before I could proofread my comment...so I apologize for any errors. I was beginning to say finish your CSS book, take over the world, and read Consider the Butterfly. Your list of things to do this week...

Anonymous said...

Good point, notyetfamousartist...

Although I believe that coincidences DO happen, I still believe that things happen for a purpose and for a reason...and sometimes meaning and purpose is meant to be found in a coincidence.

Anonymous said...

LOL yes Robert Goulet is real. He sings "You Got a Friend in Me" in Toy Story 2, as the squeaky penguin.

~Bonnie

Nicole said...

Becca -- I don't believe in coincidences either. It makes life more magical when you don't. Somehow.

Bonnie -- I saw that, that Robert Goulet sang the friend song in Toy Story 2. At least it wasn't Randy Newman, because I tell you what, I hate his voice. It's like grating my fingers with a cheese grater...