...whom I met in Los Angeles in the early 1980s also lives in Austin, TX and I was lucky enough to reconnect with her during my visit there.
This is how Tori and I were around the time we first met, working at the Kitchen Kupboard in Studio City, CA where all the former cocaine-addicted musicians used to come to order triple espressos to go, on the way to their NA meetings...
The Kitchen Kupboard was way ahead of it's time as a coffee and tea emporium long before Starbucks reared it's ugly head. The assortment of Hollywood riff raff that made their way through the doors was awesome indeed, including musicians, actors, wannabes and has beens; it was enormous fun working there.
Tori's laugh, believe it or not, is even more spectacular than mine, and I must say, is one of the reasons I fell in love with her after working our first shift together, steaming milk while making cafe au lait. Tori and I would laugh together so much during shared shifts that our manager instituted "Time Out" periods for us, during which we were separated and required to regain our composure. As I've said, it was enormous fun working there, and Tori, as far as I'm concerned, was a major reason why.
To reconnect with her in Austin after nearly 30 years was awesome indeed! Tori came to my hotel, bringing with her an entire support system, in a couple of bags from Whole Foods. Knowing that I had a rather bumpy experience so far in Austin, her C.A.R.E package included the following:
...some of which we consumed together, and some of which I am still working my way through. Tori, your generosity and kindness and support were mind-boggling, and I am very, very grateful. Thank you!!
This is how Tori and I were around the time we first met, working at the Kitchen Kupboard in Studio City, CA where all the former cocaine-addicted musicians used to come to order triple espressos to go, on the way to their NA meetings...
The Kitchen Kupboard was way ahead of it's time as a coffee and tea emporium long before Starbucks reared it's ugly head. The assortment of Hollywood riff raff that made their way through the doors was awesome indeed, including musicians, actors, wannabes and has beens; it was enormous fun working there.
Tori's laugh, believe it or not, is even more spectacular than mine, and I must say, is one of the reasons I fell in love with her after working our first shift together, steaming milk while making cafe au lait. Tori and I would laugh together so much during shared shifts that our manager instituted "Time Out" periods for us, during which we were separated and required to regain our composure. As I've said, it was enormous fun working there, and Tori, as far as I'm concerned, was a major reason why.
To reconnect with her in Austin after nearly 30 years was awesome indeed! Tori came to my hotel, bringing with her an entire support system, in a couple of bags from Whole Foods. Knowing that I had a rather bumpy experience so far in Austin, her C.A.R.E package included the following:
- banana bread
- a large bar of milk chocolate
- a large bar of dark chocolate
- B Complex vitamins
- B 12 supplements
- assorted fresh berries
- a turkey wrap
- a bean and cheese burrito
- almonds
- dried mango
- two Synergy drinks
- ice
- a bottle of wine
- compassion
- empathy
- humor
...some of which we consumed together, and some of which I am still working my way through. Tori, your generosity and kindness and support were mind-boggling, and I am very, very grateful. Thank you!!
