Thursday, February 23, 2012

"It wasn't like it was Dave Matthews!"

Last week, my nephew Ryan (also a conductor) was walking down the pedestrian ramp to the lower level in Grand Central when he ran across a family trying out the "Whispering Walls." ( For those of you who don't know, the "whispering walls" is a structural phenomenon just outside the Oyster Bar Restaurant.  There, due to an arched ceiling, one can whisper into a corner and the sound waves carry to a partner(s) standing in an opposing corner(s).
Ryan thought it strange that the family had two NYPD officers escorting them, so he took a closer look and realized that the whispering father was none other than Sir Paul McCartney.  His new bride Nancy (a former MTA Board member) and young daughter Beatrice were standing in the opposite corners.  Ryan, knowing I'm the self proclaimed "Conductor to the Stars" and a huge Beatle fan, was more than happy to call me up and share the news (otherwise known as rubbing it in my face.)

"PAUL MCCARTNEY!"  I screamed.

Ryan, now feeling self satisfied, could sense my envy through the phone.

"What did you say to him?" I asked anxiously.

"Hi!"  Ryan answered matter of factly.

"And what did Paul say to you?"

Nephew seemed to think this a stupid question.

"Well....he said 'Hi!' back."

"Let me get this straight,  You meet Paul McCartney....and the best you can do is say...Hi!???

Ryan seemed unfazed, then answered.  "Well, he was with his family, and I didn't want to bother him, and besides...It wasn't like it was Dave Matthews!"

 Ugh!