[AGL] different strokes, forgetting names

[fmaverick at austin.rr.com]

I always, always, say my name when I see someone (unless I see them
regularly). My memory for names is not perfect and occasionally I have a
lapse that is beyond understanding - the person across the room is
someone I KNOW that I KNEW - and I can usually recall the last city
council meeting where I saw them in '96, and the kind of dog they had.

I assume that even though I am on hugging terms, the person may be
grieving or under some kind of stress, or may have lapses like mine. I
said my name to Molly in the elevator when I hugged her in December, and
I said my name to Dave yesterday. I said my name several times, in fact.
I think Michele got it right about withholding judgement in certain
situations.

One time, years ago, I chided my elderly grandmother for not introducing
me to some woman at a gathering - the three of us had been in a brief
conversation. She told me that she could not think of the woman's name,
and that it was de riguer for me to help the situation by introducing
myself, and asking her name so that all three of us would then be
comfortable. I have never forgotten it.

----- Original Message -----
From: michele mason <yaya.m at earthlink.net>
Date: Monday, February 5, 2007 2:24 pm
Subject: Re: [AGL] different strokes for different folks
To: survivors' reminiscences about Austin Ghetto Daze in the 60s
<austin-ghetto-list at pairlist.net>


> Could be. My cynical side would agree. She did remember their names 

> and 

> why would I matter?

> I mean, how does one know to judge harshly without personal evidence?

> I'll be away from the mac tomorrow, working on the multitude of 

> paperwork.

> Wishing all another lovely day.

>   mm

> 

> 

> On Feb 5, 2007, at 12:43 PM, Michael Eisenstadt wrote:

> 

> > Michele,

> >

> > apparently Ann had different strokes for different folks.

> >

> > i remember her as gov giving a brief address indoors

> > at an art thing - Mexic-arte i think.

> >

> > standing in front of her i moved a little to the left then

> > a little to the right, but she had no trouble not noticing

> > me. if she called out to you in a crowd to ask you

> > about your children, she was playing you (and them)

> > like a piano.

> >

> > mike