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If you’ve known me a while, then you know that I’m the kind of guy whose birthday is today. Now, the fact is, I’m not really ready to be 26. WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH MY LIFE? But I’m not here to discuss my existential crisis. I’m here to tell you about a birthday-related dream I had last week.
In the dream, it was my birthday, and I was out for lunch with my immediate family and my aunt Carol. In the reality of the dream, I had made a list of things I hoped to receive for my happy day, and I had jokingly included “Kelsey Grammer” on the list. I can’t really explain that, but it didn’t seem uncharacteristic of me.
So there we are, eating at a Boston Market (which is odder than the Grammer request, considering I’ve eaten at Boston Market approximately once in my entire real life). The front door of the place opens, and who do you suppose walks in?
No, not Kelsey Grammer. It was George Wendt and John Ratzenberger—Grammer’s Cheers costars! I recognized them immediately, and wondered what they were doing there. Then I realized they were headed right for our table! They walked right up to me, and George Wendt said, “You must be Ryan,” and John Ratzenberger said, “Happy Birthday!” Then they both gave me hugs. That’s when I noticed that they were both wearing yellow t-shirts that read HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYAN.
It soon became clear that my dream-dad had looked into getting Kelsey Grammer to show up for my birthday, but he was unavailable or too pricey, so my dream-family had pitched in to bring dream-me the next best thing-- Norm and Cliff instead of Frasier. As the dream wound to a close, my dad took my birthday guest stars aside and paid them. Then Ratzenberger asked if he could buy them some coffee too.
The whole thing seemed real, vivid, and strangely familiar. As far as I can recall, my family has never done anything like flying in a beloved TV star for the purpose of giving me a thrill on my birthday, and yet, the excitement I felt in the dream—that moment of recognizing on seeing a famous person in three dimensions-- felt very true and genuine. That may be because my family is so nutty and so wonderful that I honestly wouldn’t put it past them to do something like that. Heck, they’d probably even throw in Paul Willson if I asked for him. They’re great people, and when I’m with them, I can be certain that everybody knows my name. (I’m very clever.)
I just want to mention one last thing, and then it’s back to my existential crisis: In the dream, when I first glimpsed George Wendt entering the restaurant, I was seized by the urge to yell, “NORM!” but I held back because I figured he’s probably already sick of hearing that everywhere he goes. I’m sure he was grateful.
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I knew your birthday was this month. I just forgot which day. I thought it was the same day as my friend who now lives in Saudi Arabia, but it isn't. Happy existential crisis day! I had one myself a couple weeks ago. Or at least I felt kinda loser-y.
One time my family gave me Rue McClanahan.
Not really. |
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| I guess I should cancel Ted Danson jumping out of your cake, then. It's been done. |
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| Wow, happy birthday! :D And personally, I would prefer Woody Harrelson jumping out of my birthday cake... |
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| Was dream George Wendt as enormous as the current real George Wendt? |
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| Thanks so much for your sharing of dream@ You are a very unique, HIGHLY intelligent, eccentric presence in my life: a REAL ROE!!! Can't believe the babe of just yesterday is 26 yrs. old! I value your imprint on our world and wish you much happiness in the future......Love, Your Aunt GG... |
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| Ryan, if we had only known that you wanted Kelsey Grammer for your birthday, we would have found a way to give him to you. Although you know that Dad has a problem with him ever since he & Jason were turned away from the Frasier set. He's still nursing that grudge, but for you, we would have figured out a way. Hope your birthday was a good one anyway! |
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That dream seems very appropriate for you. Even the whole holding-back-on-shouting-Norm! thing is something you would probably do in real life. But yeah, Boston Market..that's weird.
Anyway, Happy Birthday! |
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| I totally would have called you, but unfortunately the folks over at O'reilly are slave drivers and don't think I need time off to...eat or sleep or anything. But anyway, hope you had a good one there. |
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| If I saw Kelsey G on the sidewalk, I would boo him. If I saw the dog, I would kick it. If I I saw that Niles guy I would glare at him. We waited for something like three hours to get into a taping of the show and were awaiting our turn to enter. They had some VIP's show up at the last minute and as we stood there, they told us, "Sorry, you can't get in" and did actually close the door in our faces. I never watched the show after that. I would like to think their cruel actions toward us had something to do with their going off the air. Now, get out of my way, I have to go to my sensitivity training session. |
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I wonder...how do you feel about Jon Stewart?
Actually, that's a pretty crummy thing for the Frasier people to do to you. |
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