Today I’ll tell you the top “hit rock bottom” story you’ve ever heard.
My uncle has a friend; I’ll call him José Maria to honor his favorite author Eça de Queiroz. If you know the author I’m 100% sure you don’t need any more explanation.
However, if you haven’t read Eça’s books, I’ll tell you José Maria was a very put-together, super polite, literature specialist. Not the kind of man who knows how to escape awkward situations.
As you might know, Brazil is a very social and informal country so there’s no formality or distance between people. My family is typically Brazilian, so my uncle meets his friends at a different bar every Sunday, each with its instrument to play samba and enjoy life.
They’re all over 70 now, so they have zero knowledge of technology, plus they drink a lot (too much actually).
One day José Maria arrived at the bar with a mini recorder with the angelical intention to record sambas played by his friends. Not being able to handle that fine technology, he desperately looked for help.
A little girl walking down the street seemed approachable. He called her, grabbed her by the pits, and placed her on the table, saying: “Record the next song for me please, ’cause uncle here doesn’t know how to use these things”.
(If you have an uncle, a grandfather, or something like that; you know what I’m talking about)
Silence. Samba’s sudden death. Concerned looks. Puzzled glances. Indignation. Fear. Density.
A cousin of mine, pretty drunk at that point but still holding on to some discernment, whispered in José’s ear: José Maria, she’s a little person.
That was the verdict. Sad, but what can we do?
José Maria, a specialist in Eça de Queiroz, had grabbed a little person on the street and placed it on the table to record the song thinking it was a child.
Too embarrassed he put the girl back on the sidewalk, apologized 150 times, and vanished only to return 5 years later still under some internal protest.
Today, 40 years later, if someone tells this story to entertain the public José blushes a hell of a lot!
Every time you hit rock bottom come back here and remember what José Maria did. And remember there is such a thing as too much proactivity!
Leave a comment telling me of something embarrassing you’ve gone through and let’s accept all sides of us together!
A huge kiss, be blessed, and see you next week!
Much love,
Cá