I remember the first time I waited on Walt Curtis at J&M's in the 90's. I was in my early 20's and thought everyone over 40 was legally obligated to find me charming. Walt didn't. He didn't engage with me and he did not leave a tip. I learned soon after that he was "Portland famous" so I let it slide when he would return and continue to not tip me, and he taught me the valuable lesson that interesting people are not necessarily going to find you interesting, unless you are authentically interesting, which at the time, I really wasn't. Thanks for sharing these memories, Lola!
Great memoir, Lola. Thank you. Finishing one this weekend.
I fully agree!
I remember the first time I waited on Walt Curtis at J&M's in the 90's. I was in my early 20's and thought everyone over 40 was legally obligated to find me charming. Walt didn't. He didn't engage with me and he did not leave a tip. I learned soon after that he was "Portland famous" so I let it slide when he would return and continue to not tip me, and he taught me the valuable lesson that interesting people are not necessarily going to find you interesting, unless you are authentically interesting, which at the time, I really wasn't. Thanks for sharing these memories, Lola!
What a beautiful and personally-honest portrayal of such a memorable human. I'm so glad I ran across this.