Have you ever met Yusuf?

[Justin]

Everyone knows that Yusuf gets quite alot of bad publicty,which is really unfair,.. But what is Yusuf really like, I know alot of people on these forums have met him. So tell me what is he like?

Justin

[Vivian]

Justin said:

Everyone knows that Yusuf gets quite alot of bad publicty,which is really unfair,.. But what is Yusuf really like, I know alot of people on these forums have met him. So tell me what is he like?

Justin

I've met him twice, and have received a couple signed momentos from some Mes Amis at times when I've been unable to attend some events. And let me say he is the most down to Earth, most caring person you would ever want to meet.

Peace,Vivian

[that’sDOCTOR2u]

I've met him twice, once in Orlando at one of his talks and once in the school yard of his school in London.

...kim

[HardheadedSofthrtd]

At the XM Radio event in DC. An absolutely charming gentleman.



-Joanne

[Vivian]

I don't know why I have a red X where my profile picture is, but that is my first meeting with Yusuf. As for my other, my pics are online, right here at majicat.

Peace,Vivian

[boneheadedwoman]

missingmyredcat said:

I've met him twice, once in Orlando at one of his talks and once in the school yard of his school in London.

...kim

And? Details, details!

I've met him lots of times, mostly back in the 70's. He was always really nice, but unfortunately he wasn't really there. Neither was I for that matter. I was dreaming!

[that’sDOCTOR2u]

boneheadedwoman said:

And? Details, details!
quote]

He was a very kind and generous with his time. The first meeting was the same talk where Vivian met him her second time. The school yard thing, a friend had to pick up a child at his school and we tagged along. Yusuf wandered out and we went up to talk to him. Got him to sign a CD/DVD for Vivian since she couldn't make the trip.

...kim

[hummingbird]

Well it looks like I'm the only one who had a "so-so" experience meeting Yusuf. He was a bit cool and dismissive towards me. Then again I was the lone "mes amis" and he was about to go inside and face a room full of reporters. I'm guessing that is not one of his favorite tasks. But the strangest thing was when I mentioned to him that I had attended his NOR concert in London....I thought for sure that would illicit a warm positive response. Instead he gave me a bone chilling glare and said, "You were there" Whoa...I have NO clue what that was all about! Really strange. I just smiled and said, yes and told him how much I enjoyed it. And he gave some commentary about how they were going to produce a CD and DVD (ummm, as if I didn't already know that )

Nevertheless....I'm still happy I had the opportunity to meet him He/his music represent something important to me. Partly it's a connection to my past...to people and things that are no longer there. My spirit always wanted to meet him and finally I did. It was sort of affirming to meet him as a grown woman. If it had been 20 years ago, honestly I would have been a little crushed by his reception towards me. I'm so much stronger and smarter these days

So Justin, you asked, what is he really like? I guess I'd have to say just a regular guy....he has his off days and off moments just like the rest of us

-jen.

[Lucy13]

hummingbird said:

But the strangest thing was when I mentioned to him that I had attended his NOR concert in London....I thought for sure that would illicit a warm positive response. Instead he gave me a bone chilling glare and said, "You were there" Whoa...I have NO clue what that was all about! Really strange.

hmm......

Maybe he mistook you for someone else??

Anyway, Jen... I'm sorry to hear your meeting was less than wonderful. Bummer. But in a way you got to see him at his "realest." Which isn't something just anyone can say.

No, really.. it sounds like perhaps he was in la-la land at the moment he met you. Pre-occupied.

[Lucy13]

hummingbird said:

Well it looks like I'm the only one who had a "so-so" experience meeting Yusuf. He was a bit cool and dismissive towards me. Then again I was the lone "mes amis" and he was about to go inside and face a room full of reporters.

Sounds like something that would happen to me. (Maybe there's a good reason I haven't met him.)

[hummingbird]

Absolutely, I think I did catch a glimpse of the real Yusuf. Luckily (for him) I was able to refrain from letting the real me out. Instead of smiling and telling him how much I enjoyed the NOR concert, what I really felt like saying was...chill, I bought a ticket, okay? Now wouldn't that have been something, eh?? Me snapping at Yusuf...LOL!

Anyway, no worries. It's all good. Yusuf and I will always have Brooklyn ;D

-jen.

[Lucy13]

Wait, I'm confused now... how many times have you met him? I know you met him at NOR (or you didn't?). Then, when else did you meet him?

Yeah, that'd'a been funny. Or maybe you coulda just glared right back.

I've had people treat me that way before, and it IS extremely disheartening. But I view it as THEIR problem.

[boneheadedwoman]

missingmyredcat said:

boneheadedwoman said:

And? Details, details!
quote]

He was a very kind and generous with his time. The first meeting was the same talk where Vivian met him her second time. The school yard thing, a friend had to pick up a child at his school and we tagged along. Yusuf wandered out and we went up to talk to him. Got him to sign a CD/DVD for Vivian since she couldn't make the trip.

...kim

I wonder was that a coincidence that he was at the school, or is he there often.......

Hummingbird, sorry you had such a mystifying experience. How very odd. Must have been the room full of reporters.....or a headache or something.

[that’sDOCTOR2u]

boneheadedwoman said:

I wonder was that a coincidence that he was at the school, or is he there often.......

Not really a coincidence. He was there rehearsing for the Night of Remembrance Concert, however we didn't know he would be out in the school yard. I don't know anything about his schedule. We were just in London for the concert. Our friend picked us up from the airport earlier that day and was showing us around, then stopped to pick up the child.

[hummingbird]

Lucy13 said:

Wait, I'm confused now... how many times have you met him? I know you met him at NOR (or you didn't?). Then, when else did you meet him?

Yeah, that'd'a been funny. Or maybe you coulda just glared right back.

I've had people treat me that way before, and it IS extremely disheartening. But I view it as THEIR problem.

Lucy, I didn't meet him at NOR. The meeting I'm describing was back in May at the DVD premiere in NY. That was my one and only meeting.

Mystifying is a good word to describe it, BHW. Hey, but at least it was memorable...lol! Seriously, I can still see 'that look' and hear his voice in my mind....it felt like I was being admonished for something. But what or why... I have absolutely no clue.

Maybe I'm not good at the "fan thing" (as much as I sincerley like him, I'm just not capable of gushing over someone). Or maybe we need some sort of Mes Amis greeting or something...you know, so that he knows we're one of the good guys.

Funny, Bill (Levinson) had been standing nearby during my exchange with Yusuf but apparently was talking with David or someone else and missed it. A little while later he said, "oh I'm sorry, did you meet Yusuf, come on let me introduce you." I said, "no no that's okay, really I'm fine, nah don't bother..." I didn't want to get the 'look' again!

-jen.

[Vivian]

Okay, here is my first meeting with Yusuf.

Peace,Vivian

[Lucy13]

hummingbird said:

... I can still see 'that look' and hear his voice in my mind....it felt like I was being admonished for something. I said, "no no that's okay, really I'm fine, nah don't bother..." I didn't want to get the 'look' again!

Boy, it was that bad, huh?

I can't picture it. I mean, I'm trying to picture a situation in which one person says to another, "you were there." Was it in a declaratory sense? (as opposed to interrogatory) Like a simple statement: you were there. ? Like, sarcastic? His mind must have been on something else... maybe he blanked out for a minute, who knows. But with a glare? Hmm... that makes it sound sarcastic, like when someone says, "wait, let me guess! You were there." Was it like that? Maybe he was momentarily grouchy or stressed out, or sick of fandom.

I'm making way too much of this! But I just can't picture it.

Regardless, it sounds like you got a little piece of the "stupid idiot!" personality side.

Thanks for being so honest with us!

[Lucy13]

Or MAYBE... his glaring at you and saying "you were there" meant that he was just stupefied, taking it all in, as in, "[WOW], you were there! (I just can't get over the fact that you were there...)" IOW, maybe his glare just looked like a glare, and he was simply overwhelmed by the sight of you, Jen. (Or was there a sound of impatience in his voice and a rolling look in his eyes?)

I just can't seem to let this go...

[hummingbird]

Lucy13 said:

Or MAYBE... his glaring at you and saying "you were there" meant that he was just stupefied, taking it all in, as in, "[WOW], you were there! (I just can't get over the fact that you were there...)" IOW, maybe his glare just looked like a glare, and he was simply overwhelmed by the sight of you, Jen. (Or was there a sound of impatience in his voice and a rolling look in his eyes?)

I just can't seem to let this go...

Hahaha Lucy. All interesting suppositions and thoughts I've mulled over myself. And it's very possible I misread his remark. Of course that's always a possibility too. But if I had to intepret the underlying feeling, I'd say: surprised but with a suspicious/disapproving overtone. As opposed to David's reaction which was surprised but in a, 'wow that's really cool that you would go all the way there' kinda feeling. Definite contrast!!

Well what are Cat friends for if not to share the mental bewilderment?

Overwhelmed by the site of me? Well, thanks for the nice thought Lucy

-jen.

[Lucy13]

hummingbird said:

... if I had to intepret the underlying feeling, I'd say: surprised but with a suspicious/disapproving overtone.

That's funny. I'm getting a better sense of it now ... now that you've added the word, "suspicious". Like, "uh-oh, ... You were... THERE. (Why was she there? uh-oh...)" ha ha.. Caught off guard, maybe? But why?

It still makes you sound like someone special, Jen.

[boneheadedwoman]

hummingbird said:

Maybe I'm not good at the "fan thing" (as much as I sincerley like him, I'm just not capable of gushing over someone). Or maybe we need some sort of Mes Amis greeting or something...you know, so that he knows we're one of the good guys.

Funny, Bill (Levinson) had been standing nearby during my exchange with Yusuf but apparently was talking with David or someone else and missed it. A little while later he said, "oh I'm sorry, did you meet Yusuf, come on let me introduce you." I said, "no no that's okay, really I'm fine, nah don't bother..." I didn't want to get the 'look' again!

-jen.

Yeah, I'm not into the "fan" thing either. It's so unnatural, not like two regular people meeting at all.
I'd have had the same reaction as you did, when asked if you'd like to meet him "again." On the other hand, I wonder what would have transpired.....The possibilites are endless!

[boneheadedwoman]

hummingbird said:

Maybe I'm not good at the "fan thing" (as much as I sincerley like him, I'm just not capable of gushing over someone). Or maybe we need some sort of Mes Amis greeting or something...you know, so that he knows we're one of the good guys.

Funny, Bill (Levinson) had been standing nearby during my exchange with Yusuf but apparently was talking with David or someone else and missed it. A little while later he said, "oh I'm sorry, did you meet Yusuf, come on let me introduce you." I said, "no no that's okay, really I'm fine, nah don't bother..." I didn't want to get the 'look' again!

-jen.

Yeah, I'm not into the "fan" thing either. It's so unnatural, not like two regular people meeting at all.
I'd have had the same reaction as you did, when asked if you'd like to meet him "again." On the other hand, I wonder what would have transpired.....The possibilites are endless!

[boneheadedwoman]

Sorry! I don't know why my post won't separate from the quote. Story of my life.....outsmarted by technology at every turn! ;D

[Celticat]

Jen, I have been reading with interest your "meeting" with Yusuf. It is the first time I have heard anything but positive. I guess you just threw him off-guard or something ... perhaps he thought you were a reporter or a spy Something tells me he would be sorry, if only he had realised you were "one of us"!

Jackie

[HardheadedSofthrtd]

Lucy13 said:

It still makes you sound like someone special, Jen.

Yeah, like a stalker maybe!

Perhaps that possibility was what crossed his mind at the time of the hard-to-read reaction?

Y'know, Jen, there was one odd little thing when I met him in DC. Teensy, really, but it stuck in my head at the time. He asked whether I'd met his brother (who was also at the event). But the way in which he asked, there was almost an implied "before", as though I'd have had occasion to have made David's aquaintance previously. Of course, I, too, could very easily have misinterpreted the question (and I'm fairly sure that was the case), but "in the moment" it caught me a little off-guard.

-Joanne

[Catsdeb]

20 years ago, today, or 20 years from now I would be crushed to be "dismissed" so to speak. I would be hurt if the moment I had waited for so long was like that. I have only met 1 person that I wanted to meet (Barry Manilow) and he was nicer than I could have ever imagined he would be.

Debbie

[Chris]

This is really a shame for Jen... hopefully this won't stop you from meeting him again sometime in the future. Perhaps he was having an off day. Anyway, I hope the next time (if there is one) a much nicer meeting for both, you and Yusuf.

[Lucy13]

hummingbird said:

Anyway, no worries. It's all good. Yusuf and I will always have Brooklyn ;D

Now I'm really confused. Wasn't it in New York that you had the less than perfect meeting with Yusuf?

Or did you have a separate meeting in Brooklyn that we don't know about? (Or is that preciseley your joke? ) LOL

[hummingbird]

Lucy13 said:

Now I'm really confused. Wasn't it in New York that you had the less than perfect meeting with Yusuf?

Or did you have a separate meeting in Brooklyn that we don't know about? (Or is that preciseley your joke? ) LOL

Lucy, you are too cute.

Well, I consider the part of lower Manhattan that they held the DVD premiere to be Brooklyn. It was only a couple of minutes from the Brooklyn Bridge. I guess technically it's Tribecca (?)

-jen.

[hummingbird]

HardheadedSofthrtd said:

Yeah, like a stalker maybe!

Perhaps that possibility was what crossed his mind at the time of the hard-to-read reaction?


-Joanne

Now that's funny! But I like Celticat's theory better...would rather have him think I was a reporter

Well I had talked to David quite a bit. I don't think David likes to mingle a lot. At one point I think we were both holding up a column...LOL! Hey Joanne, so maybe he's got us mixed up with each other....a case of double confusion.

Thanks everyone for the comments. I've really enjoyed reading them. These quirky little things are what makes life interesting. How boring life would be if everyone and everything were perfect all the time.

-jen.