Hey Batt, of the countless people you met while filming “Uncle Joe’s American Odyssey”, whom do you wonder most about?
Pete the Poet
Hi Pete the Poet. I often think about Raymond Raymond from the Mission District in San Francisco. When you watch the movie, look for the guy with a red shirt, tie, and aviator sunglasses. I didn’t want to interview him at first. I thought maybe he’d just ramble. I finally set up a meeting time with him, and the next morning it was like he had been awake the whole night—preparing for any question imaginable. For almost half of the questions I asked, he cheered and snapped his fingers as if he anticipated that exact question! He followed through on those answers in a joyful dance of perfection.
Raymond Raymond’s interview could be its own movie from beginning to end. Maybe it will be. He also said something in one of his answers I’ve carried closely with me for the last 20 years. To my ears, it is the most solid piece of advice and philosophy I’ve heard spoken. I really wonder what Double Raymond is doing these days. I wonder what he was doing back in those days! I wish that guy the very best. I wish my best to everyone who gave me their time and heartfelt truths. I hope they all happen to find and watch this movie.
Pete the Poet still writes poetry. He also co-edits the online poetry journal http://www.ADozenNothing.com.