I first met him in new York back in 1995 a few months after I moved there at the age of 21. It was his art show opening in SoHo and I figured out that I could attend even though I was a bit out of place. After watching him interact with others a bit, I finally managed to walk up to him and ask, “Can I meet you?” which made him burst out laughing. We spoke briefly, my social awkwardness somewhat dwarfing his…soon, we were interrupted, he disappeared and I made my way out the door. As I was leaving, he was coming back in and I asked, “Would you mind doing an autograph?” and he replied, “No, I don’t mind!” and he scribbled something down. I quickly stuck it in my shirt pocket and made my way back home. Along the way, I found the courage to pull the note out of my pocket under a street light and began to quiver when I saw what it said: “Good to see you again, really. DB”

Over the next 10 years, I would meet him a few more times after concerts, including the time when my sisters and I were invited backstage in Seattle as well as on the tour bus…what a night that was. David was not that participatory in that event, though as he seemed to be more intent on being alone, or something.

The next meetings are detailed by criminalsalt below…So, I’ve met him several times and each time he was pleasant and quite friendly. I don’t believe the rumors I have heard from others that he is rude or arrogant or aloof…then again, maybe most of us are some of the time anyway…and he is a human being. ;-) I’ve just not witnessed that side of him, I guess.