Fan's Tales
Please Don't Eat The Daisies!
(i.e. The "Infamous Flower Story.")
By Cat Ortiz-White
Hi! It's Cat again with "Life after running a D.C. fan club!" If you're new to the board, it would be helpful if you read my previous Fan Tales first, starting with "First Encounter of a Da-idy Kind."
I also thought about titling this as "Where Have All The Flowers Gone." This story has now been told on some of the message boards for David. There are some fans that took offence to it simply because it's not totally "positive" and it shows how David is a human being and can sometimes say things to fans that may hurt them. However, this is something that DID happen to me personally and it is a part of my life. Therefore, I will post it here in with my other "Fan Tales" so that I'll no longer ever have to tell anyone about it again.
On May 21, 1991 I was attacked by my then-roommate with a 3 1/2 lb. solid steel sledge hammer. I later found out the roommate had previously been released from a mental institution and had changed her name so that it would be difficult to look up her violent history. All the cuts from the sledge hammer were on the right side of my head; therefore the right side swelled up and knocked my jaw or TMJ out of place. I could only open my mouth a tiny bit until I finally got surgery for it almost a year later. I had been doing a lot of local theater in the late 80's and early 90's. At the time of the attack, I'd been in rehearsals for the play "Phantom of The Opera" for San Diego's Mid City Theater Company, which did plays to raise money for charities. I called the director Charlie to let him know what happened and that I wouldn't be able to be in the play. Charlie told me that in Mid Cities Production, they had someone dress up in a monkey suit to be the "toy monkey" and that I could do that if I wanted. So I took the part of the "Toy Monkey" and many people said they were surprised that a REAL human was in the suit as I did such a good job of playing a mechanical toy. Luckily, Mid City later did the play again at another venue and I was able to actually sing in the chorus the next time! However, I didn't pursue being in theater much after that.
On Nov. 2, 1991 David did a concert here in San Diego, CA at a club called "Sound FX." I sent a note to David via a Security Guard. Of course I don't know if David actually got it or not. I'd just said it was great to see him again as I'd had a rough year after being attacked. But now he was here and I was still alive and so that was great! Those may not be the exact words but it was something to that effect. The concert was very good of course, although I personally would have preferred to hear a few more POST-PF songs. However, he looked GREAT and although I'd seen David on-stage in plays, I'd never seen him in concert before this venue.
I was one of the first to arrive and I was able to be right near the stage. I was standing next to a couple of girls that came to the show together. I'd bought some flowers for David and at one point he came over to take them and when he did he said "What am I going to do, eat these?" Some people including the girls next to me gasped. I was in SHOCK! The girls said "What an ass hole!" David said "Just kidding." However, I didn't think it was very funny. For me it was almost like another blow to the gut and of course my heart! It was very confusing. I wasn't sure if it was something personal or if he was just sick of getting flowers and stuffed animals from fans or if he actually thought it was funny or what!
Later I spoke to Lisa Richmond who used to help run the fan club DGAD and she told me that in Los Angeles, when a fan went to had David flowers, he said "What am I going to do, eat these?" I said "Oh my God! He said that to ME too!" We both agreed it was rude but at least I knew not to take it personally. So I actually felt better about it even though I also felt sorry for the other fan that handed him flowers. But hey, misery loves company and all of that, right?! (wink, wink) LOL!!
I also want to say that I'm now friends with a couple of big fans who also live here in San Diego. I was surprised when one of them told me that the first time they saw him it was in "Copa" and that when she went to hand David some flowers, he said "What am I going to do with these, eat them?" Then the "Just kidding" again. She was very turned off of David and wasn't going to see him at all again but then she was at the Del Mar Race Track and saw him there handing out awards for kidscharities. He was so nice then that she changed her mind and she's still an avid fan.
Although I really do love David as both a person and a performer, I really do NOT think it's a good idea for him to say negative things about flowers or gifts, especially not when he's performing. Even if he's "just kidding," I'm sure that many in the audience do not "get it" or they just don't think it's funny! I'm not saying this in a "mean way" but as someone that cares about his career. You never know what the fan has just been through or who else may be in the audience that could be offended. Fans also have friends and family and if they're hurt then they tell other people. So I just really feel that it's not a good idea for David to say these kinds of things. Mind you, I've seen David on many other occasions (please read my other fan tales) and he's always been TOTALLY WONDERFUL to me and many other fans. So it's not like I'm saying David is a mean or rude person at all! He's definitely NOT!! I'm sure David's just joking around and later I saw him in New York for "Blood Brothers" he was very sweet and kind!
After the concert at "Sound FX" in San Diego, I saw him on November 8th in San Juan Capistrano at the "Coach House" for his last show of his 1991 "tour." I went with my friend Helen who had been in another play with me. During one of the rehearsals Helen saw me wearing my European D.C. concert t-shirt from '85 that a fan had sent to me. She came over to me and said "Oh, where did you get that shirt?! I LOVE David Cassidy!" We became instant friends! Helen & I took some photos of David on-stage and so on this page are a few to show you. I hope you enjoy them! (I love those tight leather pants!! I'd take the jacket any day too!)
