Memoirville

A few questions for Kipp Friedman

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

By Elizabeth Minkel

Over the past two weeks, we’ve published Kipp Friedman’s essay, “Life With Father,” here on Memoirville. We couldn’t let him off the hook without answering a few questions about the rest of his family, his continuing relationship with New York City, and the father about whom the piece was written. You can read the first part of “Life With Father” here, and the second part here.

Kipp Friedman

Kipp Friedman

Why did you decide to write about this time in your life?
When my son was a junior in high school and considering college, I started thinking about what life was like for me 30 years ago when I lived with my father in New York City. I realized that when I moved in with my dad, I was about the same age as my son and my dad was close to the age I am today. I began writing the memoir during some down time over the Christmas break two years ago, and the memories came back to me like a flood. It was truly a magical process, and time seemed to melt away.  I wouldn’t say that my memories and feelings changed while writing the piece as much as they became more vivid and detailed. Ultimately, I wanted to let my father know what an important period this was for me in my life in the best way that he can relate to—the written word.

My father suggested years ago that I write a story about my experiences living with him. This planted the seed in me, but life got in the way. To tell you the truth, I had hoped for purely egotistical reasons that he would write the piece.

Have you shown this piece to your father?
I have shown this piece to my dad and he loved it and has been very encouraging. He wrote back via e-mail:

“A little too flattering to me, but I think it’s a wonderful piece, about the two of us and the seventies. Great detail and pure and honest as rainwater.”

Talking with my dad about memories, though, is sort of like pulling teeth: he’s very forward-looking and tries to avoid sentimentality. When I asked him recently what impact my moving in had on him, he joked: “I had to cut down on the number of orgies.” In seriousness, he quickly added that it was simply nice having the company.

Do you still live in New York?
I  live with my wife in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am a full-time photographer (mostly b’nai mitzvahs and weddings) and a part-time publicist for the non-profit Jewish Family Services of Milwaukee. My wife and I have a 19-year-old son named Max, who is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, studying architecture. My dad lives with his second wife in a condo on the Avenue of the Americas near Madison Square Garden. He is proud of the fact that there is a Whole Foods grocery store on the first floor of his building.

Do you get back to New York much, then? I’m just wondering how you find it; your piece is so firmly rooted in 1970s New York, and I’m just wondering what the city looks and feels like for you today.
I left New York for college in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1978 when I was 17. Although I visit at least once a year, in many ways my mindset is stuck in the seventies. I always stay at the Excelsior Hotel on 81st St. across from the American Museum of Natural History, and I usually spend a number of hours walking through Central Park, just as I did when I lived on the Upper West Side. Alas, I have become a tourist in my former hometown. When my wife and I visited from South Florida in 1989, my oldest brother, Josh, chastised me for wearing a tropical shirt and white pants, telling me: “You look just like a tourist.” Naturally, he was dressed in standard-issue gray and black.

New York City is a lot cleaner and seems safer then it was when I lived there in the 70s. I find myself visiting neighborhoods and places that I rarely visited while I lived in the city, such as Chinatown, Little Italy, and Wall Street. I even walked across the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time in my life, the last time taking my son, Max, with me.

Even though my father is the last family member still to reside in Manhattan, the city still holds a strong bond. I’ve even joked with my wife that when I die she is to have my ashes spread in Central Park, preferably near the Bethesda Monument.

Did your siblings have a different relationship with your father than you did? Did any of them get to live with him?
My dad went to great pains to avoid playing favorites with us. Instead, he raised all of us (including his daughter, Molly, from his second marriage) so that we knew that we were all special in his eyes. As he made more frequent business trips to Hollywood, he made a point of taking each of my brothers and I on individual memorable trips with him to see Disneyland and other sites in Southern Californian. Growing up, we would all see our father on most weekends, and for longer stretches during the summer, when we would typically rent a place out in the Hamptons.

I was the only one of my siblings who had the privilege of living with our father exclusively for an extended period of time, which gave me a unique window on his life and which allowed me to share in some fun adventures with him. But even so, my brothers were frequent guests. By the time I left for college, my dad had begun seeing his future wife Pat, which effectively put an end to his bachelor days. My middle brother, Drew, would eventually move in with my dad, who was now living with Pat. And the Black Room that I lived in so comfortably for over a year would be given a fresh coat of cheery cream paint to welcome Drew’s arrival.

You’ve showed this piece to your father; how about your son?
I’ve offered to show the story to my son a number of times, but like a lot of kids his age, he only reads when it is assigned. Hopefully, he’ll read it on SMITH.

Tags: , ,

94 responses

  1. Life with Father (1977-1978) | Memoirville says:

    [...] half of which is published below, followed by a link to part 2. And be sure to check out our recent interview with him as well. —Elizabeth [...]

  2. Life With Father (1977-1978): Part 2 | Memoirville says:

    [...] published memoirists, artists, and other storytellers. « Life with Father (1977-1978) A few questions for Kipp Friedman [...]

  3. Ginger Howard Friedman says:

    I wanted to read more. I wish Kipp had lived with his dad longer so there would be additional wonderful memories to write about even though I was and am somewhat jealous of those times with the two of them.

  4. vitamins for skin health says:

    If some one wishes to be updated with newest technologies afterward he must be go to see this site and be
    up to date daily.

  5. nyc board of education says:

    I carry on listening to the news update talk about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the top site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i find some?

  6. business link says:

    Hello my family member! I want to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include approximately all important infos. I¡¦d like to see extra posts like this .

  7. buying a small business says:

    Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  8. Jimmie Henningsen says:

    Thanks for sharing your ideas. I would also like to convey that video games have been ever before evolving. Modern tools and enhancements have made it simpler to create genuine and active games. These kind of entertainment games were not that sensible when the real concept was first of all being tried. Just like other forms of electronics, video games also have had to advance by means of many ages. This is testimony towards the fast growth of video games.

  9. kliknij w zródlo says:

    hello!,I love your writing very bikisoe much! percentage we communicate extra approximately your article on AOL? I need a specialist on this space to resolve my problem. May be that is you! Taking a look ahead to peer you.

  10. strona firmy says:

    Hey there! I know this is kiollsos kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!

  11. Leonard Binkley says:

    What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It positively beneficial and it has aided me out loads. I’m hoping to give a contribution & aid different users like its aided me. Very good job.

  12. Club Cart Parts says:

    It is truly a nice and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  13. Leadership  says:

    My husband and i got now excited that Michael could finish off his web research because of the precious recommendations he acquired through your site. It’s not at all simplistic to just be handing out hints that many many people might have been selling. And we consider we have got the blog owner to appreciate because of that. Those illustrations you’ve made, the simple site navigation, the friendships you will make it easier to engender - it is all extraordinary, and it is making our son and us do think the content is enjoyable, and that’s particularly mandatory. Thank you for the whole thing!

  14. Business  says:

    You made some good points there. I looked on the internet for the issue and found most individuals will agree with your website.

  15. Financial Advisor  says:

    Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you¡¦ve on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and just could not come across. What a perfect website.

  16. Finance  says:

    I savour, result in I discovered just what I used to be looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

  17. Classic Car says:

    Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info particularly the last part :) I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  18. Branding  says:

    I¡¦ve recently started a blog, the info you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.

  19. Auto Engine Rebuilding says:

    I was just searching for this information for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your site. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this type of informative websites in top of the list. Usually the top sites are full of garbage.

  20. HVAC  says:

    Of course, what a great site and informative posts, I definitely will bookmark your site.Have an awsome day!

  21. Furniture  says:

    It is in reality a nice and useful piece of information. I am glad that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  22. buty do biegania says:

    I believe that fodpdoss avoiding ready-made foods would be the first step to be able to lose weight. They will often taste great, but packaged foods possess very little nutritional value, making you feed on more just to have enough electricity to get with the day. In case you are constantly feeding on these foods, switching to grain and other complex carbohydrates will aid you to have more vigor while eating less. Great blog post.

  23. zobacz says:

    One thing is that often one pdoijjsf of the most typical incentives for utilizing your credit card is a cash-back or maybe rebate present. Generally, you’re going to get 1-5% back with various expenditures. Depending on the credit card, you may get 1% returning on most purchases, and 5% back again on expenses made from convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores and ‘member merchants’.

  24. Kris Smith Quality Horses says:

    A italian mate was said to reside around a few hundred months by using substances. Is that possibly even valid? Could this be permissible.

  25. ace public adjusters says:

    Elinor Beverly is how she’s names and your wife loves it. The job he can be been taking up for long years is an auditing expert. What his friends and family and her or him love could be hot balooning unfortunately he’s at one time been taking by new merchandise lately. My wife and I chose to exist in Nevada.

  26. mieszkania Warszawa wynajem says:

    Hi my loved one pfofollsncc! I want to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include almost all significant infos. I would like to peer extra posts like this .

  27. nieruchomosci Wloclawek says:

    There is evidently a tyidosnns lot to realize about this. I suppose you made certain good points in features also.

  28. uzyteczny link says:

    Thanks for another fofusbss wonderful article. Where else could anybody get that type of info in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.

  29. Lloyd Segal says:

    Because I was fairly recently browsing on forums just for this types of convenient answers and failed to realize some thing I have been purchasing for. I thereupon discovered and consequently identified the next few paragraphs to improve me with the condition I was still having. It could be genuinely a true blessing in disguise.

  30. po przejsciu na strone says:

    Good – I should definitely pronounce kileoskds, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..

  31. selfhelpworks says:

    I was specifically discussing about this very content two or three weeks previously with a business owner. I had unfailingly asking exactly what the ideal season frame was to call up those enclosing this subject matter.

  32. sholom ber levitin says:

    We don’t just take a back seat we enable you all over the procedure for what ever choosing your very own small business installed and operating not to mention helping you enhance an existing one as well as we do so at a very affordable expense.

  33. sunil ramlall says:

    They call me Gerald. Colorado is where we’ve been living for various years. To solve vague ideas is the actual only diversion my brother doesn’t approve of. Accounting is what your girlfriend does all through her working job.

  34. apk android says:

    Somebody essentially help kjgjkkjddv to make seriously articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular publish incredible. Fantastic job!

  35. Megatel Homes Inc. says:

    We don’t simply take a rear seat we let you with the use of the method of either acquiring your actual program up and running or sometimes letting you grow a pre-existing one and additionally we do such at a practical charge.

  36. strona says:

    I enjoy what you guys are up too ufydbccss. Such clever work and coverage! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve you guys to my own blogroll.

  37. National Credit Care says:

    The writer is referenced by the name of Alejandra but everyone always misspell it. The favorite hobby for the kids and individuals is preparation but I have not made a penny with it. Her job is an administrative front desk staff and it is something she really like. Some time prior she opted for to in Missouri.

  38. Dog says:

    Useful information. Fortunate me I discovered your website accidentally, and I am shocked why this accident did not came about in advance! I bookmarked it.

  39. The Center for Association Resources says:

    I have always been Buster and it is quite decent when you say this task. His wife doesn’t like it the way he so does but specifically what he really likes doing might be to go to actually fitness the particular husband is trying to make it a profession. Procuring is where great primary sales comes of. Years ago the lady moved in the market to Connecticut on top of that she could very well never move.

  40. selfhelpworks says:

    Sharell is often what consumers call the girls and this lady believes one sounds quite good. Arkansas is probably where people and my husband live life. Taking care of most animals will have been the little profession relating to some free time but As well as plan on the subject of changing it then. To jog is considered what my family but also I have pleasure in.

  41. www.unknown-number.co.uk/number/01179150181 says:

    My brother recommended I might like this blog fpfldooods. He was once totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t consider just how a lot time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

  42. spalacze tluszczu says:

    whoah this weblog is fantastic djgpookvv i really like studying your posts. Keep up the good work! You realize, lots of persons are searching around for this info, you could aid them greatly.

  43. starscapes says:

    Appreciation for getting that, I really like the assistance. We certainly have 20+ years’ understanding in the IT market particularly in e-commerce and consequently Promoting which in turn assist exceedingly.

  44. przenies sie tu says:

    I acquired more pdolkcnmc interesting things on this fat reduction issue. One issue is that good nutrition is highly vital when dieting. A tremendous reduction in junk food, sugary foodstuff, fried foods, sugary foods, beef, and whitened flour products can be necessary. Possessing wastes parasites, and toxins may prevent goals for fat-loss. While particular drugs temporarily solve the issue, the horrible side effects are certainly not worth it, they usually never supply more than a short-lived solution. It is just a known fact that 95% of fad diets fail. Many thanks for sharing your thinking on this weblog.

  45. menopause says:

    “Enjoyed every bit of your article post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.”

  46. uzyteczna tresc says:

    I believe one of your commercials caused my browser to resize, you may well want to put that on your blacklist.

  47. zobacz tutaj says:

    I simply found your web site some days ago and i are reading through it frequently. you have got a wide range of helpful data on the site and that i conjointly really like the particular type of the site at constant time. carry on the nice work!

  48. wiecej informacji says:

    As far as me being a member here, I wasn’t aware that I was a member for any days, actually. When the article was published I received a notification, so that I could participate in Comments, so perhaps that is it. But we’re certainly all members in the world of ideas.

  49. Ila Carthens says:

    Nice post. I learn one thing tougher on completely different blogs everyday. It will at all times be stimulating to read content from different writers and observe a little something from their store. I’d desire to use some with the content on my weblog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a hyperlink on your net blog. Thanks for sharing.

  50. jak obnizyc cholesterol says:

    The the very next time I read a weblog, Hopefully that this doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my substitute for read, but I really thought youd have some thing fascinating to convey. All I hear is actually a handful of whining about something that you could fix should you werent too busy trying to find attention.

  51. Markus Latsko says:

    Hiya very nice web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally…I am happy to find a lot of helpful info right here in the put up, we need work out extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.

  52. Monty Fowkes says:

    wonderful issues altogether, you simply won a emblem new reader. What might you recommend in regards to your put up that you just made a few days in the past? Any sure?

  53. Colton Albright says:

    I really enjoy looking at on this web site, it holds great articles. “Don’t put too fine a point to your wit for fear it should get blunted.” by Miguel de Cervantes.

  54. jak obnizyc cholesterol says:

    The way you write, you are really a professional blogger..*:;;

  55. zly cholesterol ldl says:

    usually, the best sounding ringtones are coming from paid ringtone donwload sites,.

  56. Sirena Mccaleb says:

    I got what you mean , regards for putting up.Woh I am glad to find this website through google. “Money is the most egalitarian force in society. It confers power on whoever holds it.” by Roger Starr.

  57. sign up on hotmail says:

    I am truly thankful to thee holder of this site who has shared this enormous paragraph at aat
    tbis place.

  58. ryanair ????? says:

    There are some interesting points in time in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as wellyou have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?

  59. read more says:

    I don’t unremarkably comment but I gotta tell thanks for the post on this great one : D.

  60. click Page says:

    you could have a fantastic blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?

  61. zobacz co znalazlem says:

    Thank you so much for providing individuals with a very pleasant possiblity to read articles and blog posts from this blog. It really is so ideal and packed with a great time for me and my office acquaintances to search your website minimum three times in one week to find out the fresh things you have. Of course, I’m certainly contented concerning the mind-boggling strategies you serve. Some 1 areas on this page are clearly the most impressive I have ever had.

  62. strona firmy says:

    I got what you intend, saved to bookmarks , very decent web site .

  63. dom nad morzem says:

    An interesting discussion is value comment. I think that it’s best to write extra on this matter, it won’t be a taboo topic however generally individuals are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers

  64. strona www says:

    I dugg some of you post as I thought they were very useful extremely helpful

  65. firanki skopanie says:

    Regards for helping out, great information.

  66. kliknij w zródlo says:

    I’m impressed, I must say. Actually rarely do I encounter a weblog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you have got hit the nail on the head. Your concept is outstanding; the difficulty is something that not sufficient individuals are speaking intelligently about. I am very joyful that I stumbled across this in my seek for something relating to this.

  67. polecam says:

    I very glad to find this web site on bing, just what I was searching for : D likewise bookmarked .

  68. Praca w Polsce says:

    I your writing style truly enjoying this web site .

  69. zobacz says:

    some truly great info , Gladiolus I discovered this.

  70. wyszukiwarka ean says:

    very good submit, i certainly love this website, carry on it

  71. adultwork says:

    Outstanding post, I believe blog owners should larn a lot from this web site its real user genial .

  72. strona says:

    I really like your writing style, fantastic info , thankyou for posting : D.

  73. zobacz says:

    thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.

  74. suba me says:

    BMhwbw usually posts some very exciting stuff like this. If you

  75. Latanya Bessix says:

    Many thanks for the noteworthy blog you’ve created at smithmag.net. Your enthusiastic take on the subject is certainly contagious. Thanks again!

  76. kawa z cykorii says:

    Great post, you have pointed out some great points , I likewise conceive this s a very good website.

  77. obozy odchudzajace dlaczego nie says:

    I really wanted to make a small word in order to express gratitude to you for the wonderful ideas you are posting on this website. My time consuming internet look up has now been paid with brilliant tips to exchange with my friends and classmates. I would tell you that many of us site visitors are very endowed to live in a magnificent site with many marvellous people with beneficial tricks. I feel rather lucky to have discovered your entire website page and look forward to tons of more cool times reading here. Thanks once again for all the details.

  78. Bernardo says:

    What blog sites do you check out for info on the candidates?

  79. kredyty nowy sacz says:

    some times its a pain in the ass to read what blog owners wrote but this website is very user pleasant! .

  80. https://wycieczkidoazji.pl/kambodza/kambodza-praktyczny-przewodnik-i-najwazniejsze-informacje/ says:

    I consider something really special in this internet site .

  81. https://procredito.pl/faq/743-wyliczenie-raty-kredytu-gotowkowego says:

    There is noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made certain nice points in options also.

  82. polubilem to says:

    you have brought up a very superb details , rrot thankyou for the post.

  83. czytaj pelen raport says:

    Needed to write you this tiny word just to thank you over again regarding the amazing pointers you’ve featured in this article. It was shockingly open-handed with people like you to convey publicly precisely what a number of people would’ve supplied for an ebook to help with making some cash for their own end, primarily since you could possibly have tried it if you ever considered necessary. Those good ideas additionally served to be the fantastic way to know that someone else have the identical passion really like my own to learn a good deal more concerning this condition. I am sure there are several more pleasurable opportunities up front for people who see your blog.

  84. sprawdz tutaj says:

    I am impressed with this website , really I am a big fan .

  85. prosto z tego zrodla says:

    woh I am thankful to find this website through google.

  86. Wiley Mcmullins says:

    This really addressed my problem, thanks!

  87. prosto z tego zrodla says:

    But wanna input that you have a very nice website , I love the pattern it actually stands out.

  88. Patricia Seger says:

    Wonderful article. I learn something extra tough on various blog sites everyday. It will always be stimulating to review material from other writers and exercise a something from their shop. I?d choose to use some with the web content on my blog site whether you don?t mind. Natually I?ll offer you a link on your web blog site. Many thanks for sharing.

  89. na blogu autora says:

    This is the correct blog for anybody who wants to seek out out about this topic. You realize so much its nearly exhausting to argue with you (not that I really would need…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  90. David Rogers says:

    When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new remarks are included- checkbox as well as currently each time a remark is included I get 4 e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Many thanks!

  91. kaos anak katun bambu says:

    Definitely, what a great site and enlightening posts, I surely will bookmark your blog.All the Best!

  92. angela123 says:

    s

  93. Gi?ng chó c?nh Shiba - Chó b?n ??a Nh?t B?n says:

    Fantastic site. Lots of helpful info here. I’m sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks to your sweat!

  94. Geoffrey says:

    hello you can keep up to date with the latest news on radio hr4, one of the good german radio stations

Leave a Reply

The name you want displayed with your comment.

Emails are not published with comments (i.e., everyone won't see it).

Your Website. This is optional.

 
SMITH Magazine

SMITH Magazine is a home for storytelling.
We believe everyone has a story, and everyone
should have a place to tell it.
We're the creators and home of the
Six-Word Memoir® project.