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David not given's avatar

We also went to a funeral that weekend and my experience was similar to yours in the way I felt about being there. Everything felt both familiar and foreign, then we got to the songs. Our family is my wife myself and our nearly 3 year old son, as the music is playing the people around us are starting to join in and they are feeling the spirit: eyes closed hands up. My son starts whisper shouting "I can't sing! I can't siiiiiiiiing" (a reference to the comedy central show Detroiters) needless to say I felt like a godless heathen. Love the show and wanted to share

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David not given's avatar

https://youtu.be/pQipqQR0whs?si=uoCFGROm3LoZDzHw the reference my 2 year old was making

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Emily Ward's avatar

me and Mr Tompkins come from the same school of not liking guitars in catholic church. but I was in the church choir (and I even played the handbells at my mass… curious on the opinion on those? are they classical enough if not necessarily “scary”? my dad and I thought so, which is why we chose 9:30 am mass (aka normal music time) and not 11:30 am (aka “~contemporary music~” time)

always love Hymn Talk™️:

- bummed about PFT not liking On Eagles Wings (but I also completely get it. It’s definitely schmaultzy. I think what saved it at my church is some very loud altos singing a very straight line monotone part to reallyyyyy balance it out)

- thrilled that Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace (and that clunky ending!!! always threw me off when I ended up finally joining the choir) and I Am The Bread Of Life were hits. Full bangers!

- could love to know opinions on Here I Am Lord; for some reason I would legit get excited it we got to sing it during mass that I memorized the page number… [‼️nerd alert] (probably too modern … it’s from late 70s apparently https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Here_I_Am,_Lord)

Condolences on your loss, Janie, but appreciate you sharing the story and the open conversation you both had about all of this. Love you guys and the pod as always 💖

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Rose's avatar

RE: Closet Story. Hopefully, it’s resolved, but if not - file a complaint with the CA Attorney Generals office. There’s a form on their website for consumer stuff like this. The company is required by law to respond when they get a letter from the AG office (whereas they can ignore BBB). It’s slow but effective

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Kyle Boynton's avatar

Oh my goodness, listening right now. Your Closet salesperson experience is VERY similar to my experience with a window company last year - my wife and I had to kick the person out of our house as we were approaching hour THREE!

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Janie Haddad Tompkins's avatar

That is truly unhinged.

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Kyle Boynton's avatar

It really was. We drank a bottle of wine after and crafted a 1 star review of the business 😂

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Grinning Ewok's avatar

I fell asleep during and had weird dream about Closet World

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Janie Haddad Tompkins's avatar

Same.

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Kirsty Campbell's avatar

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the first episode of the season of Black Mirror that just dropped … uncanny resemblances to your Closet World experience!

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Janie Haddad Tompkins's avatar

Well, now I am intrigued and scared!

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Brit's avatar

I’ll have to see if you’re coming near us down in the dirty cuz we can use a lot more distractions! From south Louisiana and if New Orleans isn’t your thing (as I’ve seen pft kinda say ugh about on a live stream—completely get it but Baton Rouge is close too! We have the river center!) consider it but I’m a faithful listener of this and any podcasts either of you are on and I’m actually watching commercials hoping to see Janie’s Lowe’s…stil haven’t if there’s tips on how to see! I hate companies that promote strong/aggressive sales strategies! My hubs (11th anniversary today. 4/12) is in sales and is so successful by being the kind person he is and gauging clients needs based on conversing and knowing when to back off. I love him for knowing that it takes more than commission to make good sales numbers. Hoping you get your closet wish come true! I love the honest way yall communicate your lives to us and am so grateful for it as well! Best of luck and here’s to sold out crowds for the tour locations!!!

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Janie Haddad Tompkins's avatar

That is so nice, THANK YOU!

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Natalie Berg's avatar

I know nothing at all about Catholicism but I was weirdly delighted to hear you sing those hymns!

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Janie Haddad Tompkins's avatar

Thank you!

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Caitlin's avatar

I haven’t listened yet but I am looking forward to it! Also VERY MUCH looking forward to seeing Varietopia in Boston in May!! So happy PFT is coming to New England!!

Also the Varietopia YouTube video of PFT and Jess singing Dreams by The Cranberries is giving me life—everybody go check it out, it will make everything better, even just for five minutes.

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Stephen Tompkins's avatar

Sorry I didn’t address you by your name in my reply to your post, Caitlin. That was rude of me.

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Caitlin's avatar

No worries at all, Stephen! 😊

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Stephen Tompkins's avatar

Thanks for the heads-up about Paul and Jess singing “Dreams” at the St. Patrick’s Day Varietopia. I thought I had seen all of PFT’s YouTube videos, but I missed this fabulous duet! And I must confess, Paul looks a little too convincing in priest garb. Bless me Father!

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Sarah's avatar

You guys are the best. I've been listening since the beginning and I look forward to the episodes each month. Makes my weekend cleaning go a little easier. You are so good at what you do, and in the spirit of this episode I wanted to tell you how much it means to me while you are still around!!

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Janie Haddad Tompkins's avatar

Such nice sentiments to receive, thank you!

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Alex Hannah's avatar

So lucky to have been raised (northern) Presbyterian. Super chill and progressive. Too bad it’s still fake, but there’s a sense of freedom to take the lessons that resonate and ignore the rest

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Jennifer Carr's avatar

this woman gave you the FULL glengarry!!!

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Janie Haddad Tompkins's avatar

Yeah, it felt exhausting!

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Stephen Tompkins's avatar

Another classic episode, Paul and Janie! Three thumbs up! At the end of the pod, Paul encouraged folks to come out and see Varietopia, promising that it’s “really entertaining and will absolutely be a break” from all the current insanity that plagues our collective psyches. That’s exactly how I feel about Stay F. Homekins. I really look forward to the 2nd Friday of each month, knowing that I’ll be thoroughly entertained for an hour, by the latest exploits of PFT and Janie Haddad, and can temporarily escape from Merrill Flinch and his minions

I’m still laughing about Janie’s adventures with (in) Closet World, especially Paul’s vision of Janie telling the saleswoman that her husband is a surgeon, who saves children’s lives for the price of decorative bowels! That sounds like an awesome show idea you could develop into a hit weekly program, Janie.

I also thoroughly enjoyed your trip down old Catholic hymns lane. As a former St Athanasius grade school choirboy, I vividly remember all the hymns you sang so “beautifully,” you two. And Paul’s heartfelt rendition of “On Eagles Wings” transported me back to George W. Bush’s administration, and his Attorney General John Ashcroft, whose penchant for singing “Let the Eagle Soar” at the drop of a hat, always seemed terribly hypocritical and ludicrous to me. Granted, that’s a different song, but one I think belongs

In the same category as the hymns you referenced.

And in case you haven’t recalled by now the song and lyrics of “Holy God We Praise Thy Name” Paul, I’ve included a link below to jog your memory. I’ve always considered this old chestnut to be the most catholic of the Catholic hymns, and for me it evokes memories of incense (peppermint?) and getting ashes at the beginning of Lent. Good heavens, what a lasting impression my Catholic upbringing had on me. Which is why I am now a confirmed atheist.

Anywho, thanks again for another highly entertaining and thought provoking hour of respite from the clown posse currently dominating the discourse and cultural/ political landscape. I wish you both knew how greatly needed and appreciated you and your podcast are.

Staying strong in Glenbottom, PA!

Stephen A. Tompkins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBoHde6qsCE

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Smith Q. Johns's avatar

Get better!

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Janie Haddad Tompkins's avatar

Thank you, it is happening!

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