WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SANDY FARINA?



...I often find myself asking this question. So much hope was there for Ms. Farina in the summer of 1978. Playing the female lead, Stawberry Fields, in Robert Stigwood's film version of SGT PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND and thought to be the next Olivia. I mean, wide-eyed -- even somehow doe-eyed innocence coupled with large breasts and an Australian accent -- the PR guys could not see how she could miss. And, then the singing voice. A sort of Karen Carpenter-lite (no pun intened! Really!) voice --- one could tell Ms. Farina learned to sing listening to the fluid song stylings of The Carpenters -- however, unlike Karen, Sandy did inflict a bit more emotion thus preventing that somewhat icy and unforgettable voice of Karen. But it wasn't meant to be. Where is Sandy? What is she doing? Is she bitter? Is she lonely?

Oh, Sandy, where are you?

Meanwhile, I had the following conversation at a public facility in which forms are required to be filled out.

me: "Hi, this is a copy of a form I need to complete as this needs to be renewed but I am not sure of the name of the form or where to find it. Can you help me?"

him: "Let me see that"

me: "Sure"

him: "Sir, this is a copy."

me: "Yes. I know. I brought it to show you so you could point me to a blank version so I could complete and file for a new action."

him: "Sir, I can't work or process from a copy."

me: "I understand, but I wasn't bringing that for you to accept as a request for a new order. I was just brining it in to show you the form I need to complete as no name or code number is listed on it. Where would I find a blank form? I will fill that out and bring it back to you."

him: "Sir, I don't understand. You're handing me a copy of an old form and telling me you want a new action taken. I can't assist you with an old copy."

me: "Can I have that back? See, I understand that you can't proces a new action with a copy of the old form for the original action. I just don't know the name of the form and I don't know where you guys keep it. Can you point me to the blank versions of that form?"

him: "You're going to have to complete a new form, sir."

me: "Ok. Where are those new forms for me to complete"

he stares at me, holding the old form and looking totally confused and annoyed. I am fighting the urge to tell him he is an idiot. I take a deep breath.

me: "You know, maybe I could speak to your supervisor."

him: (rolling his eyes) "Whatever you want, sir. However, we do not work from old copies."

15 minutes later, a tired looking woman walks to the glass window with her confused employee. She looks ready for battle.

she: "Sir, how can we assist you?"

me: "See that copy he is holding. I need that back, but I just wanted him to show me where you keep the blank versions of that form so I can complete a new one as I need to file for a new action."

she: (taking the old form from confused/annoyed employee and handing it to me thru the little slit) Down the hall you will see a row of shelves. The blank versions of this form are in slot number 38b."

me: "Thanks!"

him: "Why didn't you just ask me that?"

she: "Jerry." (not his real name)

me: "Jerry, get a grip. I asked you that question at least 4 times I was about write you off as mentally retarded."

...amazingly, the tired lady looked amused and laughed. Jerry was not happy. ...I brought my completed form to a different person. she couldn't really speak English, but she got it completed for me!

well, that sums up my day. just about everything went like that...