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for a bite to eat and some coffee at a Starbucks near the Apollo. While enjoying our breakfast,
we saw Scott Healy, keyboardist for the Basic Cable Band and Mike Merritt, who not only plays
bass for the BCB but also happens to star in one of my favourite long-running “Conan” skits. I
took a minute to tell each of them how very much I appreciated their talent and hard work as
musicians in the most impressive and fantastic band ever in late night and, in Mike’s case, how
very impressed I was for being able to keep a straight face during the skits. It was a real pleasure
for me to speak with such kind people who are also true talents and have the opportunity to thank
them in person—it was a part of what made my day as special as it was.
https://youtu.be/AXt8l7dh4Z4
(Mike Merritt’s Inner Thoughts skit, Starbuck’s Race Together Edition, originally aired March
25 2016 on “Conan” on TBS. Clip shared and available via Team Coco’s official YouTube
channel—head over and subscribe!!)
After finishing our coffee, we went for a walk around Harlem. Not only is Harlem rich in history,
it is vibrant and interesting with some really beautiful architecture and deep culture, arts and
people. I would certainly encourage anyone to spend time there whenever the chance might
come up. One treasure we found tucked away amidst the city was a beautiful community garden
dedicated to Nelson Mandela. Some of the signs on the fence surrounding it have some unique
and eye-catching artwork, including two quotes so perfect for the day that I was nearly moved to
tears.
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