Sorry to hear about your father, Hans. I'm rooting for him.

I met your pops a few times and was always charmed by him.

One time he came up to your cell-like apartment on 9th street (my old pad) and the three of us watched a Knicks game - playoffs I think. He was filled with amazing stories about sports, books, celebrities, his career, The Bar, etc. etc. He was far more entertaining than the game. It was a memorable night. I also admired the back-and-forth you two shared. It's always been obvious how much you respect him.

The other story I like is from when your dad lived in Chicago but was homesick for New York. He was watching a Yankees game on TV. As the sun was setting on the Bronx, a subway train drove past Yankee Stadium and at that very moment he said, "Screw it. I'm moving back to New York." And he did. As an expat NYer I can relate.

I also laugh about that weird message he left you once at the FN, where he was growling into the phone. I don't know if you remember, but it was strange and hilarious.

Then there's the infamous Janis Joplin tale...
cW | Homepage | 11.21.06 - 7:47 am | #

P.S. Popsongdat:

"Debris" by The Faces.

Gorgeous. I'm gonna listen to it right now.
cW | Homepage | 11.21.06 - 8:11 am | #

I remember at your wedding when your dad and a bunch of salty guys sang; it was a very moving moment. BJL and I went over to their table later that evening to say how cool it was and they all just growled. They didn't have any time for our bullshit.
Joe | Homepage | 11.21.06 - 8:41 am | #

Here's to Pops getting better soon.

Another short Pops story: Way back in the day, Hans, Vic, Nek, Dobber and I came home to Pop's den after closing out a bar on Bleeker Street. We just happened to bring six other people with us. At 4 am (or so), Pops wakes up, introduces himself to the crowd, said it was nice meeting everyone and tells us to have fun.

God bless Pops Verbungle.
MDilly | 11.21.06 - 9:34 am | #

i never met pops. i can see that this is regrettable. all the best to him and i hope he gets better soon.
pbdotc | 11.21.06 - 10:09 am | #

best to your pops, hans -- and to your entire family.

this fri will mark 2 yrs since my dad passed and i miss him dearly.

give your dad a big hug - and thank him. for everything.
Finn | 11.21.06 - 1:01 pm | #

this is so sad-I hope your pops bounces back soon. i remember playing "baseball" with your pop in washington square park when we were really little; i say "baseball" because it was one of those quasi-hard, rubber covered things. he threw a tough underhanded knuckleball that baffled us. i remember watching many tough, tense knick games with you dad, including the infamous charles smith game of 1993. i think you dad took it as hard as we did. i also recall, a year later, watching a finals game at your dad's place when the broadcast was interrupted to cover OJ's attempt to flee to mexico. i love your dad; i was envious of you that you had a dad that was also your friend, passed on his love of nachos, baseball and life to you. hoping things work out...
kissel | 11.21.06 - 3:02 pm | #

after we ended our 5 (6?) year relationship your pops called me up at home and told me that he respected me and that he will miss me. i was so touched that i don't think i even said anything of substance back. but i always wished i had told him that i felt the same way about him.
your pops is a gem and, as you know, you are very lucky Hans.
please give him my best, xo.
tms | 11.21.06 - 3:04 pm | #

I'm sorry you're going through this, Hans. I hope your Dad gets better soon. He sounds wonderful.
Christina | Homepage | 11.21.06 - 3:47 pm | #

We've missed you also.
Sorry to hear about your Pop
and we wish him well.
Take care, we will keep you and yours in our hearts.
sponsor & sponsort | 11.21.06 - 4:06 pm | #

Hope your pops gets well soon.
ew | 11.21.06 - 6:21 pm | #

Pops are Tops, and yours sounds like a funny, good-hearted one. Hope things work out for a chance at more than a few more laughs and moments together for you.
gweb | 11.21.06 - 8:34 pm | #

I had heard a lot about Pops Verbungle before meeting him in '89 at the family's apt. Hans had always talked about his father's sense of humor, his meetings with the stars, and his legendary jump shot (two-handed set shot if I remember right). But Hans had never mentioned his father's love of words. More specifically his love for the word "it". Right after we were introduced, Pops Verbungle walked me over to a huge dictionary and started to talk about "it" (the word, not the dictionary) and how many entries the word "it" had. I was listening to a wordsmith talk about his craft. Pops Verbungle is a part of my first memory of NYC. I hope Pops gets better.
bc ny | Homepage | 11.22.06 - 9:09 am | #