Assuming (and rightly so) that it would be a mob scene, I decided to make other arrangements. I called the gallery, and with the most authoritative voice I could manage, I identified myself, told them I wrote for IK and asked if any special arrangements were being made for the press. I was put in touch with Barbara Quiroga, the woman handling public relations for the event. She was very accomodating and told me there would be a press conference at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Friday, the 14th at 1:30. My name would be included on the list.

Though I was passing out, I managed to squeeze out a final request (the authoritative voice had bit the dust by this time ) to bring a photographer. I was told I could. Good thing, too, because there was no way I was going to meet Yoko without photographing it, recording it and etching it in stone.

Well, to use the appropriate, albeit cliched phrase, "when the big day arrived" the photographer, Jennifer, and myself, breezed into the hotel lobby and up to the information desk. "We're here for the press conference" said Authoritative Voice, putting in its last appearance. "Room 730" said Desk Clerk.

We were about 20 minutes early, so I figured we'd just sit and wait for Yoko's appearance. I was expecting a conference-type room, you know, long table at the front, folding chairs facing it, etc. But that turned out not to be the case. It was an actual hotel suite. And Yoko was already in there being filmed. Apparently 1-1:30 was the time designated for video crews from the local news stations. We were, however, invited to come in and watch.

And there she was. The tiny lady who has loomed so large in my life, seated on a sofa but a few feet away. The first thing I noticed was that she was wearing jeans and of course, the familiar shades. I was suddenly struck with a case of the jitters. What would I do? What would I say? But these feelings dissipated immediately as Yoko jumped up and started moving around. There was such a warm air of spirituality surrounding her. She went into an adjoining bedroom and changed her jacket (she moves fast!) and returned for one final videotaped interview.

Around this time, the press people and photographers started to arrive, and the video crews started breaking down. During this transition period she consented to pose for some photos for one of the photographers. She sat at a table in the dining area of the suite and looked into the camera, but suddenly noticed some type of soft drink bottle on the table. "What is that? I don't believe in these," she said and pushed it out of the camera range. Then she said to the photographer, "can I be an old hippie and make the peace sign?"

After that, I approached her and told her I was from IK and recognition flashed across her face as she said, "Oh, yes". I asked if we could take a photo together so she moved next to me and I said, "Let's both be old hippies and make the peace sign." Clearly that symbol still means a lot to both of us, and a lot of others I'm sure. I'm amazed at how relaxed she made me feel, just by being herself. Again I must point out this pervasive atmosphere of spirituality.

Barbara said we should begin, so Yoko said, "If you have tape recorders, you may want to start them now," gesturing to the coffee table, where we'd put them. (Yoko had coffee on the coffee table) Then everyone sat around on the few chairs that were there, Yoko sat on the sofa, and as there were no chairs left, I sat on the floor, directly in front of her. That's how informal and pleasant it was. It was a smallish group of six or seven press people, plus photographers who clicked throughout.

BREAKING UP THE BEATLES..AGAIN

The requisite questions were asked about the exhibit (that's what the press conference was for after all), "Skywriting" (a great book, by the way and highly recommended), and "Menlove Avenue". And yes, the tired, shopworn "did you break up the Beatles" thing was hauled out on its creaky old wheels and dusted off for one more go around. Why do these people bother? "I think the world would have caught the message by now," Yoko said. "They were four very powerful boys..guys..Only Beatles can break up Beatles."

I could barely contain my enthusiasm at being in Yoko's presence and at hearing her answer everything so eloquently. I decided her work should be mentioned, so I asked her if she planned to do another album and she said she probably would sometime next year. She also said she probably would eventually do more concerts after taking time off to do other things. Of the STARPEACE tour she said, "I did that tour to bring world peace. That shows how impatient and naive I am.."

At one point I got completely carried away and asked if she planned to re-release her earlier work (since it was so ahead of its time, not to mention just plain excellent) and proceeded to rattle off virtually her entire back catalog of albums and threw in "Listen the Snow is Falling" for good measure. Yoko seemed genuinely amused to have such a fan in amongst the "real" press, rolled her eyes and said, "Some people know a lot" and leaned into the microphone one guy was holding out and said, "are you getting that?" I was having a great time.

Of Boston, she said that she and John visited the city twice before. Once to visit a well-known Macrobiotic Center here, and once to attend the International Feminist Conference at Harvard in 1973 where John was "the only male element." Also in the 1950's. "I've conveniently forgotten what year it was in the 1950's" as she put it, as a sophomore at Sarah Lawrence she attended a semester of summer school at Harvard. That was something the person who knows a lot didn't know! She also said she was looking forward to showing Sean around, as it was his first trip to the city.

As the press conference drew to a close, Yoko thanked us all for coming and left with Barbara, again walking very fast. It occured to me as I watched her disappear through the door (not literally disappear, though I wouldn't have been surprised if she did!), that I should have been astonished that I had just spent the last 45 minutes or so with Yoko Ono. But I wasn't. It all felt to natural. I hope all of you reading this who haven't met her get a chance to do so, because you'll know just what I mean. She is truly remarkable.

THE SHOW

Jennifer and I then floated several inches off the ground to the gallery, where we attended a private, press-only showing. Though I'd seen the pictures before, the lithographs and other pieces are strikingly impressive in reality. I became engrossed in conversation with the gallery owner, Carol Barr, an extremely articulate person who related the story of how she attended the original opening in New York City in 1970 which erupted into a full-tilt riot caused by the hordes who couldn't get in. She was hit with a snowball and knocked on the ground.

I also got to see one of the original white leather "Bag One" bags. And this is as good a place as any to say that everyone connected with the gallery was most helpful and friendly right from my original call. I'm very grateful that I had the opportunity to meet Yoko and participate in the press conference. It made my year. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The next day we returned to the gallery for the public opening, though I knew it would be anticlimactic. The line stretched around the block. I've heard that phrase before but this might be the first time I've seen a line literally go around an entire city block. Most blocks in Boston aren't really "blocks" anyway, but rather jagged, triangular-type affairs. But you get the picture. Barbara Quiroga spotted us and beckoned us in. The small gallery was packed. Champagne was being served. Everyone was waiting for Yoko.

PHOTOGRAPHERS GO CRAZY AS YOKO & SEAN ARRIVE

Yoko arrived, and this time Sean was with her. The photographers went crazy. These were not the laid-back photographers of the previous day, but much more paparazzi-type, practically trampling over people in their zealousness to get to Yoko and Sean. Yoko said a few words, which I couldn't hear because of the ensuing madness, and Sean went to the window and waved to the crowd below (the gallery is on the second floor). Then they were escorted out. We followed as they made their way onto the street and to the waiting limo. Yoko hoisted herself onto it and said she wished it was possible to shake hands with everyone present. Then they drove off. A mob scene, indeed, but it was worth it to see Sean.

I really don't know how to end this. All the feelings are still with me and probably always will be. This year has been the high point in my 15-plus years of being a fan. First, getting to see Yoko in concert in NYC, and now actually meeting her and getting to spend some time. Thanks Yoko, for being so warm and open. And thanks for all the years of inspiration. It has been greatly appreciated.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Our thanks to Ron Scarlett for filing this report from Boston. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who thinks Yoko moves fast - I thought maybe I was just slow!)