Some of you know this story, but here's the public (surprising) story about when @not_on_display learned about his bio-dad just after he turned 50. <br><br>Jim was adopted as a newborn in 1969 (pre-Roe v. Wade). He had found and contacted his bio-mom before I met him. 1/9

Jessamyn West

@jessamyn

Some of you know this story, but here's the public (surprising) story about when @not_on_display learned about his bio-dad just after he turned 50.

Jim was adopted as a newborn in 1969 (pre-Roe v. Wade). He had found and contacted his bio-mom before I met him. 1/9

10/3/2021, 7:46:48 PM

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Jessamyn West

@jessamyn

They swapped some letters, as one did at the time, and fell back out of touch. His bio-mom was still with the partner she was with when Jim was born, they live in NH. Cut to Feb 2020, Jim's dad died after living with Alzheimer's for several years. He was a neat man and I miss him

10/3/2021, 7:46:49 PM

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Retweets: 2

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Jessamyn West

@jessamyn

This starts the Facebook "Sorry for your loss" machine up. Jim doesn't spend a lot of time on social media but now he's responding to a lot of condolences. He notices that little Facebook "Message Requests" mailbox and there's a message from his bio-mom, from December.

10/3/2021, 7:46:49 PM

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Retweets: 2

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Jessamyn West

@jessamyn

She knew he turned 50, thought it would be nice to get in touch, left her phone #. Jim called, spoke to her partner, Bob. They chatted. Bob said "You never knew who your bio dad was, did you? I'll tell you." Jim said great, he'd get a pen. Bob: "Oh, you won't need a pen..."

10/3/2021, 7:46:49 PM

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Retweets: 2

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Jessamyn West

@jessamyn

Jim's bio-dad turns out to be Klaus Flouride from the Dead Kennedys! As someone who wore an In God We Trust, Inc t-shirt to high school as often as I could, I about lost it. In case you don't know JIM IS ALSO A BASS PLAYER. Jim reached out to KF on Facebook and they got in touch.

10/3/2021, 7:46:51 PM

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Jessamyn West

@jessamyn

Turns out they're both slightly short, disorganized bass players with goofy senses of humor, wispy eyebrows, too much legacy music gear, and an actual desire to get/stay in touch. Jim and Klaus have been chatting every other week or so during COVID times. I occasionally pop in.

10/3/2021, 7:46:52 PM

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Retweets: 2

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Jessamyn West

@jessamyn

DK was supposed to be in Boston a month after all this happened and they would have met, but COVID shut that all down. DK are now on an abbreviated West Coast tour. I made a Wikipedia page for Skip Greer who's been their vocalist since 2008. There are a lot of new things....

10/3/2021, 7:46:55 PM

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Retweets: 1

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Jessamyn West

@jessamyn

Jim, who was an only child, now has a step-sister (a doctor!) and a whole new set of cousins, one of whom I went to college with (?!). Jim's mom is chill and happy about all of this. Jim's dad was a great guy to hang with, but also a Trumper Republican (KF is neither of these)

10/3/2021, 7:46:55 PM

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Retweets: 1

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Jessamyn West

@jessamyn

Everything happened within about 48 hours back in February last year. If you know Jim, just watch this video with Klaus playing bass and tell me you don't see the resemblance. If you don't know Jim, just enjoy this weird little story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX1Q3EG-36g

10/3/2021, 7:46:56 PM

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Retweets: 2

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Jessamyn West

@jessamyn

Late update: KF is playing in Boston tonight with DK. He showed up a few days early to hang out with Jim 💗 They get on amazingly well. Jim is on the DK guest list. I was stoked to have dinner with both of them down in MA this weekend. So glad this story played out this way.

6/8/2022, 7:18:46 PM

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Retweets: 1

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