dan as a teacher at lamar middle school, austin 
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me in charge of a  PTA meeting where i demonstrated apple computers & had a macintosh there & it had just come out that week.? at at lamar junior high, austin
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1984 CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER
After a year like 1983 with that glorious trip to the Holy Land it wouldn't be easy to come up in 1984 with a newsletter packing the same inspiration and excitement. What to do? Well, we thought of just throwing up our hands, using commercial Xmas cards, and letting it go at that. Then we realized that life has quiet years too...accepted the fact that this has been pretty much like that...and decided to carry on with our own Christmas card tradition. And just to add a bit of nostalgia, we dug up a camelback picture from last year. It's guaranteed genuine. There just aren't many camels available in Texas! This one was on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Looking back, it was just another day at a time, adding up to weeks and months of our normally relaxed life out here in Bulverde, doing the chores, the gardening, and enjoying the visits from our friends and family. It was pretty much the way everybody lives these days. Not that there weren't complications.
? In February, Thelma had an attack of diverticulitis that got to involve hospital time, surgery, and this pretty much messed up her spring garden schedule. But then the garden didn't have much chance this year, anyhow. It was so dry and hot that water became a precious item. We used what we had to on our vegetables, but our beautiful lawns were just ruined. The situation got a little better in the fall, but for home gardening, this was a year to forget. But how do you forget not having to mow the grass all summer? It was just weirdo weather, starting with a record freeze last winter. In May, a hailstorm hit our house in town "230" and thoroughly ruined the roof.
We look forward to our summer visitors, and the first to come was Sister Angelica, from Corpus Christi. Later on, most of Thelma's family from the Dallas area were with us awhile...Bob & Melba Truly, Carol Truly, and her three energetic boys. John and Dana Barry came over from Beaumont too to see us. Then, almost completely unexpectedly, Ed, Dan, and Larry Eggleston, converged on Bulverde from Austin, Maryland and Missouri for a reunion with their father after 14 years. That sure had been a long, long time.
Shortly afterward, Les got into the hospital act too...a modified tonsillectomy to remove the uvula...it had been responsible for a had snoring problem for many years, and probably should have been done long ago, maybe even in childhood. The results sure are gratifying and well worth the short inconvenience period when eating was difficult.
? All through the year we were in close touch with Thelma's two daughters living in San Antonio, Chrystal and Lanie, each with two grandchildren for us to pamper, babysit, and spoil. Just like being a parent all over again, watching kids grow up, but without the cares and responsibilities. Grandparenthood seems to be highly regarded everywhere, and we sure enjoyed every bit of it as it came along. ? Thanksgiving and Christmas are traditional family get-together days, and this year we gathered at Chrystal's house for a special reason. She and Lynn had been alerted to duty in Germany starting in mid 1985. It sounds exciting! Maybe we'll get to Germany to visit them during their tour there. John and Dana made it over from Beaumont for the turkey fest and it was a glorious party for all. Then, on Christmas, we plan a double observance. First, in Bulverde, then we'll drive over to Beaumont to join John and Dana. Chrystal and Lynn will be there too. Just like having a Thankschristmas this year! ? We had an extra reason for being thankful this year. Seven is a lucky number, and we were married in Seventy Seven - on the Twenty Seventh. So this was our Seventh Anniversary! ? As usual, we are listing our various addresses and those of the family for convenience in writing.
THE EGGLESTONS
230 Montpelier
San Antonio, TX 78228
(512) 734-0698
P.O. Box 33 or Rte. 3 Box 3191
Bulverde, TX 78163
(512) 438-2912
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THE NEWSLETTER 1985
Away back in 1938, Les went to work for Exxon, used offset printing a lot, and came out with his first Xmas card/newsletter. From 1942-46, the war years made it impossible, but from 1947 on, the series has continued unbroken. Now, at 47 years, we are hoping we can make it to a Golden Xmas card. Right now, the chances look pretty good. Fifty years! Well, why not?
1985 was a weather noteworthy year for us. It started with a record breaking 13.5" snowstorm that isolated us for several days. Here in the Sun Belt, throwing snowballs is a rare experience, and so are blocked roads with schools and businesses shut down by Old Man Winter. Springtime came along in due time, and the rains came too...lots of them. 1984 was a drought, but 85 was a soaker...50% over normal. Everything in the garden flourished, including the weeds, and Thelma was busy, busy, busy. But she sure managed to fill the pantry shelves with canned fruits and vegetables!
Les kept busy too with a chain saw. We took out several of our big willow trees, then lots of big logs turned up in San Antonio near "230", so the woodpile just kept on getting bigger all the time. Now, when a cold snap comes along, we can really enjoy our fireplace. With well over two cords stacked up, there should be enough to last us for several
?ears... or more.
That hauling from town started out with the old '77 Chevy station wagon. It did the job until August when a radiator hose broke suddenly while at expressway speed. The engine was ruined beyond repair, so now we have a '82 Chevy El Camino pickup with camper top. And it sure has been kept busy.
Many families have two homes...town and country. Since our marriage, we've gradually shifted from San Antonio to Bulverde. Les used "230" for some time as a business office, and it's been handy several times during our hospital stays. But it wasn't used enough to make it worthwhile, so we decided to clear it out, renovate as needed, and sell. What to do with all the contents? Well, we needed space, so we got a local contractor to erect an 18 x 25 stone and stucco shell at the end of our driveway. Before we knew it, the project had grown into a beautiful combination shop-office-spare garage, and with enough furniture so it could be a spare bedroom if necessary,
? In town we managed to sort out what we wanted to keep, move it here, trash lots of accumulated junk, and donate many useful items to various non-profit groups. It was a lot easier than sweating out yard sales! It went on the market in September, a buyer came along in October, so unless the financing falls through, we can relax with just one house. Anybody who has ever moved from one house to another, knows the headaches and heartaches of reestablishing the home, but until you have to consolidate two homes into one, you haven't yet learned how many problems can turn up and what difficult decisions must be.
We had lots of welcome visits this year. Sis Wiegley came down from Buffalo for a week in March, and Doris Eggleston made it in April, just about the time our new shop was under construction. Bob and Melba Truly were here briefly during the summer, as were Gerry Tagle, John and Dana Barry. The prize visitor though, was Danny Barry who came over from Beaumont for 2-1/2 weeks. Teaming up with Les in all the many jobs here and in town that had to be done, he was a tower of strength, and the extra muscle power in time of need was a real godsend. Best of all, though, were the short periods our three little granddaughters, Reagen, Jinny, and Jessica spent with us at various times. Grandparenting is one of the prime joys of maturity.
This was one year we did no traveling ourselves, but it was in the family just the same. Lynn Bledsoe received orders to Neu Ulm, Germany, and reported for duty there in mid April. Chrystal and Reagen moved in with Lanie temporarily, then joined him in mid June, when quarters became available. So now, a trip to Germany is on the 1986 agenda. We are both looking forward to it! Ann makes regular trips back to Ireland to see her family there, and after school was over in May, she hopped aboard a plane enroute to Eire, to stay until shortly before school reopened in August.
Folks in their middle age know all about the menopause. We seem to be learning about the geriatric equivalent...the geriopause. Sometimes we feel energetic and full of pep, other times it's hard to get anything accomplished. From a medical standpoint, though, Les got a lot of ?dental restoration work done, and while we both have our share of aches and pains, they are something we learn to live with, just like all of us who are earning our senior citizen diplomas.
? Let's hope we have lots more years ahead of us to enjoy a pleasant way of life and watch the
grandchildren grow up.
ADDRESSES
Route 3 Box 3191 OR P.O. Box 33
Bulverde, TX 78163
(512) 438-2912
THE EGGLESTONS
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1988 Christmas letter ? A MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!!!!! We didn't expect to put out a newsletter this year, but something happened to change our minds! For years, Les had done his typing on an old, old manual typewriter. Nothing fancy, but it did a job as long as he hit the right keys. But it got knocked off its stand onto the floor. ruined beyond repair. So, he had to buy one of the new electronic models...and the results looked so pretty that a newsletter was decided upon!
Now that the Thanksgiving turkey has been gobbled down, Christmas is coming! And we've looked back over 1988 to see what's happened. We like company, and we had some nice visits this year. Doris Eggleston came down from Buffalo, as also did "Sis" Wiegley, while Bob & Melba Truly came in from Dallas. Dana Barry and her family in Beaumont were with us several times, and shared Thanksgiving with us here. ? 1988 was unusual though, in that Ann Flynn's nephews came over from Ireland for a 3 week stay. So everybody got in lots and lots of sightseeing, including SEA WORLD and all the military bases here. ? Early in the year, we had plans to join John & Dana Barry in a trip to Spain, (business for John), thence to Germany via EURORAIL to see Chrystal and kids for a few days, plus sightseeing through France. Other things interfered, so we had to give up the idea. And instead of tourism, we got the house repainted, inside and out. Also, lots of the drapes were replaced. So it was a busy busy year after all! ? Senior Citizenship pretty much implies bodily repair work. Les and Thelma had a normal amount of medical and dental repair work done in 1988. As we write, the process continues, but is pretty well under control. Thelma started the year with some neurological disorders....most of these were finally diagnosed as a thyroid deficiency, so things are improving now. And, like many women, she developed "carpal tunnel syndrome"..a bunching of nerves in the wrist that hurts your hands and arms. The prognosis is fairly good here too.
Les had gastrointestinal upsets...an esophogeal constriction. That's under control now too. We aren't as young and energetic as we once were, but we're still in pretty good shape!
Thelma always has been a gardener. 1988 was no exception. We had lots of fresh vegetables to enjoy, and even now, in December, while everything else in the garden has been pulled out or cut down, WE ARE STILL HARVESTING TOMATOS !!! If need be, we could use some as Xmas tree ornaments! Well, here's the bottom of the page. Our love to all of you from Bulverde for this year, and, we hope for still many more to come.
HC 53 Box 3191 Bulverde, TX 78163
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(this is the first of MY Christmas letters) ? Saturday January 2, 1993 ? Greetings. saw dad on Monday. He looked well & showed off his latest toy: a 27" tv with Picture in Picture.? He said you'd shipped oranges & I assume I'll get some soon. Thanks in advance. Discovered Monday also that I have tendonitis in left arm. I'm taking medication. ? If you watch Austin City Limits you may see me. This season I have made it to every single taping. If they repeat the Veteran's Day special (In Country, songs by Viet vets) you can see me clearly plus hear great music. In several tapings I'm front row center, making it easier to see at least the back of my head. I also saw all of the Texas Connection tapings last spring (carried on the Nashville network if you get it). Last may at the Fabulous Thunderbirds taping, I sat a table with a woman who turned out to by the mother (Mabel) of a girl (Sandy) who works at KLRU & has supplied with me tickets for all the ACL tapings. Mabel happens to live 2 blocks away. Nice folks. ? Last May I finally got a modem, a fax modem (meaning I can send & receive fax, but they are sent/received as computer files. I can’t take paper & feed it through. Today I bought a scanner (for $500, a real bargain) from Julio, meaning I now can scan paper & convert it to a fax file. Pretty cool. ? I have done more reading this year than ever (248 & counting). One of the best ever was "Wild Swans by Jung Chang (essentially a personal history of 20th century china). Check it out; it’s wonderful. I got to get Orson Scott Card to sign his sequel to Ender’s Game when he was in town. (you must read both (actually there’s 2nd sequel out, not up to the level of the first two, but still very good)). Douglas Adams also visited (first time since 1982) & gave a hilarious speech. his "Last Chance to See" is a wonderful book on endangered species. I also discovered some of David McCullough’s great books ("Truman" is on the best-seller list). I read his great books on the young Teddy Roosevelt & on the Brooklyn Bridge & am reading his book on the Panama Canal. Next year I will read the one on the Johnstown Flood as well as Truman. ? My eldest brother, Larry, has cancer & is given less than a year. He has been in more frequent contact (he’s in Missouri). ? This semester we’re back to teaching five classes, thank god. One class has been filled with little shits & I will be glad to get rid of them in 2 weeks. ? Some of the autographs (better known ones) this year: Bob Hope, Tom Kite, Kris Kristofferson (again!! this time, at the Viet vet taping rehearsal. When I showed Lindsey my Willie Nelson & Kristofferson autographs she wanted to keep them; I gave her one of willie on April 1 & she thought it was an April Fool, so Kris signed “April fool, Lindsey”. Alex haley(!!!), Chet Atkins, Garrison Keillor, Albert Brooks (with photo), Jimmy Buffett, Lady Bird Johnson, David Fanshawe (of African Sanctus, which was performed here: someone paid Fanshawe's airfare), Rosa Parks, Claudette Colbert, Jimmy Stewart, Isaac Stern, Myrna Loy & Gerald Ford. ? Got to meet Joe Ely & see his house (built in 1840’s) this summer.
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Saturday, December 25, 1993 ? My vacation has been a good one, and I’ve been getting lots done around the house. Last month Ed & Sandy came down to see dad & visited up here, for the first time, for half a day. It’s the longest time I’ve gotten to spend with them ever & we had a great time. A year ago I went to the doctor to find why my arm was sore & discovered after three doctors & several weeks, that I had a frozen left shoulder. It’s probably caused by excess typing. I had a dozen sessions of physical therapy & continue to do exercises every day. The situation is much better but I’m still working at it. Have limited the amount of typing I do, but some is required. ? I'm teaching a new computer curriculum this year, with no textbook, a videodisk player, and a Macintosh to help out. Unfortunately, this year’s 7th graders have an excessive number of problem kids (2 kids, now at alternative schools, were caught stealing cars). Been a real battle. Hope that next semester will have a smaller share, but time will tell. ? I bought a new Macintosh last spring, with a big color monitor. love it. I discovered I can send electronic mail messages to Ed, free, and that was a great way to quickly keep up to date on his travel plans when he came down. I noticed a great printer was on sale and bought it. ? Dad is having prostrate trouble & was scheduled for tests. Thelma said his movements suggest he may have Parkinson’s. All things considered, he looks reasonably well. I just bought him a ‘94 diary since he couldn’t find the one he’s been using for decades. ? If you watch Austin City Limits, you may see me; I’ve now been to 118 tapings in Studio 6A (90 of Austin City Limits) & made every taping the past two seasons. Joan Baez & Leonard Cohen were highlights of this season & the finale was a songwriters’ special with Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett & Rodney Crowell which was wonderful. I sat directly behind Lyle, so will surely be on camera. ? March through August I spend time each week helping with the fourth & fifth edits of the relationships video documentary I worked on three years ago with a good friend. maybe it’ll be finished next year finally. ? Our principal is now head of curriculum for the district & we’ll get a new one in a few weeks. It’s a loss for our school, since she was a great principal. Next month also marks ten consecutive years of perfect attendance. I got to teach the first child of one of my former students this year. The mother was one of my students in San Antonio in the seventies. ? It’s sad that Larry died so young, but at least his suffering has ended. He had some wonderful experiences in his final months. I’m glad Ed could help out at the end & take care of the details Larry was concerned with.
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? Saturday, December 31, 1994 ? ???????? I visited dad & Thelma & dad is doing well, all things considered.? He has not needed to be catheterized for 2 weeks, thanks to finding the right dosage of the right medicine.? He has prostrate problems & Parkinson’s, which is also under better control.? Last week he was tested for Alzheimer’s, results not known yet.? Physically he is still very strong, but his short term memory is getting bad.? A couple of months ago he gave all his tools to a neighbor, telling him he didn’t have much time left; then he got upset when he discovered them gone, blaming Ann for hiding them; Ann takes his anger well.? he is still driving occasionally, which is a bigger worry than his health.? While in Bulverde, Dad gave me copies of the yearly Xmas cards and re-reading the annual letters was fascinating. ? ???????? For several years the floor of my bathroom has had a hole growing in it which was caused by 2 rotten joists; there were some leaky pipes which was responsible for the problem.? Last summer I had the floor repaired & while that was being done, got a new low-consumption toilet and new sinks for the kitchen and bathroom, as well as new wall for the lower half of the bathroom.? Immense improvement.? Expensive, but worth it.? I continue to attend Austin City Limits tapings & for the first time in 3 years, missed one (battling fatigue & the flu).? Went to my 101st ACL taping this week.? Watch it & eventually you’ll see me in the audience.? Some great shows.? ? I have now got a perfect attendance string at school of 11 or 12 straight years (not sure exactly which January I was? last absent in, ‘82, ‘83 or ‘84).? If you have e-mail, i can be reached at dane@....? Ed can be reached at egglestone@....? I have had great fun exploring the internet & keeping up with friends electronically. ? Last summer I attended my 30th H.S. reunion.? Great fun.? The subject of my thesis, Shawn Phillips, has now moved to Austin; it’ll be easier to keep in touch with him.? Among the great concerts I saw this year with Uakti, the Kronos Quartet, L. Subramaniam & a "long-lost cousin" Kat Eggleston (from Chicago; the daughter of the creator of Gumby & the winner of best new folk artist at the Kerrville Festival 2 years ago).? Among the autographs I added to my collection this year (these by mail) were James Earl Jones, Jack Lemmon & Walter Matthau.
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i met Dan Rather at an ACL taping
the family picture with dad & his wife Thelma & Ed was in Bulverde (north of San Antonio)
Itzhak Perlman performed with the UT Symphony
and Lady Bird Johnson was at the LBJ Library, where i saw her several times over the years
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Last spring my dad decided to write his autobiography. First his step-daughter, Elaine, typed it for him, but when it kept growing, I was delegated. It ran to 9 chapters & was fascinating. If you have e-mail, I could send you the text quite easily. (my address: dane@...).
Last June two of my fingers started hurting & it turns out it was probably due to excess typing. After months of anti-inflammatory drugs (6 days of steroids in October finally ended the swelling so it could start healing) and hours of exercise, it’s finally close to healing.
Last summer I had the siding for the trim & under the roof completed & got new windows. the windows are helping with the insulation this winter & reducing the noise of the jets as they land.
I continue to attend most Austin city limits tapings & at Joe Ely’s in September, i had my camera with me (for the 1st time) & got a picture & autograph of Dan Rather, who was vacationing at his nearby lake home & was there as a member of the studio audience. Also got pictures with Lady Bird Johnson and Itzhak Perlman (thanks to being friends of the orchestra’s conductor).
It’s been an expensive month. I upgraded my Macintosh to one with a built-in phone & TV receiver and then had to replace my washing machine.
Our school is in line for 5 million dollars of improvements if the bond issue passes. Next year I will probably be teaching 1 or 2 classes instead of 6; the rest of the time I’ll work with the other teachers in the lab, teaching their kids computer skills.
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the sketch is by a student, Eric Lefenfeld
John Corigliano is an amazing composer. i got to tell him that i had seen his father, John Paul Corigliano Sr., (concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic for 23 years) perform in NYC long ago
Willie Nelson's was a real thrill. he was at KUT for a live concert & is very charismatic
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1996
It's time for the annual review of the past year and it's been an eventful one. The biggest event was my father's death. Two days before Thanksgiving he passed on; his last months were not easy, but at least he got to spend most of them at home with Thelma's loving care. On Thursday, Ed & Sandy flew down from D.C. & my Aunt Sis from Buffalo; Thelma's daughter Dana (& husband & son) and her son Jerry drove over from East Texas & the house was bulging; not wanting to sleep on the floor I drove down early Friday morning. Thelma asked me to tape some music for the service & I brought along a tape of the beautiful Barber "Adagio for Strings" (which all agreed was perfect).
When my brother Larry died, Ed & Sandy were with him the last few days, & he hung on 'till the loose ends were tied; his funeral was delayed 2 weeks 'till his organist could play the service. When my mom died I was so upset (I was very close to her) that I missed the service. Thus this was my first funeral. For the first time since the early '70's I donned a tie.
We went to the funeral home in a caravan of 3 cars, almost getting separated by mall traffic. It was an open casket & dad looked very good. The last few weeks Medicare had been paying for people to bathe him & give him PT & occasionally (for a little extra) to take over & give Thelma time to get into town. There were about 1 or 2 dozen of his friends who came plus Thelma's daughter Elaine (& family). Her daughter Krystal flew in from Germany but didn't arrive 'till that evening, missing the service.
He retired as a Lt. Col. in the AF, and had an Air Force honor guard as pallbearers. The service was beautiful & in very good taste. Burial was at Fort Sam Houston with a 21-gun salute. The honor guard immaculately folded the flag & after the salute presented it to Thelma, inserting 3 of the rifle cartridges in the flag, saying that they stood for duty, honor & country.
Aunt Sis & I had originally planned on visiting that week, but those plans had to be revised. Sis was going to come up to Austin to see me & visit a girl friend who just moved to McDade (30 mi east of Austin) next year she plans to make that visit and see some of Austin. All week the weather had been cold & rainy & Friday morn was cool & rainy; but by the time of the service the sun was out & the temp was in the 60s.
I flew to Washington in July and spent several days with Ed & Sandy, including my 50th birthday. One highlight in D.C. was getting to see John McCutcheon perform at George Washington University & meeting him afterward. He was the main reason for the timing of my trip.
I've attended several more Austin City Limits tapings this year, though I missed one to see one of my favorite composers (John Corigliano) who was visiting UT from NYC. I passed on another to see a live videoconference with the creative team for The Simpsons (it was great).
We have a new principal who is doing a great job & it appears this will be the last year (for a while at least) that I'll be teaching students directly. Next year plans are for me to help integrate the curriculum; I'll be working in the computer lab helping teachers with projects in math, English, social studies, and science & teaching the kids their required computer skills that way.
I now have 14 (or 15) straight years of perfect attendance. I taught my second student who is the child of a former student. This one is the first child of a Lamar student (who got pregnant while in high school). One of our new custodians is also a former Lamar student of mine and when the new teacher who was teaching one computer class in my room bailed out, he was replaced by another former Lamar student of mine who was doing his student teaching for one of our math teachers. He just graduated from UT this month & will be a fulltime replacement next semester! I had my first autistic student this semester & he was a real handful; luckily he was in a super class; his mom gave me a poinsettia last week. In a year our school will begin one year of renovations with $9 million worth of improvements.
I discovered a wonderful house concert series and have seen some wonderful music in a new friend's home with concerts starting at a decent time and ending earlier as a result. This fall my TV's sound died & when my repairman couldn't fix it, I got a new bigger one (32"). My CD player also pooped out & I got my first carousel player. I really enjoy it a lot more than the single player I had.
My hands continue to be a problem & the doctor says they will probably never be much better. I take daily anti-inflammatory meds & do exercises daily too. It's a real drag.
My autograph collection grows & is over 600 now (counting dupes) Highlights by mail this year are Anthony Quinn and Maureen O'Sullivan. In person I got both autographs & photos with Dick Smothers, Yo Yo Ma, Lawrence Kasdan, Willie Nelson, and Mandy Patinkin!!!
I met a lot of new friends on the net, some through a Shawn Phillips list. Hopefully next year will see the publication of the update of my master's thesis on Shawn.
I managed to read about 191 books this year and see hundreds of films.
Have a great 1997.
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Robert Rodriguez was at the Alamo Drafthouse at a screening
Lyle Lovett was before an ACL taping & he said he thought he recognized me
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The big event of the year was probably during my visit last summer to Smithville (50 miles from here) when I got to be an extra in "Hope Floats" the new Sandra Bullock film. I went to try to see the shooting, and was lucky enough to be there for the crowd scene in the end. I was there all day, leaving finally at 1 a.m., though shooting ran 'till 4 a.m. Curiously, a week later, in line for Austin City Limits, I was spotted by 4 people, who were also extras. The movie opens sometime early in 1998. I'm standing in front of a Butane store, should I be visible (I wasn't). Got to see Sandra Bullock & Harry Connick from across the street, but no autographs or photos. I did get to visit with the director, Forrest Whitaker, whose autograph and photo I got last March (at the SXSW film festival).
Got photos & autographs this year with Michael Moore, Oliver Stone, Robert Rodriguez, Dennis Hopper, Buck Henry, Lynda Obst, Michael York, Bobby McFerrin, Maddy Prior (Steeleye Span), Lyle Lovett, Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, and Nanci Griffith. Some were here for the Austin screenwriters film festival. By mail I got autographs of Woody Allen, Robert Redford, and Tony Curtis and in person Larry L King (playwright of "Best Little Whorehouse"), Linda Ellerbee and Tsui Hark (Hong Kong director, UT ex).
Got to see Michael York speak on Shakespeare, and also saw Gerald Ford, Walter Cronkite, and Katherine Graham (Washington Post). Linda Ellerbee's speech was hilarious and I enjoyed reading her books after seeing her. Nellie Connolly read the notes she wrote (and recently re-discovered) of her impressions of the JFK assassination viewed from the middle of the action.
During Xmas vacation saw a group of over 100 tubas playing Xmas music on the Capitol steps. Sounded great. I attended, as usual, most of the Austin City Limits tapings, including Loretta Lynn (whose autograph I got a couple weeks later by mail, courtesy of her biggest fan). and a tribute to Townes Van Zandt, with an amazing lineup of Guy Clark, Peter Rowan, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith, John T. Van Zandt, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett , and Jack Clement. The latter show was fantastic. Also saw a delightful taping of Trout Fishing in America (which will be aired for the March PBS pledge drives.)
Went on an art trip to Houston in the summer, seeing several museums, and most notably, the amazing Romanoff collection. My health, other than the ongoing RSI to my hands/biceps was good. This summer I had the experience of a colonoscopy, having to get up at 4 a.m. for an enema to prepare for it. It was not as bad as I feared, but no picnic. Also good results & I won't need to undergo it again for 5 years.
Saw about four dozen plays: the most memorable of which were Deviant Craft (a very unusual version of The Tempest) and Ubu Roi (the Dadaist play) which included croissants flying at the cast (and at the audience), great fun.
Saw several hundred movies (see Ulee's Gold, if you have a chance) and read about 191 books; one of the best was Lady Bird's White House Diary.
I met many new friends through the net and my thesis on Shawn Phillips. One of those who found its first chapter on the web was my thesis advisor. It was great to hear from him 24 years after I wrote the thesis. Maybe 1998 will see its publication, either in book form or CD-ROM. The Texas Music Commission has added it to its list of publications on Texas musicians.
I'm teaching two math & two computer classes, and the math classes are daily (computer classes are alternate day). Math students are lower level & require a great deal of time & energy & parental contact (to try to keep them up on their work). Very tiring. Next year will be an entirely new math curriculum & I'll have to spend a week next summer in training.
I got another jury summons for federal court & it's been deferred 'till next June. Apparently I'll be in a jury pool for two months. Sounds like I'm likely to serve on a jury this time.
We have two new portables completed and 6 more due to be built early in 1998. In January the $9 million renovation of our school begins with construction of a new fine arts wing; renovation of the building is scheduled to start in April, one wing at a time. My wing is scheduled for next fall.
The joke list I run on the internet now has 120 subscribers and it amazes me how many great jokes keep coming in.
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a real thrill to see Debbie Reynolds, after her concert at the Paramount.
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1998 Christmas
It's been a pretty good year, for the most part. Once again, I was a movie extra, this time in "A Slipping-Down Life" which will be shown at both Sundance and SXSW. This time I spent two days on the set (in August) and took part in two concert scenes. In the first, filmed in Austin at La Zona Rosa; I was at the front of a raised area of seats at the back of the hall, and thus may be more likely to be seen. The second scene was filmed in an auditorium in Lockhart. I sat in the row behind the star, Lili Taylor, (later I got to speak to her and get her autograph) and got to stand up, leave and then return to my seat. The action, again increases the odds. Come March, I'll get to see whether I'm actually on screen or not. (I wasn't visible in "Hope Floats" (nor were most of the extras)). (I wasn't visible in "A Slipping-Down Life")
The spring semester was a bit rough, since I had daily low-level math classes with numerous "difficult" students. In fact, one student from one of those classes (transferred to another school in January) killed an eight-year-old cousin of his. I survived the semester and this summer spent a week training for our new connected math curriculum. It's an exciting program, though the change in style has its share of problems. I've only one math class (honors, this time) and 5 computer classes, all of which were pretty good this fall. The renovation of our building, which should have been almost complete, has been delayed for a year. New contracts, however, have been recently signed, and work may start, hopefully, early in the year. A new fine arts building is included and several million dollars worth of work will be done.
I hadn't been to Fort Worth since I researched my thesis 25 years ago, but 3 exhibits at the Amon Carter Museum (modern furniture, Thracian gold, and a 17th century Mughal manuscript from Windsor Castle) got me there in the summer. All were quite wonderful. I hadn't been to Dallas for even longer (since my brother Ed lived there in the late 60's), but I visited there last week to see the exquisite Lalique exhibit (there through early January, if you can get there) and while there saw the fantastic Trammell Crow Asian Museum, which just opened this month (don't miss it when you're in Dallas). I also toured the Las Colinas Movie Studios. Both were long day trips, the first in the midst of the heat wave. Driving 400+ miles make for a tiring day, but both were very worthwhile.
Last April I saw the world premiere of a play written 150 years ago by Percy Shelley!!! It was spread over 3 days and took place in four locations (each act a different site). It was an exciting production and a chance conversation with a woman also attending led to a new friendship. Sutton is a doctoral student and from time to time joins me for a play or an Austin City Limits taping. In fact in October I got her parents to see the Deana Carter taping when they were visiting from North Carolina.
In May someone put a dent in the side of my car. I had three estimates, ranging from $630 to $1400. The low one was also the fastest and did a super job. The guy even picked up the deductible so I didn't have to pay anything. Further, Sutton lent me her truck for the four days it took, so I even had wheels. One major project this summer was cleaning up the house; something long overdue. I was able to throw out or donate tons of stuff. I ran across the name of a friend I'd known several years ago & tried to track her down in Houston only to discover she'd moved here a year before. She has also joined me for occasional plays or movies. It's wonderful to have two new rewarding friendships.
As always I saw lots of plays, concerts, ACL tapings, and movies. Among my favorite movies this year are "Pleasantville", "Love & Death On Long Island", "The Opposite of Sex", "Dancer Texas Pop 81" and 2 great documentaries, "Hands On A Hard Body" and "The Cruise."
I also got to see William Wegman, Molly Ivins, Judy Collins, Governor George Bush, Peter Nero, Michael Moore (again), Dave Barry, the Coen brothers (Fargo), Terry Gross (Fresh Air), Cokie Roberts, George Plimpton (twice), and Debbie Reynolds. I got autographs from all but Cokie (I would get it in 2004) and photos with Wegman, Plimpton (two, but the first one was missing George), Collins (as well as a note from Judy to the Austin City Limits folks, who, surprisingly, are not interested in booking her at present), Nero, & Reynolds. I also got autographs from Tom Lehrer, Laura Dern, and Robert Altman.
I've read about 200 books (201 & counting) this year, a number exceeded only once when I read 251 (though 50 that year were Daniel Pinkwater's delightful children's books). Strongly recommended is "Case Closed" by Gerald Posner, a meticulously researched account of the JFK assassination, and one of the best books I've ever read. (I've just started his 1998 book, "Killing the Dream" on MLK's assassination & it's also great). "The Diary of The Century" by Edward Robb Ellis was also fantastic and is highly recommended. Excerpts of a great writer's enormous diary, begun in 1927 (and completed earlier this year at his death). I just finished another Ellis book, also fascinating, "Echoes of Distant Thunder" on life in the US during WWI.
I saw about 60 plays; the Shelley, "Prometheus Unbound," was one of the best, along with "House", "Tommy", "The Complete Works of Wm Shakespeare (Abridged)" "Food Chain" and two of the Family Trilogy plays by Kirk Lynn.
The jury duty I thought I'd have to serve never materialized. As usual I attended tons of films at our two film festivals, and got to meet Paul Schrader and Jonathan Demme there (autographs too).
The joke list I run on the internet now has 180 subscribers and it amazes me how many great jokes keep coming in. Christmas day "ma bell" sent me an unusual email "xmas gift" stating that the educator discount was about to end. Thus I've changed to a new address, All now. I hope you have a great holiday and wonderful 1999.
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