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2003 newsletter

It was a difficult school year for me. Last Spring I taught math 7, math 8, math lab, and two computer classes. I had some very troublesome students, and four preps is no picnic. Our principal retired to move back to Bay City and get married, after getting us National Blue Ribbon status. She assigned me to teach all math lab (6th-8th) this year, giving my computer classes to the Tech Ed teacher (who didn't know about it and didn't want them). Math lab is remedial math for the kids who flunked the TAKS test, and thus a challenge, with an excessive number of "problem" kids. It's been a battle. Luckily there are some good kids too, but not enough. The new principal, Mike Atchley, is doing a good job and is very nice. Once again, I had perfect attendance (which makes either 21 or 22 straight years). In February, school was called off one day by an ice storm. That morning, when I went out to get the paper I slipped on the ice and got several bruises. The next day, school was delayed two hours by the icy streets.

Film, as usual, played a large part in my life. My Austin list grew by 1000 and is now over 3300 (the largest in the nation). A friend offered to run a South Texas list, which I started a month ago. The Texas lists now number over 7000, and there are another 2000 on the other lists. I again made many wonderful friends through the list.

I ended up working on a baker's dozen of films. "A Promise Kept" was shot in January and a screening was held at the Paramount in August. (I'm clearly visible during the sniper scene, shot in the cold rain, temperature in the 40s – fun in spite of the cold). For "Go Round" I had a supporting role, but the film remains in editing. Recently I did extra work for two Hollywood films: "Cheer Up" and "The Ringer." During the summer, I had a fun part in a mock commercial, "Order Now" by John McLean. My scene was shot in my back yard. ()


I did a photo shoot for "Leviticus" in 2002, but the film is still in a fund-raising mode. I finally saw "The Other Side of the Hill," (2002) I got a "casting by" credit; each cast member got a photo in the end credits with our names. "The Perfect Man Contest" also had its first screening; I was heavily involved in the film last year, getting credit for extras casting, still photography, and as Jesus' disciple #5. The film was fantastic and I am very proud to be associated with it. In the summer, we finally completed reshoots for "No Pain No Gain." I'd been given credit for this film as still photographer (), but had not been visible in any scenes. During the final audience re-shoot, I got my own close-up.

In November, Joe O'Connell profiled me in his monthly Statesman film column, a real thrill. ()

This summer I was able to take (free, thanks to the list) audition classes with John Lansch and intermediate film classes with C.K. McFarland. In September I took a fantastic (and fun) improvisation workshop with Laurie Guzda (with another session next month). Earlier this month I took an advertising workshop with Donise Hardy.

Two friends, Jeff Curley and Dan Parsons, provided me with free headshot sessions.

My neighbors next door (who'd been there since 1946) had to move to an assisted living facility and this summer the house was thoroughly renovated for their granddaughter, who arrived in August. The renovation boss noticed that my side porch roof was coming off and arranged for some of his workers to repair it.

This summer I bought a Fingerworks Keyboard, but its learning curve is steep and I haven't had time to master it yet.

I saw lots of plays, but only two really stand out: "The Kentucky Cycle" - an amazing play of 200 years of history (1770s to 1970s); lots of violence, cheating and irony. The play was in nine parts and filled two evenings. The other was "I'm not Lying," Jaston Williams' (Greater Tuna) amazing autobiographical play that will play again early 2004.

I received two jury summons early in the year, both deferred until summer. The federal one overlapped the opening of school and I was excused from it. The other, in July, was for a cocaine possession case and I was part of the voir dire, but was not picked for the jury.

I've been a big fan of Cirque du Soleil for several years with tapes of three of their shows. It was a big thrill to see them perform their Alegria show. My new friend Jai Suire joined me, making the event even more fun.

One of the greatest writers I've ever read is Robert Caro. All of his books are great ("The Power Broker", and, so far, three volumes of his biography of LBJ). I got to see him for the first time last year, and in May he finally appeared at the LBJ Library, a very moving event, too long delayed.

Seven years ago, shortly before my dad died, he gave me a shoebox packed with several hundred old photos. I re-discovered them this summer and scanned them and posted them on-line ()

In June I had a colonoscopy (no problems); it was much easier this time than the one six years ago. In December 2002, two fingers started bothering me; acupuncture helped some. My acupuncturist thought it was the ulnar nerve, confirmed in August by an emg/nlv exam. The doctor gave me electrical shocks three or four dozen times to determine where the problem might lie. He then stuck a needle in my hand and listened to the nerve activity. There was a kink in the elbow part of the nerve (his analogy was a garden hose kink). I've worn an elbow brace since then, which has helped.

I continue to walk a lot for exercise. This year I've averaged 7.2 miles a day, (2631 miles, 400 more than last year, 600 more than 2001 and 950 more than 2000!)

The past two years or so, I've conducted surveys for A.C. Nielsen (mostly shopping, but one TV survey this month). This summer I won $1000 from them as part of their sweepstakes.

In June I found a computer for my Dallas moderator, Shannon Marketic, and drove to Dallas July 4 to deliver it and finally meet her. It was the first long drive for my new car and I got 62 mpg for the trip!!! (It's a Honda Civic Hybrid, which I've now had for one year, averaging 47 mpg)

I saw lots of great films; four of the best were "Rivers and Tides" (an amazing documentary on an artist who sculpts transitory works in nature), "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" (another documentary, this one shot in the middle of an attempted coup in Venezuela), "Seabiscuit" (as great as the wonderful book), and "Russian Ark" a 96 minute long single take shot in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, totally amazing cinematography (the plot isn't super, but the technical aspect is so dazzling, that the experience is worth it.)

I've been to many book signings, but in May I got to see one for a good friend, Lindsay Lane, with whom I worked on a video documentary fourteen years ago. Other notable book signings were Paul Theroux (I've read 23 of his books) and Terry Pratchett (I've read one-third of his great Discworld series).

I read 196 books this year. Here are some of the best: "Black Dahlia Avenger" (Steve Hodel), the unveiling of the Black Dahlia killer by the his son (LAPD Homicide for many years); "Blue Latitudes" (Tony Horwitz), the re-tracing of Captain Cook's voyages; "Portrait Of A Killer" (Patricia Cornwell), the solution of the Jack the Ripper case; "Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College" (Jacques Steinberg), a thorough picture of Wesleyan's admissions office; "Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice To All Creation" (Olivia Judson), a delightful and fascinating look at some of the oddities of nature; "Moneyball" (Michael Lewis) reveals how baseball can be won in thoroughly non-traditional means. One of the best autobiographies I've ever read was "Running with Scissors" (Augusten Burroughs), and its sequel, "Dry." Burroughs' mom gave legal custody of her 12-year-old son to her shrink. One of the most creative and original books I've ever read (I've now read over 5200) was Jasper Fforde's "The Eyre Affair "(which I read last year). Its sequel, "Lost in A Good Book," is equally amazing.

I got to see the astronaut for whom Buzz Lightyear was named, Buzz Aldrin. I got both photos and autographs of Bill Bradley, Sam Elliott, Norman Lear, Suzy Bogguss, John Lee Hancock (director of "The Alamo"), Joel Schumacher, Peter Fonda, and Woodie Harrelson.

When I was growing up some of my favorite recordings were by the incomparable Eastman Wind Ensemble, founded and conducted by Fennell Frederick (the godfather of the wind ensemble). I saw him at UT in '95. As I recall, he only conducted a couple of pieces (he WAS 81 at the time). After the concert, I had to wait for the band members (70 or so) to speak with him before I got his autograph. A month ago, I got to see him, age 89, conduct a full concert, After the concert, I got a great photo with him and had a nice chat (telling him of the day in college when my band director asked, "Who wants to conduct?" When I raised my hand, I was told, "The only band YOU'LL ever conduct is a rubber band!!" The following year, I became the de facto assistant band director at Brackenridge H.S. - and for TMEA was the band substitute and DID get to conduct and had a ball.

I hope all of you have a wonderful vacation and fantastic 2004.

Bill Bradley, former senator from NJ, super star with the NBA
Frederick Fennell great band conductor
Robert Caro one of my fave authors, great books on Robert Moses & working on final volume on LBJ
Shannon Marketic, one of my dearest friends, former Miss USA

2002 Xmas

I had a great spring semester. Most of my classes were great and the new curriculum I wrote during the semester (bit of a challenge, that) was very successful. I modified the AppleWorks portion of it as I taught it, and did so to a certain extent with the HyperStudio portion.

In April I discovered a leak in the living room; there was no rain the next month or so and as soon as school was out, Gene, a very good friend, came by and repaired the leak in the roof and the hole it caused in the living room ceiling He then started cutting down some dead trees he'd noticed in the front yard; we BOTH tripped over some of the branches that we had left in the yard and his trip was harmless; mine was not; I cut my cheek; bruised my right ankle and badly twisted my left foot. My friend Sutton (who's in Indiana the next 2 years, finishing her PhD) dropped off some Advil and a pair of crutches and gave me a ride to the doctor (I already had a physical scheduled).

For the followup appointment ten days later, my regular doc was out of town; the replacement doc was called away on an emergency!!! A third doc was able to see me and she was great (I switched to her as my regular doc - still my doctor in 2020). There was nondisplaced fracture through the bases of the second & third metatarsal; I was on crutches 3 weeks and had very limited mobility another 3 weeks; it healed slowly and I did PT for about four months.

I worked on a film most weekends during school. I spent countless hours on "The Perfect Man Contest" from late January to mid-May. I was Jesus's disciple #5 in this mockumentary, invited for the part by the writer/director and took about 1300 photos with my digital camera (and got screen credit for the photos).

In March I got to work on my first TV movie: "Warning: Parental Advisory" which aired in May on VH-1. I played a photographer and am briefly visible in two scenes. I got paid for this part, which was filmed in the Capitol. Also, I got work on it for two new friends, Marta and Sana. After working on the film I got to see Jesse Jackson deliver a speech

For "Jesse's Closet" I had a small part as an extra, but also got to be a boom operator (holding the mike) for one scene, as well as finding a composer for the film. When the film was shown I received screen credit as "Casting by Dan Eggleston".

For "Manhood is Dead" I was scheduled to be in several scenes, but the foot injury reduced my role to mainly a scene as a liquor store clerk.

"McLife" got me screen credit as still photographer. It also played at the Deep Ellum Film Festival in Dallas. "A Yeti in the City" was shot in Austin Studios (using green screen – the background added by computer later) and I got to be a blind prophet. "My Name is Buttons" (started summer 2000) was finished and selected for the Austin Film Festival. I was visible in three scenes. "The New Guy"(filmed two years ago) finally opened in May; I was surprised that I was visible in one scene.

In August I was paid to be a TV cameraman for "Screen Door Jesus." All told I worked on 22 films this year. I have written detailed accounts of my experience on these films. You can read the details at ; click on "subscribe" to receive future accounts. (Yahoo deleted these in late 2019) I took about 5000 photos on the films I was in, posting them all at Ofoto. Links to the photos are at the URL about my movies. (Ofoto started charging a few years later deleted all my photos ther.)

Next year I will get to be the head of a monastery for "Ex Libris" and the devil in "Leviticus." We did a photo shoot for the latter which was great fun. It took an hour to get my hair into horns. (sadly, the latter never got made)

I bought a new digital camera in January, replacing the one that I'd accidentally broken in October. In April I replaced my Macintosh with a new iMac. It's a very cool machine and I'm delighted with it. I needed a new scanner for the Mac and picked up a great one at a very low price.

I saw about 30 plays; "The Laramie Project" was one of the best I've ever seen; a great play and a wonderful production. Another wonderful play was "Vigil."

Ed and Sandy flew to SA to see Thelma in August and I drove down for a weekend family reunion. I hadn't seen them in six years, so we did a lot of catching up.

Got to see Kat Eggleston, a great folk singer from the northwest (not related)

As usual, I've gotten to see and/or meet some celebrities. Robert Caro has been one of my all-time favorite writers since I read his amazing "The Power Broker" in 1978. He's just published part 3 of his bio of LBJ (Master of The Senate, yet another fantastic book). It was a thrill not only to see him, but to have him know who I was (from letters I'd sent and having spoken to his wife). Got to see him again at the Texas Book Festival in November.

Harvey Schmidt visited UT and gave a great talk/Q&A. He is best known as the composer of "The Fantasticks." (which closed last year after running for 42 years!) I took a photo with him and he asked me to send him a print of it; this month I received an 83- page booklet, of his visit to UT for his class's 50th reunion, fully illustrated with lots of photos, including mine!!

Other celebs were David Halberstam, (another great writer), Ray Benson (the head of Asleep at the Wheel), Peter Bogdanovich (the movie director) Graham Nash (of Crosby Stills Nash &Young), Leonard Nimoy (Spock), Werner Herzog (German director), Jim Brown (the great running back), Spike Lee (director) (all in person including photos) and (by mail) Henry Winkler

My little red Toyota was starting to leak oil and Ron patched it up, but it was going to need further work (and $), so in mid-December I bought a new car (after 13 and one-half years and 90,000 miles). It is a Honda Civic Hybrid (gasoline/electric).

Lots of cool features I've never had are standard. (I had A.C. on my first car, but not since). It has cruise control, power windows, power steering, a AM/FM/CD player – with 4 speakers, remote controlled exterior mirrors, rear window defroster, airbags, anti-lock braking, remote trunk/gas tank opener, and a theft deterrent system. When I unlock the door at night with the remote, the interior lights come on. The dash shows my current MPG (47 so far – but I got 47 in town and 55 on the highway) and what it's currently getting - when the electric part takes over, the gauge jumps up as high as 120 mpg); it's very responsive and has lots of power; I hit 80 mpg easily on I35. The battery recharges as I drive.

I read some great books (just under 200 for the year), the best of which include (besides the Caro) The River's Tale (E. Gargan) an account of a reporter's trip from Tibet to Viet Nam on the Mekong River, Between Silk and Cyanide (L. Marks) an amazing account of a leading Brit code breaker during WW II, The Eyre Affair (J Fforde) (wonderful Hitchhiker's Guide type adventure), Seabiscuit (L Hillenbrand) (account of the greatest race horse of the 20th century – the movie is in the works), Sandy Koufax (Jane Leavy – got to see her speak about the book), Strip City (Lily Burana) and River Town: Two Years On The Yangtze (Peter Hessler – first peace corps volunteer in China).

In December I bought an iPod (a portable MP3 player) which I love. I've been doing so much walking, it's great to have music along the way. So far I've got 20 hours on it and it's only about 10% filled.

In spite of the limitations imposed by my injury, I managed to walk about 2150 miles this year, averaging almost 6 miles a day.

When the fall semester started I had two math and three computer classes. After one week, however, I had to drop one computer class and take over a difficult 8th grade math class. Thus I have one 7th grade math, one 7th/8th grade math lab (kids who failed the TAAS test last year), one 6th grade computer, and one 7th/8th grade computer. It's been a difficult semester with so many preparations.

My Austin casting list has grown from 1400 to 2300 in the past year, and I now have 6200 on the various lists. I was able to take a free acting class due to the list and have met many people and made some very dear friends as a result.
Hope all is well with you and that you have a wonderful 2003.

Ed visited dad & Thelma in August & i got to see him
the picture of me was a photo shoot for a film that was never made
Harvey Schmidt is the composer of The Fantasticks and a few other musicals.

2001 Xmas letter

It's been an interesting year. The spring semester was one of the most stressful I've taught, with some very difficult classes. This fall, by contrast, was a delight. Most of my classes were great, and I taught two sixth grade classes (the first time since the '70's). The last day at school I spent five hours moving out old computers and moving in newer ones; I'll be spending more time during the vacation setting these up. I'm also in the midst of many hours of preparation of a new curriculum for the change in computers. The renovation was finally completed, after two years of slowly changing the campus. Our campus was one of 37 Texas secondary schools nominated as a Blue Ribbon School

Last year I worked on five feature films, only one of which has been released ("Miss Congeniality"). Earlier this month I finally got a copy of "Pagaent" (on video) and I am in three scenes, with dialogue in two of them; I also got an end credit as Casting Assistant (and this was before I started any of the casting lists). Sadly, some of the sound is of poor quality, which may prevent it from being released. A brief clip from it was broadcast on local cable ("The Jeff Davis Show"). "The New Guy" was postponed several times and is presently scheduled for a Feb, 2002 release. The other two films are still being edited.

This year I worked on eight projects. Two were feature films: "Xtracurricular," which should be about complete (I am in one scene, briefly, as a teacher) and "No Pain No Gain" which is in production. I will probably work on it four days during the holidays. I was in one TV pilot "Behind Closed Doors" which is about half completed. I am in more than one scene, and have a little dialogue. The rest are shorts; I tried out for a lead in one, "Close to Normal," (not expecting to get the part), and a small part was written in especially for me. Sadly, that project is in a state of limbo in part due to the economic climate. "The Late Show", "Making the Porn," and "Diamondella" are all complete. I expect to see two in early January, and saw the third in December (I’m briefly visible, and got thanked in the end credits). A fifth short, "Lonelyland" is still being edited.

I will probably work in two feature films in early 2002: "Good Time Boys" (from the same company that made "Xtracurricular") and "The Perfect Man Contest" (in which I will be playing Jesus's Disciple #5 - in one scene I will be playing basketball with Jesus)

For all of these projects I took photos, which were digital after I bought a very cool Sony CyberShot camera (which sadly has been in the shop since October - due back in January). I've been able to borrow the school digital in the meantime. All of these have been posted at Ofoto.com.

One year ago my Austin Casting list had about 500 subscribers and I had just started lists in Dallas and Lubbock. The Austin list is almost up to 1500. The Dallas list has about 1100, and the Lubbock list about 150. In February I started a list for Houston, which now has almost 700. During the summer I tried to spread the idea around the nation and helped start lists from Florida to Oregon. Several have been very successful, but none as active as my Texas lists. The lists I started in LA and California were not run by the people I helped start them, so I have been running them. The LA list is up to 400 and has been very active with hundreds of casting calls; I've found someone in LA to post most of the calls. Earlier this month I helped start a list in Chicago which is still under 100, but should be very large by next Christmas.

I made many great friends as a result of the lists and on the sets of the films I shot.

During the summer I was treated to lunch twice because of the list; once by the head of one of the top talent agencies in town and once by the director of one of the films I worked on. I was also the guest on a local cable talk show ("The Jeff Davis Show") in June and again in December.

I have written detailed accounts of my experience on these films and am working on the latest. You can read the details at by clicking on "messages"; click on "subscribe" to receive future accounts. (Yahoo deleted these in late 2019)

I met and got autographs (and in most cases photographs) of Lance Armstrong, Tom Wolfe, Treat Williams, Ben Crenshaw, P.D. James, Rip Torn, Sissy Spacek, David Clayton Thomas (Blood Sweat &Tears), and David McCullough. I also got autographs through the mail from Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon, Ed McBain, Ann-Margret, John Woo, Richard Dreyfuss, Bill Plympton, Ed Asner, and Ellen Burstyn.

Last year I bought a pedometer and was surprised to find how much I walk (1600 miles for the year.) This year it went up to just over 2000 miles.

I read almost 200 books again, and topped a total of 5000 books since I started keeping track. The best of list is much longer than usual; some amazing books this year: "A Primate's Memoir" by Robert Sapolsky, " Rules For The Unruly" by Marion Winik, " Diary Of An Adulterous Woman" by Curt Leviant, "How To Be A Chicana Role Model" by Michele Serros, "Memoirs Of A Geisha" by Arthur Golden, "Tuesdays With Morrie" by Mitch Albom, "Guns Germs & Steel" by Jared Diamond, "Shadow Of The Hegemon" by Orson Scott Card, " Princess: a True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia" (and its two sequels) by Jean Sasson. All of these are recommended highly.

I saw tons of films; I recommend "Amelie", "Cyberworld 3D", " Amores Perros", and "Harry Potter "

I saw 34 plays this year, the best of which were "Vagina Monologues", "Requiem For Tesla." "Corpus Christi" and "Art Stripped Naked"

I continue to run a daily joke list sending items out to over 150 friends.

I hope your Christmas holiday was wonderful and that you have a great 2002.

David McCullough, the great historical author. i'd read 5 of his books then, my fave Truman, and i've read 4 more since.

"Most times, it isn't easy to know where to start a story, or what to include in the telling. The threads of any present moment are spliced into the weave of the past in a complex and often inexplicable way, and just when you think you've got the pattern figured out, another seems to emerge and the meaning unravels. Or to use a different metaphor, the present and the past swirl together like different colors of paint you're mixing in a bucket, one color marrying with the other in swirls that eventually belong to neither. Exactly when the two become something different than either are alone, it's impossible to say." (Susan Wittig Albert – Chile Death (1998))

After many months of being told I would have to move out of my classroom at Lamar for the renovation, we were told January that the move would actually take place in a few weeks. The next two months I began slowly sifting through 19 years of accumulation and managed to clean out tons of things and was almost finished in March. The move took place the day before spring break; we got all 27 computers and all the furniture moved to the portable where I would only spend about one month. Several hours were spent during spring break preparing the portable. One month later my room was ready and everything got moved back. On top of all this I had two very challenging classes which sometimes made life very difficult.

The renovation is almost complete and in the next month the building will finally be wired for the Internet. We will at last have a PA system that works for the entire campus. It will be a relief to have many months of hassle ended. This year the district ended the block schedule we've used the past several years (8 class periods spread over 2 days) and went back to 7 periods every day. It proved to be a more strenuous schedule for all of us.

Our principal was chosen as Texas Middle School Principal of the year and was a finalist in the national competition.

The past three years, as many of you know, I worked as an extra on one movie each summer. This June I almost worked as an extra on one movie but when I got to the site found no one there and later discovered that all of their footage had been ruined. A week later I began work on a movie, "Pageant", on which I would spend several days, be in about 11 scenes, get a few lines of dialogue, and possibly two screen credits. The movie has been submitted to South by Southwest and we will find out if it was accepted by late January (it wasn't). In late December I was in a pickup shot for it (one scene had to be re-shot because the sound on the original was poor).

In early July, immediately after what I thought was my last scene in "Pageant", I began work on "Miss Congeniality" (which just opened nationwide) starring Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, William Shatner, and Candice Bergen. I spent eight very long days working on this movie playing a backstage employee and got to speak to both Caine and Shatner as well as being paid about $550. I am visible in two scenes; the first is after the flaming batons when Sandy goes backstage & chases away the pageant girls by her water glasses. I pass behind Caine and only the side of my head is briefly visible for a fraction of a second. A few minutes later I am clearly visible during the announcement of the final five. There are several shots of Caine watching the action; I am about 10 feet behind him, watching a light board and looking up and down. During the filming I started a casting list for Austin films, signing up about 100 of the extras. This list has grown to over 560.

Two weeks later (because of my casting list) I worked on another film, "Still Steel Frames", for two days, again getting some dialogue. This film is still being edited. A few weeks later, after school had started, again due to the casting list, I worked one day on "My name is Buttons," which should be finished in March.

In late November I got a phone call to work on "The New Guy" and spent two long weekends of four twelve-hour days working as a paid extra for this movie. It appears that I will used in its movie poster (nope). It is directed by one of the co-writers of "There's Something About Mary" and will open nationwide next May.

I have written detailed accounts of my experience on the first four films and am working on the latest. You can read the details at by clicking on "messages"; click on "subscribe" to receive future accounts.

In mid December after discovering that they had none, I started a casting list for Dallas films; there are already 40 members.

I met and got autographs from Armistead Maupin (who is as delightful as his wonderful books), Ted Koppel, Laszlo Kovacs (cinematographer for "Easy Rider" and "Miss Congeniality"), Stephen Montague (composer and, now, friend), David Sedaris (hilarious), Spalding Gray, Joan Collins, Stacy Keach, Paul Mazursky, and Jim Jarmusch. I got to see ex-Presidents Carter and Ford speak in April and James Earl Jones in January. By mail I got autographs from Robert Duvall, Tim Robbins, Lauren Bacall, Philip Roth, Rob Reiner, Al Pacino, Ken Kesey, Milos Forman, Karl Malden, Jill Clayburgh, Jason Robards, and Blake Edwards

I saw one of the most unusual concerts of my life in May, Steve Montague's "Horn Concerto." It was performed by 12 automobiles, using their horns, engines, radios, headlights, and windshield wipers; it was so much fun that I saw both performances. An expanded version was performed in London in June.

I finally took the "moonlight prowl" at UT. If you're in Austin and haven't been, I highly recommend it; it's a tour of the original "40 acres" and is free, fascinating & great fun. (www.utexas.edu/tours/prowl)

Got a very cool voice recognition system for my Mac. Much of this letter was initially dictated on it. It's much easier to use it when I need to write a long document; it makes some mistakes, but is pretty accurate.

For years I've wondered how much walking I do at school. Last year I bought a pedometer and was surprised to find how much I walk (a daily average of 4.5 miles, 1600 miles for the year.)

I read about 200 books again, the best of which were "Get Happy" by Gerald Clarke (bio of Judy Garland), "Ender's Shadow" by (a parallel novel to my all-time favorite book, "Ender's Game" Orson Scott Card and "Remnant Population" by Elizabeth Moon.

I saw tons of films; I recommend "Almost Famous", "Finding Forrester", "Genghis Blues", "13 Days", and "A Time For Drunken Horses"

Saw only 29 plays this year, the best of which were the delightful "Male Intellect: An Oxymoron", and "Virtual Devotion."

I continue to run a daily joke list sending items out to over 200 friends.

Have a great new century.

Eliza Dushku, star of Bring It On, and many others. i played in extra in that film

1999 newsletter

Now that the Xmas rush is over, here's one more. It was an interesting year. In May I got to see President Clinton. He was here to dedicate our new airport and luckily had to re-schedule the visit, since I wouldn't have been able to see him the first time. After his speech, he worked the crowd & I was able to work my way up to the front & then sideways about 40 yards (trailing a secret service man) where I got some great pics & finally got close enough for my arm to be within reach of Clinton's for a handshake. He does love to work the crowd. That same evening, I saw Martin Sheen and Ramsey Clark (LBJ's AG) and got their autographs. After 14 years of living under the flight path of the airport, the neighborhood is very quiet now without the airplanes.

A week later I attended an LBJ symposium on the 60's, which was, in part, a reunion of staff and press from that administration. There were some wonderful LBJ anecdotes. LBJ tried to persuade ex-Guv Pat Brown to accept a government appointment & was buttering him up; Brown wanted to be a Supreme (Court Justice) & thought that's what Lyndon was leading up to; finally LBJ asked him to be the ambassador to Togo; "Where the hell's that?" "Don't know, but there's a Togo room in town, maybe they know." Brown accepted the appointment. I got a photo with Bill Moyers that eve. Thursday I saw Peter Yarrow, Carol Channing, Gregory Peck & Van Cliburn entertain. On Friday Peck sat next to Lady Bird at the historians' session & I got his autograph & a photo. At that session Michael Beschloss remembered writing a letter (when he was 7) to LBJ in '63 suggesting JFK be added to Mt Rushmore. He got a nice reply from the president's secretary (which his playmates didn't believe was real). When he first visited the LBJ Library in 1977, he asked about the letter & 5 minutes later a staff member showed it to him. The famous reply of a congressman was recalled: on being phoned at 4 a.m. by Lyndon & asked if he'd been awake, he answered, "Why no, Mr. President, I was just lying here waiting for you to call."

Renovation on my school finally started in February. It has moved very slowly and often behind schedule. The new 600 wing was finished two weeks ago and four teachers will move in next week. The music building was supposed to be ready by this time, but will probably not be finished until February. I've been gradually preparing for moving out of my room (originally scheduled for this month), cleaning up 19 years of accumulation; throwing out or recycling tons of stuff and finding some forgotten and very useful things. The building's heating/ac was off most of December due to construction and my room was about 60 degrees most mornings. (I went to a play this month where it was about 10 degrees colder than that - a newly converted theater space, which needs to add proper heating once the money is raised).

For the past three years one of my colleagues was a former student from ten years ago. This fall, he transferred to a school nearer to his home & his replacement turned out to be a student I taught 20 years ago!!! I moved to Austin in 1976 in order to be with my girlfriend at that time. We split up in 1980 and when she moved to Seattle I didn't anticipate any further contact. This fall I discovered that one of my students is her niece. Small world.

For years I've wondered how much walking I do at school. This summer I bought a pedometer and was surprised to find I walk about 4 miles on a typical school day. During the fall semester I've walked over 400 miles.

I went to about 30 films at SXSW in March & also saw David Douglas Duncan, the photo-journalist, speak. He was a dear friend of Picasso & the talk turned out to be mostly about Picasso slides; he was the official photographic chronicler of Pablo's works.

In February I was having major allergy problems & (on a friend's recommendation) tried acupuncture (& herbs) to treat it. It was very helpful and I've had 6 treatments since then. We have 2 acupuncture schools in Austin & by chance I met the head of one (at a Trout Fishing in America taping); his clinic is very reasonable & the students do great work. I also had a sty which lasted for several weeks before finally receding.

Other autographs this year include Ernest Borgnine, Larry Niven, Gary Paulsen, (at film festivals: Mary Stuart Masterson, Karen Black, James L Brooks, Robert Altman and Matthew McConaughey) (at the Texas Book Festival: Michael Nesmith, Edward James Olmos, and Scott Turow) Jonathan Kellerman, Doris Kearns Goodwin David Sedaris, Faye Dunaway, John Landis, James Morrow, Horton Foote, and Leon Russell

In the past 30 years I've been involved in two juries before this year. In one I served on a petit jury in a case in which a man unsuccessfully sued Albertson's because a shopping cart hit his car. The other, 3 years ago, concerned an emu ranching lawsuit and I wasn't actually on the jury. This summer I was involved in 4 selections. The first three were for U.S. District Court. One suit alleged police brutality against some kids (hung jury); in the second case the defendant was found guilty of throwing feces & urine at a prison guard. The third was a woman's unsuccessful suit of sexual harassment & sexual discrimination. The final panel was a DWI and the panel included a neighbor (the father of a former student). I didn't serve on any of the juries.

I almost didn't; but finally went to my 35th high school reunion in San Antonio this summer. It was interesting to see some of my classmates, though I know as many of them from reunions as from the one year I spent at Jefferson H.S. I'm glad I went.

The past few years I've taped so many TV programs that I've needed to take a VCR into the repair shop about every 6 months to replace the pinch roller head. This summer I bought a "personal TV," as they are called. Mine is a Tivo and allows me to record up to 31 hours of programs (on a big hard drive). Once a day my unit updates the program listings (for the following 10-14 days) and I can search for a particular program in several ways. I then instruct the unit to record "The Simpsons" or "Citizen Kane" (or whatever) (by name or time or channel) and forget about it. I can watch a "live" program in slow motion or pause it as well, and there's a instant replay at any time. I love my Tivo. I can even watch a program that's being recorded from the beginning as the program is completed. And I can watch anything on the Tivo while it's recording something else.

The past two summers I was an extra in two movies. This summer I answered an ad in the Chronicle for work as a paid extra. The day before I went back to work I got a call asking me to work the next day. I couldn't do it (it would have been a 5 a.m. call!!!) but I did get called again to work all day on a Saturday. I spent the day waiting and they never got to my scene. I was offered another day's work, but turned it down due to school. The movie is "Where the Heart Is." (Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd star). It turns out the casting office liked my photo and want to use me again, when the chance arises. So maybe I'll get some work when Robert Rodriguez shoots his next film early next year.

I saw many movies as usual this year. My favorites include "Book of Stars", "All About My Mother", "American Beauty", "The Matrix", "Lovers on the Bridge," and "Being John Malkovich."

I saw 74 plays and the most memorable include "De Profundis" (performed by Corin Redgrave - followed the next evening by a wonderful lecture by the author's (Oscar Wilde) grandson), "Gross Indecency" (about Wilde's 3 trials), "Ruling Passion," and "Millennium Bug."

I just received a Macintosh G4 which I ordered a at Thanksgiving. My friend Julio helped me fix some problems and it’s great. It's much faster than my Performa and I finally got all my old files transferred to it.

My friend Amy was treated so badly by her supervisor that she's moved to Portland and seems to be doing well there. Sutton now has a boyfriend & I see her (sometimes with him) from time to time. I've renewed my friendship with Kathleen after 10 years and see her occasionally.

Last month, local humor columnist John Kelso made the family Christmas cards from the 50's & 60's the subject of his column. (see the 11/28/99 issue if you missed it)

I've just finished my 202nd book of the year. Some of the best books I read were "Suspects" by David Thompson, "Remnant Population" by Elizabeth Moon, and "Only Begotten Daughter" by James Morrow. "Suspects" is a must for film lovers. Thompson tells stories about characters from many great movies including "Citizen Kane," "Chinatown," "Taxi Driver," "Casablanca", "Maltese Falcon", "Double Indemnity" and many others; all as told by George Bailey ("It's a Wonderful Life"). The Morrow is a blend of Lenny Bruce, Mark Twain, Dante, and Jonathan Swift. "Suspects" was so good that I read it a second time. The Moon book was a total surprise and thoroughly satisfying.

I switched the email lists I run to a web-based carrier (onelist) and it's taken some time to build this list for this Xmas letter (going out to 285 people). I run 3 variations on my joke list, a list of Austin City Limits taping dates, upcoming Austin events, old family Xmas cards. Any of you are welcome to subscribe to any of these and it's very simple to unsubscribe if you decide to. Email if you wish details.

Once again I'm changing e-mail addresses. Update your address books if appropriate. For the second straight year my ISP significantly raised the price and provided inferior service. Last year at this time I couldn't find a web-based email that supported POP. This time I not only found one, but was glad to find one that forwards mail to my ISP. So, capydan@... will be my "permanent" email. My current ISP's email is capy@.... A good rate, and they're backed by Cisco, which makes them seem to be reliable. Either address will work, and I hope I won't have to change ISP again, but if I do, the former address won't have to change. It took me about a minute to change the forwarding address to CORE.

Back in 1972 KEXL-FM, the rock station I listened to in San Antonio hired a hot air balloonist to fly promotional flights for the station. I went to see the first flight & continued to do so & when I consistently arrived at the landing site before the balloonist's chase car, I was asked to drive the chase car. That fall, there was a flight near Floresville. President Nixon was appearing at former Governor John Connelly's ranch while Vice-Presidential candidate Sergeant Shriver was in Floresville for a campaign appearance. On the way back from Floresville, we were listening to KEXL and heard a commercial for Sam Green (he ran very obnoxious real estate commercials every Thursday through Sunday. One Thursday, I phoned the morning DJ, Nick St. John, and suggested to him, "Sam's Here It's Thursday." Nick agreed & re-worded the acronym as "Sure Happy It's Thursday." To make sure everyone got the point, every Thursday he would preface the phrase by reminding everyone what TGIF stood for.) The pilot, Derek Howard, mentioned that Green was as fat as a capybara. Assuming he was jesting, as he often did, I challenged him. He said to look it up. I did, misspelling it, and thus not finding it. The next time I saw him, 3 weeks later, he told me the correct spelling and identifying it as the largest rodent in the world. We then adopted this animal and Derek named his next balloon Capybara, while I created "Capybaras International." Shawn Phillips included a song on his "Furthermore" album with that name, but didn't know how to spell it either, so it is printed on the recording as "Capé Barras." Before I moved to Austin I went to see a capybara at the San Antonio zoo; however, they had died shortly before my visit. Three years ago, after being assured on the phone that they had capybaras, I visited the National Zoo in D.C. with my brother. Wrong. No capybaras. I learned recently that the Austin Zoo has capybaras, which I got to see this week. An attendant got them outside their pen so I could take pictures

Have a great Christmas, New Year, and year 2000.

2 thrilling pics
Clinton was here to dedicate the new airport. i shook his hand as he worked the crowd & got the pic at about the same time

Peck was here for the LBJ Library & i had seen him the night before read from To Kill a Mockingbird. he was attending the LBJ 30 Years Later presentation. that's his wife with him & Lady Bird just behind

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.

a real thrill to see Debbie Reynolds, after her concert at the Paramount.

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.

Robert Rodriguez was at the Alamo Drafthouse at a screening
Lyle Lovett was before an ACL taping & he said he thought he recognized me

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.

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

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.

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