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.
