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.
