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[Jane]

DR vixmom, what's costing so much? What does your car need?

Steering fluid pump, something to do with the axel, air filter, inspection

That doesn't sound good.  No wonder it is expensive

[Jane]

I have told this story before, but I had a brief encounter with McMurtry at his massive bookstore complex in Archer City, which a friend and I visited on a pilgrimage. It was called Thalia in the five or six Last Picture Show novels. Signs were everywhere not to talk to him, don’t ask for autographs, etc. Sure. Got it. Then I saw him wheeling a cart around laden with books and shelving them. I had so say something without getting him upset. So I asked him where I’d find the novels of Zora Neale Hurston and Dawn Powell there. He gave me an odd look, like, why would I want to read those writers, or maybe he was thinking about where they were. He did direct me to two places, both were right. I thanked him, and that was that.

You were sneaky

[ChasSmith]

I have told this story before, but I had a brief encounter with McMurtry at his massive bookstore complex in Archer City, which a friend and I visited on a pilgrimage. It was called Thalia in the five or six Last Picture Show novels. Signs were everywhere not to talk to him, don’t ask for autographs, etc. Sure. Got it. Then I saw him wheeling a cart around laden with books and shelving them. I had so say something without getting him upset. So I asked him where I’d find the novels of Zora Neale Hurston and Dawn Powell there. He gave me an odd look, like, why would I want to read those writers, or maybe he was thinking about where they were. He did direct me to two places, both were right. I thanked him, and that was that.

I made my pilgrimage in May 2008, taking an extra day for it while on a visit to my job headquarters in Carrollton. Spent several hours there going through the four stores, picking up a few things, walking through the shell of the Royal theater, driving all around town, eating at the Dairy Queen, then spending a little more time in store #1 hoping against hope that he might show up. He didn't, and I didn't ask. But while I was paying for my stuff, I saw a couple of postcards or something about the place and added those to my purchase, and one of the women said, "oh, it makes him so happy whenever someone wants those".

[Jane]

Both stories from John & Chas are nice memories.  Thank you for sharing them.

[John G.]

That Dairy Queen was special. A shrine to McMurtry and his work. It formed the nucleus of Texasville, which may be my favorite of his novels. Hilarious read. But you do have to know Last Picture Show to understand it.

[ChasSmith]

So here's the little announcement I couldn't make till now:

State regulations pending, and of course that's a big unknown at this point, I have my first post-Covid gig lined up. If it all works out, I'll be MDing and playing my first ever FANTASTICKS in a cozy 110-seat house that's perfect for it. We've secured the rights for the dates we want (mid-Sept thru early-Oct), and all that needs to happen now is every single thing going perfectly between now and then:  Covid regulations that make it doable, people showing up (vaccinated) to audition, people buying tickets for something they can't watch online, etc. And, oh yeah, I have to start practicing.

Congrats!  The score is very fulfilling to play, but it has its moments.  Harvey Schmidt was brilliant for someone who doesn't read music, and sometimes that's evident in some of the arrangements.  I hope the theatre can afford a harp - that will make your job easier - but I wouldn't use any more than piano and harp!

Thanks for the kind words, and I totally agree. I insisted on being permitted to hire a harpist. They're used to paying for a few musicians for each show, anyway, and they can damned well pay for that one.

So the search is on. The one person I knew, who's beyond incredible and has played four productions of it, would love to have said yes, but she'll be in Switzerland working on her Master's program. I've got others to contact.

[ChasSmith]

That Dairy Queen was special. A shrine to McMurtry and his work. It formed the nucleus of Texasville, which may be my favorite of his novels. Hilarious read. But you do have to know Last Picture Show to understand it.

You also have to have read Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen.

[John G.]

That Dairy Queen was special. A shrine to McMurtry and his work. It formed the nucleus of Texasville, which may be my favorite of his novels. Hilarious read. But you do have to know Last Picture Show to understand it.

You also have to have read Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen.

A favorite of mine among his non-fiction. I read it before reading Walter Benjamin.

[bk]

I'm up, I'm up - eight hours of sleep.

[bk]

I worry about car issues daily, but am hoping there aren't any after the last break-in when the battery was dying every day.

[bk]

Must go look at the campaign.

[George]

Must go look at the campaign.

I just did and it's up to 107%!!

[George]

I'm trying to imagine what a "spinach party" would entail.

Pin the tail on the cabbage?

[George]

Took my car for an inspection and got hit with a $1500 estimate

Yikes!!

~~~Car Vibes for Vixmom!!~~~

[George]

I spoke to Jeff, the super.  The chute is bolted until the vermin in the chute are exterminated.  I know what to do with my garbage until then, so I am content.

Whew!

[George]

So here's the little announcement I couldn't make till now:

State regulations pending, and of course that's a big unknown at this point, I have my first post-Covid gig lined up. If it all works out, I'll be MDing and playing my first ever FANTASTICKS in a cozy 110-seat house that's perfect for it. We've secured the rights for the dates we want (mid-Sept thru early-Oct), and all that needs to happen now is every single thing going perfectly between now and then:  Covid regulations that make it doable, people showing up (vaccinated) to audition, people buying tickets for something they can't watch online, etc. And, oh yeah, I have to start practicing.

Congrats, ChasSmith!!  And Break Legs!! I love that show...except when the "director" adds mothers [which I've seen twice (different productions by the same "director")].

[George]

Back in the 1990s, I ran follow spot for a local production (performed as written) and I'm pretty sure that we had a harp.  All the performers were really good.

[George]

Larry McMurtry has died. Not good.

So has Richard Gilliland, character actor and husband to Jean Smart.

[KevinH]

Good afternoon!

[elmore3003]

I just had my first hot bath since Sunday, and it felt so good.  Showers are difficult because of the standing, so I'm happy to be back to my routine.,

[elmore3003]

Great news, DR ChasSmith! When I did Harvey's and Tom's Mirette at Goodspeed, we could not get a Connecticut harpist.  They were all happier playing weddings and Sunday brunches, so the two harpists alternating on The Fantasticks at Sullivan Street alternated weeks at Goodspeed.

[bk]

Congrats on The Fantasticks. I've had that vocal score book forever. In fact, I have that, 110 in the Shade, and a lovely signed copy of I Do! I Do! that the boys gave me when we were recording it. And Harvey sent me a copy of his score for the film A Texas Romance.

[George]

Congrats on The Fantasticks. I've had that vocal score book forever. In fact, I have that, 110 in the Shade, and a lovely signed copy of I Do! I Do! that the boys gave me when we were recording it. And Harvey sent me a copy of his score for the film A Texas Romance.

Nice!

[elmore3003]

For DR slingshot's next dinner party.

[singdaw]

Am I that gauche?       

[singdaw]

YES!!

[singdaw]

 

[elmore3003]

They don't specify what kind of donut, and I cannot imagine a jelly-filled donut working at all.

[elmore3003]

I had my first Chinese food in a week. Yummilicious!

[George]

For DR slingshot's next dinner party.

The part that gets me is at the end when they say to "Serve with mayonnaise."  What do you do with the mayonnaise??