September 29, 1995
Dear Everyone:
First and foremost,
Mom, thanks for the stamps (always appreciated) and the check (even more
appreciated). As you can
see, I’m putting the former to good use.
As for the latter, I’ve deposited it in my savings account and
opened a Money Account for you on my computer.
You have a balance of $150.
When I order the Ashland tickets, I’ll charge your share to the
Account and let you know how much you’re “overdrawn”.
(In case you’re interested, it’s in c:\msmoney\msmoney.mny.
The Account Name is “Mom”.)
Anyone else who
wants to make a “down payment” on next summer is certainly welcome to do
so. Oberon has lots of room
on his hard drive for more Accounts.
Having a computer at home is
such fun.
Speaking of
Ashland, it
won’t be long now. I’m on
the “short list” of people who get the “first” mailing of the new
brochure. As soon as I get
it, I’ll go through the usual rigmarole, kicking my long distance bill
up as high as $20, and we’ll decide who and when.
Now that all the
conferences are over, I’m back to spending two days a week in San
Francisco. One of the few
advantages to working in The City is that I get to read the paper on the
BART ride in each morning.
On “Livermore” days, I buy the paper from a stand in front of
Pac’N’Save. As soon as I get
into my office, I pull out the Sporting Green and place it on top of the
table that’s just inside the doorway.
A few minutes later, either “Wilbur” or “Jerry” grabs the sports
section, and typically, that’s the only part of the paper that gets read
before nightfall. I always
plan to read it at lunch time; but things come up, like someone buying
me lunch or a server crashing somewhere (how do they know when it’s
lunch time?)
On San Francisco
days, I buy the paper from a vendor at the BART station.
Sometimes it’s the British gent who calls all the women “dear”
and all the men “mate”. And
he has this big, black, friendly dog with him.
Looks like he has some Labrador in him.
The dog, I mean.
Sometimes it’s the British gent and a woman.
And the dog.
Sometimes it’s just the woman.
And the dog.
Sometimes it’s a different person altogether.
And the dog.
You can see what’s
happening here, can’t you?
Obviously, it’s the dog that
has the franchise. He’s the
one in charge, keeping an eye on his human assistants.
This also accounts for why the paper has been half-price since
last year’s strike. What
does the dog care if they’re losing money hand over fist?
In other news...
Buying Muffy
VanderBear for “Jeannie” last spring was not just an act of desperation
at an airport gift shop. It
was also a stroke of genius.
Particularly since “Jeannie” added Hoppy VanderHare as a companion.
The reason?
They’re so
easy to shop for!
In “Cincinnati”, the only problem was deciding
which pair of matching
outfits to buy. The
Sewing Lesson, with measuring tape ribbons to wear on their furry,
little heads? Or the
Riding Outfits?
I had hoped to find something for Thanksgiving or Christmas; but,
while Muffy had lots to choose from, there weren’t any matching
ensembles for Hoppy. And how
would Hoppy feel if I brought something back just for Muffy?
Most importantly, whatever I got would take up absolutely
no room in my suitcase.
The shot glass for “Nelly’s” collection took up more space.
Which reminds me,
the strap on my tote bag broke in the lobby of the Stouffer Renaissance
Hotel, just as we were leaving.
Since the entire 5-piece set only cost me $89 years ago, it’s
probably paid for itself by now.
So this gives me an excuse to go out and buy new luggage.
Or, maybe just a new tote bag.
Long time no
movies...
Saw
Seven
last week with “Jeannie”. I
use the word “saw” reservedly; “Jeannie” missed quite a bit because she
kept hiding behind her hands.
This movie is very dark, very grim, very grisly.
You won’t want to eat your popcorn once it starts.
It’s about two big city cops, one older, wiser, more fastidious;
the other younger, more enthusiastic, who never unties his ties so he
won’t have to tie them again, just pulls them off and on over his head.
They are trying to
find a serial killer who murders people according to the “seven
deadly sins”. Each
murder site gives them the clues to the next murder.
You don’t see the actual killings (mercifully), but you do see a
lot of the aftermath. Except
that you can’t see much of anything because the sets are always so dark.
Is the cinematographer going for a special
Oscar for keeping the rooms as dark
as possible and still managing to light the actors faces?
In one scene,
they’re in the showcase office of a very high-priced lawyer.
And yet none of the $1000 lamps seem to have more than a 25-watt
bulb in them. Who’s in
charge of lighting here, the “Cleopatra Hotel”?
And another
question: In this unnamed
city, it rains every day. So
how come neither of these smart cops ever thinks to get an umbrella?
Bottom line, unless you like ‘em grim and gory, or if you want to
see Brad Pitt play
an adult, skip this one.
Love, as always,
Pete
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