Hello GK: I have an original short screenplay available for consideration. Title: We Are Not Dead Yet / Genre: Comedy / Logline: An older married couple plan a pleasant day that turns into a day from hell. The script is registered WGAe Interested? screenwriterinmotion.com
This is a comment on last weeks essay. I'm still stunned that you advocated for the increased use of nuclear power plants. Surely you know that we have never solved the problem of safe storage for spent fuel rods. Interesting to me that nowhere do I ever hear that we might use less energy and still have good lives. SL
Did I advocate that? My feeling is that the world belongs to the young and I'm out of business except as a humorist and you will work out that problem, not I.
"Elizabeth Block from Toronto"...again? Liz (or Betty, or Bess, or Beth) have you got pictures of Garrison or something? How come your letters keep popping up? Or maybe we Canucks voted you our "GK Delegate"? Fine with me. Cheers from the (snowless) Wet Coast.
Luci Hanson's approach to life is valid, as is yours, which you presented so well in your reply. Keep trying! May you never get anything exactly right!
I have a birthday card with a quote on the back I really like: "old age is the most unexpected of all the things thatch happen to anyone." I think the quote speaks to me...and others in their 80s. And, looking it up on the internet, it's attributed to Leon Trotsky.
Leon didn't expect old age because he knew that Lenin and Stalin despised him and indeed dispatched a guy with an ice pick who knocked off Leon in, I believe, his early sixties. So I wouldn't go around quoting that: it might be bad luck. Though ice picks are a good deal rarer than they used to be, thanks to the invention of crushed ice.
Hello GK, I'm originally from Minnesota and a typical scandahoot. One question, Did you ever have John Prine on your show? I was just wondering. I don't ever remember seeing him, but I didn't listen or see all of your shows. Thank you in advance for answering. Kathy Gruhn
I'm so sorry I missed those shows. Are there any available? I guess that's what happens when your husband drags you to Charleston, SC...well, I can't complain. Love it in the Carolinas.
OH! How I LOVED your reply, Dear Host, to the question about the financial success of APHC! That is SO, SO, SO representative of the way in which executive suites in Corporate America seem to be commandeered by folks who are completely out of touch with "Reality!" Couldn't the big wigs see that among those "Hillbilly jokes" there was a steady, divining light that encouraged listeners to think about the directions public policies were taking us. Cloaked in the humor were parables encouraging us to have sensitivity for our neighbors, to be thoughtful citizens, and all that "Good Stuff!" And if APHC's "Good Stuff" was purchased because we wanted to have something to support our social consciences, well, wasn't that in the "Public Good?"
From the times I've seen live productions of APHC, with it's buses for performers and trucks for sets and sound trucks for broadcasting, parked outside, it's been obvious to me that a road show such as this must be expensive to fund. And, yet, I'm not positive, but I wouldn't be surprised if APHC managed to have at least a few performances in every state of our far-flung Union. If those bosses in their solitary offices took their shocked fingers out of their ears and sat down with some calculators, I think they'd realize that those sales were an important element in making a show like this financially able to be truly, truly "National!"
If folks wanted to see a somewhat similar "Musical Variety Show" and set their hearts on "Mountain Stage" they might have a long wait for the cast to travel from West Virginia to their part of the land.
I love the line "the problem was that I had a great time in radio and the VPs didn't ..." That's so true! The program was yours, and you loved it and did well by it. They saw themselves as some sort of "ethical???" gatekeepers - on the order of "What can I do about Johnny? He's such a WILLFUL CHILD!" They didn't seem to see reasons why Johnny was so attractive to us all!
A hundred thousand Thanks to you, Dear Host, for following your inner light, and sharing it with the millions (If not billions, if international audiences are included) of us eager "Companions!
Thank you, Sir, for holding the elevator door for us when we shuffled on at the third floor of the Courtyard Marriott in Carrolton, Georgia on the morning of the 29th of January. We’d driven over from Birmingham, Alabama the night before to take in your show with Robin and Linda Williams at the Center for the Arts. As I said in the elevator, it was an excellent show.
My wife and I would have loved more conversation, but we also wanted to respect your privacy and let you get on to your breakfast. We assumed that’s where you were headed and didn’t want to delay you any. Besides, we’re both introverts and projected our own desire for un-invaded personal space on you, and hoped, as we headed for our own secluded breakfast spot, that the patrons of the hotel let you sip your coffee and munch your breakfast in peace - or at least as much peace as you desired.
One question: how difficult was it to maintain your composure as that lady’s hyena laugh kept erupting from the second row?
Blessings on your journey, for as long as you desire the voyage!
I'm sorry we didn't sit down and have breakfast togetther. Carrollton is a wonderful town for small talk and my stay there, which was extended by the blizzard in New York, was a delight. People are so willing to converse with a sttranger, which is rather unlike back in Minnesota, a state of wary stoics. I should've invited you to sit and have coffee but you seemed to be eager to get on the road. As for the terrific laugher in the second row, I was grateful. She almost made me laugh myself, which I never do on stage. Blessings on you and hope the work is not wearing you out.
We would have loved that breakfast, so let us issue you a standing invitation to a fine meal whenever you make a foray into this sector of the Deep South. My wife's career was in the culinary field and she's a fine chef. My own contribution to the festivities will be to eat the meal with enthusiasm.
As for my own work - it would wear me out but for therapeutic evenings like the one we spent laughing with you in Carrolton. My wife and I left that evening feeling healed. Again, blessings on what you do. It is a very effective ministry.
"We were named Gary and Bob and Sharon and Karen and we gave our children literary names like Emma and Annabella and Oliver and Noah and now, in old age, we find ourselves oppressed by our progressive offspring who hold us responsible for racism, poverty, the theft of Indian lands, and who police our language and expect us to honor them as survivors of our abusive parenting." Wife Sharon and I agree, you've nailed it. Daughter Emma may disagree.
Hello GK, Thanks for all the laughter and (heart-felt) tears you continue to share--especially your thoughts on Ukraine yesterday. One of my favorite stories was your account of an outdoor, pickup hockey game from a show years ago which I tried, unsuccessfully, to tape from the radio. Is there any way I can get a copy of your original script? My grandchildren play hockey and would love it!
Hello GK: I have an original short screenplay available for consideration. Title: We Are Not Dead Yet / Genre: Comedy / Logline: An older married couple plan a pleasant day that turns into a day from hell. The script is registered WGAe Interested? screenwriterinmotion.com
SLB
Sandra, I'm trying to find a producer for a screenplay of my own, called GOOD NIGHT, ARLENE. Maybe we should collaborate.
This is a comment on last weeks essay. I'm still stunned that you advocated for the increased use of nuclear power plants. Surely you know that we have never solved the problem of safe storage for spent fuel rods. Interesting to me that nowhere do I ever hear that we might use less energy and still have good lives. SL
Did I advocate that? My feeling is that the world belongs to the young and I'm out of business except as a humorist and you will work out that problem, not I.
"Elizabeth Block from Toronto"...again? Liz (or Betty, or Bess, or Beth) have you got pictures of Garrison or something? How come your letters keep popping up? Or maybe we Canucks voted you our "GK Delegate"? Fine with me. Cheers from the (snowless) Wet Coast.
Her letters keep popping up because she writes good ones.
👍
Luci Hanson's approach to life is valid, as is yours, which you presented so well in your reply. Keep trying! May you never get anything exactly right!
Dear Garrison,
I have a birthday card with a quote on the back I really like: "old age is the most unexpected of all the things thatch happen to anyone." I think the quote speaks to me...and others in their 80s. And, looking it up on the internet, it's attributed to Leon Trotsky.
Leon didn't expect old age because he knew that Lenin and Stalin despised him and indeed dispatched a guy with an ice pick who knocked off Leon in, I believe, his early sixties. So I wouldn't go around quoting that: it might be bad luck. Though ice picks are a good deal rarer than they used to be, thanks to the invention of crushed ice.
Hello GK, I'm originally from Minnesota and a typical scandahoot. One question, Did you ever have John Prine on your show? I was just wondering. I don't ever remember seeing him, but I didn't listen or see all of your shows. Thank you in advance for answering. Kathy Gruhn
We had John on the show several times, Kathy. He was popular in Minnesota and played there frequently. One of the truly great songwriters of our time.
I'm so sorry I missed those shows. Are there any available? I guess that's what happens when your husband drags you to Charleston, SC...well, I can't complain. Love it in the Carolinas.
I'll bet those shows are on YouTube somewhere.
Thank you
OH! How I LOVED your reply, Dear Host, to the question about the financial success of APHC! That is SO, SO, SO representative of the way in which executive suites in Corporate America seem to be commandeered by folks who are completely out of touch with "Reality!" Couldn't the big wigs see that among those "Hillbilly jokes" there was a steady, divining light that encouraged listeners to think about the directions public policies were taking us. Cloaked in the humor were parables encouraging us to have sensitivity for our neighbors, to be thoughtful citizens, and all that "Good Stuff!" And if APHC's "Good Stuff" was purchased because we wanted to have something to support our social consciences, well, wasn't that in the "Public Good?"
From the times I've seen live productions of APHC, with it's buses for performers and trucks for sets and sound trucks for broadcasting, parked outside, it's been obvious to me that a road show such as this must be expensive to fund. And, yet, I'm not positive, but I wouldn't be surprised if APHC managed to have at least a few performances in every state of our far-flung Union. If those bosses in their solitary offices took their shocked fingers out of their ears and sat down with some calculators, I think they'd realize that those sales were an important element in making a show like this financially able to be truly, truly "National!"
If folks wanted to see a somewhat similar "Musical Variety Show" and set their hearts on "Mountain Stage" they might have a long wait for the cast to travel from West Virginia to their part of the land.
I love the line "the problem was that I had a great time in radio and the VPs didn't ..." That's so true! The program was yours, and you loved it and did well by it. They saw themselves as some sort of "ethical???" gatekeepers - on the order of "What can I do about Johnny? He's such a WILLFUL CHILD!" They didn't seem to see reasons why Johnny was so attractive to us all!
A hundred thousand Thanks to you, Dear Host, for following your inner light, and sharing it with the millions (If not billions, if international audiences are included) of us eager "Companions!
Thank you, Sir, for holding the elevator door for us when we shuffled on at the third floor of the Courtyard Marriott in Carrolton, Georgia on the morning of the 29th of January. We’d driven over from Birmingham, Alabama the night before to take in your show with Robin and Linda Williams at the Center for the Arts. As I said in the elevator, it was an excellent show.
My wife and I would have loved more conversation, but we also wanted to respect your privacy and let you get on to your breakfast. We assumed that’s where you were headed and didn’t want to delay you any. Besides, we’re both introverts and projected our own desire for un-invaded personal space on you, and hoped, as we headed for our own secluded breakfast spot, that the patrons of the hotel let you sip your coffee and munch your breakfast in peace - or at least as much peace as you desired.
One question: how difficult was it to maintain your composure as that lady’s hyena laugh kept erupting from the second row?
Blessings on your journey, for as long as you desire the voyage!
Drexel Rayford, Chaplain
UAB Hospital
Birmingham, Alabama
I'm sorry we didn't sit down and have breakfast togetther. Carrollton is a wonderful town for small talk and my stay there, which was extended by the blizzard in New York, was a delight. People are so willing to converse with a sttranger, which is rather unlike back in Minnesota, a state of wary stoics. I should've invited you to sit and have coffee but you seemed to be eager to get on the road. As for the terrific laugher in the second row, I was grateful. She almost made me laugh myself, which I never do on stage. Blessings on you and hope the work is not wearing you out.
We would have loved that breakfast, so let us issue you a standing invitation to a fine meal whenever you make a foray into this sector of the Deep South. My wife's career was in the culinary field and she's a fine chef. My own contribution to the festivities will be to eat the meal with enthusiasm.
As for my own work - it would wear me out but for therapeutic evenings like the one we spent laughing with you in Carrolton. My wife and I left that evening feeling healed. Again, blessings on what you do. It is a very effective ministry.
Sure let’s collaborate and create an entertaining piece of art. SLB
I'm 77, and you did, I'm afraid. (It may not be possible to be a saint without a sense of humor).
"We were named Gary and Bob and Sharon and Karen and we gave our children literary names like Emma and Annabella and Oliver and Noah and now, in old age, we find ourselves oppressed by our progressive offspring who hold us responsible for racism, poverty, the theft of Indian lands, and who police our language and expect us to honor them as survivors of our abusive parenting." Wife Sharon and I agree, you've nailed it. Daughter Emma may disagree.
Hello GK, Thanks for all the laughter and (heart-felt) tears you continue to share--especially your thoughts on Ukraine yesterday. One of my favorite stories was your account of an outdoor, pickup hockey game from a show years ago which I tried, unsuccessfully, to tape from the radio. Is there any way I can get a copy of your original script? My grandchildren play hockey and would love it!