I became a "library kid" when my family left Fresno and moved to Nevada. At Pine Middle School, I checked out the first set of adventures of Bertrand R. Brinley's seven mad scientists, and I was hooked. Over the years, I read his first two collections of adventures (The Mad Scientists' Club and The New Adventures of the Mad Scientists' Club) hundreds of times. During my childhood, I only knew of the first two books in this series. I had no idea there were other adventures to be discovered.
Googling the Internet in the late 90's, I discovered there was a third book that had apparently had a very limited distribution (to libraries only), and that copies of this rare third adventure book could occasionally be found in antique stores, garage sales, or on E-Bay.
I am proud to say that I own two first-edition copies of the mad scientists' very rare third adventure--The Big Kerplop. Even though Purple House Press reprinted and began re-circulating the Mad Scientist's Club series a few years back, my first editions (which cost me a pretty penny) are two of my happiest, nostalgic possessions. |
It's impossible to find a place that's truly perfect, but if I had to choose one place that's always pretty darn close, it would be Ashland, Oregon. Once a year, my wife and I drive to southernmost Oregon, stay in various bed and breakfasts, and enjoy some of the the best theater I have ever seen. The Shakespeare is always fantastic and the modern drama is always superb.
We love the Standing Stone Brewery. Their burgers and beer are fantastic.
We love to buy chocolate-covered espresso beans at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory before we watch a play outside.
In 2008, we are seeing the following plays during July: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Fences, Othello, Our Town, and A Comedy of Errors.
The best bed-and-breakfasts we've stayed in: The Romeo Inn. Worth the extra expense! |
After school while in grade school, I went straight to an after-school babysitter, because my recently-single mother had to maintain a job, plus she'd returned to school and couldn't pick me up until late.
I had a series of babysitters. One sat me down on the couch next to her, where we watched Match Game and the Hollywood Squares together.
The other babysitter sat me down to watch (all by myself) syndicated re-runs of the Mickey Mouse Club. I don't know what it was about the Spin and Marty serial, but I always wanted to attend a dude ranch ever since watching it.
These days, I own quite a bit of Spin and Marty Memorabilia, which hangs on the wall of our home office. Some day, I still may get to go to a dude ranch. If you know of a good one, send me its name. |
The Book Mobile used to come to my neighborhood. My Book Mobile used to check out Old Time Radio tapes to me, which I am so glad to have discovered.
Even when I was thirteen, I had bad insomnia. It is during bouts of insomnia that I work on webpages, like this one that you're reading right now.
To battle my insomnia as a teenager, I checked out audio cassettes with Old Time Radio shows on them. At night, I listened to the comedies and dramas from the 30's, 40's, and 50's.
Favorite OTR comedy: The Great Gildersleeve. I own every episode on MP3 now. Thank you, OTR Cat.
Favorite OTR drama: X-Minus-One. I own every episode on MP3 too! |
