A Very Strange Week

So after that very strange week I have been speaking about, I finally had this week's show fleshed out and ready to go about 2 days earlier than I usually do. Then this morning I suddenly realized that I had spelled a word wrong on my road map of Chianti, so I spent the next hour redoing this week's show. Then I got to the studio and a camera didn't work, then something else went wrong, and suddenly to my shock a bulletin board next to the table at which I sit fell down scaring the daylights out of me. I said to Ellen, we'd better start this thing, before the ceiling collapses, so we immediately started the tape running and off we went down the Chianti Road through some stunning scenery and charming hill towns. This is a beautiful area of Tuscany where Laura and I spent a few days back in 2009 with very cold weather, and couldn't wait to come home to warmth. However, this was a wonderful time for us, friend wise, because we were treated by Luca and his family to a wonderful dinner at their house, while staying the night. Then we did the same thing at Lidia's house in Chiesina Uzzanase a week later. Nonetheless, we resolved never to return to Italy in the winter, and haven't. Meanwhile this week I tried very hard to consider adding 3 days to our trip in May, and so far if the airfares are reasonable, which I suspect they are not, we may try that. Otherwise I have it in the back of my mind to go in the winter again; but chances are less than 50 - 50 that Laura will join me. This show was special in that I dedicated it to my friend, Barry Weinbrom, who died last week. He was, as I indicated, a wonderful man. So in Woodstock, I missed the wake for Levon Helm, because I was posing for my artist friend who wanted to draw me, and felt that was more important than the wake. Then I also missed watching the funeral cortege head down the main street to the Woodstock Cemetery on Rock City Road, because I was just too busy getting ready for tonight's show. So that was a strange but very fulfilling week. Next week Franc Palaia and I will do a show on Pompeii with his stunning photos of what he refers to as "secret Pompeii", because he photographs areas off limits to the average tourist. I will start with a brief history of the town, some key aspects of a typical Roman town of that era, photos of Pompeii, and then he will take over discussing the art of Pompeii. Tune in.

My Favorite Area of Tuscany and Bad Phones

So I arrived at the studio full of hope for a great show after a very successful one the previous week. This one would be on "Eastern Tuscany" or at least what I called it on my makeshift map that I drew and then scanned to my computer. The highlight, for me anyway, would be my phone call to my friend Luca who would take us through some background of his town, Figline Valdarno, as well as other places. During the week he told me that his family goes back a thousand years, and many of them in this region. I briefed him on the questions I would ask him and he not only said sure I could call him (remember his time is 6 hrs later than ours, so it was 11:15 PM when I would call), but he gave me a brief answer which I printed to bring with me, just in case the phones mal functioned or he forgot to be around. I dialed, which is not small feat because all told there are 32 numbers that must be pressed on the phone. I did all this live, of course, and got a message that he was unavailable ! Ok let's try again, I told my audience. I did and same result !! I tried again later in the show with the same result !! I was starting to panic a bit, because I had factored about ten minutes of interview with Luca into the show's format for that evening. In fact I finished my presentation with about 10 minutes to go, and just sort of ended so this was, indeed, the shortest show in a long time !!! I went home with the DVD of the show, downloaded it to my computer, uploaded it to Youtube, etc etc. The next day I called Luca to find out what was going on. He said, Alan, where were you last night. We waited all night for you to call !! Damn. I told Luca what happened, and apologized. Such a gracious, wonderful man he is, he said no problem, we'll do it again sometime. The trouble is in 2 weeks, when he told me we could try again because he would not be working, I will be off the topic of his area of Tuscany. The show must go on so regardless of what the topic is (actually Franc Palaia and I will focus on Pompeii) I will be having a chat with Luca. Soon, of course, we will be visiting with him during our trip to Italy in May. Incidentally I just love the area of Eastern Tuscany known as the Casentino and the photos taken by my photographer and wife, Laura, were absolutely stunning. For the trip in may I have asked Luca to continue with his tour of that area with specific reference to an area known as the via dei Sette Ponti, street of the seven bridges, with lunch in Loro Ciufenna, a delightful town along the way. Tune in for more adventures on Alan's Italy !!!!

Magic on The Village Green, Levon , Barry, and me

This week Woodstock and the world of music lost one of its greats, Levon Helm, who finally succumbed to Cancer after 14 years of heroically fighting. I never met Levon, and for years put off going to his "Midnight Ramble" saying continually, oh we'll eventually go and see it. Well, now that can never happen, and it serves me right. I did see him playing guitar on the Village Green last year when he appeared at a celebration for Happy Traum and his years of service to music lovers everywhere, but especially Woodstock. I also attempted to take a picture of Levon and John Sebastian hugging by using my new cell phone to take the picture, but I was so overwhelmed by the sight of two music giants showing their love for each other that I fumbled the attempt. As far as the Ramble was concerned I read that Levon told someone that he only wished he could do it 7 days a week rather than once !! So onward passes a musical icon of majestic proportions. I still and always feel privileged to live in the same town as Levon Helm. This week, in fact the same day, a friend whom fewer people knew (but not that much fewer !), Barry Weinbrom also died after a long illness. Barry was also unique, but in a different way. I met him about 10 years in Florida at the home of two friends of mine. We hit it off immediately. I was still an assistant principal and he a science teacher, and always using his creative side to promote new projects. Barry never ceased trying to get people involved in his  wonderfully unique ventures. Indeed this was an extraordinary person. Barry was one of the most exuberant, positive thinking, and courageous people I ever knew. He could light up a room with his enthusiasm, and I admired him to a great extent. Two things stick in my mind. Barry was involved in one of his new projects, came to Woodstock to visit, and we and our wives were in my convertible driving up to some mountain to see the view one bright sunny summer's day. The song You Can Do Magic was playing on my CD player and Barry was very into this song, singing and dancing along with it and insisted that we play it over and over and over..... The ladies must have thought he was crazy, but I was impressed by his love of life and exuberance. When Barry was ill several years ago, I went to visit him in Brooklyn where he lived. He was about to undergo chemo for a presumed cancer condition, and he was unfazed, just as optimistic and positive as always. I told him he was amazing and an inspiration to anyone facing such a horrible thought. He was my hero, and I never told very many people that, except right here on this blog I have finally confessed ! Today I was on the village green and met a lady named Abbe who is known in town as the Kazoo Maker (she makes and sells them). She was playing her guitar and singing along, an average guitarist with a beautiful voice and a lot of guts, just like Barry. I thought to myself, this gal has magic !!! She stopped playing and put down her guitar, and said ok now you play. My God I have always wanted to play my guitar on the Village Green, but gee whiz, I stink at playing the guitar and also I have a lousy voice, but then I thought of Barry and Levon and impulsively started playing The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down, sung incredibly by Levon Helm. The combination of Levon and Barry playing with my mind made me quite carried away with emotion. I picked up the guitar and started playing and singing. I didn't remember the chords, or the lyrics, but carried on undaunted. When I finished I felt fulfilled that I finally did it - I said to myself, there ya go Barry, I did magic, just like you always did. Goodbye to two giants.

Franc Palaia Comes Back for More Polaroid Photography

I was looking forward to this week's show, because once again Franc Palaia was returning, and I had such good memories of that experience. I was a bit concerned that we wouldn't have enough material for the whole show, because we only had about 20 photos of his work left. However, I was planning on asking him about some of his resume items such as that he had work in The White House, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. I also wanted to know more about The Rome Prize Fellowship. Also, Franc indicated that he wanted to show some of his tools, so knowing how Franc and I had no trouble with lively conversation last time, by air time I was fairly confident. When we got to the studio our usual 30 minutes early, much to my delight, there was no activity in the Community Center next door. Then Franc came in with a large version of polaroids which he set up behind us, a lovely and thoughtful touch. The show came off without a hitch !! Ellen's work was excellent and when I got home the DVD was fine and the images were wonderful. It was so far the best experience. I also very much enjoyment conversing with Franc on the full range of topics from his  art work to Italy, which is always interwoven. We also announced that Franc has signed up for several more shows on his incredible wall paintings at Pompeii, his stunning photos of the Greek ruins at Paestum (which is south of the Amalfi Coast), and his Aqueduct photos from around the world. We departed at 6:15, and yet again I found Franc to be the ideal guest, knowledgable, bright as heck personable, respectful of my role, and hey just a wonderful, fun guy to chat with. I look forward to many more with him !!

A Million Ways to Lose your Mind

As I indicated on the show, this was a fine week. First, last Saturday my friend, Susan Phillips, well known and very talented Hudson Valley and New York City Photographer, met with me in the house to discuss her extraordinary photos of the Amalfi Coast and we choose a goodly number. I now await her editing and enhancing. Second, Laura, my wife and photographer of most of the stunning photos that have appeared on the show, agreed to come on a future show to discuss her work. Third, Ric and Sharon, our two closest friends in the area, accompanied me for my birthday dinner and gave me a great book on the Etruscans so that I now not only have the definitive history book complete with wonderful images, but also know where all the great artifacts are located. Fourth, my Italian friend, Luca, who has lived in Tuscany his whole life and whose ancestors go back perhaps hundreds of years, has agreed, once again, to speak with me live on the air during the Eastern Tuscany show in 2 weeks. So I entered the studio filled with a lot of positive vibes. When I got there, I was met with the sounds of a Flamenco Dancer practicing in the adjoining community center ! When I suggested that I ask her to stop for the period from 5 - 6, one of the tech people who was there fixing something refused to consider that possibility. The philosophy is that we are all there to share all the facilities, so no one can place a restriction on anyone else. I would have considered giving this person everything I had in my wallet for merely a one hour delay. As it turned out she not only did her dancing (and Flamenco dancing unlike other more subtle forms of dance makes a LOT of noise), but eventually had her music blaring and was using castanets. So take your pick, loud tapping on the floor, the sound of castanets, or loud Spanish music. Any and all caused me to begin the show with a sour, annoyed look on my face, and a desire to finish the show quickly (when you see my face, it is usually looking up at the clock). Yet another way to lose one's mind. Laura correctly indicated that when things don't look so good for the show, I should request that a DVD of a past show substitute for the live show. That's all all well and good, but if I did that whenever there was a problem; HELLO, I would never do a live show !!!!!!  Nevertheless, the show itself looked good with stunning images of Central Tuscany, especially those great landscape photos we have, and the ones of the charming hill towns of Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino. Although I had no digitals of Siena, Monterigioni, San Gimignano, or Volterra, I nevertheless took internet images and showed that as well. I enhanced those with my many experiences visiting those places. My computer tech specialist this week also showed me how to hook up my computer to my 42 inch TV so now I can have small groups for presentations. That could be the best thing that happened this week. I'm doing a custom tour of Rome for a group of people Monday evening at the local YMCA, but since the images are so poorly projected on their system, I may bring everybody back to the house. I also spoke with the liaison to the New Paltz College Continuing Ed Program where I will be giving an 8 week course on "Alan's Italy" starting in September. If the numbers are small I could it do it in my home. A lot going on. Oh, also trying to learn to play Dust in he Wind on the guitar !!!!! What else ?