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 ?