The Perfect Show, except .......

I got to the study earlier than usual, because I wanted to talk a bit to Ellen about how best to photograph Franc and me in that I wanted to introduce him on camera; sometimes that doesn't work so well. She suggested that I go through my normal introductory announcements and comments and THEN after all that introduce him so that it would be easier for her to handle the controls and also the cameras. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to do both successfully. We could really use a separate camera person in addition to someone handling the controls. Franc arrived and we spoke about myriad things as usual. I really like him very much, and there is always so much to talk about. We discussed future shows we will do together, and decided to talk further after the show as Ellen was setting up and needed our attention. I began by announcing that my wife (and photographer of my Italy photos) Laura Gurton is curating a show at the Kleinert/James Gallery at the current time, opening for Sat May 5. Then I announced that Lifespring Saugerties will be sponsoring Art Works Day on Sat July 25, 8 - 5. I have become associated with that group as I will be offering a course, Alan's Italy (what else !) a 6 week course in which I intend to take my audience on a multi venue tour of Italy through photos, videos, and commentary. However, I inadvertently named the date as "Wed, July 25". So I will make it up to them by correcting the error next week, and just keep announcing the day a few times. The Lifespring people are very professional and dedicated to providing the adult community with a superb program of interesting topics. I then spoke about my newest feature, Italy News of the Day. The first was an article from The Florentine Newsletter, an online magazine covering news and information about Italy in general and Florence in particular. The new high speed rail system, NTV, went into operation last week, and that is quite newsworthy, especially since I will be there soon. The high speed, sleek, and modern train will get passengers from Rome to Milan in just over 3 hrs. Franc and I then began first with his explaining his association with Pompeii, the not for tourists sites he visited with special entrance due to his art historian wife, Eve D'Ambra, who entre nous to the "secret sites" provided Franc with the opportunity to photograph the stunning images of wall decorations in Pompeii. As usual Franc was magnificent in his descriptions of the art, actually I thought, and Laura concurred, riveting in his discourse. I started the show with a brief history of Pompeii and some images of what it probably looked like prior to the Vesuvius eruption on August 24, 79 AD, and what it looks like today, which took some time. At the end of the show I again reminded the audience of Laura's show and this time make sure to name the other artists participating, as I had forgotten that at the beginning of the show.We agreed afterward to finish the photos we left out when we do the Paestum Show in a few weeks. I felt that we did not have enough images of the Greek Ruins that remain at the town of Paestum, just south of Salerno on Italy west coast for a full show. We also firmed up a few more dates, and off we went. When I got home, Laura told me and I agreed after I saw it as we DVR all shows, that this show approached perfection !!! Except of, course, for the wrong day of the week for the Art Works Program at Saugerties. So if anyone is reading this from the area, it is actually Saturday, July 25 !!!! Almost perfect !