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TRIP REPORT
IN THE BEGINNING... It's been 9 years since I first stepped into the Ed Sullivan Theater. That trip was on September 22, 1993...Dave's show #18 with CBS with guests Tony Randall, Elizabeth Perkins & Aaron Neville. My second LSwDL was episode #160 in Los Angeles
with Bette Midler & Traffic as guests. Johnny Carson made his only cameo
appearance since leaving the Tonight Show. This trip started in July, 2002 when I was contacted by the Late Show. I was asked when I wanted to attend and how many tickets were being requested. I then asked Sharon to accompany me. Sharon agreed that she was ready to see the big show, her first time. ***[Alan called on the phone. It took me a moment to realize who the person was on the phone. I have been to New York before...back in the early l970's. I guess the answer to the question all are dying to know...Yes, I told Alan I was a virgin. I will put that in up front.] After finding out what weeks the show was dark,
I choose October 30, the first Wednesday back
from a dark week, the day before Halloween. Planning for a return to New York City included visiting the site of the World Trade Center as a priority. Other sightseeing
stops would be planned and filled in as time became available.
Having lived in NYC for the most part of 1980, I knew my way around and how
to get to various places. Only 3 months to get it all
together. ***[I checked on boarding for Wuff, for the period, and it was available.] Plane reservations were made to meet Sharon in St. Louis. We would fly to Baltimore/Washington airport and take Amtrak, from the BWI train station, into Manhattan at Pennsylvania Station. The Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, on 8th Avenue, was chosen as our place to stay. With more communication between us, we made the list of places to visit and when to do each one. The only time we reserved was to pick up the tickets for the show by 4:30 PM and the show itself. We would leave on Saturday, November 2, traveling back to BWI on Amtrak. ***[My first train ride! Well...except for the little trains in Disney World and Dogpatch USA.]
Having the tickets for October 30
and knowing when
we would be in NYC, I filled out the ticket request
form on the LS website. In mid-October, a message was
on my answering machine asking me to call for tickets
to a taping on Thursday, October 31. I returned the call,
left a message and Rose called the next day. Rose asked
me the trivia question to make sure I watched the show. She informed
me when I was to pick them up and we were set for
a second show. The circle of people we told about the trip grew. Being fans of the "Tony Mendez Show" and Tony Mendez, I contacted him and mentioned that it would be nice to meet him after the show. He agreed and I told him that I would call when we got to New York. Sharon had no idea that I had done this. My plan was to surprise her after the show. All went well until a month before when she was suspecting something was up. Nobody in afl knew about our trip until Sharon said she "just had to tell Renee (EZMAMA1D)" in September. I said go ahead. Renee promised to keep the secret, but "just had to tell" a couple of her close friends. She did & they kept the secret in confidence. ***[This is the point that it was starting to
become real. I was really going to go to see the show. I wanted to meet Renee. We had
visited in private email for some time along with the newsgroup. She had been
the one to extend an invitation to me in the past to attend 'group'
Time went by quickly.
The travel day of October 29 soon approached. On September 12, In mid-October, it was announced Warren would be on the October 30 show. Thinking back to July...something seemed to be guiding me when I choose the date. From "Just another LSwDL" it was to become a very extraordinary and memorable day. One of another SMPs on October 14 was..."Seeing Warren at the Ed on
October
30th should turn out to be one of the top 5 LSwDL." I was having fun with the newsgroup.
***[I did my best to not even think about going to NY. At one point, Renee sent us an email asking if we had shared with the afl group that we were going. Alan had posted about "Seeing Warren" and Renee thought he had spilled the beans about our trip. He had not.] THE TRIP... My truck's engine had a major failure on Sunday, October 27 on my way to work. I was picked up by the second vehicle that passed and made it to work on time. Luckily, this didn't happen on the way to the airport the next night. I caught a ride into work on Monday...only 2 hours before I had to come to work. I was able to take off work at noon. I rented a car to drive to the airport that night. I would save on parking for 11 days, but I'd need another car to get me home. I was able to get the truck to a mechanic that would eventually let me know what the damage was. I mentioned that I would be totally out of town for a few days. I would not worry about the truck for the duration of the trip. ***[I knew I was making the trip on this day - really knew it. I took Wuff to the vet for boarding. I returned home to clean house - something to keep my mind occupied. Alan was headed to the airport. He would really upset if I did not meet him in St. Louis. The late news shared that fog would be expected that night, lifting by noon the next day. The stress level rose...] Having made a couple of round trips back home (30 miles one way) I was ready to head to Sacramento International Airport (SMF). My flight was to leave at 12:15 AM early Tuesday morning. I was finally let up to the boarding level just before 11 PM. I immediately found the bar with the news on TV. KOVR has news at 10, with Dave following at 11. The bad news was that the bartender said they close at 11. The good news was I would be able to watch Dave for 10-15 minutes. I was able to enjoy the show through Biff Henderson's Fun With A Bullhorn segment. The stranger next to me had a few good laughs during the segment. TUESDAY,
OCTOBER 29... My flight from Sacramento took off on time.
The pilot pointed out
the blackness of Lake Tahoe surrounded on one side by the casino lights as
we passed above. With a couple hours of near-sleep, arrival at Dallas/Ft.
Worth airport was smooth. Arriving at 5:30 in the morning
provides only vending machine snacks until the first Starbuck's opens. It would be a short wait until the flight to St. Louis where I would meet Sharon. I had a couple of hours, in St. Louis, before her little turboprop would roll up to the stairs leading to the terminal. Sharon's flight arrived on time and I saw her as she stepped off. Meeting her in the terminal was short and sweet as we needed to get to another gate, about 5 minutes away. Of course, instead of gate 2, it was changed to gate 22, near the end of the terminal. ***[The arrival at the top of the stairs to see Alan was pure relief. I had decided once I made it to Alan then I would actually be on the way to the show. I had not flown in a few years, but knew I would need luggage with wheels. A back injury would not allow me to be totin' stuff far. Well...I loaded the car and headed up the mountain to the new NorthWest Arkansas Regional Airport. The plane was to depart at 8:27AM. I needed to be at the airport at 7:27 minimum. I woke early and got on the road around 5:00. I planned to have a relaxed breakfast somewhere up on the mountain. It appeared to be a good drive until I hit the "Scenic Highway to Hell." This Scenic Highway has been designed to not have guardrails blocking the view of the mountaintops. The route also has new high bridges spanning the peaks. It is normally a 45 minute drive to the airport. Normally. Just before Devils Den, a state park, the fog appeared. For the next hour, I am driving with only a view of three little dots on the road to my left and a little fog blurred road line to my right. Oh...did I mention that the road designer deliberately made it to be driven in a constant turn? There are minimal straight stretches. The thought of getting off the "Scenic Highway to Hell" crossed my mind. I could go up the old way...one which I knew from years of working the area. No...I needed to stay on the expected route. If something happened, this is where I was supposed to be. I continued on. I go through the only tunnel in Arkansas and the fog clears a few miles on the other side. I finally reach the airport, park, and head to the terminal. I am one hour early. Exactly what I was supposed to be per the airline instructions. There was no time for breakfast. I was glad I had the toast before I left the house. I was seated for only a few moments when my flight was called. They were boarding it early. Next thing I know I am on the plane and we are taking off. The pilot announced the flight took off early because all the booked passengers were onboard and there were weather concerns in St. Louis. "Weather concerns" in St. Louis. Oh Boy...I sat watching the prop turn on the plane. I was thinking about the Twilight Zone, with the thing on the wing of the plane, and "weather concerns." The plane flew in a holding pattern for three laps over the city before it landed, on time. Getting off the plane, I had my carryon bag and purse. Thankful for the wheels on the bag - I head to the door. There...in front of me...is a huge flight of steps. I have to pick up the bag and carry it to the top of the stairs. After all the crap I had been through - I was gonna make it to the top of the steps. Alan would be up there waiting, somewhere. I get to the top of the stairs...lowering the luggage to its wheels and there stands Alan. Everything was a blur as he tried to explain we needed to go to a certain place...I had done my part. I made it to St. Louis - we would make it to the Late Show.]
The train ride was relaxing and it was an easy time to finish our plans for NYC. Traveling over bridges and watching the trees with their fall colors passing, made for a pleasant trip. Seeing the Manhattan skyline from New Jersey brought the excitement level up a notch...but the absence of the World Trade Center was very noticeable to me. Seeing previous pictures of the skyline without the towers lessened the affect it had on me...it was still dramatic...still hard to believe. ***[The train ride was a wonderful idea...I was pleased Alan planned it that way - It gave us time to visit and relax before getting to NYC. The countryside zoomed by at times...other times my focus was in the distance and it seemed to be slow and relaxed. It was nice...really nice. I enjoyed my first ride on a train.] Through the tunnel under the Hudson, we exit on the underground platform and go up to the main terminal floor. It was the same as I had remembered when I first went to NYC in 1980. Up the final escalator to the ground floor and out the doors to the taxi stand. ***[Alan knew exactly where we were going. He just led me right through all the hustle. There I was...standing on a sidewalk in New York City. I was getting ready to take my first cab ride.] Only now, the taxi stand had been replaced by police cars &
vans in a
blocked-off street. Around the corner we stood in line and after a few
minutes, got into taxi # 2Y44. This was Sharon's first ride in a taxi.
Not just an NYC taxi...ANY taxi. It was 5:30 PM and the rush hour was in
full swing. Our driver gave us an extraordinary ride to our hotel. He was a
master of his craft. He went a couple of extra blocks to get
around the buses that were blocking 3 lanes to service the Port Authority Terminal. He slipped through spaces that weren't as
wide as the car. There were times I was sure he would hit other
vehicle. He had the typical cabbie nerve for the job. A
remarkable ride that earned him a good tip. Something Sharon will never
forget. We check into the hotel. We then head out to get our bearings, as this will be our home base for the next 4 days. THE NEIGHBORHOOD... We walked up 2 blocks to 53rd Street, then past a
lot of production trucks parked at Roseland for some MTV taping. We noticed
bright lights coming out of Rupert's Hello Deli. ***[Corky and other fast moving staffers were in and out of the Deli. I was thinking the entire time as we stood outside the Deli... this is a dream. All the times I have watched that shot of Rupert going out and getting someone or something--and I was right there watching it happen.] We started setting up for pictures. We were
asked to make sure
the flashes were turned off so they could not be seen on the broadcast. The
production staff was there and the camera was turned on and the end shot was done. I
expected the audience to exit out the 53rd Street doors but that did not happen.
I noticed that there were a lot of people on
Broadway and surmised they were exiting from the front doors. We went to the marquee to take some pictures of people
taking pictures of others under the Late Show sign. As we were standing around, there was a couple looking for someone to take a picture with their camera. I offered and they quickly stood in place. We talked to them about the show and they were very helpful in filling in what happened during the show. I was able to do a better Psychic LSQG that night because of their information. They were headed to an Alice Cooper show but we talked for some time. She had just gotten an intern job with Conan O'Brien. We then started to look around for the Kinko's. We couldn't see it right away since they don't have a lighted sign. We first saw Will Lee (bass player) outside the LS office entrance. He was talking with another couple. Will walked up on our right side headed to cross the street. Sharon saw his face in front of her and said, "I don't care what anyone in AFL says...I like all your hair colors." We did not cross the street when we could have with the light. I quickly asked him where Kinko's was...he pointed & thanked him. Nice guy. ***[What can I say...I live in this world where Will Lee is a person I have watch on television. I have watched him for years. There he was standing beside me on a street corner in New York City. I was thrilled to see him--to not have spoken to him would have been down right Southern rude. In the South, you say hi to people that touch your life. He was the first of many people that didn't appear to really mind a brief "Southern Invasion." During our visit with Will, he shared that a VH1 crew would be taping the rehearsal with Warren Zevon the next day. Annette...I spoke with Will Lee. (Annette is a huge fan of his that posts in the afl newsgroup.) All I could think of while he stood there talking with Alan was Annette would be sooo tickled.] Next, our first visit (of many) to Kinko's and "our" computer that would be the link to the Wonderful Web We Weave for the next 3 days. Slip in a credit card or Kinko's ExpressPay Card (available from a kiosk for cash) and you are hooked up. The store was clean and quiet. It costs $.30 per minute for the computer. We learned to surf fast and organize our fun and work. There are cheaper places, but not in the neighborhood. CyberCafe (world's largest) on 42nd Street is $1 per hour. It is more like a sweatshop type set-up. Kinko's gave us the ability to plug in headphones and listen to the Tony Mendez Show, a big plus. We posted the PLSQG, checked afl & e-mail. ***[I really enjoyed this Kinko's time. We would catch up on what was happening with the AFL gang. I sent a brief message to a WOW friend, Cindy, to pass on to the wow-list. "I was going to be okay." You see...the ladies had made it perfectly clear...I only had to call if I needed anything while in NYC. The first night in New York and I knew I was going to have the time of my life.] Leaving Kinko's, we strolled to Broadway passing in front of the Ed.
Bill DeLace (head of security) was there and Dave was walking to a
waiting car. A woman spoke to Dave about that night's show. He turned
to respond to her and looked at us. After he got in the car, I asked Bill, "Tough job Bill?" He smiled and said, "Yes" with a laugh. I mentioned that we would see him the next night...I was sure he didn't know what I was talking about. (We would continue to talk to Bill over the next 3 days appearing as if we were stalking him.)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2002
The next "first" for Sharon was a subway ride to the General Post Office
across the street ***[I have watched stuff from the Garden. I never knew it
was located right over Penn Station. We posted cards to friends. The
kids down the street were
After a long conversation, the lunch ended and we went out to take
pictures under the marquee of the Ed. We said goodbye to Renee & her rat
with the understanding that she would get back to us with the book signing information. Next stop was at the souvenir shop attended by
Mujibur & Sirajul. Mujibur was in and we visited for some time. We would
return later to pick up items. B ***[So very casually, Alan mentions he called Tony. I was in a state of shock. Alan has been visiting with Tony since the beginning. I am realizing at that moment I would get to meet Tony... it was all planned. When the phone rang so quickly after Alan placed the call to Tony....I stood there amazed. He was visiting with Tony Mendez on the phone. Tony was actually chatting with Alan. I went back into a, "this has to be a dream" mode.] THE SHOW... The time had come to pick up our tickets. We were advised to get them no later
than 4:30.
Outside the ***[ While we were seated upstairs in the restaurant, We were located above the Ed Sullivan Theater entrance lobby. The Chili Company and outer lobby interlock, like a Lego piece, inside the brick exterior. ] At 4:30, we went to the front doors and were directly shown to the inner
lobby, just outside the theater. "CBS Guests" are lined up ahead of the dotted
ones. I could tell by the looks of people, that there were some industry
people and possible friends of Warren in the CBS guest line. After a little
wait, a couple of energetic staffers stood on chairs to give us
instructions for the show. It was explained that we were to be let in before
the other audience members. Our reaction to Dave and the jokes would
help set the tone for the night. The rest of the audience would pick up from
our example. The reaction would flow back to them and create a better
atmosphere for the broadcast. After about a 5 minute talk, they left and we
were entertained by various security people and staffers going in and out of
the theater and up & down the stairs. ***[Alan checked us in and I visited with Hanni, CBS page, who was armed with a clipboard. She was bright eyed, cheery and friendly. We immediately entered the theater and were escorted near the stairway to the balcony. I was pleased there was an audience prep. The two that presented the information about the show, the audience role and the taboo points, did so with skill. I have read otherwise, in other reports, but stood listening with minimal mind drift. The content shared was information that I did need to know about the show. Basically, the role the audience would play during the taping. We already knew where we would be seated. In the background, we could hear the band playing and Warren singing. A rehearsal was taking place just before the audience was allowed to be seated.] We were led upstairs to the balcony.
Our time had come to enter the Ed
Sullivan Theater proper. It was like I had remembered it back in 1993. We
were led down the stage right aisle ***[For me, the balcony was the best location to see the show. There was nothing to distract me while watching the stage and the Late Show team. The entire audience including those in the balcony were not a factor. We were seated in the balcony front row stage right. That also was a perfect location. I didn't have to keep moving my head side to side to see the stage content. The balcony position did have one drawback--Sid was out of view. Alan and Renee had prepared me for the opening moments. Seeing many of the Late Show team, the night before, enabled me to focus on what was happening and not be star struck. I focused on what they were doing and NOT on the monitors. That is what Alan and Renee said to do. I could always watch the show later. I was not cold.
The set colors were warm and soft. I
remember focusing on the stage and the view. The set looked alive.
Okay--I may have been having a Farrah moment. The set was better in person than I
had viewed on television. People were beginning to move about slowly on the
stage. Kenny grabbed his The floor starts to fill with people. Two standing at the front of the
stage as the downstairs audience is being seated. I start to recognize more
and more people. It was sort of like Eddie Brill finally came out and introduced the tape of Dave with kids. After the tape ended, Eddie came back and gave his speech. ***[Eddie Brill appeared center stage. I needed to hear what he shared...including the cussing. (Eddie's speech put me on notice there may be strong language during the show taping. It did happen at one point. Strong language was used and not bleeped. David's reaction was part of the skit.) Eddie explains about the need to push the sound at times. At certain points, we needed to increase the intensity and the volume of our response when he signaled. I understood the reason for the push. It allowed the sound to have dimension. It made sense to me--so I did as he instructed. At times, Eddie would stand back, other times he would move to the center of the stage and signal. There was one ugly moment. Eddie motioned to get out of the studio at the prompting of Tony Mendez .] Eddie continued as he introduced the band members and finally Paul who played a couple of short songs. Also introduced were Alan Kalter and Biff Henderson. ***[Felicia arrived a touch late...Eddie Brill sang a line or two. Then someone came down and spoke to the man seated to my right. He was busy taking notes. Prior, he had pointed to the mike in front of me and Alan saying, "Everything you say can be heard." Alan had already showed me the mike. The person that came down the stairs told him, "Please, no talking. The mike was picking up the sound." Of course, Alan asked me what was said. I whispered..."they told him not to talk." At some point the man got up and left the seat open. He returned a while later. He was probably someone really important.] Finally, without a coat, Dave comes running out with a bound upon his desk platform and then to the middle camera. ***[Dave Letterman came out on that stage owning it. My
mind went from a stage full of prep people...to David. It took me a few
moments to get used to the fact Dave was there. Another few moments to realize there were
other people in the world. The gathering of all those people on the stage
was for the moment Dave took the camera. I was in the Ed
getting ready to see the show live.] Dave talks to the audience and asks for a couple of questions. He exits and the band starts playing the opening theme song. Alan announced the guests and other opening lines. Dave comes out, delivers his monologue and moves over to the desk. ***[I don't remember any of the jokes. I remember thinking..."it is supposed to be cold in here and it isn't." I remember thinking how very still everyone was on the stage. Every tiny movement stood out so very much. I was watching Dave in person.]
During a commercial break, Warren got up and slowly
made his way to the
piano that was quickly set up by the stagehands. The ***[After Tony "found" us in the balcony, my focus remained on him for
a while. When Tony was not showing the cards to Dave, Tony positioned his
body to be in the least 'blocking' position as possible to the audience.
He became a shadow to Dave Dorsett. Tony had long pants on. Laurie
Diamond would turn and look up at the monitor watching the show. The
Stangel Brothers appeared on stage...as did Wahoo Mike. Faces I knew
from the Late Show and the Tony Mendez Internet show just flowed in front of
me. When Warren
was performing, Dave would glance every so often to his monitor. Dave would
almost vanished in the change of lighting. As Warren sang, people gathered on
stage left to watch. Their movements were slow and careful.] Warren sang "Mutineer." Next commercial break, Tony is talking to Eddie and points up to us again. Same old "get out" motion by both and I respond again with the no way signal. As we found out later from another trip report, there were people around us that were wondering what the heck was going on between Tony and us. Nobody asked at the time. The next set-up was with a string section and Warren standing playing guitar. He sang "Genius" and conducted the strings in the end. ** The final segment he sang "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" a favorite
of Dave's. Dave came to Warren at the end and each thanked one another for
the night. The audience was totally focused throughout the evening on every
word and move that Warren made. Everybody knew what a night it had
been. ***[As Warren turned around completely the last time Dave came to
him, I realized that is the motion David uses when he is closing a segment
or stunt. A quick circle movement. Warren's was slow and a touch
awkward. Warren Zevon was
standing there next to David and if you could have separated the THE OTHER SHOW (TMS)...
***[ I see a CBS page. I know Alan is talking to her....the next thing I
know we are going to the right instead of the left with the rest of the
audience. Halfway down the aisle I see Tony...I see Walter...we are on
camera. Tony is talking to me but holding the mike to my face...then back at
his. This is a stunt he pulled on the TMS show many times with guests. I
see Alan showing Tony the surprise Mug. Tony loved it. I could see it on
We shift around on the stage and Tony points out the scenery behind the
desk and the parts he really likes. A dog, a vodka bottle and other items
that the camera doesn't pick up due to ***[
I first decline the offer of coffee. I was already
so excited I told them I would never sleep if I
had coffee. Pat and Tony shared it was indeed decaf.
Sipping it, I realized I was actually drinking
the same exact brew ***[Somewhere on the flow of the tour...Tony shares the supports
that have been added to I asked Alan to take a photo of the Hal plaque. His camera has all these settings and we wanted one that showed the engraving. I remember seeing photos...history and secrets being shared. Pat Farmer stayed with us on much of the tour. People just kept appearing in front of me that I knew from the shows.]
Going towards the stage door exit, we pause outside another green
room ***[George makes his second appearance.
He shared he didn't mean to leave so quickly earlier
in the tour. I look up and there is a band member.
Sid...right there on my left is... Sid. It was like the moment I realized Will
Lee was standing next to me on the curb. I no sooner Sid is there and we are
introduced to Anton. Sharon talks to
him. Alan Cheznovitz appears and I thank him for his insights and answers he
provides us in afl. He makes a comment about how he doesn't have a
life because he posts there. I tell him that we are worse, we post every day.
Felicia comes out of the green room with a small posse and Tony goes in and
brings a basket of cookies. He offers us some, I touch one and put it back
and he yells at me about doing that & makes me take it back. Just before
Tony heads us out the door, Pat said to wait one minute, he wants to get
something to give us. He returns with a script from the show. ***[Before we go through the door, leaving the big Ed area, I ask Tony
if I may touch him. He is a real "Untouchable Host" on the "TMS." He
grants permission and gives me a wonderful, real hug. He tells me the
tour is not over just yet. We then go through a door. A tiny
little room outside the second green room. I forgot that Walter
has the camera running. At some point, Walter said he was almost
out of tape. He had been recording most of the tour. It is time to go
back to
***[Everyday I remember something else that happened...something that was said or a moment that crossed my mind. There was no hurry in the tour. I look back at the photo of the Ed stage and I see Pat Farmer there. He is touching something on the floor as he was setting up the ghost light. No dark theaters allowed. I don't remember Pat leaving us on the tour. He had to have left us, because he was there on the stage in the photo.] We go past the office door and Dorothy of Security (from a TMS episode) is there. We pass by and stroll to Kinko's to post the Psychic LSQG. With that, our secret will be out that we were at the show. POST SHOW... I had set up the afl to think that the Psychic LSQGs were due to an
employment situation…I posted… “Due to my employer's repurposing of my work hours, I will be unable to view the "Late Show with David Letterman" for the next couple of weeks in a timely manner in order to post the "Late Show Quick Guide". This is a temporary situation that will be rectified once said employer understands my priorities. As a replacement, and, just for the fun of it, I'll go the way of Micah and provide a "Psychic LSQG" in advance of each broadcast for the next 2 weeks of shows. You are advised to not print these out and place with your tapes for reference. That will only confuse you (more). I will make a complete posting of real LSQGs upon review of what the VCR saves for me, sometime in early November, for the archives.” There were a few posted replies… It appeared that I had set them up for good. ***[We
go directly to the Kinko's. I was as excited as Alan
about getting the data on the afl I sent an e-mail to Micah with the song information from the show so he could post a “Bumper Music” thread from our notes and the script. We checked e-mail and then did what no one should do without warning…we Instant Messaged Donz. Donz actually replied back and we set up a meeting under the marquee for the next day, before we were to pick up tickets for the late Thursday taping. ***[Donz
was right there on the computer and I was reading
the visit between him and Alan. After various questions
about the show and the secret journey, I was tickled
that Don agreed to meet us. I had thought of
Don during the tour. It happened when we visited
the Shack. He begged us to take a couple of his CDs off his hands…I figured it
wouldn’t hurt. We went THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31... Another day, another wake-up call. Renee let us know where her brother and
son were to be for the book signing and lecture. We go to Kinko’s and check out
the newsgroup. The questions were already in full force. Donz posted he
was being brave and meeting us. We go to breakfast at Leo Lindy’s
across from Martini’s at 53rd Street & 9th Avenue. ***[We
were seated in the window where we could see Martini's
on the corner. Hey...the seats were warm. Good
food--and warmed seats in a booth. It was nice.] This was our start to the World Trade Center site & Brooklyn Bridge. We take the
subway to Rector Street station. I had lived on Governor’s Island for most of
1980 and the area was very familiar to me. We walked a couple of blocks north...there it wasn’t. I could tell by the void in the sky that I was in the right
place. There were a couple of buildings on the perimeter still undergoing
repair, but the neighborhood seemed to be back at work for the most part.
***[I was glad the station at the WTC was not
open. We went a touch
***[From
the bridge, we took photos. Renee's Brother &
Matthew's Uncle--David Stravitz Book Signing
***[Renee
has a nice young man for a son. The photos and explanation
that David shared was really interesting. Inside
information about the construction. I really
enjoyed the parts where he pointed out the position
of the ones taking the photos. The eye behind the
camera on those shots really had to be dedicated
to documenting the views.] I bought the book and David personalized it. I had Matt sign on the page where he was thanked for his work on the project. I think it was his first book signing. Having this piece of New York City architectural history is an added delight .
Visit
with Donz and Karen Pre-Show We headed back to the hotel to freshen up for our visit with
the Donz. ***[
I was just mostly an observer. (Well, there was
that moment when Don tried to grab me and run off.
I won't really go into it but I was sure glad the
NYPD had just pulled up.) I was amazed how
staffers would see Don and stop to visit. I
must admit Don was a pretty good sport when doing
my
***[Here
a funny thing happened. Don and I were seated opposite
each other and both of us saw this woman out on
the sidewalk. She looked familiar to me. Why would
I know this woman? Oh well...it appeared Don
was doing the same thing in his head. My thought
was confirmed when in a moment, the woman appeared
standing between Don and Alan. It was the one and
only Karen. Don didn't recognize her. He kept mumbling
something about twiggy. Slender and smiling she stepped
up between the men. She had been told to come and
find us by Renee. A little
At some point, there’s some lady coming in to be with us. I have no idea who she
is, but I THE SECOND SHOW... We were numbered 28 & 29 so we found our place near the front of the line. A few minutes later, we went into the outer lobby with the 300 or so others. ***[This number 28 & 29 is such a nice thing...until you know that the access point to walk to the front of the line was way back down the street. We checked the numbers and entered UNDER the restraining rope thingie. It would have been fine except my back was not exactly supposed to be moving like that. I didn't even think about it. I did not realize it was bothering me until later. All the exercise walking was a good thing. There was a delay in the pain until the next day. As we entered the theater, to be seated, it was not so bad being in the line. We were on the edge and I spent some time visiting with Dorothy, the security guard and another page. It was then time for the prep and I actually wanted to see a couple get tossed out on their ear.] Our talk here was near the same as the night before, but for the general
audience, without the “you’re the start of laughter” parts. During one point,
some person in the group made some groans and comments and they were quickly
shut-up by a frightful stare by the page. At this point, I saw what they were
expecting. People not paying attention to what was going on. Each pep
talk is used for the purpose of making sure the audience is in the correct frame
of mind and they won’t need to be thrown out due to behavior. I’m sure the
person that made the comment was at least warned about what he had done. We
enter the theater and were seated in the center section, 4th row from the front,
3rd & 4th seats from the stage right aisle. We’d be in front of Dave for his
monologue and for Jim Gaffigan’s stand-up. The opening band introduction,
tape and comments were the same as Wednesday night. Dave came running out
again, the same way.
***[This
show can best be described as "more" by me. More distractions
from the massive audience around me, and more people
on the stage. There was motion everywhere and my eyes
went with it. It was almost as if I was looking
through a busy crowd doing stuff and had to try
and find This show
seemed to be over faster than the Warren show, but it did take the same amount
of time. As we left the theater, I spotted Wahoo Mike FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1... This day was going to be different. No Late Show to see. We had made plans
to visit with a ***[It
was a neat experience. I followed Peggy's instructions
and we went up the escalator
After leaving Peggy to We go down to the old ferry building that I used
while stationed in the Coast Guard, It is located
next to
the Staten Island Ferry building. Both buildings are being renovated. Governor’s
Island is deserted but will be developed eventually. Back on the subway to
the upper west side to continue the tour. We walk to the Metropolitan Museum of
Art. Then up to the Guggenheim ***[Before
going into the Guggenheim I wanted to walk in Central
Park. Well...Alan set that up for me. We entered
and took a photo of the sign located
at the gate and the lovely green plants. We then
turned around and
***[One
of my neighbors is a big Sienfeld fan. The goal
was to get photographs of the place Sharon went in for a couple of
souvenir menus and said that it was a place where she didn’t want to eat. We took
the obligatory pictures and ate pizza for lunch. The weather was the only thing
that would keep us from flying and it was looking darker as the forecasters had
We returned to the hotel and decided to go
to Kinko’s. ***[We also had to deliver Rupert's shirt to him. He likes to fish so we got him a fishing shirt. A nice cabin representing Alan...and the word "Arkansas" under the picture for me. Rupert looked at the shirt and touched the picture..."Oh nice.. a fishin' shirt."] Our normal route was up 8th to 53rd. When we got to 53rd, we found
the street blocked off. There was something going on with contestants from the
New York Marathon that was going to
***[On SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2... Our last wake-up call in NYC. We said goodbye to Renee and she wished us a
safe trip out of town. We checked out and took Sharon’s second ride in a cab
to Penn Station. Traffic was light early this morning and we got there in no
time. We boarded the Amtrak train and had a noisy ride to BWI due to some drunk New
Jersey Net fans traveling to a game in D.C. My sister met us at the train
station and drove the short distance to the airport. ***[Alan forgot to mention that his sister got a new car. Brand spankin' new. When it came time to park at the airport, a parking place just happened to be right beside the elevators.] The counter person advised us that Sharon’s plane flight didn’t exist anymore. She placed her on one that would leave in 10 minutes, getting her home faster. ***[He says that so casually...she calmly told me my flight didn't exist and then paused. I turn back to look at Alan and his sister. I am thinking great. No flight and Wuff is expecting me to pick her up. I guess something bad had to happen to what had been an almost perfect trip. Alan stepped forward and before I knew it, I have tickets in hand for a plane that was about to board. A direct flight to St. Louis then home.] We said our good-byes and Sharon walked through the maze that led to the security checkpoint. My sister took me to her house in Maryland. ***[
I did get a full body search and scan at this airport.
The rush ticket made me a marked person. Even the
shoes had to come off. I took it it stride. The
one checking me said she was On
the flight home I had a window seat. I had to switch
planes in St. Louis and it appeared I had missed
my flight. I finally arrived at the gate and it
was empty. The woman behind the desk then pointed
me to another gate. They had moved the flight and
set it back a half-hour. I was going to make it
home with no problem. Well, there was those twilight
zone flash backs again...Time passed q Alan called while at dinner to make sure I made it home okay. His family had taken him out for seafood. Wuff got left over rib bones from Alan's meal in New York. She really didn't stay mad at me for leaving her long.] The balance of Alan's report about DC, Philadelphia and St. Louis will be added soon!
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