May 14, 2004
Drove down into Phoenix at 8:30 this morning. Stopped at Dan Harshberger’s to go over a couple cover ideas I have. Saw his mama, Denise, who I haven’t seen in years. I told her how young she looks (“You look like you’re about fifty!”) and Dan, under his breath, told me to knock off the Eddie Haskell routine.

"What a nice dress you have on Mrs. Cleaver!"

The memorial service for Ed Mell, Sr. was held at the Church of the Beatitudes at Glendale and Seventh Ave. Saw many old friends, Skip and Joan Andrews, Kent Usury, Frank Mell, Van O’Steen (who jokingly asked me to speak at his funeral), Ron Bergamo, Linda Corderman, Michael Collier, David and Kim Knodder, Michelle Knodder, and Georgia Mell (Frank’s daughter), Taylor and Carson (Ed, Jr’s sons) and John Douglas (architect) and his wife Julie.

As anyone who has ever done public speaking will tell you, a church is a very tough venue, but an eulogy at a memorial service in a church is even more challenging. Struggled a bit on the opening remarks. It’s so formal, and I was trying hard to do justice to a man who was a witty, brilliant storyteller, and his sons are masters of wit and charm to boot, and here I was trying to convey all of this third person. I begged for pity (hey, it was in a church) and I think I did okay. The main thing is that the family said they liked it.

Stopped at Shelmita’s on the way out, had two carne asado tacos, iced tea and got a bean burrito enchilada style for Kathy to go ($10 cash, includes tip). I was the only guy in the place (big dining room) and watched Mexican music videos and laughed and laughed. They are done so cheesy and low rent, they are muy fantastico!

Got back to the office at about one. Need to work on my commencement speech which is tonight at seven. Also being held in a church. Mama Mia!

Here’s the photos of Buddy Boze Bell chowing down on my Tom Mix Stetson. Is this disgusting, or what?

“The difference between a smart person and a wise one is that a smart person knows what to say, but a wise person knows whether or not to say it.”
—Old Vaquero Saying