October 21, 2005
One of the history field's classiest guys is getting a formal dinner to honor his achievements. Naturally, I sent Richard Dillon one of our Homos On The Range postcards ( he has a great sense of humor, plus I sent some other more tasteful items). Dick will be honored November 4th at The World Trade Club, One Ferry Plaza, San Francisco.

Speaking of One Ferry Plaza, I got a phone call this morning from a mad Maniac regarding the gay issue. "I’m a Mormon. I’m a registered Republican. I voted for George W. Bush. I live in a red state. And I won’t be preached at!" I was tempted to say, "Ah, excuse me sir, but who’s preaching to whom? We’re just trying to have a conversation about a valid part of history." But, when someone is that far gone around the bend, it does no good. I just told him I’m sorry he feels that way.

For every negative comment I have received, I’ve gotten good ones like this one:

“Ha ha ha!! Your new cover is MOST entertaining. First I see a great rendering of Clint, then I spy the two banditos locked in a big ol' dusty kiss . . . WOW! ha ha ha You get my coveted ‘Cover of the Month.’ All this AND ‘Black Bart Gets Off’ ? funny stuff
—Lonnie

But this has been my favorite one so far:
“Just read the new issue. It was, and I say this with affection, the most f-----up True West ever. The ‘Homos on the Range’ slant is all fine and well; brave even, considering your target readership. But Johnny Boggs' confession that Harris Yulin is his favorite Wyatt Earp is the humdinger of f------uppedness. Pure sacrilege. Does he just delight in being contrary or are you testing whether we actually read the small print? Inquiring minds want to know.”
—C. Neil Williams

Harris Yulin played Wyatt Earp in the 1970s movie Doc, where Stacey Keach played Doc Holliday.

“Jim Croce didn't sing 'Cat's in the Cradle.' Harry Chapin did. The two were both singer/songwriters. But Jim died in a plane crash. Harry died in a car wreck.”
—Mark Boardman

I am constantly looking for inspiration on how to do my job better. Carole sent me this today: As Dr. Edward Hall, an inventor of the theory of personal space (Proxemics) said in 1960...

"Like the creative composer, some people are more gifted at living than others. They do have an effect on those around them, but the process stops there because there is no way of describing in technical terms just what it is they do, most of which is out of awareness.

"Some time in the future, a long time from now when culture is more completely explored, there will be the equivalent of musical scores that can be learned, each for a different type of man or woman in different jobs and relationships, for time, space, work, and play.

"We see people who are successful and happy today, who have jobs which are rewarding and productive. What are the sets, isolates, and patterns that differentiate their lives from those of the less fortunate? We need to have a means of making life a little less haphazard and more enjoyable. That day has now come through the power of modeling.”

“Nobody told me how hard and lonely change is.”
—Joan Gilbertson