March 17, 2007
Attended the 17th Annual Festival of the West out at the new Rawhide. I was there to present Mary Brown the Best of the West award for Best Festival in the country.

A very hot day. Almost a hundred when Kathy and I parked in the far parking lot at Wild Horse Pass. Big crowds everywhere. We were in the big exhibition hall.

I went backstage at two and met Peter Brown (Lawman), Buck Taylor (Tombstone), James Drury (The Virginian) and Shirley Jones (Oklahoma, The Music Man, Elmer Gantry and The Partridge Family). Got on stage at about 2:30 and presented Mary the award, went back to our booth and met many Maniacs and readers, including Kevin Johns, former ranch manager at the Diamond Bar. When I told him I was Billy Hamilton's cousin he said, "No way!" and I said, "Way."

Drove from there to Scottsdale and had dinner with Deena and her roommate Gregg at My Big Fat Greek Restuarant in Scottsdale ($86.56, I bought, includes tip). Got home at about seven. Long day. Been on the run for several weeks. Plan on staying home tomorrow and getting back into the painting groove.

Onion Headline de Jour
Alcoholic-Beverage-Consumer Confidence Skyrockets

"A man never describes his own character so clearly as when he describes another."
—Jean paul Richter