Steffie’s Home – Find Some Chicken Soup

I was in the car, coming home from work last night, when Steffie called. She wasn’t happy. She wasn’t healthy.

From her symptoms, she seemed “fluish.”

A four-day weekend was coming&#185. She had already emailed her professors, telling them she wasn’t coming to class Friday. I asked if she wanted me to fetch her?

I got home, changed out of my suit (but not white shirt), washed off my makeup and headed back to the car. I was heading to Long Island at 12:15 AM.

Today was supposed to be pretty dreadful with rain in the morning and wind all day. Going last night seemed a whole lot smarter, especially when I thought about driving over the Throgs Neck Bridge in a howling gale.

A good part of the way there, I was kept company by my Cousin Michael in Southern California.

He too was on his way out, to meet some friends. I’m not sure how, but he made three wrong turns, paid two extra tolls and ended up at the wrong coffee shop before getting to his true destination – honest.

We spoke until I hit the New York State line.

I know there are lots of concerns about cellphones and cars, but this definitely made my trip go faster. I was on the hands free earpiece, so I was doing it legally.

From the time I hung up with Michael, to the campus, I listened to the BBC World Service on WNYE – where I was a radio actor in the late 60s! Their newscasts are pretty interesting, until they get into the minutiae of British sports.

Unlike American radio, where nearly everyone speaks with an Americanized accent, the BBC is a polyglot of English. When you throw in interviewees from around-the-world, speaking English as a second language, the BBC ends up sounding like random conversations on the NYC subway.

Before I continue, the last few paragraphs highlight three examples of technology shaping our lives, and improving them. My use of cellphones probably tops the list, but the Bluetooth earpiece and the BBC’s ability to cheaply send high quality audio around the world aren’t minor.

It sometimes looks as if our adoption of new technology has peaked. Don’t be fooled. This next generation of technological innovation has to do with refining what we have to replace older, less efficient, systems. New methods of media transmission is a prime example.

I arrived on campus at 2:00 AM. Maybe I’m just an innocent, but I was surprised. The campus was loaded with people as if it were 2:00 PM! Aren’t they supposed to be asleep, preparing for their classes the next morning?

Like I said, I’m probably just too innocent.

Steffie came down with an entourage. Her roommate and at least one boy were there, giving her a hand with a small suitcase and large bag of dirty laundry.

We hopped into the car and were soon speeding home… literally speeding home. I know this because Steffie lectured me on my ‘too fast’ driving.

There was little traffic, it being the middle of the night and all. Since it’s winter (despite yesterday’s 60&#176+ temperatures), there was little road work to worry about… and slow down for.

We were back home in Connecticut by 3:30. My car had nearly 200 miles more on the odometer than when I left the house.

You don’t want your child to be sick… especially while she’s on her own. Going to get her was a no brainer.

When she recovers, maybe we’ll just put her on the train?

&#185 – I want whomever negotiated the schedule at Steffie’s school to negotiate my next contract. Didn’t they just finish a six week break?

Steve Martin on the Radio

As I left the house today, I turned on Talk of the Nation on NPR. It’s a show I listen to most days.

There seem to be two types of public radio – classical and other ‘non-mainstream’ music and non-confrontational talk (which separates it from Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly and too many others to mention).

In this area, the ‘talking’ NPR is heard on two stations with very poor signals. One is on Long Island, far southeast of me. The other is very low powered though closer. I have buttons set for both and punch back and forth as the signals fade and distort.

On my way home from work I listen to BBC World Service news on these stations. Except for their Euro-centric sports coverage, I enjoy it and learn a lot about what’s going on in the world.

Back to this afternoon.

I turned on Talk of the Nation and heard a familiar voice speaking with the host, Neal Conan. I couldn’t place it. He was answering a question about how he describes himself and offered up his tax return (which he doesn’t personally prepare) probably says actor.

Who the heck was it?

The conversation continued and then I realized: Steve Martin. He was promoting the paperback release of his latest novella.

I find Steve Martin a very interesting person. His career has taken an unorthodox route to where it is now – yet at every point, I have found him incredibly entertaining. As he has gotten older (me too) I have found him to be intellectually interesting.

Today, on Talk of the Nation, Neal Conan played a few seconds of a cut from an earlier comedy album. I could feel Martin squirming in his seat – trying to get away from what was being played. It was the same when a caller asked when he would tour again. “Never.”

I understand how he feels. He is a different person from that “wild and crazy guy” He is not the banjo player who used to appear with an prank arrow through his head.

On the other hand, that is how we learned to like him. That is how we were originally attracted to his work. I know he’s changed. There’s no reason to run away from it.

A few years ago, in Las Vegas, we went to an exhibition of his art collection at the Bellagio Hotel. It didn’t take much to realize he’s well rounded and thoughtful.

I have seen a few of his movies. Helaine and I are both very big fans of “LA Story,” a movie which is to Los Angeles and Woody Allen’s Manhattan is to New York City. I guess after writing this, I should go out and get one of his novellas.

There’s one other part of Steve Martin that really impresses me, and I almost forgot to add it. Whenever he appears with Letterman, he prepares material. I’m not talking about re-hashing a stand-up routine, he writes absolutely fresh material. Sometimes it’s done live, sometimes it’s on tape, but it shows effort and a dedication to his craft. It’s always very funny – though that is secondary. I’m impressed with the effort, which shows a true respect for his audience and craft.

Today’s interview with Steve Martin is available on the Talk of the Nation website.