The Steve Reynolds Program - Issue #4
Always back up your stuff. Always back up your stuff. ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR STUFF. I wrote long and fun descriptions for this newsletter over the last week. I went to change a hyperlink in one of the sentences, hit the wrong thing and *poof,* ALL WAS GONE. There went every sentence, every link, every hilarious metaphor. Words were exclaimed. Blood was pressure raised. Then I wrote "blood was pressure raised" and laughed at myself for being a dork and my blood pressure lowered.
Anyway my original intro was about thanking you for subscribing and saying you should do a newsletter too. Oh wellz. I'll say it next time.
Four For Fun
1. My Favorite Voice Ever- There are two kinds of podcasts. The ones you listen to because of the hosts and the ones you listen to because of the guests. The Carson Podcast is definitely the latter. I listened to a few after reading Johnny Carson's lawyer's tawdry biography raised my interest in learning more. The host is too sycophantic and reverential but he scores interviews with EVERYBODY. From Fred Silverman to Joanne Worley. For some reason I listened the episode with guest Harry Lorayne. He's a memory expert and his anecdotes seem exaggerated but he's got this great old-man Lower East Side accented gravel voice that delights me. I wish I could get Alexa to use his voice.
2. Rules For Writing - a serendipitous find while browsing the New Books section at the library was Paperbacks From Hell. It's a hilarious collection of paperback horror novels from last century with full color covers and all the themes covered. One author briefly discussed is the prolific Graham Masterton, author of pulps such as Revenge of the Manitou and Hell Candidate. One sample synopsis:
As Lloyd Denman looks forward to his wedding, the news that his fiance, Celia is dead leaves him stunned. In fact she calmly immolated herself in a fast-food joint's parking lot ... and smiled as the flames leaped around her. Celia's death is followed by that of a bus-load of innocent people. As time passes, things really begin to heat up for all concerned.
As Lloyd investigates he comes across a group of immortal beings called The Salamanders - their task, to supernaturally invoke the Fourth Reich in America.
He wrote a post for his site about Rules For Writing. I find the long essay very charming. It includes name-dropping his buddy William Burroughs and Britishly describing his sex writing. I'm gonna keep it open while I write my screenplay from the treatment I just wrote (self-congratulatory phrase wedged in).
3. Easy Street Aftershave Splash - Last year I used an Amazon gift card to buy some aftershave. I found this purveyor and bought their concoction called Sherlock. The smell was strong as if to cover a two pack a day habit and a job shoveling manure. But this bottle I just got is citrusy, pleasant but complex and bracing af. It seems like time travel to an old noir movie when you slap it on.
4. Gazpacho - Tim Ferriss has all the markings a charlatan, delivering junk science and systems with such confidence people believe him. I do admit his books are very fun and readable. And his book The Four Hour Chef does have very good, interesting recipes. His gazpacho recipe uses canned tomatoes which I've never seen before. I use San Marzanos and it is delicious. Perfect for early spring. If you want the recipe, let me know. The one he posted on his blog is different from the books.
Me Time
I have ZERO shows this week because I'm out of town. You missed a fun one at Greg's Comedy Basement. I'll do it again next month. I'm gonna talk to a bar here in A City Different about an open mic night. I'll keep you posted.