What Crazy Dreams….

"one of my very favorite illustrations"

What crazy dreams I have been having!  Odd and at times bizarre they are but maybe a window into my mind.  I am sure AWL of you have a reoccurring dream, right?  I have a standard of maybe 6 ranging from not knowing my locker combination 5 minutes before football practice and I got to suit up or be late and suffer some ghastly punishment at the end of the practice.  Plus the usual chastisement by some coaches—known today as verbal abuse, back then "discipline and being made an example".  They were selling, team  collegiality and support your brother as a block builder for future practice in your adult life.  Oh yes football will prepare me for the future….  “What about us Chemistry Majors!” 

Another dream is about assisting, getting Beyond Friendship revived at Drury Theater for their season next academic year.  Not sure it will work with the wave of popular trends on relationships and morals.  It might be like trying to revive the classic sitcom “All in the Family”.  I always have these dreams about assisting someone and they are not clear on what they want I am wasting my time, but making coin, but feeling bad.

The most "scenic and memorable" reoccurring dream I am going to talk about is simply about getting a good French pastry.  But it is at a place that is truly a nightmare of French stereotypical circumstances.  It is somewhere in a neighborhood like Brookside in KCMO--older established neighborhood of the middle to upper class.  It is near a Museum/Art Gallery "WE" have visited (the person who is with me but not recognizable). WE park on the street, I am not driving.  WE enter up the stairs and turn left into a shop which has a display case of fine French Pastries.  WE go to order and everything chosen, there is a problem.  They either don't have it today, sold out, they don't make that anymore and then they choose for you. "Oh you don't want that do you?" Spoken in  very broken English mixed with French, of which I do je ne parle pas français.  I am still learning the English language.  It is frustrating and you are offered things as substitutes which are very American; like donuts and frozen waffles cooked in a toaster.  WE always leave empty-handed and frustrated, only to find that the car is not parked in the spot WE left it.  The car has been moved and WE have to find it in a neighborhood of tree lined streets with old stone walls.  Oh yes, no mobile phones, you have to use their pay phone which is either broken or does not accept your coins even though they are American.  Maybe Francs would work better--no Euros Please!!!

The last time I had this dream my Father was in it and he ordered more food than he could eat.  He got Spaghetti with meat balls, French Fries and a Bologna Sandwich with butter on Wonder Bread.  I just knew that when he got home Mom would read him "The Riot Act", whatever that may be in reality.  He could hardly carry AWL the stuff he ordered.  No bags or "sacks" as we call them in the middle of the country.

I am sure I had some anxiety about something that night, but why?  I am retired.  We have a great financial plan; bills are paid--life is good.  I ride my bike and I try to run a "tight ship" at home.  You see, I am the "homemaker" now and I make many decisions that otherwise in years past, Melissa and I, would collaborate on.  I always think that 2 heads thinking about decisions is better than one.  You start to doubt your logic and then out think yourself.  You should have been in my "head" when I was trying to figure out how to split up the final, so called inheritance, our parents left us.  It was not "life changing money". But enough to have a good vacation or save for a rainy day, maybe put in a retirement fund.  Boy oh boy, did I ponder that answer.  In the end it AWL worked out, but I never got a French Pastry for my efforts.

Thanksgiving Opus 1975....

I found myself reminiscing about Thanksgivings past when I ate Tacos in Dallas while working as the Scenic Designer on A Christmas Carol at the Dallas Theater Center, or the year in Dallas we had one of those crazy sleet storms where the roads turn into a sheet of ice.  I drafted a many of Nutcrackers for Zack Brown on 7th Avenue in Park Slope Brooklyn.  Oh and how can I forget the HUGE production at Madison Square Garden, A Christmas Carol, the Musical where I worked with the top talent of Associates and Assistants in New York at the time.  Tony Walton sat next to me on the right and on my left was a surround for an I-Beam inside that moaned and groaned as the wind moved the building during storms or windy days.  YIKES! It seems that these shows kept us oh so busy when the Broadway Assisting jobs ended and we needed to make it through to the next season when Broadway awakened for the Spring Season.

But the one Thanksgiving I kept thinking of was my freshman year of college, 1975.  The weekend before the Tuesday night when the heavens dumped tons of snow when we were sleeping, created a bit of a travel challenge for Joe (my Brother), Mike Mallory and Jackie.  If you live in Missouri you got to understand that if you have this really unprecedented unseasonal weather you are gonna pay for it very soon.  That weekend was like Early Fall late Spring Temperatures in Springfield, Missouri.  It was crazy!  I was wearing T-Shirts most of the day.  If I had shorts I would have put them on.

But little did we know that around the corner was this huge storm building in the southwest and it was about to unload.  Now I did not watch the weather or really pay attention; too busy studying, trying to catch up after being in our first Fall Production, The Skin of Our Teeth. I believe that I had a big test in Music Appreciation that Ken Kallmeyer, my roommate at the time (pre Dave), and I focused on studying for the exam.  I am sure I was trying to make up ground in my "Freshman Cruddies" Classes (we studied Western Civilization through Literature and History, throw in a bit of Philosophy Voila!). I had about 15 credit hours that semester along with a big dose of working in the Scenic Shop.  Needless to say I was very not aware of any harsh weather coming and nor was Joe or Mike.  WE planned to leave for Independence Missouri after the last class on Thursday and drive the 3 hours home up Missouri Highway 13 to 50 West, to 291 North, then Highway 40 to our neighborhood turnoff next to Funhouse Pizza.  EASY PEAZY!  NOT!!!

The Funny thing is the campus started to get less and less populated with the usual weekenders going home.  BUT, they never came back on Monday for classes.  Then on Monday we noticed that the Dining Hall was lacking students for dinner and the parking lots had emptied again.  WE never thought anything about it.  WE had a full schedule of classes and by gosh WE were students and WE were going to be in attendance.  I think really to make up for AWL the time we missed while working on the production.  Normally the 8 and 9 o'clock classes were going to take a hit--time to catch some Z's professor.  Dave and I used to joke about meeting at Breakfast AWL the time, but hardly ever made it.  When we did make it maybe a dozen times in AWL those years, we would sit there and talk about the Girls who came in and discuss if she would go out with us.  In most chances, as they say in Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboudit!

Tuesday Morning the campus was a ghost town and we still had no idea what was going on--DUH, rocket scientists in the making.  WE go to bed that night only to wake up to about 18--21" of snow on the ground and a good base of ice under that snow blanket.  Classes were either cancelled or it was just not an option and it was still snowing.  Panic set in and Joe who was the mastermind of this Holiday Vacation getaway was getting nervous.  There was no way his car was going to make it to Independence with the U.S. Baldie Tires he had on his 1962 Chevy Impala.  So I believe we drove in Mike's car, and of course we would chip in for gas, if a station was open on the way.  I think that was what we did, I cannot imagine driving Joe's car, but we have done dumber things.  "Sir what would you like to drive today? '62 Impala on Ice or a vehicle with tread?  I will take the tread any day and it is a Michigan licensed car born to drive on snow, so that makes it better--oh with Bicentennial Plates--HuzzaH!

What was a 3 hour drive turned into a 5-6 hour Batan March to get home.  The roads were so not plowed in spots and if they were they exposed the ice.  WE were lucky to go faster than 40 miles an hour if you were feeling lucky and had experience driving Sprint Cars on Dirt in the turns.  Just sliding AWL over the place.  PLUS, you had to watch out for the other knuckleheads on the road who thought they were Road Warriors.  I believe who ever drove, it was like Mad Max, hell bent on getting from point A to point B.  WE called my Parents to let them know where WE were; BTW NO mobile phones Bro, it was a phone booth at a gas station and it cost I think 25¢ plus your reversed the charges so you didn't get charged on your end.  If your Parents did not accept the call then, well you are out of luck.  Of course Joe and I had code words to say to the operator to let my parents know to call us back if they knew the number of the phone booth, like BreechTheater and our residence hall floor phone booth.  Many a time I have worked in Breech Theater as a Student and later Instructor and the phone rang and rang in the lobby and I would go answer it and it was my DAD.  That is if I could hear it ringing over the very loud music I would play in the Theater while working.

The snow stopped falling and the sun came out partially when we got to Warrensburg.  it was a welcome sight, so we knew we were about 50-60 minutes (normal minutes) from home.  The roads were a bit better, but you still had to be cautious. We finally pulled up to the house on Pleasant Avenue South,  got out and why I knocked on the door or rang the bell I don't know.  maybe I thought I did not live there anymore, but that is what I did.  Mom and Dad greeted us and Mom said to me first thing--"Are you glad to be home?"  And I said, "I am God Damn glad to be home!"  She looked at Dad and then me and I thought, oh no I am in BIG trouble.  She said, "Well I can see that you are learning something in college."  Very shaded with her "typical tough love" and full of sarcasm.  But I was GLAD TO BE Home.  It was a fun weekend and by the time Saturday rolled around the snow and roads had almost cleared and on Sunday WE would make the Trek back down to Southwest Missouri to the Queen City of the Ozarks.

Thank you Mom and Dad for AWL those GREAT Holidays with Family and Tradition.

Oh, and sorry we AWL ate you out of house and home that weekend--starving students.

 

"Long and Hard...."

 

"Navy Building circa Fall 1975"

I often wondered why most people came to the all-night work sessions in the Shop or Breech Little Theater; sorry Theater--I spelled it wrong on the sign I painted Fall '75. That sign hung outside the building for years. I also spelled Dave's last name wrong the year I made poster/banner for either his birthday or when he starred in Wild Oats. Remember it had his shoes stuck to it and said something like "what man could fill this shoes". I was in a hurry to get it on the wall because Rich, who ran the food service was so kind to let me do it at the last minute. We also had quite a tradition of hanging in the shop. Not people but items of interest- scenery and actual shoes. Mike Mallory's boots were screwed to the wall above the door; honoring our elders is a good tradition. But I digress already....

"All-nighters" were the norm at times when you needed to cram for a test or catch up after a production opened. We also participated in work sessions in the shop and the theater to get the scenic elements done in time for our tech rehearsals. After working in "the real" theater, tech and "10 out of 12's" were not much fun. Imagine sitting in a dark theater waiting for the Lighting Designer to create one sequence of cues for a big musical number. For me, it was tedious and really a torcher, but we had to be supportive and collaborate in any way. I once heard (name dropping) Julie Taymor during tech of The Green Bird ask Don Holder to speed it up a bit. Don Holder is a very kind and patient "everyman" type, sorta looks like William Bender the actor. He came back with a retort that was fiery and punctuated. He was working as fast as he can to achieve a good visual product.

But why did we need to do "All-nighters" for college productions? Was it scheduling, a tradition, a rite of passage or for bragging rights. I at times think it was for the latter. I also blame myself for being the "Cecil B. DeMille" visionary Scenic Designer. Thinking back on it, maybe AWL that realism wasn't such a great thing. But, that is what I had to bring to the table of collaboration. Bit my ass again later designing a show for DRURY, the musical Violet. The set was never finished and me, the guest artist, had to go to the shop and first clean it up and organize, then build the scenery that the TD had failed to create. I couldn't disappoint my director, but I had under estimated the commitment of the students and TD. I was so embarrassed, it was a quality design that never came to full fruition. I worked wee into the morning hours in Breech/Wilhoit thinking experiences for me have not changed in the building. I learned from that to never design a show for your alma mater. And from another experience, never recreate a design for a previous theater production. It will never be the same atmosphere or energy; totally new group of artists, craftsman and commitment to the project.

I can remember an "All-nighter" during The Dark of the Moon that was so misrepresented the next day during Breakfast in the Commons. It was a big push to get things done. I thought I had delegated authority and jobs to the right people. As usual I went about my business doing something that needed my attention. Hours later I see people sleeping on the floor or administering back rubs. I was like, "what the hell!" Maybe I said something cynical an snarky, I wouldn't put it past me at that age. I was working like crazy and then I turn around and WHAT!?! Well with many years of hindsight on it, I know the level of scenic carpentry and painting skill and knowledge was varied in our group. I always prided myself on the fact I could find the right person to do the job and finish. Then I would continue to challenge them to do something out of their zone of comfort and skill/knowledge in order for them to learn and grow. I learned this from a supervisor at an early age, and it has worked for me in the past and today with assistants. We AWL learn from each other, it is a loop of communication.

So back to breakfast after the tired and weary workers were staring down the barrel of attending classed at 8 am or 9 am, we convened in the commons. We AWL sat at "the Theater table" and  someone who was smart and slept that night came to breakfast and asked us how it went. I will always remember this and I won't mention the person who said it (insignificant), but that person who spent most of the time goofing off and distracting others that night, said with a very dramatic way, "It was long and hard". WHAT!?! give me a break!!! I looked at Dave Quinn and we both laughed and laughed. It became our traditional statement for ridiculous times studying and working in the shop or theater. "Long and hard" oh my Goodness it makes me laugh even more when I know who uttered those words.

Finally on an ending note, one "All-nighter", Jerry Pettus, Dave and I went to get breakfast. I was TOAST, TIRED from working many nights in a row; 3 was my limit; we sat down with our trays and began to eat. Jerry and Dave were telling me a story we had laughed and laughed about during our work session. They waited till I was about to drink a glass of chocolate milk and they started up again with the story. I began to laugh and then the milk came spewing out of my nose like a geyser at Yellowstone. THEY Laughed and Laughed about that even though I had sprayed milk on their trays. It was a fun time for sure. And then I had to run off to attend my Eastern Religion Class to get my sleep. I wonder if Buddha or Dali Lama can spew goat milk through their nostrils?

Tomorrow is like today, just happens tomorrow. 

And in Retirement, next week is like this week, just happens next week.

$FUNNY MONEY$

"Fox in the Henhouse"

My senior year of college at DRURY after arriving and unpacking to the old haunts of the Turner Hall Third Floor Room, I decided to go to Financial Aid in Burnham Hall. I asked Dave if he wanted to come and he said yes. We decided to change our clothes after sweating going up and down stairs with “stuff” to off load in the room. I said, “hey, let’s put on some really ragged clothes, like the ones we wear in the shop and working in the theater. The ones that have holes and tears in them.” My thought was if I was going to talk about money owed or needed, I want to look like I was a real hardship case. 

Now at that time, we got so much aid that is wasn’t even funny. There was so much government money ear marked at the time it was awesome. The Theater Department had “grants” where you would receive 4 to 600 dollars a year. You had to of course have a good academic standing for AWL these funds, but also your Parent’s Financial situation had to be in certain income bracket. Luckily or unluckily my parent’s paychecks were stretched thin always. And I think Dave was in the same situation. WE grew up with AWL that we needed, WE never missed a meal and WE had a very good childhood. Public Schools were fine; no private school for me with uniforms and such—I always wanted to go to such a school. My Parents said the only schools I would go to that had uniforms were military schools of reform schools.

So Dave and I “tricky-trotted” (to borrow a phrase from Grace Fisher Talk, a student colleague) to the Financial Aid office dressed in our “holiest” outfits.  When we arrived we asked the person working the counter at the Bursar’s portion of the office. “Is HE in?” I have no idea what the guy’s name was at the time. "HE" replaced the other dude who left to work at another school. The new guy we met the previous Spring Semester. "HE" seemed to be a bit timid, not the money guy who controlled our future in adult debt.

And speaking of student loan debt, I have 3 loans. The first 2 were for $1200 each; one my Freshman year and one for my Sophomore year. I paid those off with the money I made in the Summer at Starlight Theater as a Union over-hire carpenter and other odd jobs I found. The last loan was at The University of Missouri at Kansas City my first semester of my “second tour of Gradual School”.  It was for, I am vague on it but I think $4000. I did not need it, but my classmates convinced me to take it and buy a computer (which I did not) or use it for books and supplies. You see I was really blessed then, I had a fellowship given to me by the Hall Foundation; you know Hallmark Cards. They paid for everything except books and supplies. And boy did we need supplies to create AWL those wonderful projects. I paid that off within a couple of years of graduation while living in NYC. If you had a job in the Theater business it was very lucrative financially. I learned to Save, Save, Save much as possible. Granny Potter always said, “it’s not what you make, it’s what you save.”

Okay back to the story; where were we, let me see…. Ah yes waiting for the “timid financial aid dude”. Not The Dude in “The Big Lebowski”, more like the guy who was the sidekick played by Steve Buscemi. (BTW, I saw him in Park Slope Brooklyn on 7th Avenue and 9th Street getting Ice cream for his son at Uncle Louies Ice Cream; I was headed to the Pizza place next door for lunch while working at Zack Brown’s Studios on 4th Street). So much for keeping on track with the story. If you know me, my train can cross any tracks if need be to get the story told. Character flaw or just "Todd being Todd".

FINALLY Dave and I were ushered into “HIS” office and we sat down to talk about our financial aid packages. Why "HE" would discuss both Dave and mine at the same time in the same room was interesting. I was told to tell nobody what my aid package was by certain college employees, which I will not name here. The fact of the matter is that I was receiving a handsome sum of money to design, build and paint the sets for the Theater productions. Not to mention the lighting design; more like “master electrician with ideas” and Technical Direction which was problem solving. The reason for this is that my Junior year I had a work study grant and I had to work the morning shift and noon shift in the school cafeteria. I was having a hard time keeping up with class, studies, sleep and let alone the theatrical productions. There are only 24 hours in the day—okay am I building a cross? Seriously, my Parents were going to pull me out of college. I was stretched mentally, physically and emotionally.

So “HE” discussed Dave’s package and I don’t know if Dave had to pay a small sum, but you know we had to contribute something to the mix either in green backs, animal pelts or blood. “HE” then turned to me and explained everything and it sounded really great for me. There was one catch; I owed TWENTY-FIVE CENTS!!! And I had to pay it in order to make the books look good. Don’t mess with an accountant’s ledger, it could be scary for you in retribution either financially or you will be reported to the High Council of CPAs.

So I reached into my very ragged overalls and pulled out a Quarter and put in on “HIS” desk. “HE” said, "Thank you, but you will need to do that at the Bursar’s counter." So I said, “okay and thank you for your time.” Dave and I left the office and went right to the counter outside “HIS” office.  I said I wanted to settle up and I am here to pay.  Pulled out my quarter as they placed my file on the counter with the invoice paper clipped to the folder. I plopped the Quarter on the counter and they wrote me a receipt for it.  I wish I still had that receipt. Dave and I laughed and laughed about the Twenty-five Cent transaction that I made to get a GREAT college edu-mah-kay-shen! The Lady at the counter also mentioned our wardrobes as we were ready to leave. She said, “I see you both are wearing your most impoverished outfits to discuss money.” She chuckled about it.

So for that year, I paid Twenty-five cents for a $3,200 education. Now to make that even more interesting, in today’s money with inflation that is $18,182.36. A quarter inflated to today's money is $1.42.  Still a pretty good deal if you ask me.

Oh did I mention that Medical insurance was $30 ($170.46 in today's money) for the School year and it covered EVERYTHING!!! Amazing, NO? What a deal and it included DENTAL.

The Image above has nothing to do with the story or does it?....

The EPILOGUE

 David Andrew Quinn 1957-2023

Today the last chapter of The Book of Dave is completed.  Like any great read, this one was hard to put down. We had to know what each new chapter had in store. The plot development, the characters who AWL revolved around the protagonist's life were all so different and interesting. The protagonist shined his light upon their lives and enriched them with hope, enthusiasm and his clever humor.

Like any well written and suspenseful story we as an audience want more of the protagonist's adventures and plots. Selfishly we want this character to live on and continue to entertain and comfort us with his unconditional friendship. I can think of one wonderful story that if sequels were made it would ruin the pure magic of its initial impact. Think of "On the Waterfront" the movie; would another film that begins with the dock workers back to work be as interesting? When Terry Malloy walks into that dock warehouse it is the end of the film promising a new way of life for the Hoboken dock workers.

The best thing that books and stories offer to give a glimpse into the future life of a character or their impact on their environs is an Epilogue.

YES! The Book of Dave has and Epilogue. His memory and personality, humor and that smile will continue in our lives. It will come to us when we are washing the dishes, driving down the road or at work. We will think of how Dave made our lives more complete, first by him accepting us into his world as friends and colleagues; secondly, that he did it so seamlessly like magic with his humor and ability to make us laugh at life. He opened his heart to accept you unconditionally, no strings attached. His social skills were remarkable and envious, but never false.

I can remember a night in college when we were in our beds, lights out and talking. The subject of death came up in an interesting way. WE both decided that we would not make it past the age of 50. We would pass on like one of those characters in a 19th Century Romantic Novel. You know, the guy who is very passionate about some activity in life and dies while doing it. WE laughed and laughed about that--we were young and life was full, nothing to fear, just dive head first no matter the risk. Although Dave would spend about and hour calculating the risk factors humorously. I almost fulfilled our late night discussion at age 49. My time was not to end, I had more to do and create in my life. I am thankful for it. I look at the end of "Todd being Todd" as a good life. I have been so blessed in my walk upon this earth!

So for those who will feel the "sting of death" and grief, remember something Dave said to you that was loving, wise and above all funny. This will assist you in writing your own Epilogue of dealing with the loss of a Husband, Father, Brother, Friend, Colleague and Teacher. I am sure He had hope that we would continue to have fun in our lives and prosper knowing that he had made a difference in our growth. He was my BEST Friend unconditionally.

"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of Angels sing thee to they rest."

Wheat, wheat; fields of wheat!

David Andrew Quinn 1957-2023

You ask me about stories.... Hmmmmm, where shall I begin with a man who was the best friend anyone could ever have.  Surely you have dirt on him, he cannot be AWL that nice?  Well when we met, we were 2 clueless freshman at DRURY College trying to navigate a new freedom, a new way of life.  But along that journey we found our way and that was magical--it is called FUN! Just All-American type stuff with in-jokes and quips that would confound or make people laugh. 

As I reminisce about my friend who I loved like a brother, I can only find solace in the fact that his sun shined on me oh so bright. He gave me strength and support to carry on in difficult times in my life. He was genuine in his concern for me as I was for him. Dave supported me in the productions at DRURY that us Troupers worked so hard on to get it right. We wanted to be the best; we were proud of our artistic journey. Some of us went on become an educator par excellence, caring and guiding students in their pursuit of a dream. Just as we were mentored at DRURY. Huge kudos to those professors, like Dr. Padberg, who gave us a leash to "do our thing" and learn from the good and bad. Some of us also worked in our profession at its highest level. there wasn't a day that I would go through the stage door at a Broadway Theater that I wished that you AWL could have been at my side. The DRURY Theater experience is what gave me an upper hand; yes I had talent, but I was clever like Dave to let my "sun shine" on those around me. Your talent gets you the interview, but personality keeps you working.  Who wants to hang around a "Loser", as Dave and I would say. We liked being with powerful energy and above all those who love to have FUN.

Dave was so supportive of me as I worked in New York City.  He visited me a few times; once with Kim, another with Madi and also for Melissa and my wedding. We would try to see shows together and I always suggested ones that I thought he might enjoy. I was so glad that he could see the standards set for a Broadway show. One day I brought him to a Design Studio to see "the process". He said he felt like it made him a better educator; I agree even from my perspective as and instructor and NYU. I was bringing Broadway to the classroom, while teaching on lower Broadway. I am sure Dave's students will always remember him for his fun and clever approach to imparting his knowledge in the classroom. He told me one time that a student stopped his lecture to ask him to go back to "should". Apparently the student was having a hard time keeping up. Dave said, "Should? What do you mean? Do you think this stuff is written down scripted!" My other fun story from the early days of teaching none majors in core credit classes, they would always ask us how to spell the word "Theater". My stock answer was write on the chalk board (no dry erase board at that time)-Thee-ATE-Or.  And they wrote it down as so. Dave had his own derivation of this spelling but I cannot recall it but just as phonetically funny.

WE used to laugh and joke about things so much that those around us would not know what was fact or fiction. It was derived from watching Woody Allen Movies.

In fact the one thing that connected us was "Love and Death" a Woody Allen movie. He was reciting lines from that movie in our first Introduction to Drama class with Gail Spillman in the basement Studio of Pearson Hall. I threw them right back to him and that was it--the "keystone" combination began. As we walked to the Navy Building after class, which he knew where it was, we spied Van Epperson kneeling on the lawn tying his shoe lace. He asked us "where is the Navy Building?" WE looked at each other and laughed. WE told Van to follow us, almost like a scene out of Animal House, where Bluto, says "sure come on in!" Let the party begin, in the portals of a very odd space to house a college academic department. We were on our way to the first Stagecraft class with Lou Ramirez or "Cheech" as some of us called him. Even at that point in our friendship we had an inside joke, "where is the Navy building?" Do you know you could blind fold me and take me into that building and I would know where I was by the smell. It wasn't bad, it had a smell. But don't drink the water out of the water fountain. Dave said it had bugs in it.

Yes we had monikers for people and had fun with it. Like the guy in our dorm in Graduate School who looked like a Norman Rockwell model, WE called him, "the Norman Rockwell Poster Child".  Then there was these 2 guys who thought they were such ladies men and a bit overweight due to "drinking heavily"; so we called them "Slim and Trim". It was and always will be our joke, no harm, just fun, something for us to laugh about while studying or working on a production.

Here is a very little unknown fact about "Dr. Quinn" (funny story about a student in his Grad Assistant Class of Intro to Theatre who thought he had a Phd)--he was a very talented baseball player at DRURY.  He was an amazing power hitter and was an Allstar his Senior year.  He could hit the ball anywhere and he could field like a Ozzie Smith. Damn good arm too.  Our freshman year I played shortstop and he was second baseman--a real keystone combo for sure. We both loved to shag flies after dinner on the lawn of Sunderland field. We did the same in Graduate School; pre homework stress release and a bit of closing around.

What was really funny is this guy would hang up his dirty clothes in the closet. One time I asked him about it and he said, "it keeps them cleaner".  H mmm, What wisdom, he said "at least they don't get wrinkled if you are running low on clothes to wear." 

We used to laugh and laugh about the "2-towel theory". You have 2 towels and you use one a day while the other is drying out.  Saves on laundry time. He even added that "bit" into Beyond Friendship script. By the way his towels were green, as was his bedspread.

Speaking of that play, he wrote loosely based on our lives in the dorm, okay there was some truthful moments. He wrote from his experience, his view, made me examine who I was back in the day. I directed it. He came for a residency as guest artist and we honed and crafted that script while in rehearsal--"a work in progress". I thought it would be a great experience for the students and I selfishly got time to spend with my buddy. One night we were doing a scene and it just didn't ring true. He had approached that scene as if it happened off stage and then we see the aftermath like in a Sophoclean tragedy--cue the eccyclema. I said to Dave after the rehearsal and the cast is gone, we need to see that scene on stage, it is a pivotal moment in the character's growth. If you knew Dave he could get a bit argumentative, I get it, I wouldn't want to revise my Scenic designs much but it has to happen in order to support the story-telling. So he went back to his suite in Findlay Student Center. That night he wrote a new scene which we then incorporated into the show. AND, it worked magically. "My Boy!" he was amazing, what a talented writer.

Okay why would you send your child to school with badly fitting pajamas? Dave had these pajamas that almost fell off his ass every night because they were either too big, old and stretched out or knowing him he was too cheap to buy new ones. Hmmmm new pajamas or a vanilla shake, which is more important. And who wears long sleeve pajamas dude!?! I had boxer shorts and a t-shirt, that was my "mtp" approved sleepwear. Which meant I could wear the t-shirt I had on during the day at night, thus creating less laundry. Another one of our rationalities in battling the laundry task in those horrible machines downstairs.

Dave at DRURY couldn't have weighed more that 150 pounds. Where as I was weighing in at 165-170. I was the middleweight to his featherweight. One of our fondest childhood memories was the afternoon special about "Fatty and Skinny" 2 japanese boys who were friends. We both loved and identified with that story.

I could go on and on here, I won't. His body of work and student outreach speaks volumes and has touched so many lives with optimism and hope. Something our modern world needs today. I will leave you with this one thing WE used to do at night after the lights were off and we were in our beds. I shared this with his daughter Madi--thought of it last night as I was going to bed. He would turn off the lights as his bed was next to the door and light switch, mine across the room next to the window. I would say, "good night Dave", he would say "good night Todd" then we would then go through the routine at the end of every Walton TV show. We would finally end with good night "John Boy". Many times we would throw in other names like class mates in school or theater participants, "Good Night Pacheco, good night Richard Roby, good night Bennett, good night Danny Lay, good night Dixie Lee Hyatt"--and on and on giggling like 2 school girls at a sleep over.

Dave Andrew Quinn I will look forward to seeing you in heaven and we can continue to have fun and discuss the merits of wearing our undershorts inside out on alternate days. Or is it better to go to breakfast early on Sunday Morning and then hang around and each Brunch. Or go back to the dorm and sleep for an hour. I have my alarm set for the crack of noon, Bro!

 

Until then I will miss you so very much, my friend.

I am Todd Potter and I approve of this message.

and remember

"Patches we are depending on you son"

Stay tuned for the adventures of "Barfo the Clown"

 

It’s Been 3 Years….

 

¡CHEERS!

Well, Folks it has been 3 years since “M’s” "hiccup/inconvenience" in life.  It does seem so long ago to me yet I can remember the details so easily.  I thought I would share with you how she is progressing and enjoying her life in SWFL.

First of AWL I found a really great Neurologist who is very engaged in Melissa’s case; even to the point of figuring out why this happened.  Of course I know, and Melissa will say she was trying to keep up with the younger crowd.  What WE want to know is how to continue to move forward to make her quality of life better than it is now as far as balance and any gains in short term memory.  That remains to be answered because we cannot put a percentage or time line on the healing process of the brain.  The brain can reconnect in ways but it is based on many factors which tie into personal data; like age or genetics.  The Neurologist has no definitive information or case histories known.  Simply put, the brain can reconnect circuits in unknown ways so it is a “wait and see” have faith in the healing power of the body and universe.  I BELIEVE she has just a bit more progress to squeeze out of the process, because I see clues AWL the time.  I remain optimistic and positive for this wonderful person in my life. 

Yes it is funny, in a human way, that I can tell her something and 30 minutes later she has forgotten.  It age 60 plus it happens to anyone.  So she loves my lists I give her and then she checks them off when accomplished.  Of course this has to be done on her terms of doing her Word Search Puzzles.  Don’t mess with that laser focus and competitive spirit of beating her best time of completing the puzzle.  HAH

Reiteration time:  We are talking about a person who had to learn how to breath, swallow water, talk, eat and walk again (she currently uses a Black Diamond Trekking Pole now; only when she is outside). Tough duty for most of us, but something kept her moving forward despite fevers, sepsis and pneumonia (there were some other weird viruses in there that I had to gown up, glove up and mask up for WAY before the Pandemic).  She says she did this for me, but I known it was her strong will to live and enjoy our life together.  Maybe it is the same thing; we can debate.  You can draw your own conclusion.  

Melissa currently is beating me at Scrabble 36-27 games; those are the most up to date standings.  She routinely defeats me and she keeps score flawlessly.  She listens to music on her phone and reads articles suitable for People Magazine or Us (HAH).  She can remember long term events with ease. She loves her new home and community, hopefully in the coming months we can socialize more her at The Arboretum our community.  It is still the Wild Wild West here when it comes to pandemic rules and protocol.  WE like to be safe.  No need to push our luck.  Many people are still getting infected with the latest issue of "the plague". 

Melissa’s big goal is driving.  That will take much patience and professional evaluation.  She is nowhere near getting behind the wheel of a car.  No reaction time and the process of dealing with decisions is still a bit cloudy.  And if she could go to the store, how long could she walk and shop?  She has a current fitness level of about 30 to 45 minutes of walking and she is pooped.  She does well in her physical therapy sessions, but those are on hold as she is at a point where the facility wants to bank sessions for later this year.  Just in time because the gas is pretty high here in SWFL.  But we have a hybrid and I fill up every 35-40 days; don’t drive much.  We may get a "EV" vehicle this fall.... It is up to her to do her 5 or so sheets of exercises with balance board and foam pad.

So not to make this too long—3 years I have seen some wonderful things from Melissa in her recovery. I am hopeful that in another 3 she will show continued progress to her balance and memory.  And maybe, just maybe, she will be able to drive with AWL these SW Floridians who are a bit unpredictable; it’s crazy out there on the roads sometimes.  The driving experience her is like they hand out stupid pills to a select few every day.  I am sure you see this in your own driving experience.  Add a bit of age and distraction and you have a cocktail of mayhem like the TV commercial Character.  Scary stuff.

Yoiichinichiwo sugoshite kudasai