Various & Sundry Items Of Little Interest, Except For The Thing About Urb (Which Is Really, Really Cool)

Some of you were under the mistaken impression that End Of Lunch Hour Theater was just the beginning of an ongoing series. Nope. It was just a way to kill five minutes of my time. Sorry!

I've got a number of things to write about, but probably won't get to them until this weekend. Right now, I'm looking at a busy two days here at Marketing Messages. I've got three voice talents coming today - one to record in Spanish and another in Mandarin Chinese - as well as a whole bunch of Vietnamese voice files to edit, so this may be my last posting until next Tuesday, since I'm taking Monday off.

The reason I'm taking Monday off is because of the Boston Marathon. This might lead you to ask a question: Am I running in it? I'll answer that with two questions of my own: Is The Pope a bear? Does Catholicism take a shit in the woods?

I'm lucky to be able to run down to first base these days without having a heart attack. No, I am most definitely NOT running in the marathon. The reason I take the day off is because, going to and from work, I have to cross the marathon route. This always costs me an extra hour of commuting on the day of the marathon. I've decided to just stay home, instead of cursing as I wait in my car for a break in the runners long enough for the cop on duty to wave some of us across Commonwealth Avenue.

(Actually, come to think of it, I did the same thing last year. You could read all about the exciting adventures MY WIFE and I had at the same time a year ago!)

Meanwhile, one of my softball teams is supposed to be having its first practice of the season this Sunday. Since the forecast calls for snow today and more snow on Sunday, I'm thinking that this may not happen. I can't say that I'd be terribly disappointed if the practice was postponed. Even though I've lost enough weight to be ready to go, I'm still not really ready. I've done almost no exercise. A few series of squats, some lightweight curls, some half-hearted push ups - that's about it. An extra week before a real workout would be a good thing.

Also, my friend Urb is doing something very interesting this Sunday and I'd like to see it. You may recall my writing about my semi-career as a candlepin bowler. If you have an extraordinary memory, you may recall a picture I used as illustration concerning my "leg kick."

That picture is of Urb - John Kafalas - as a youngster. Now, I have never met Urb, but by using his picture in that piece, I picqued his curiosity. See, he somehow found out that I had used his picture, so he wrote to me. He and I have come to have some very pleasant correspondence and he seems to be a really nice guy.

Urb actually competed in some decent professional tournaments as a youngster. He was - and appears to still be - a step above my own level as a bowler. Anyway, he appeared on TV many years ago in one of the professional candlepin bowling shows which were ubiquitous in the New England area. Since that time, he pretty much gave up the game and moved to a place - Arizona, if I remember - where the game is utterly non-existent.

While out west, he worked on his tenpin game - big balls, for you New Englanders and Eastern Canadians. He became proficient and actually cashed in a minor tournament. Now he has moved back to this area and - God, I love this - he has worked on his candlepin game and...

He won a roll-off and will be once again appearing on TV, some 30+ years after his initial appearance. That is SO cool, I can't even put into words the level of coolness this reaches. The taping is this Sunday at Woburn Bowladrome and, if it rains or snows or my softball practice is in any other wise cancelled, I'll be there to cheer him on as he makes his triumphant comeback.

Well, my first talent just walked through the door for her recording session, so I've got to go. See you soon!