I've written many "go for it" letters, but I only seem to get dead
silence, negative responses, or restraining orders. One of the few
luminaries who responded favorably is Glenn Taranto, who offered to
buy me lunch at McDonalds. And it's possible that he only made the
offer because I live 2000 miles away and am highly unlikely to
collect the lunch.
Speaking of Ray Bradbury, one of my favorite pieces of junk in my
collection is a contract signed by Ray, in which he grants permission
for "The Veldt" to be produced for radio. I think it was for the
series Dimension X, but it could be for X Minus One. (My memory stinks.)
-rk
On Aug 22, 2008, at 9:15 AM, Susan Heim wrote:
Hi,
One of my favorite authors, Ray Bradbury. When I was in college
I worked on a committee that arranged events for the students. At
one particular meeting I suggested we invite certain people to come
and speak at the college. My first suggestion was Ray Bradbury. I
remember the Dean of Students looking at me funny, that look of
"are you kidding"? I was young and thought anything possible. So,
he said "go for it", assuming I would return having learned a
lesson. Well, I found out who his publicist was and wrote a letter.
About a month later I got a call and the publicist said Mr.
Bradbury would be glad to attend. I have to be honest, I didn't
realize then what his accepting really meant. I just figured he
would do it. Ah, youth !! So, I went back and proudly showed the
committee my letter and it was arranged. I pick him up at the
airport and he came to school and gave a wonderful talk with all
kinds of wonderful stories and anecdotes about his life and career.
It was a wonderful night and I got to spend several hours with him.
He was very funny and just charming.
Flash forward 30 years. I am dropping my in-laws off at LAX.
There, sitting all alone, was Mr. Bradbury, reading of course. I'm
sure most people standing around didn't have a clue who he was. I
approach and greeted him. I told him I had written a letter to him
30 years earlier inviting him to my college to speak. He said "did
I come"? I reminded him it was at UC San Diego in the early 70's.
I told him I just wanted to say hello and thank him again, that
when I was young I hadn't realized what a special gift it had been
that he accepted so readily. As I started to walk away, he said "I
remember that gig". "You were the one that workded down at Scripps
and was going to be a doctor, how'd that pan out"? "You were
pretty exuberant in those days". I couldn't believe he remembered
me. (my in-laws were impressed - hey you got to take any little bit
you can these days!!). I walked away on cloud nine!! The lesson I
did learn from that situation was not the one that my college Dean
of Students thought it probably would be. My lesson was "go for
it". As corny as it might seem, you'll never know unless you give
it a shot. In those days, my naivete made me think anything was
possible. Happy Birthday Mr. Bradbury!!
Sue
www.hollywoodposterframes.com
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:23:03 -0500
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [MOPO] Happy birthday, Ray Bradbury!!
To: [email protected]
Today, August 22, is award-winning science-fiction author,
screenwriter and playwright Ray Bradbury's 88th birthday!!
Thank you, Ray, for allowing me to taste DANDELION WINE, bear
witness to THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES and hear THE SOUND OF THUNDER.
Earl Blair
CAPTAIN BIJOU
www.captainbijou.com
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