Friday’s Feast #141

Appetizer

How fast can you type?

Lightning fast. The last time I was tested (many years ago), I clocked something like 150 wpm. My fingers are very limber from playing keyboards for so many years.

Soup

What is your favorite online game?

I don’t play online games.

Salad

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), how intelligent do you think you are?

Jeez. I don’t know! I’m “smarter than the average bear.” How’s that?

I’d say “smart enough to get through law school and pass the Bar exam the first time,” but considering the number of stupid lawyers I know, that’s not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Main Course

Name three of your best teachers from your school years.

Our beloved Tokay High School A Capella Choir Director, Wylie Moffatt, aka Cosmo McMoon. I think of him often and miss him a great deal. Wylie believed in excellence and inspired us to always do our best. We used to have summer reunions at which we’d laugh ourselves silly. And actually do a little singing, with Wylie directing. To him, we were still his “cherubs.” Those are great memories.

My Tokay High School journalism adviser, Wayne Field, contributed immensely to my technical competence and self-confidence. He made me believe that I could be a writer. And I am.

The late, great William Pisani was my piano teacher. I was weaned on the classic show tunes from Lerner and Loewe, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, et. al. (I still have all of the big note beginner books. Then I moved up to intermediate transcriptions, and, finally, advanced arrangements.) He was flamboyant, eccentric, and a real showman. He taught me to love music and love making music. He created performers, not just pianists, and I wish he were still with us to appreciate how he impacted my life.

Dessert

What are your plans for this upcoming weekend?

As I shared yesterday, the Stockton Concert Band is participating in a special event for area fifth graders Saturday afternoon. It should be low-key and fun. I’m looking forward to hearing former San Francisco 49’er Keena Turner speak. Afterward, we’re all going out for pizza.

On Sunday, I will be going to the Central Valley Youth Symphony’s concert.

And, of course, I’ll be watching the next episode of The Sopranos on Sunday. At least twice. Don’t call then. Don’t ring the doorbell. Nothing can interrupt me while I’m watching Tony and the gang.

Happy Friday!

Friday’s Feast