Stefan Jones
Post #1416 – 20020102
January 2, 2002
Dear Captain Pinkwater:
I finished reading _Uncle Boris_ last night. A lot of the stories were familiar (from _Fishwhistle_ and _Hoboken…_) but there was enough new (and polished old material) to make it well worthwhile.
Chapter 35 got me to wondering . . . are Juno’s smarts and “visual” orientation (watching TV, flash cards) due to her being of a northern breed (this supposes that eyesight would be a big plus in the great white north), or to being of a less domesticated breed? (The latter supposes that high intelligence isn’t necessarily a good thing in a beastie you want to be a loyal worker or pet.)
Best,
Stefan Jones
Daniel replies:
Naturally, I don't know. It's true that most sled dogs seem to have good vision--and it's also true that a certain kind of...I wouldn't characterize it as ""high""...intelligence can make a dog more of a problem for the average pet owner, (not us--we enjoy it). Along with our Inuit Dog, we have a Labrador retriever who is at least equally intelligent, but in a different way. I've only put in 30 years worth of observation--I know practically nothing about this subject.
Cameron Munro
Post #1417 – 20020102
January 2, 2002
Just read your Uncle Boris book. Enjoyed it, even laughed out loud at times.
We have an Australian Shepherd (got him through an Aussie Rescue outfit). Enjoy him, even laugh out loud at him at times. Had him for over 2 years, and we’ve gone through obedience/tricks training. He can’t be trusted to come when called if he’s in full stride unless he happens to be striding toward you, but he’s getting better. He has an exessively short attention span–we call him Freak-Show (lovingly, mostly).
Through all this time and training, he still won’t “heel” consistently. I’ve tried praising him and bribing him (he moves ahead as soon as the praise/bribe has been consumed). I’ve used a pinch collar and a haltie, and I’ve tried being forceful but I’m not comfortable with the amount of force required before he takes sincere notice.
Ideas on training strategies for us and this hound? (He has a little brother [found at the pound the day before his execution] who is better behaved but takes his lead from big brother when we walk them/train them together.)
Thanks
Daniel replies:
More...and more advanced...classes might be the way to go.
John
Post #1415 – 20011228
December 28, 2001
To Mr. Pinkwater,
We absolutely love your book the Big Orange Splot! We love how Mr. Plumbean expresses his individuality. I recently was reading an old copy of a book called Mr. Pine’s Purple House, and I can’t remember the name of the author, I think the last name was Keller. What I was wondering was if you had read his book as a child and used it at all for inspiration. Of course the storyline is totally different from Big Orange Splot, but the very heart of the story made me think of Big Orange Splot in the sense that the character wanted his house to be “different” from the rest of the houses on the street. John, from Michigan
Daniel replies:
I think someone showed me that book a couple of years ago. I'd never seen it before. I was inspired by living in a dreary housing development one winter.
Sarah Mittiga
Post #1413 – 20011227
December 27, 2001
My sister and I have been intense fans of ‘Fat Men From Space’ and the like for quite some time. That book has been reread almost as frequently as another timeless favorite ‘Chicken Trek’. However, my silly sister has recently begun to insist that you actually wrote the both of them, and have many other books under many other fake names as well. I don’t believe her, but if she’s actually right, my entire life will take on a new and definitive meaning.
So this is my question, really: ARE YOU STEPHEN MANES?
Please be direct. Really, this must be important, because I seem to be staying late at work just to finish writing this.
sarah.
despite [being] a reader of many years, I have never heard of these *snarkout boys* everyone is so on about. I believe someone needs to give my local librarian a talking to?
Daniel replies:
No, I am not Stephen Manes, though I do know who he is. I am more talented, handsomer and have a sweeter personality than Stephen Manes. But he is still a nice guy.
Donna McCluskey
Post #1414 – 20011227
December 27, 2001
To Daniel and Jill:
I mailed off a copy of your book, Uncle Boris… to a dog-loving cousin of mine yesterday after reading most of it myself. I know she’ll enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you for your writing and illustrations! As an Oakland apartment dweller, I have chosen not to own a dog, but I have had many, many great walks and talks with the dogs I have met because of pet-sitting jobs. Your stories gave me cause to reminisce about a job two years ago–2 weeks with Jake, a Belgian shepherd, and a really outstanding, handsome dog. Before his family left for their trip to Austria I asked them to give me some $ to get a dog brush. I thought brushing him would be a good way to get to know him. I was so touched when one night he brought me his brush himself, unasked.
Daniel replies:
I think he was hoping you'd give him some $ for it.
Duane Pinto
Post #1412 – 20011223
December 23, 2001
Dear DP,
I see that you have come to the assistance of pathetic souls such as myself in the past.. twice. I am part of a small contingency, apparently, on the lookout for a specific Casio watch. It is the Casio Twin-Graph AE-20W. You sent you own to some guy named Tony who begged you for it. This summer, a fellow named John asked if you had information on another. You commented that you had a stash of these, but I can’t figure out whether you were just yanking his chain or whether you had such amazing foresight. It is probably doubly funny that if you were messing with him, you have been able to get me as well. Anyway, if you have any information on how to get one of these or a way for me to contact this John H. Kelly guy, I’d really appreciate it. I can come up with sort of sob story as well involving mechanical failure, childhood memories etc if you like.
Duane Pinto (DP)
Daniel replies:
Sorry. I have removed the batteries from my Casio Twin-Graphs, wrapped them in chemical-free tissue, and locked them in the safe-deposit box for at least 10 years. Not giving any more away--I will offer this batch for sale to museums of technology, along with my Stahley Live-Blade wind-up safety razors, and my Ultraflex fountain pens.
Alan Gold
Post #1411 – 20011221
December 21, 2001
I turned on my car radio, tuned to WAMU in Washington, and heard the last five minutes of this show, written and narrated by DP. That’s the part of the show where the Scroogiatzi Brothers wake up on Christmas morning and find it is not too late to send a turkey to Bob-Edwards Cratchit and save Tiny Ira. I wanted to hear the rest, so I called and E-mailed WAMU, NPR and Car Talk. Everyone was polite. I got a very nice E-mail from Car Talk. All was to no avail. Apparently, NPR didn’t buy the rights to make and sell cassettes or transcripts.
I am mildly obsessed about this. What can I do?
Daniel replies:
I dunno. I was just hired to write the script for a vast amount of money. Most people would be grateful to have only heard five minutes.
Bryan Riolo
Post #1410 – 20011218
December 18, 2001
“This Pinkwater man, is he profound?
I’ve heard he’s also kind of round!”
“It’s true, it’s true!” she said to me.
“He’s filled to the brim (And more!) with glee!
“So what does he mean to me and you?”
I thought it a question I would rue…
but I take it from her…
and give to you…
” Happiness. Joy. And the meaning of life…
and food to enjoy with spoon and knife.”
Daniel replies:
Something suspect about this doggerel. Is this encoded? Is it an al-Qaeda code? Deciphered, will this provide clues to the whereabouts of Bad Bin Laden, and a chance to collect Osama Lucky Bucks? I don't know, I think we've heard from this poet before.
James ""Kibo"" Parry
Post #1409 – 20011217
December 17, 2001
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I just wanted to say that you’re cooler than if Fonzie had a fleet of zeppelins. They should put a little plastic version of your head on a Pez dispenser. Thousands of bulldozers should be dispatched to reshape a continent in your image.
If someone put you in charge of the NBC TV network, how would you destroy the medium of television as we’ve known it?
Daniel replies:
More or less the same way I destroyed National Public Radio and the publishing industry.
Zane
Post #1406 – 20011216
December 16, 2001
Mr. Pinkwater
I enjoy your radio shows. I enjoy them so much that I wake at 6:00 am on Sundays to listen to them. That is when they are broadcasted on WHRV Norfolk, VA. I am a 30ish male who is also studying pre-med at that time most mornings. It is a wonderful break to hear about Werewolfs and Meatball Aliens while trying to figure out synaptic vesicles at axonal terminals at the neuromuscular junction. (You can only imagine the associations I get during finals.)
Your Friend
Zane
P.S. I also enjoy the fine relaxing habit of sneaking a pipe smoke (when the wife is not around) as in your photo section.
Daniel replies:
Maybe you will someday contribute to finding a cure for lycanthropy. I no longer smoke pipes. I got argued out of it by a clever physician--but I enjoy 4 or 5 fine cigars per year, when given them for free.
Stuart Rojstaczer
Post #1408 – 20011216
December 16, 2001
I woke up last night with an urge for some seltzer, a bagel, and herring (who knows why?). At any rate, as I opened my refrigerator door, I remembered reading or hearing a story somewhere about an old Jewish man (I’m comfortably in middle age, but sooner or later I’ll reach old-dom) who wakes up in the night to get something to eat. I vaguely remember something about crumbs, seltzer and maybe even Santa Claus in this story. My wife says that this sounds like something Pinkwater would recite NPR. You know….one of those stories full of “narishkite” similar to the one about Shakespeare writing for the Yiddish theater in Warsaw. So…..does this story about crumbs, Santa and and old Jewish guy ring a bell? If so, where can I get a hold of it? Best, Stuart
Daniel replies:
I have no idea--and now I have an urge for some seltzer, a bagel and some herring. It's 11:00 PM and I am in a howling wilderness. Please be more considerate when you write to me.
Purvis Evans
Post #1407 – 20011216
December 16, 2001
Greetings, Mr. Pinkwater:
Can you give me some info, please?
Recently at an estate sale I bought a 15-volume hardbound set of St. Nicholas — illustrated stories for boys and girls. These are dated about 1915 through maybe 1923, by Century Publishers.
The reading is simply delightful! Was St. Nicholas a magazine? Can you be so kind to tell me anything you can about this publication?
Thanks — love your Saturday NPR.
Daniel replies:
I believe it was a magazine--but I know nothing about it other than that. You should have no touble finding lots of information on the web.
Melanie Wegner
Post #1405 – 20011215
December 15, 2001
First and foremost I hope to collect all your books and start them as a family tradition.
I am a book designer and several years ago I working for a cover for an audiobook company. I listened to the tape and loved the story. The company I was working with did not produce the title and I’ve sense forgotten the name…
it was about the icecream cone god. I’m hoping my memory serves me right. Could you give me the title? Is it Borgel? Please let me know…
Daniel replies:
You probably mean _Borgel_, which can be found in the collection, 4 Fantastic Novels, published by Simon and Schuster. There's a popsicle in that story.
Joanne Monks
Post #1404 – 20011215
December 15, 2001
I have been a fan of Chinwag Theater for some time. There is always one laugh outloud moment each week. Keep up the good work.
However I was stunned to hear an interview this am on PBS where you dismissed color pencils as an art medium. Please Mr. P click on this link for enlightment.. www.cpsa.org
Daniel replies:
Yeah, well when I was small, color pencils used to loiter on the sidewalk, and try to trip me as I walked to school--and they'd take my lunch money away, and laugh at me. So there.
Leon Rivers-Moore
Post #1403 – 20011214
December 14, 2001
i think you are great. I am wondering if you would like to deliver you’re “100% Fact” stories to my little stupid lying, Vancouver, Canada, free tabloid newspaper The National Delegate (sounds pretty clever huh?) You won’t be paid because nobody gets paid, not even the printer (he is my brother).
Leon
What am i thinking, of course you won’t write for the delegate! oh well
Daniel replies:
What? You thought I wouldn't work for nothing? I'll have you know that I am not materialistic, and writing is its own reward. It's because the periodical is Canadian that I won't do it.
