Two minutes to air. David Letterman wanders out on stage to warm up the audience. We need it. The temperature inside Stage 36 at CBS Television City has been set at 58 degrees. Johnny Carson apparently started that tradition——the colder the audience, the more responsive the audience goes the perverse thinking. But the reaction fromContinue reading “Letterman in L.A.”
Author Archives: Dave Congalton
1 Out of 350
In a perfect world, this would be an easy story to tell. After all, Lori Atwater is a young woman of considerable talent and achievement. Bright. Articulate. Hardworking. Playing a major role in the shaping of our community. As the information coordinator for the city of San Luis Obispo, Lori’s directly responsible for getting theContinue reading “1 Out of 350”
Sally and Kristin
By all account, she was a young woman with a future. She went off to college, a good Midwestern private school. Joined a sorority. Made friends easily. Studied hard, but not too hard. Partied hard, but within reason. She wasn’t my best student, but she tried. After graduation, she landed a job doing marketing forContinue reading “Sally and Kristin”
The Stuff of Dreams
This is the moment, the stuff that dreams are supposedly made of. Catherine Ryan Hyde carefully, but assuredly, seals the nondescript cardboard mailing box. She’s saying goodbye to the last six months of her life; that’s how long it’s taken the Cambria author to write and rewrite, and rewrite again, the 286 typed, double-spaced pagesContinue reading “The Stuff of Dreams”
This House on the Hill
By Scott Andrews Editor’s Note: From time to time, I’ll share personal essays from friends that I particularly enjoy. We start the series with this piece by Scott Andrews, founder and Executive Director of the SLO Jazz Festival. I have to admit, when I come out to my folks’ place now, I am sad andContinue reading “This House on the Hill”
Hold the Mayo
That someone would find it odd is quite understandable. Not me. After all, these are my parents and I know what to expect when I visit. It’s all pretty predictable. I usually get up around 8, and plod through the house, trying my best to act awake. Mom is in the kitchen, making morning coffee.Continue reading “Hold the Mayo”
The Young Turks
Arthur James Clancy Lewis Hogarth came to town for a brief visit last Saturday. Lewis has been a special part of my life for almost a decade. He was there the day I brought Topper home from the shelter. He introduced me to Charlotte. There was, of course, much to catch up on as weContinue reading “The Young Turks”
Topper Meets the Material Girl
Author’s Note: Topper (1983-1997) was a one-of-a-kind dog who started with me back in Indiana and spent the last ten years of his life on the Central Coast. In 1990, while a reporter for the San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune, I used Topper as the basis for a series of popular articles called “Walking Topper,”Continue reading “Topper Meets the Material Girl”
Thinking Outside the Box
Our plans for the weekend have changed unexpectedly. A friend died earlier this week and we have to juggle our schedule so that we can attend his memorial service on Sunday. We weren’t all that close, more a friend of a friend, but we always respected the man. We will definitely be there on Sunday.Continue reading “Thinking Outside the Box”
This Won’t Hurt a Bit
Linda Galanos stands at the foot of the examining table. Her voice is matter-of-fact. “OK, I want you to place your right foot here and your left foot over there,” she says, pointing towards the floor. “Then I’m going to have you lean forward.” I’m naked under the paper-thin gown. It’s 9:15 in the morningContinue reading “This Won’t Hurt a Bit”
Dave Congalton Stories 