Juan Epstein Inspired Me

juan epstein
Please excuse Juan from school today as he was sick. Signed, Epstein's Mother

I’m excited.

For the past year I’ve wanted to do something other than just write here on the blog. Writing is what I do best and, quite frankly, what I enjoy most. Since I pump out content each day my words aren’t as expertly crafted as I would prefer. If I write less frequently and in a longer format I think I could really produce something of quality. I’m trying to get my act together, and starting in 2013 will work on some sort of book.

About this time last year I added in blog videos to supplement my writing. I don’t do them frequently because they take so damned long. Even for a two minute bit I might record it six times because I screw up and lose my train of thought. Then I have to add in music, intro animation, fades and ultimately, produce. Since I do it in HD that alone takes thirty minutes. All in all two hours of work for two minutes of video is a pain. And if what I have to say isn’t funny it just doesn’t work.  I once did a nine minute video about I was super sad as an experiment to see if it would be watchable. It was not.

Many of your know that I don’t drink. This was not always the case.

Twelve years ago I was sitting in my backyard having beers with a friend from  grade school  who I’ll call Juan Epstein (from Welcome Back Kotter fame).

juan epstein
Please excuse Juan from school today as he was sick. Signed, Epstein’s Mother

While I was drinking beers, Juan Epstein was also drinking beers and high on acid. This was mid-day at around 4pm. The acid hour, as you know.

I won’t go through the dialogue, but I was blathering on about something or other and he stopped me in the middle of a sentence. Juan demanded that I go grab a tape recorder right then and record our conversation. Then he told me we would take the tape directly to Rock106, one of the local FM stations, and demand that they give me a radio show. Juan proudly awarded himself my agent and that I was destined for greatness.

First off, even sober Juan was a little kooky. But with a head full of acid he was, well, kookier.

I thanked Juan Epstein for the compliment, as a nice phrase always turns this girl’s head, but I didn’t really want to go into radio. I had spent some time with radio guys when I traveled around the country with the beer company. They all seemed miserable. Plus, I really hate that fake “radio voice.” Oh, and I have no skills in broadcasting. I was part of a radio show in college where we did comedy bits but nobody ever listened since it was on Saturday nights from 12am-2am.

Since I started this blog I’ve had a few ideas of how I could participate in more of an auditory format. The goal was to produce and host myself but also include content that wasn’t solely about me. While still in it’s infancy I think I have the seedling of an idea. Thankfully I have the technical know-how and I’ve reached out to a few people who want to take part.

Without giving you the details, I should have something out before the holidays. I think it will be a nice addition to my writings and I hope it will be well-received.

Since I haven’t said it in a long time, your readership is very important to me and I thank you for the comments, emails, tweets, and facebook jabs. A number of you have given me ideas that have resulted in changes I’ve made. I do listen. Well, most of the time. If your ideas suck I just point at the screen and laugh at you. Because you’re stupid!

6 thoughts on “Juan Epstein Inspired Me”

  1. KateHall says:

    Looking forward to what’s new!  Love what you write.  Love to give you a hard time.

    1. D.J. Paris says:

      KateHall  You really do.

  2. andreabadgley says:

    I love being one of your readers.   You add at least two smiles to my life every day, and often an out-loud laugh.   Today, “a nice phrase always turns this girl’s head” brought an automatic smile.   Keep it up.   I can’t wait to see what this seedling of an idea is.

    1. D.J. Paris says:

      andreabadgley  I am so glad you let me know! This made my Saturday!

  3. bluenotebacker says:

    I, too, enjoy being one of your readers. I cherish the time I get to spend reading your blog posts and one day hope I might make people laugh as you make me laugh. Winning.

    1. D.J. Paris says:

      bluenotebacker  Wow! That is SOOOO nice. You’ve been a great reader for a long time. Thanks.

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