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Daniel Kobayshi

Post #653 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Dear Captin Pinkwater,

Having sent a bussiness letter amoment ago I thought I should take a moment to write a more personal letter. When I was in fifth grade and I discovered Fat Men From Space and was delighted to learn that there was an adult that could be as strange as my friends and I. I was pleased and encouraged. I realized that people with imaginations like mine have a place in the world and a productive place at that. Years later, my mom bought me a copy of Fish Whistle and it chan ged my life. It truly is big A art. I’m a college student now but relentlessly hawk your work to any kid I can find and many adults. Nearly everyone loves it. I read a posting on this page aboyut a guy who is writing a song based on lizard Music. I’m also a bit of a musician and have contemplated trying to write a song duplicating the singing of the giant worms from The Worms of Kukumlima What do you think? I believe the world needs mpre worm music.

Anyways, I’d jsut like to thank you for all the pleasure and inspiration you’ve given me over the years.

Daniel replies:

Your business letter was forwarded by the good Aileron. It arrived garbled, so I have no idea what it was about, and my reply was refused. If you ask Aileron nicely, he may give you my e-mail address.


Ben Kolp

Post #524 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Mr. Pinkwater,

My name is Benjamin Kolp. I live in Hyde Park and occasionally see you at the Vanderbuilt Mansion, or driving around in your Volvo. I do not consider myself a “yokel” as Stefan Jones described your fellow residents of the Hudson Valley. I am currently a freshman at Cornell University. (If you want to see yokels, come up to the Finger Lakes region!)

I read and enjoyed Fish Whistle when I was 12, and Chicago Days, Hoboken Nights a few years later. I still ask everyone I meet what a dyslexic, agnostic insomniac does, and think of you when I hear the elevator music at the Galleria. I must say that your books played a major part in the development of my own sense of humor. This letter does not have much of a point, as you may have noticed…I just heard about this web site and wanted to say thanks for the hilarious stories that truly stick with me to this day, one “yokel” to another. Do you plan to do another such compilation of short stories from All Things Considered?

If you’re interersted, please send me your “real” e-mail address, so I can continue my pointless yokel ranting on a more personal level.

Thanks for the Laughs,

Ben Kolp

Daniel replies:

You will note that Mr. Jones makes reference to ""Poughkeepsie Yokels,"" not Hyde Park ones. In fact, Poughkeepsie yokels feel superior to Hyde Park ones, and laugh at them. I have tried for years to find out if there is a variety of yokel to whom Hyde Park yokels feel superior, and to this end have informally polled the locals here. The usual response to my question is, ""Duh. What do you mean?"" or ""Duh, I laugh at people who live in Saugerties, New York,"" or simply ""Duh."" I sold the Volvo a number of years ago when it shrank after being washed in hot water--so you may have been waving to some other fat yokel in such a car. 
We here are all proud to know that you are attending a fine university.


Stefan Jones

Post #706 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Esteemed Captain DogWrangler-san:

Is there an official and approved source of the Fishwhistle tape set?

I speak here of the tapes of the recordings you made specially of the Fishwhistle collection pieces, not the Dove audio tapes. I think the former was wonderful, with better readings and wonderful production.

I have found that playing the first few pieces (pudding, hot peppers, “he was daft”) for friends instantly turns them into tithe-paying followers of D. Manus. P. (Don’t worry; I’ve been collecting their tithes and investing them wisely.)

Alas, I loaned my tapes to friends rather than violating copyright and simply cloning them, and somewhere along the line they never got returned.

I hope you can help.

Eat Pudding,

Stefan

Daniel replies:

You shoulda cloned. The Bantam Audio Books Fishwhistle is long out of print, and gone, like most of my stuff. There isn't one thing I like about my experience with Dove Audio. I gave someone permission to make a non-exclusive version of the Dog stories (see Malcom the Malamute linked to this site). Maybe someone will come along who wants to publish a cassette of the Fishwhistle and Chicago Days stories. Some of those pieces will turn up on Chinwag Theater from time to time.


Erica Schoeneberg

Post #609 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Wow. O.K., when I was in the fourth grade I secretly built a fort in my closet complete with reading lamp, blankets, pillow, cheese and crackers. After my mom tucked me in one night , I stealthily made my way to the fort and read “Hoboken Chicken Emergency” from start to finish — until 4 AM or something. It wasn’t that I had to read your books in secrecy or anything — I just thought it would be interesting to read one, in secret, in my closet. Daniel Pinkwater, you were my first literary influence, and one of the reasons why I love to read. Also, you let me know that you can let your mind run willynilly and take you to some strange and complex places and it is a good thing. I can’t believe I am communicating with Daniel Pinkwater. You rule. Thank you!

Daniel replies:

You overwhelm me. I am overwhelmed. Usually, I am whelmed, seldom underwhelmed. This time, like I said. It's a good thing I attained enlightenment before I started seeing posts like yours, or I might become confused as well as overwhelmed. Ah. It's passing already. I feel better. Thanks for expressing your enthusiasm. I will try to do better, and be worthy of such esteem.


Suzu Renaud

Post #675 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Dear Daniel Pinkwater:

Thank you for the many hours of fun I’ve had with your imaginative and delightful stories. One of my most prized books is a torn and tattered paperback of “Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars” which I bought at age 16 (was it really 14 years ago?) for a quarter from the school library. Best quarter I ever spent.

But I’m not writing to tell you about that. No…I want to tell you about Hassan’s joke. Or rather the story in which you retell it: “Direct from a Triumphant Engagement in Karchi” (from “Fish Whistle”).

You know, there’s something about that story that just cracks everyone up. I read it to my husband and he guffawed. I read it to my in-laws and they hooted. Last night I read it to my best friend and he laughed non-stop for five minutes. And even after all this time, I still can’t keep from laughing when I read it.

Just thought you’d like to know that you and Hassan are still knocking ’em dead in Toronto.

Yer pal,

Suzu Renaud

See yourself lionized at www.interlog.com/~suzu/s_books.htm

Daniel replies:

You must know how to tell it.


Luke Brechtelsbauer

Post #541 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

You seem to have being famous figured out. I don’t see your birthday in the USA weekend, or your girlfriends on the covers of trashy women’s magazines in grocery store checkout lanes. If I am ever famous, I want to be famous just like you. Any tips? (Not on getting famous, I can do that, but on being famous)

Daniel replies:

You know, I was thinking something very similar about my status. Not that I've figured it out...but if you are going to be a writer, or something of the kind, you sort of have to be known, if not famous--and that bites, in most people's cases, but not mine. I think it has to do with the sort of people who tend to be attracted to the work I do, (which reflects well on me and the work). In ten years of broadcasting on NPR, for instance, I have only heard from one annoying jerk...and she was enjoyable! I will tell the conversation, because I got off _such_ a great line. This is verbatim. It followed the broadcast of a piece in which I imitated my father's Russian/Yiddish accent:
caller: Mr. Pinkwater, you have defamed and degraded the Jewish people. You are not talented, and you are not funny.
me: Mother?


Jean-David Beyer

Post #514 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

am part way through “The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death.” How could anyone who is not a Sherlock Holmes fanatic as I am, and you must be, possibly recognize all the literary allusions!? Ormond Sacker and Sigerson, indeed! Wow! I guess you can read as well as write. Is there to be a Pinkwater Canon as well as a Doyle one? Or maybe there is a Pinkwater cannon in your front lawn.

Daniel replies:

You imagine you find references in my work to that of Sir Arthur? Well, who am I to say you nay? Everything is in the eye of the beholder, according to Lord Buddha and others. Should you wish to have a look at the Hoboken Chicken Emergencyclopedia, a couple of guys named Hal and Ian seem to be building some sort of index, or concordance, or post-modern, hermaneutical, desconstructivist index pertaining to my literary products. No worse than collecting matchbooks or beer cans, I suppose. It's all over the head, and beyond the scope of this simple storyteller.


David Peterson

Post #606 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Like everyone, I got started with Lizard Music… some subversive at my older sister’s school slipped her a copy which I quickly misappropriated from her schoolbag (and later paid the library late fine, too).

Now that the T-Rex and Raptors of Jurassic Park are coming ’round a second time, when will we see lizards named Reynold brought to life on the silver screen?

Anyway, since I do this far too seldom, I’d like to say thank you for writing books that make me think. I may not agree with everything you write, but I’ve never put down one of your books feeling cheated, or that my time was wasted.

Daniel replies:

You don't agree with everything I write? How is that possible? You must be some kind of subversive.


Jay Blundon

Post #614 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Mr. Pinkwater,

Thanks so much for the fun you’ve given us as we’ve read so many of your stories at our nightly bedtime reading sessions! Whenever my sons and I go to the public library, I’m usually the one who heads for the letter P in the kid’s section! My two boys will soon turn 8 and 10, and both of them have expressed their desire to be artists! I’ve created a home page for their artwork, entitled “KidComics”! I’m sure they’d be thrilled to have you visit and send them a letter. It’s at: blundon.biology.rhodes.edu/best.html (then click on “KidComics”).

Thanks so much.

Jay Blundon (long time fan of ice cream in root beer, notorious punster, and neuroscience professor)

P.S. When my oldest son was in 1st grade, I read his class Doodle Flute while he dressed up as Mason Mintz! “That’s just the kinda guy I am!”

Daniel replies:

You confuse me. First, you read to your kids, which is so good--then you read them stuff by me, which is pratically guaranteed to make them anti-social, difficult, anti-authoritarian weirdos. At least, that is my hope.


Pippa Holloway

Post #620 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Dear Mr. Pinkwater:

I have finally located Chef Chow’s Hot and Spicy Oil. I always suspected it really exists. Now, how much of this stuff do I have to eat before I start seeing the lizard bands on TV?

Daniel replies:

You aren't supposed to take that stuff internally! You're supposed to sprinkle it on your family altar to Ganesha, or Mr. Spock, or Janis Joplin, or whoever. Hope this hasn't reached you too late. _Eat_ Chef Chow's Hot and Spicy Oil? What next?


Alex Muzzy

Post #581 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Mr Pinkwater, what a joy it is to finally write to you. I can still remember the day that I was in the school library when I first saw “The Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror”. The title alone urged me to read it. However the librarian insisted that I read “The Snarkout Boys and the Avacado of Death” first. I didn’t want to, mostly because of an aversion to avacados spawned by my mothers guacamole, but I did anyways.

Just three years ago I managed to track down a copy of that book, at a local library. Can you imagine a 21 year old college student in the young readers section of the library clutching onto a book, hugging it and crying his eyes out? Well that was me.

The world that you created was so wonderful. Where to most people it seemed to be a normal piece of reality, there was – just around the corner – a hidden world of magic and wonder. I have strived to find that hidden world in my own life. And I still hope to one day find myself on Snark Street, and to stop in at the Snark Street Theatre. Or to turn on the TV late at night, only to find Lizards playing music.

Your books shaped my life in incredible ways. I thank you.

On a total side note. I’ve wondered what your feelings would be on someone opening up a Snark Street Theatre. I’ve often thought that such a place is something that this world needs.

Will the Snarkout Boys ever have another adventure? Other than the Chicken Man, have any other characters from that “series” shown up in any of your other books?

Also, if you and your wife are ever in the greater Seattle area I’d love to take the two of you out to dinner. It would be an honor.

With Thanks and Love,

Alec Muzzy

Daniel replies:

You _cried_ when you found the book? A strange coincidence--I cried when I got the royalty statement. Well, you can have a copy, plus 4 other books that hardly made any money the first time, in the collection being touted on this page. I saw a photo of an early movie theater, (which, for some reason, I seem to remember was owned by the brother of Jack London--or is that some misconception?), was called The Snark. Something I was unaware of when I wrote the books. I had planned to write at least one more, ""I Snarked with a Zombie,"" but, you know...publishers. Thanks for checking in, Alex.


Danny Meyer

Post #660 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Dear Daniel,

Is it really true that you don’t read? And if so, what aren’t you reading right now?

By the way, your biography on this website contains some of the best comments about writing I’ve ever read.

Trying to sound cute,

Danny Meyer

Daniel replies:

You _are_ cute, Danny Mayer. I am not reading a number of things right now--cuts into my not watching TV time.


Christel

Post #566 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Mister Pinkwater Sir,

I am about to enter college this fall as a freshman art student. Do you as a former college art student have any words of wisdom you might be willing to pass on to the younger generation?

Daniel replies:

Yes. I have plenty wisdom about being a college art student. Here is some: Take as many non-art courses as you can. Resist depression--it's a little-known fact that art students tend to become more miserable, and work harder, than anyone but pre-meds. This may be because progress in art is hard to quantify...it's amorphous...so you can't know if you're learning anything, or anything good, or whether you have any talent. Remember that your teachers, for the most part, are art students who never left. Try to listen to everybody, but don't completely believe anybody. Draw constantly. Cultivate a cheerful attitude. Experiment. Change your major.


Barbara Yanoshek

Post #569 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Dear Mr.Pinkwater,

My son has just turned in a book report on another book by you (one of many). This one was Lizard Music. He is in the third grade and I am worried. He just can’t get enough. Will his teacher think he is weird? Will she question his home life? Will he become someone I am proud of?

I ran into this site while canoeing the net. My son wanted me to find a picture of you to “beef up” an already awesome report.

Concerned in Anchorage.

Daniel replies:

Yes, his teacher will think he is weird. Yes, she will question his home life. Also, other things will happen. Be strong. Later, your son will be admitted to a fine university, and distinquish himself there, after which he will go to Tibet, and live in a cave...with a chicken.


Jim Mica

Post #588 – 19970101

January 1, 1997

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

As a 48-year-old young-adult (with corn cob pipes and only slightly more hair than you sport) I find myself in the strange position of being a new fan of yours!

I really liked the story of the kid from Mars, course I’m pretty wierd anyways because I used to hang out with Jeffrey Broido when I was in college –a while back.

Do keep up the good work and your crusade for “real bagels”, should you ever wander into Ithaca, New York we’ll have to hit one of the bagel places.

Jim Mica

P.S. I didn’t play piccolo in my HS band, I played a tenor drum, base drum and finally worked my way up to a snare.

Daniel replies:

Yes, hanging out with Jeff Broido qualifies you as weird. Do buy a copy of the 5 Novels book. (My royalty is so negligible, I can hawk these without shame). Perfect for a new reader.


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