Paul Acampora's Blog, page 5

Thank you Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Sometime in 1977 or 1978, Donna Smith, the prettiest girl I'd ever seen up to that point in my short life, approached me in the hallway at St. Paul Catholic High School. Donna was tall and athletic with a sweet, round face like a ragdoll cat's. Her hair was long and brown, and she looked a lot like Susan Day in the Partridge Family. Unlike Susan Day, Donna also had really cute ears. I'd never noticed anybody's ears before.

Donna asked me if I could help her with something. She could have aske...

Soundtrack for one of my works in progress...

Hope

I try not to worry about things I cannot control. For the most part, I'm almost too good at it. But there has been something that's been worrying me for many months now. It's the movie version of Where The Wild Things Are. Why do we need that? Why would we want it? Now I understand why. And I am totally counting the days till it gets here!

DLAW BEGINS CANCER FREE!

I wasn't sure how I was going to start my observation of this year's DLAW -- DAVID LUBAR APPRECIATION WEEK -- until I read David's thoughtful "Surivivor, Cancer Island" note this morning.

Cancer has been a member of my family for many years. We know it well. We don't like it. But the fact that so many of us are able to stand around grinning like fools these days is evidence that regular check-ups, quality healthcare and medical research really works. I'm very glad that cancer is no longer a p...

Space Dog!

Book recommendation: In Hovering Flight

Check out this wonderful, well-deserved Washington Post book review of "In Hovering Flight," a quietly powerful and beautiful novel by my friend, former teacher and current writing group partner, Joyce Hinnefeld. And then go buy her book!

Update:  I see that one of my very favorite book reviewers, Colleen Mondor, loved it too!

The quiet intensity of William Shatner calls to all old A.V. Club Members

So it looks like somebody went ahead and made the fantasy biography film of me and my old high school friends.  Here's the synopsis of FANBOYS :

It's 1998 and Star Wars fanboys across the globe eagerly await the release of Episode I.  But for Eric, Linus, Hutch and Windows the term "fanboy" is more than just a title, it's a badge of honor. Spurred by impatience and an undying loyalty to their cause, these former high school friends reunite to undertake the road trip of their fan-tasies...

IMPORTANT ELECTION NEWS: Obama kids getting puppy!!!

Win to deliver new puppy for Obama's daughters

CHICAGO (AP) — OK, dad won the presidency, but the election victory yielded a special bonus for Barack Obama's two daughters.

"I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House," Obama told Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, during his victory speech.

The good news for his daughters came as Obama acknowledged his family's contributions to his campaign. The news prompted even bigger smiles as they surrounded...