Dan's Papers - December 14, 2007 -

Dear Dan,
Dear Sabrina Mashburn,
I saw your response to critics ("Dear Critics in Arms") concerning your performance on the Kitchen Nightmares program. I thought it was very well written. I'm sure that you were surprised by the reaction received by your appearance. Unfortunately, people don't realize the editing that takes place in putting together a television show, nor do they realize that the producers already have an idea of how they're going to piece a story together. I've encountered this myself even with print media (I'm sure Dan's Papers is an exception). I suggest looking at the experience as an opportunity for you as well as for Dan's Papers.
I have a couple of websites that I'd like to share with you - FlightsFromHell.com and DinnersFromHell.com. Both sites offer the opportunity for people to submit stories about their hellish flying and dining experiences, among other things. Besides the therapeutic aspects of the sites in allowing people to vent, they also offer some very entertaining stories. Besides providing stories (which don't mention restaurant names), DinnersFromHell.com also offers numerous resources to help people have more "heavenly" dining experiences (e.g. links for articles on etiquette, tipping, dining with children, restaurant reviews, etc., as well as an advice column).
Both websites recently received a spate of publicity, having been profiled in the New York Times ("Venting, Yes. Profits, No"), and featured on MSNBC.com (Freaky flights: Should you greet the gremlin?). Most recently, they were profiled in a Seattle Post-Intelligencer blog (Flights From Hell).
Well, I'd better get back to helping my wife prepare our home for relatives that are coming over for a Thanksgiving feast!

xxxx from hell - you fill in the blank. - DR

Dear Dan,
My brother in-law and friend, Bobby Van Velsor passed away yesterday.
When Bobby Van married my sister Marina Van Veslor, East Hampton Chamber, his restaurant was in it's "author heyday." And with that venue, Bobby brought both life and flair to a very different Bridgehampton during those years. When I graduated music school, he welcomed me with opened arms. He taught me how to be a better piano player, although I could never play like him. When I had my first "mini" hit record, he proudly put it on his jukebox, playing it when I walked in through the door as I visited every weekend from Manhattan.
We talked and had endless discussions at "round table" seatings, over lots of beer, great food and music. The table usually included Lukas Foss, Irwin Shaw, Willie Morris, James Jones and Jack Whitaker. And when Bobby played piano, the whole crowd of great southern writers, sports reporters, and New York artists gathered around. When I think back, I can almost smell the whiskey in that smoke-filled room and hear the laughter and music. Great times.
Bobby was a great friend, teacher and creative advisor. Probably the best "popular saloon" piano player I've ever heard. I miss him, his music, and the gift of love and style he brought to many people.

Marcus Barone
Film Music Group
First International Pictures
President and Music Supervisor
Los Angeles, California
Via e-mail

Dear Dan,
A while back, your son wrote a great article about his misadventures buying a pair of shoes at Aldo. I recall laughing until there were tears in my eyes.
A friend of mine was considering purchasing a pair of ombre stilettos at Aldo, and David's hilarious commentary sprang to mind immediately. I am wondering which month the article was published, so that I might show my buddy. I know she will get a real kick out of it.

It was two years ago. Anybody know? - DR

Dear Dan,
I am very sad about Spalding leaving us. I know it is very difficult to lose a close friend, that special someone that knows every single motion and movement you make and every blink of your eye...speaking to you without words. He was a wonderful pet, friend and our little mascot. I am sure he is watching over you and is moving along with your every step. At least he is in peace. My thoughts have been with you these past few days, knowing what you were going through. He will be missed by everyone, especially his friends at Dan's.

He's left broken hearts. - DR

Dear Dan,
When President Bush announced his attention to wage war against Iraq, my friend Caroline Lockhart and I painted a huge banner that read: WAR AGAINST IRAQ IS MADNESS. We dressed in black and stood in silence on the traffic circle at the end of Main Street, Sag Harbor, for one hour, holding up our banner. One week later, over 200 people joined us in protest. That was six years ago.
Do we have to do this all over again as Bush deliberately, cruelly and stupidly leads us into war against Iran when he already knows, as per the latest information from his own National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, that the Iranians have halted their nuclear weapons program! "Oh, but they might develop one!" says Bush.
It's the same story all over again: Bush deliberately lying and misleading Americans in his personal war game against Iran. Remember "weapons of mass destruction?" There weren't any. Now it's "nuclear weapons program." There isn't one.
We cannot afford to let the Bushites start another catastrophic war. If we do, 9/11 will seem like chocolate peanuts in comparison to what we may expect in retaliation.