Tag: Weird Texas

You know you've made it to local quasi-celeb status when you're the subject of a car-dealership promotion.

Starting today, Teape (pronounced "tape") Subaru in Hurst and Arlington, Texas, will be offering a free copy of Weird Texas, signed by me, with the purchase of a vehicle. Really, what better way to break in your new car than by visiting Cadillac Ranch or the Beer Can House?

What's more — get this — between now and Sept. 4, you can enter to win a date with yours truly! (No purchase necessary.) OK, it's technically just dinner for two, plus me, so it's not really a date. But who knows? We'll see how things go.

Now then, who needs me to host some TV commercials for their discount electronics?

I want to apologize to everyone who came to the book signing in Corpus Christi on Saturday. I was supposed to be there with my co-author Rob Riggs, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to make the trip. I'm embarrassed to have canceled, but thank you for coming out. Luckily, I was still able to make it to Houston, where Rob and I were greeted by a terrific crowd of fans. Thanks to all of you, as well. You made it worth driving through Houston.

For everyone in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, keep an eye on WB33. I shot a story Wednesday night with the lovely Sandra Hernandez about eerie sites in my neighborhood. We covered an infant cemetery, the legend of Screaming Bridge and two unusual tales centered on River Legacy Park, all located in Arlington.

I'd go into more detail, but I'm getting ready to head back west in a couple of days to gather more research for Weird Arizona. I hadn't originally planned to return so soon, but I've decided to collect as much material as I can before winter and hunker down the next couple of months with my laptop. Should make it back just in time for Thanksgiving.

No costume for me this year, unfortunately. I was thinking about going as Duff Man, but I just wasn't able to get my belt of beer cans ready in time.

I wouldn't have gotten a chance to wear it, anyway, as my co-author Rob Riggs and I were invited to the Texas Book Festival at the state capitol over the weekend. What an event this thing was! Seeing so many people excited about books — hell, seeing so many people who could read — raised my faith in society a couple of points.

We even held a panel discussing Weird Texas. Thank you to everyone who showed up, too! (Except maybe the smarmy little heckler in front.) No joke, people were actually standing along the walls and sitting in the aisles. Is this how one measures success? When people violate fire codes to see you fumble with PowerPoint? (And a special thank you to Your Company's Computer Guy who knowingly scoffed from the audience, "Just hit Ctrl-F!") ... Continued

Had my second book signing Saturday up in Denton. I have to say it was another great turnout! More good muffins, too. But I earned them this time by signing four 3-foot-tall stacks of Weird Texas before I left. Bad news, I guess, for the guy trying to sell one of my signed copies on Amazon.

I've also been hopping around the state taping a segment for Channel 8's Why Guy, Mike Castellucci. So far, we've hit the Cathedral of Junk in Austin, Stonehenge II out in Hunt and the Eiffel Tower of Paris, Texas, up near the border. The weather hasn't really been with us, but it made for a couple of interesting shots at Stonehenge II.

I haven't a clue what footage they'll be using from all of this, but hey, any excuse to put on my best Hawaiian shirt. Hell, they could've just told me they were buying me dinner at Austin's Chuy's and I would've made the trip. ... Continued

I just discovered this listing on Amazon for a copy of Weird Texas I had signed.

I had no idea I was worth so much.

Another week, another summarization. Which brings up the most important point I'll probably raise in this entry: Why do we have words like "summarization"? "Summary" isn't long-winded enough? You don't know what kind of agony these things cause me.

Speaking of long-winded, I got a whole hour on the Glenn Mitchell radio show last week, live from the State Fair of Texas! I followed the guy who organizes the pig races. I'm not kidding.

I don’t mean to disparage the show, of course. It was actually one of the best interviews I've had so far. Plus, all my others were call-ins; this one had microphones and headsets and a guy adjusting little knobs and everything. Except for the yokels walking by with stuffed animals and food on sticks, it's what I would consider a real radio interview.

We had a lot of callers, too. It seems people really do enjoy the kind of stuff that went into Weird Texas. And here I thought I was the only one who loved giant fiberglass statues. ... Continued

If you note the date on this entry, you'll see I haven't written anything since I returned from my Arizona trip. I wish I could say I've been sleeping this whole time, but that's a task I have yet to complete.

Promotion for Weird Texas has been nonstop. For the first time in my life, the desk planner I buy every year actually has something written on it other than "Haircut 2:30."

The Friday after I returned home, I dropped by Fox's morning show to talk about the book. Of course, I say "dropped by" like I made a surprise guest appearance. "Hey, guys! I hope I'm not interrupting any late-breaking cooking segments. Ha-ha. Oh, my book? Well, I wasn't going to bring that up, but since you asked ..."

I'd post a copy of the video, but my VCR decided to short-circuit that morning. It couldn't have crapped out on a Frasier rerun. Nope, it chose my first TV interview. But it's just as well. I think I screwed up the story on Ozymandias, anyway. ... Continued

Tag: Weird Texas

Alcoholic Beverages Not Included With Meal

On the Road Again

Boasts, Ghosts and Radio Hosts

Creatures and Other Features

That's Some Markup

Airplay Is Fair Play

Disappointments Now Not My Only Appointments