Inherited Gregarious Thespianism

Dr. Andy reflects briefly on fate, and the difficulty of avoiding microphones

Dear Friends,

My father, Davey Marlin-Jones, was an actor, magician, theatre director, film director, drama and film critic, and eventually, drama, directing, and playwriting professor.

Widely recognized in Washington, D.C. because of his movie reviews which aired on the local CBS affiliate just before the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, my dad was larger than life, a convivial, confident, and dynamic performer.

Wanting to fill my own shoes, as it were, I resolved to chart my own course rather than taking acting classes, learning about broadcast media, or embracing public speaking, the way that my dad had when he was young. I decided to study English literature and psychology.

Today I am a public performer, a public speaker, a radio talk show host, a weekly columnist, and a perpetual master of ceremonies. Les widely regarded than my dad, I am still sometimes stopped by appreciative words from strangers on the streets of Davis, where I am also known as a devoted dad who takes long walks with his disabled son.

When it comes to confronting what Homer in the 8^th century BC called “moira,” or fate, I sometimes feel like heroes such as Oedipus, Macbeth, Paul Atreides, all of whom tried to avoid their destinies, and in that attempted avoidance, fulfilled them. Only my story has much less murdering.

I think of my inherent and inherited gregarious thespianism when I was recently invited to apply to be a Picnic Day Parade announcer and thus playing a part in the yearly “open house” of the University of California, Davis. Filling out a form, I was asked if I was qualified for such a job.

The first time I was recruited to announce at the Picnic Day Parade, almost 20 years ago, a fellow KDVS DJ merely tapped me on the shoulder and told me where to show up. This most recent time, I was told that the “Duties include, but are not limited to information meetings, run-throughs of the script, being at the event bright and early, and having fun!” I can do that.

Then the form asked me about my skills. I was told that the interview committee “Would like to see the use of organization, flexibility, and articulation.” Ideally, I “Would need to be outgoing, able to speak in front of a crowd, and able to maintain a high level of energy throughout the event.”

Thanks to my dad and to my having hosted over 2,000 events since graduating from UC Davis with my Ph.D., I feel ready to take up the microphone once again, this time on April 12^th in service to the 111^th Picnic Day.

Maybe I will see you there.

---

I host a weekly Pub Quiz that many people enjoy remotely via Patreon.

Thanks to all the new players joining us at the live quizzes and to all the patrons who have been enjoying fresh Pub Quiz content. We have over 60 members now! Thanks especially to new subscribers Megan, Michael, Janet, Jasmine, Joey, Carly, The X-Ennial Falcons, and The Nevergiveruppers! Every week I check the Patreon to see if there is someone new to thank. I also thank The Original Vincibles, Summer Brains, Still Here for the Shakesbeer, The Outside Agitators, John Poirier’s team Quizimodo, Gena Harper, the conversationally entertaining dinner companions and bakers of marvelous and healthy treats, The Mavens, who keep attending, despite their ambitious travel schedules and the dropping temperatures and the cost of avocado. Thanks to everyone who supports the Pub Quiz on Patreon. I would love to add your name or that of your team to the list of pub quiz boosters. I appreciate your backing this pub quiz project of mine!

Best,

Dr. Andy

P.S. Three Pub Quiz questions from last week:

1. Science. What do we call the study of fossils?

2. Books and Authors. Maya Angelou was 40 years old when her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was published. Name the decade.

3. Current Events – Names in the News. We were reminded this week that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is grooming which of the following to be his successor: His son, his daughter, or his niece?