Dorset, Vermont

David Gould, a local I.C. resident and UI faculty member, and I headed to Dorset, Vermont to visit John Irving, John Hyams and Jon Greenhalgh. David Gould, a few years back, produced a documentary about me called Freestyle. You should know Irving; he's a famous novelist and Academy Award winner. Hyams and Greenhalgh are writers and producers themselves and are not as famous, but close. Anyway, we visited these guys at Irving’s home and went over a potential movie script for the future. Irving's assistant, Alyssa, also very knowledgeable in this area, was present as well. Mrs. Irving (Janet) and their 14-year-old son (Everett) were also around somewhat, but both were extremely busy with a schedule that helps make one successful.

We met for a couple of hours, had a very good work-out and then dined and continued our conversations concerning matters of the script. The next day we proceeded with similar discussions. Wow - all these people are good! I was (most of the time) lost, but helped with a few items of importance. The information and direction of this meeting was a "meeting of the minds." It flowed well and details were put in place. It reminded me of a puzzle that keeps getting closer to completion and meaning.

Had lunch and another short meeting before hitting the wrestling room and sauna again. John Irving actually taught me a couple of new tricks during the work-out. David Gould also participated in the work-outs, but the other Jon & John backed off this. I think they remember the Lansing, Iowa "Wrestler's Hill" that I coached them up in the past. They looked pretty good anyway so I'm sure they are doing their own routines somewhere and somehow.

David and I took a car service from the airport to John's house and then the same for the return. The owner and driver was a big Patriots fan and loved the fact that Tim Dwight and Stephen Neal are known well by us. I fell asleep on these drives, but David and the driver (another David) had continual conversations. The overall trip was impressive. Janet's and John's home (where we stayed) was right out of a movie as well as the Inn we had dinner at. I felt a little like I was in the movie White Christmas with all of its charm.

Back to the real world.