Compleat

Compleat:
adj.: 1. Of or characterized by a highly developed or wide-ranging skill or proficiency. 2. Being an outstanding example of a kind; quintessential.

Steve Martin

Those two words, the name of one of my favorite people on this earth, bring up so many images in my mind. Bunny ears, arrow through the head, calling card, the jerk, father of the bride, dirty rotten scoundrel, SNL, King Tut, cruel shoes, wild and crazy guy, genius.

He's nice looking, in good shape, smart, financially secure, old enough to be a grown up, but young enough to still have energy. He has interesting work, and the freedom not to be working all the time too. He has dancing ability and a strong feeling for music or art and he obviously loves the movies. ...and he's funny - the perfect man.

Although this time a few days ago I would have told you that there isn't anything I can think of that would make me admire him more, I have to say that this is no longer the case. David Letterman would have proved me wrong.

I rarely stay up late enough for Letterman - I just don't get enough sleep if I do. A few nights ago, however, I was "burning the midnight oil" for no particular reason and it came on. The musical guest for the night was {insert drumroll} Steve Martin. Screech! Um...he's gonna sing or what? Well, little did I know, Steve is quite the musician. He plays the banjo, and he and his band "Men With Banjos (Who Know How to Use Them)" performed. I was blown away. These guys know how to play the banjo and I was surprised not to see smoke coming off their fingers. I knew that he played in those old routines, but I had no idea he was so talented!

Now, I have quite a soft spot for this kind of music since it is what my grandfather played. He was in a band called the "Missouri Travelers" and they performed on the nursing home and senior meal site circuit for years. Grandpa played the fiddle (don't call it a violin!) and played it well. Happily, my mother and I had the foresight to record some of their performances before they disbanded. It's just been these last couple of years that they stopped playing since grandpa has been losing his eyesight. He played with them up until age 90. I even played "second" for him on the piano a few times.

After grandpa "retired" from playing the fiddle, he gave the violin to my mom. A beautiful instrument that she said he'd had as long as she remembers, we were stunned to find the makers mark of "Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 1889" when we looked it over. I'll be damned.

I digress.

Steve's band was great. I admire him so much for doing something like that as it not only takes a significant amount of talent, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It warms my heart to see him pickin' and grinnin'.



I hear that an autograph from Steve is a rare thing - he does not give them. When asked, he gives out a card that states "You have had a close encounter with Steve Martin." There's just something so cool about that.

You know, I really could go on and on about Steve, but it's getting quite late and my pillow is calling me. You can read a lot more interesting stuff about him here or here, so I'll leave it at that.

Just know that I completely adore him. *grin*