Merry Christmas Fator Tots!

I am writing this aboard an airline headed for LAX from Boston. My intense schedule is almost over and I am preparing myself to spend Christmas with my family. Jep, Pam, my niece Alyssa, Debi, my brother –in-law Russell Scott Walker (the loose inspiration for Duggie Scott Walker) and his wife Tracy are all coming to our new home in Vegas to spend Christmas! Hopefully my mother-in-law Shirley will join us but she is not feeling well and I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for her as she tries to discover what the trouble is.
Yesterday was Melinda's birthday, and I gave her a 1966 Stingray Corvette and a life-sized stuffed white tiger. I think she liked the Corvette best. She had wanted one of those since we first got married 17 years ago. I made a vow to myself that one day I would give her one, and thanks to all of you I have been able to keep my promise. Thanks, Fator Tots! You rock!
This year's going to be a real Christmas Vacation (starring Chevy Chase) Christmas! Hopefully without all the trouble, but even if there's trouble, it's OK. It'll be great to have the family together!
As I write I am watching A Christmas Story on my iPhone.  I am sitting here in my seat laughing out loud because I see myself in so many of the scenes in the movie. If you want to know exactly what I was like as a kid watch A Christmas Story starring Peter Billingsly. I'm at the pointy where Ralph (the main character) gets his secret decoder ring and finds out it's only an advertisement for Ovaltine.  If you've read my book Who's the Dummy Now (Sneaky sneaky!) you know that I was just like little Ralphie. I can't tell you how much joy I feel to watch this movie and think of how very much it resembles my childhood, even though it takes place in the forties and I was a kid in the seventies.
I didn't put this in my book, but one of my favorite Christmases was when I was seven and Jep and I got BB guns for Christmas. We had so much fun going out afterwards and shooting targets. That movie reminds me so much of being a kid. I love watching it every year!
This has been a very stressful time in my life. Yesterday the airlines lost my luggage and the rest of the day went just as badly! I got to my hotel room frazzled and aching to take a nap but my room wasn't ready. I was about ready to explode!
But I had a show in Worcester, MA and as soon as I stepped on stage all my troubles melted away and I realized that I am the most blessed man on the planet! You wonderful Fator Tots have no idea how much I appreciate you all. You are my joy, and no matter how badly my day has been, it's all OK once I step out in front of you and start to perform.
I had such a fun show and I actually got a good night's sleep last night as well! What a great end to a terrible day.
Anyway, life continues to push forward with all its ups and downs and I am hurling in space toward Los Angeles where I get to perform for a great crowd again tomorrow night.  What a wonderful life!
Speaking of It's a Wonderful Life I watched It's a Wonderful Life with my warm-up act All Night Mike last night. It was the first time he had ever seen the movie and he absolutely loved it. Those of you who have read my profile here on MySpace know that it is my favorite movie of all time, and now All Night Mike understands why.  I think it's easy for us to forget just how important it is for us to remember that our affect on others is the most significant part of our time here on earth. I hope I never lose that understanding, and as long as I always make it a paramount part of my life I don't think I ever will.
I guess all of this is just to let you all know how very much I appreciate you all and to tell every one of you to not forget that this is the season to think about the ones you love and put your Self on the back burner for a few days.  Merry Christmas everyone! And to my wonderful Jewish friends, well. Merry Christmas  too. Even if you don't accept the season, I hope you accept my good wishes! That goes for all my fans of every faith. A very Merry Christmas to you all, and may the good feelings of the season permeate everything you do this glorious Christmas!
A healthy and happy Christmas and the happiest New Year ever to Fator Tots one and all!

Hello everyone! I trust your Thanksgiving was as delightful as ours!
Ooooohhhh. I don't think I want to eat again for a month! I really overdid it. I ate everything in sight, and then when Mel, Darrell, Sissy and I were just about to sit down and watch Scrooge (the 1970's musical with Albert Finney and Alec Guinness) I got another plateful. Melinda asked incredulously, "What in heaven's name are you doing?" I replied, "This is my last shot at this kind of food until Christmas. I'm taking full advantage of it!"
I've truly made a lifestyle change about my eating habits, but part of the joy of holidays is that I allow myself to splurge on those special days.
I'm so excited! Has anyone seen my new marquee out front of the Mirage? I've seen pictures but have yet to drive by it. I fly into Vegas tomorrow to play a show at the Hilton (if you're in town you should come out. Its' my Christmas show! And I'll be doing it at the Las Vegas Hilton shows on November 30 and December 21 & 22 so don't miss them! Also, my final show at the Hilton is going to be special, so try to be part of that if you can.
Anyway, back to my marquee in front of the Mirage. Did you know that I have had the dream of having my own marquee in front of a Las Vegas casino since I was 15 years old? You didn't? Well then you just showed me that you have not yet read my book Who's the Dummy Now, out in stores this next week!
If you like reading my blogs you'll love the book since I wrote it in the exact same style as my blogs. I think it's the only style I can write in. I wouldn't know since I've never written anything else.
Anyhoo, I can hardly wait until tomorrow when I see the marquee in person. Have you ever fulfilled a wish or a dream after longing for it and working hard for it and aching for it for years and years? Winning AGT was a big part of that, and so many other things have happened that are almost as good, but the fulfillment of this dream is the pinnacle of my aspirations, and I know I'm going to be overwhelmed when I see it live in front of me. I wonder if I'll tear up.  I have no idea. I think the magnitude of the reality of it all will really hit me tomorrow, and I am very much looking forward to it!
Once again I want to thank all of you who have helped make this dream a reality. It was you who saw my performances on television and voted, and it is you who are continuing to support me and come out to my shows. The tickets at the Mirage are selling extremely well, and again, I have you to thank.
So many people tell me that I won't sign autographs after my shows for very long, but I don't think they realize just how much I appreciate you all! I enjoy meeting y'all almost as much as I do performing!
Anyway, I really just wanted to blog again to let you all know that even though Thanksgiving is over I am still feeling very thankful!
Sorry, I'm just feeling a little emotional this morning, thinking about you all and how much you mean to me.
Make sure to watch Regis and Kelly Tuesday morning, and also watch the Early Show on CBS Wednesday morning. I'll be taping the Rachael Ray show Wednesday as well but the airdate is not set yet so I'll let you know when that will air.
Mel and I will be special guests of NBC at the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center Wednesday night!!! Can you believe it??? I think you all know how much I love Christmas, and I have dreamed since I was a kid of being able to attend the Lighting Ceremony and this year it'll happen! I'm a little delirious! I'll make sure to blog and let you all know how it was. Watch the show on NBC and see if you can catch a glimpse of use freezing our behinds off!
Well, I wish you all good things this holiday season, and save the overeating for the special days and you'll feel better!
Merry Christmas, Fator Tots!

I am and will always be,
Your Terbear

Happy Thanksgiving Fator Tots! I got up early this morning so I could turn my turkey over. (That sounds weird doesn't it? What I mean by that is that I like to brine my turkey, or soak it in a solution of salt water, brown sugar and spices for 12 hours.)
I was just thinking about all of you out there preparing your own Thanksgiving feasts, and I hope you all get to have friends and family around you at this festive time.
Mel and I watched The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant last night and I made Rice Krispies treats. I think I may make the best Rice Krispies treats in the world, and Melinda agrees.
We have had a tradition for most of our marriage that I make Rice Krispies treats on the first chilly day of the year, and in spite of the fact that it wasn't that chilly out last night, since I am moving to Vegas tomorrow we figured I'd better do it a little early!
Our Thanksgiving plans were spoiled a little since our cousin's got bronchitis this week and we weren't able to go to Michael and Joy's ranch for the holiday. I was a little depressing since I have been so excited about it for months. We usually go over there and celebrate. Michael prepares a bonfire all throughout the year and the night before Thanksgiving we go out and sit in front of it and drink tasty beverages and laugh until we ache.
Some of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions are that Russell and Michael break out model rockets they have been assembling throughout the year and we shoot them high up into the sky and watch them float hopelessly away from us as Michael and Russell scream at them and lament the fact that they didn't want to lose them this year.
We then would, of course eat our big meal and watch football, after which the family would coax me into an "impromptu" performance. (Yeah, right, impromptu…it was just a coincidence that I happened to have my puppets and a sound system in the car…)
Another thing I was looking forward to was seeing Winston the Impersonating Turtle's namesake. What? You don't know who that is? Then you need to read my book Who's the Dummy Now? Available in stores and online now! (Hee Hee! Still sneaky as you can see!)
I have many happy memories of celebrating Thanksgiving in this manner, and I couldn't wait to do it again this year, but alas, the best laid plans of turtles and men…
Melinda has assured Michael and Joy that we will return to have a delayed Thanksgiving, maybe in January, and I'm going to do everything I can to fly here again to do it. I'll let you know when it happens!
So here I am, in my own little house in Trophy Club, TX, blogging to you all about my day.
Since Michael and Joy are sick everyone is coming to our house for the festivities, and I am excited about that! In a few hours we will have a house full of our closest and dearest relatives and friends and we will eat until we can eat no more, watch the Cowboys play, and then I may pull out Winston and do a routine or two, who knows?
I can only hope that your Thanksgiving is as much fun as ours will be. But I wanted you all to know that I am thinking of you on this wonderful day, and you are greatly appreciated! In other words, on this day of giving thanks, my greatest feeling of thankfulness is directed squarely at each and every one of you!
And by the way, set your Tivos for Tuesday morning. I am on Regis and Kelly!!! I can hardly wait! I love that show! Then on Wednesday morning I will be on the Early Show on CBS!!! Wow! What fun! Don't miss it.
And Michael and Joy, please know that we miss you today, and I promise we will make the day up as soon as we can. And I keep my promises!
Happy Thanksgiving to Fator Tots one and all!

Greetings Fator Tots!
Wow! What a week it had been! I fully intended to blog earlier but I have been so very busy I haven't had time to do anything except one interview after another to promote my opening at the Mirage. Guess what? Tickets for my Mirage engagement have officially gone on sale! Can you believe it? It's not a fantasy anymore, it is a reality!!!
I want to thank all of you faithful Fator Tots who barraged the call center at 6 AM Wednesday morning and bought tickets to my upcoming Vegas shows at the Mirage. I can promise you all that I will do everything I can to make sure the show is as good as it can get!
Can you believe all this is happening? You know how it feels when you have something to look forward to but it is months and months away so it feels kind of like a pipe dream. But as the days and weeks and months fly by the long-awaited day begins to loom ever closer and you feel the excitement welling up inside you like a geyser getting ready to shoot thirty feet in the air, but you must still contain yourself because you don't want to make a scene. I think the first time I ever felt that way was when I was eighteen and I was going on a trip to England with some friends. It actually felt like my insides were actually buzzing I was so excited. I'm feeling that way now.
Oh my goodness, the countdown has begun! Not only do I get the joy of the holidays to experience, but as of Sunday the old (gigantic, I might add) marquees out front and back of the Mirage come down, and within a few short days will be replaced by my enormous mug!
Now I realize that I have had billboards and marquees in Vegas already and it has been very cool (in fact, I still get all excited and point and say "There's one of my cabs!" whenever a taxi with my ad on it drives by) but this is different. This time they won't be taken down after my performance and replaced by whoever was coming in the next week. They will stay!
Now what this means is that every one of you Fator Tots who visits Vegas will be driving down the strip and will see me smiling at you from fifty feet above you! Gulp! That is a frightening thought! I guess that's what it must feel like to be on the big screen and see yourself towering above you. Again, I do have billboards now, but it is just different since it is right in front of the Mirage and it will be permanent.
*Sigh* That means that I can wake up each day refreshed because I slept in my own bed, shuffle bleary-eyed into my kitchen and make coffee (unless I hire Mr. French, then I'll say, "Hey French, can you get me some coffee? Hehehe.) then I'll curl up on my man room couch and either watch TV or play a video game for a few minutes, breaking every few seconds to take a sip of my morning joe.
I'll putter around the house a bit, Melinda will wake up and then I'll ask if she wants breakfast. Of course she will and I'll get the eggs and bacon out of the fridge and I'll commence to cooking breakfast for her. She'll putter around herself until the whole condo is filled with sound of sizzling and the smell of bacon drifts to our nostrils. I'll fry the eggs perfectly (I am very particular about how I fry my eggs), and we'll sit at our little breakfast nook overlooking the strip, I with my coffee and she with her orange juice and we'll eat breakfast, wondering aloud at how strange life has become, and being thankful for the blessings that God has given us.
And it won't even be Thanksgiving!
I have had so many people tell me they think I'll stop signing autographs and going out to meet my fans and take pictures with then after a while, but I am here to tell you that it won't happen. One of the highlights of my day is going out after shows and meeting you all. If I hated it and dreaded it I might get tired of it, but I truly enjoy meeting you, and I never want to get that cut-off feeling from you all. I want us both to remember that we are in this together and your way of being a part of it is to come laugh and afterwards a picture together or an autograph.
Anyway, the point of this blog is to tell you that my tickets are officially on sale at the Mirage, and I am so looking forward to being there and putting on the best show you've ever seen!
Thanks so much for all you wonderful kind words and all your support. And don't forget that I will be at the Las Vegas Hilton three more times, November 30, December 21 and 22, and those shows will be my Christmas shows. You just have to come out to hear Winston and me sing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" as Louie Armstrong and Kermit! And we will be making those shows into real parties because they will be my final shows at the Hilton. I can't begin to express how bittersweet it is, having to leave behind so many new friends, but I know we will all be richer for having known one another and our friendships will last beyond my engagement at their hotel. Come out and see the show if you can because we are going to make it very special!
I hope to see you at a show in the future. Until then, have a very happy holiday season! Don't eat too much turkey (yeah, right, even I can't promise that!) have a very merry Christmas, and if you celebrate a different holiday, happy RamiHanaQuazsas to all, and to all a good night!
P.S. I'll blog soon about what I gave Melinda for her birthday and Christmas. It is sooooo cool!
P.P.S. Don't forget, my book is on sale! It is being shipped to the bookstores this week, so grab a copy and be sure to let me know what you think. Or maybe write a review on Amazon. I'd love to get your feedback!

I am, as always, your Terbear

New blog time! I don't have too much time right now to update all the anxious Fator Tots out there, but I can copy this cool press release! The Larry the Cable Guy Christmas Special premiers in just a few days, so set your Tivos! I've got very cool news so I will give you a real blog very soon! So read on and have a happy day!

CMT PRESENTS "LARRY THE CABLE GUY'S STAR STUDDED CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA" PREMIERING NOVEMBER 21

 Larry the Cable Guy comes to CMT with a 90-minute special designed to be a throwback to the old school holiday variety show in LARRY THE CABLE GUY'S STAR STUDDED CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA. Taped in Nashville, the special premieres Friday, November 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on CMT. Jack Records/Warner Bros. Records will debut the LARRY THE CABLE GUY'S STAR STUDDED CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA on DVD on November 25, 2008.

Larry, whose inaugural Christmas Spectacular special aired last year on VH1, hosts a lineup of guest stars including Toby Keith, Terry Bradshaw, Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, Lewis Black and Blake Shelton, via pre-taped segments. Also featured in the special, appearing with Larry in sketches are Tony Orlando, Fred Willard ("Back to You"), NSYNC's Joey Fatone, Ross Mathews ("The Tonight Show"), ventriloquist Terry Fator, comedians Charlie Callas and Victoria Jackson, Jennifer Aspen ("Rodney"), Nadine Valazquez ("My Name is Earl") and Angela Little MacKenzie ("Reno 911"). In addition to comedy and sketches, the special includes musical performances from artists Montgomery Gentry, Rodney Atkins and Emily West.

"We had so much fun last year trying to recreate one of those old Christmas specials from the 70's we thought we'd try doing it every year. Lucky for us, CMT liked it too," says Larry.

With his signature catchphrase, "Git-R-Done", Larry the Cable Guy continues to sell out theatres and arenas across the United States. Larry has also starred in other films including "Witless Protection," "Delta Farce," "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector" and he was the voice of Mater in the Golden Globe winning animated feature film "Cars." He is a Grammy nominated artist and has three comedy CDs that has been certified gold. Larry's DVD special "Git-R-Done," has sold more than 1 million copies and has been certified platinum. 

'Tis the season! Mel and I went out last night to walk around the Southlake Shopping Center (we are still in Texas) and enjoyed the beautiful evening. It was a rare night with a slight cool breeze occasionally tousling our hair as we walked hand in hand around the outdoor mall, doing nothing more than window shopping and gazing at all the newly installed Christmas decorations in all the shops.
I got so excited when we saw many workers putting up Christmas lights all over the place, and I even got a picture of some men placing lights on the top of the gazebo! I think Mel and I will go out tonight so we can see if they are lit yet.
I just can't help it, I love Christmas! I can hardly wait until the radio stations start up with the Christmas music! My radio will not play anything but Christmas music until the holidays are at an end.
We ended the evening with pizza and a glass of wine at a wood-fired pizza parlor, then went over to Central Market to buy a few odds and ends to nosh.
We have really wanted to watch a movie or something, but I have been so exhausted I haven't been able to muster up the energy to concentrate! Days off are rare treats for me and I like for my brain to take a holiday too!
Debi drove in to Dallas yesterday and we did go to see "The Nightmare Before Christmas"  in digital 3D. It was awesome! I love that movie so much!
I can hardly wait until Thanksgiving since that's usually when Melinda and I start to watch our favorite Christmas movies. We almost always start with "Christmas in Connecticut" and then "White Christmas". We always hope for a chilly day to kick off our Christmas movie marathons, but sometimes living in Texas hasn't accommodated us. I doubt Vegas will be any more accommodating to our desires.
Without a doubt my favorite Christmas movies are the above mentioned,  along with "Elf", "Miracle on 34^th Street" (the original, not the 90's version), "Christmas Vacation", "The Santa Clause", "The Bishop's Wife",  "Scrooged" (with Bill Murray), "Scrooge" (with Albert Finny), "A Christmas Carol" (with Patrick Stewart) and "The Muppet Christmas Carol". In fact, Mel and I will watch just about every version of "A Christmas Carol" there is, including the Mr. Magoo version. We always end the season with a viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life", and we are happily spent until the next Christmas season arrives and we can start it all over again!
There are many more Christmas movies we love, but the ones I mentioned are our favorites. I didn't even mention the TV shows like "Rudolph" and "Frosty" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas"! Why, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without our old friends joining us in our darkened room curled up with some freshly popped popcorn and the lights from the Christmas tree dancing, their reflection bright on TV screen. We don't watch anything not Christmassy during the season, and I always get so excited to start.
I'm sure Melinda and I are not the only ones to celebrate this joyous time in this manner. Something wonderful happens inside of me and it makes me so happy to be alive and I feel like I'm a kid all over again! I only hope that you experience this wonderful feeling as well. If not, then cast aside those old worn out adult-colored glasses for just a little while and marvel in the wonder of a child, if only for a day or two. Just for a brief moment, believe in Santa. Maybe, just maybe, something beyond this dreary mundane planet really does exist! If not, then what the heck, at least you got to have a little fun!
By the way, if you haven't ordered it yet, my book is available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Whos-Dummy-Now-Winner-Americas/dp/1741107288/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225896988&sr=8-1 and it will make a great Christmas gift! Again, my sneakiness comes through, and I turn a nice little diatribe on Christmas cheer into a commercial for my book. But it really would be a great Christmas gift. It has it all, Thrills! Chills! Sad stuff and happy stuff! Triumph over adversity! I mean, who wouldn't enjoy all that? I'm just saying…

Until my next blog, Happy Thanksgiving, faithful Fator Tots! And if you are in another country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, well, have a happy day, and maybe think about showing how grateful you are for the life you have by stuffing yourself silly and taking a nap during your favorite sporting event. Believe me, it's a terrific way to spent a day once a year!

So what's been going on lately? Hmmm. A whole lot!
Melinda and I took possession of our new home in Vegas, a condo overlooking the strip. It was so amazing getting back from a show and sitting at our little breakfast nook drinking a cup of coffee while overlooking the beautiful lights. We had to pinch ourselves several times to make sure we weren't dreaming!
We've decided that we want to live in a high-rise for a year or two since we have both dreamed of doing so since we were kids and used to watch Family Affair. (If you are old enough to remember, Uncle Bill lived in a high-rise apartment.) Now we just need Mr. French and we'll be all set!
Another plus is that we live only a few minutes from the Mirage, my new job site for the next five to ten years, so the idea of going to and from work in only a few short minutes is very appealing!
I used the week we moved in to set us up with televisions in all the rooms that didn't have one, and, of course, set up the Man Room. (The Man Room is a little suite in the corner of the condo where I can hole myself up and play video games and watch movies.) I want you all to know that in spite of the fact that I could have had it installed by others I did it myself! Yes, Fator Tots, I actually ran all of the cords down the wall and mounted the flat panel TV myself! I was so proud. I spent the rest of the day grunting like Tim Taylor from Home Improvement. Melinda rolled her eyes every time I did that, but it didn't stop me! I felt so manly! Arr arr arr!
We went shopping for a new car and Melinda and I were test-driving one when "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt came on the radio. (Melinda was checking out the sound system so she turned the radio on.)
The salesman was in the back seat and Melinda turned the radio down and told the salesman, "Oh, Terry does this song perfectly! Sing it Terry!"
So, of course, I belted out "You're Beautiful" for the salesman and Mel. I felt like Jo-Jo the performing monkey boy, here for your amusement. Just ask! He'll dance for you!
Just kidding. I actually love to do stuff like that. One thing I don't think anyone could accuse me of is being shy…
Mel and I are moving in the next couple of months, but it is wonderful when I perform at the Hilton to be able to stay in my own home. I can hardly wait to do the Hilton again November 16!
Have I mentioned yet this year how very much I love the Halloween season? My road manager and my merchandise guy went up to my room the other day in Connecticut and watched Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and the first South Park Halloween episode, Pink Eye.
It really felt like Halloween! I just love this season, because Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner! I'm still eating healthier, but if you think I'm sticking to that on Thanksgiving you don't know me very well! I'm going to stuff myself silly this Thanksgiving, and I really look forward to the spending day with my family and I'll make sure to entertain them with a bunch of new stuff that I am working out for the Mirage show. (Don't you wish you could be there? It's so much fun!)
Well, Fator Tots, until I see you at a show or write another blog, enjoy this festive season! I'll update you about how Thanksgiving was at the Fator Tot ranch.
Hey! I just looked out my window and noticed it's snowing! (I'm in Syracuse, NY.) Now it REALLY feels festive! I think it's time to break out the Christmas CDs! "Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful…"

Terbear

Hello Fator Tots!
It is I, your humble correspondent, keeping you informed of my latest goings on.
Firstly, I had a couple of days off last week, and Melinda and I went to a benefit dinner to raise money for Meals on Wheels.
As we sat and ate our salads, conversing with our friends across the table, the lights flickered and we heard an enormous BOOOOM! from outside. What was it, you ask? Oh, nothing too serious, just a thunderstorm brewing up, threatening to rain on our parade. (Of course, we weren't really having a parade so I suppose Mr. Thunderstorm didn't realize that he was causing difficulty. We were all safe inside and he couldn't see us dining so he just raced through the city joyously proclaiming his existence to the world, oblivious to the fact that he was interrupting anything. I can't really blame him, can you?)
Anyhow, we noticed, of course, the loud cracks emanating from the atmosphere, and the lights flickered a time or two, and then Mr. Thunderstorm must have thought of something terribly sad because he began to weep, pouring our sheets upon sheets of rain, drenching our little dinner party.
Now, of course, we were all safe inside talking politely amongst ourselves, but what we didn't realize was that our main course (we had just finished our delicious salads) was trapped on the other side of a patio and the chef couldn't get it to us until Mr. Thunderstorm realized that perhaps things weren't as bad as he had thought at the beginning and maybe after a good cry the sun might just come out again. I think we've all been there. We, of course, let him cry, unable to think of any logical alternative, but we did begin to notice the salad had been gone an awful long time and we still hadn't been served our entree.
Since we were all very genial and polite folks no one mentioned it, but we knew it all the same.
Our host finally made the bell-like tinkling sound on his wine glass, the universal code for "Shut up, everyone, I have something to say." We quickly wrapped up our important conversations, anxious to hear what he would tell us.
He explained the situation as I have just relayed, and then to my surprise, he mentioned that they had a celebrity in their midst.
At this point Melinda nudged me, realizing that many times I am oblivious to the fact that people actually know who I am, and made sure I was listening. I was.
Our host explained that the celebrity who had joined them this evening was none other than the winner of America's Got Talent, and since I saw neither Bianca (the first year's winner) or Neil (this year's winner) anywhere in the vicinity, and since there had only been three winners, he must have been talking about me. He was.
He explained, as I have (although with not nearly as much whimsy if I do say so myself), about the storm cutting us off from our food, and asked me if I would graciously entertain until storm had abated enough for the servers and our food to arrive dry.
I stood up, and in spite of the fact that I had no puppets, I entertained for twenty minutes. I told stories and did impressions and had a ball. I do so love what I do, had more fun than those laughing and cheering and asking for more.
I think I even sold a few books since I (of course) mentioned my autobiography Who's the Dummy Now (available NOW at Amazon by clicking this link: Who's the Dummy Now )
I know you were all waiting with baited breath to see how I was able to sneak a plug in this time!
Anyway, I had a great time that night, and finally our food was served, and although many of the folks begged for more I had to eat, and I encouraged them to come see my full-length show at the Bass Hall in Fort Worth, TX on November 25. I think I sold a number of tickets to that performance as well, so everybody won that night, especially those precious folks who benefit from such a fantastic organization as Meals on Wheels.
The next day Melinda and I went to the State Fair of Texas and I got to blow my diet but good. I have been eating much healthier the last few months since I found out I would be taking pictures for the new Mirage billboards, and nothing motivates a guy to get serious about losing weight as finding out he would be on gigantic billboards all over a city!
I have lost twenty pounds, so when you see me in an airport or at one of my shows you don't have to ask, "Have you lost weight or did the cameras make it look like you were heavier?" Yeah, that's it. It was the cameras. It had nothing to do with the burgers and fries and milkshakes at three in the morning after a hard days travel and show and autograph signing. It was the cameras. Wow! It sure took a lot of will-power to get rid of those cameras! But all I had to do was think about those billboards, and when I would be in a restaurant eating my salad with a teaspoon of dressing and Foley (my road manager) was chowing down a giant burger and fries, I found that I had the fortitude to not give in, and stayed on my diet.
Anyhow, I did take the pictures and I looked slim, much to my delight, and I did lose twenty pounds of camera fat (hehehe) and I feel great so I have decided to turn a diet into a lifestyle. I don't want to go back.
But I was at the State Fair of Texas, and I wasn't going to diet today!
After two corny dogs (the best in the world, I might add), I wolfed down a Frito Chili Pie (mmmmmmmm) and some caramel corn. I washed it down with chicken fried bacon (yes it is as delicious and greasy as it sounds, although it goes better with an Alka Seltzer!) and I washed it all down with a couple of tamales, my favorite food.
I have, since, stayed almost faithful to my new eating lifestyle, and I hope I lost the thirty or so pounds I must have gained that day.
Melinda and I kissed at the top of the Texas Star, a gigantic Ferris wheel, a tradition we started many moons ago on one of our very first dates ever. We have tried to go to the Texas State Fair every year to repeat our tradition, and have as often as my schedule has allowed.
Good grief! I have I really written for this long? I gotta go! I have so much more to tell, but I think I'll save it for my next blog, or maybe my next book!
By the way, thanks so much for your continued support of my book. It is the number two best seller in the Humor category on Amazon.com, and I know I have you all to thank for that.
Thanks also to all of you who have received the book and read it for the kind words and letting me know how much you enjoyed reading it!
Until next time, my Fator Tots, may life bless you richly and kiss your cheek as you sleep each night.
Terbear

Hello everyone! I had to blog today because I am so happy to be home for a couple of days. I have been working every day for the past few weeks and I am so ready for a couple of days off. (Of course, my days off include my working on routines for the Mirage opening. I don't get days off from that-it is kind of important!)
But here I am relaxing and watching football. Yayyyyy! My Cowboys won!!!! (Now don't give me grief about being a Cowboy fan. I was born and raised in Dallas, you know! I promise I won't berate you if you root for an inferior team (hehehe, like how I put a tiny dig into that statement? I am just kidding, though), especially if you live in the area your favorite team is based. That's kind of how it's supposed to work, right?
But anyway, I just popped in to say hello to everyone. Debi was a little jealous that I shared her nickname for me (Terbear) with you all, but I think she'll get over it. I love the name and it really reflects my personality don't you think?
I want to thank those of you who have pre-ordered my book. I am so excited for the release! By the way, if you pre-order it and then come out to see my show after you get it feel free to bring it to my show and I'll sign it for you if you like. The only time I don't come out to sign autographs after shows is if I am sick or I have to catch a plane to get to another show. I think I enjoy meeting you all after shows almost as much as I enjoy doing the show! It is so much fun to say hello and get a photo with y'all!
One more thing: if you come out to see my show live make sure to bring your camera. I know that most entertainers don't let you do that but I truly feel that my show is more about you folks than it is me and I want to make sure you have a good time and take home a little memento of the show! How in heaven's name could it hurt me to let you take pictures? It doesn't I tell you, and you can take those pictures home and show your friends, so we all win!
Well, I am blathering on so I think I better go, but I have to plug my autobiography again! You can pre-order it (like those I thanked earlier) by going to this web site: http://www.amazon.com/Whos-Dummy-Now-Winner-Americas/dp/1741107288/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223266115&sr=8-1
I really want it to be a best seller, and with your help I think we can do it!
Ta Ta Fator Tots!
Terbear