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January 2005 Newsletter
Greetings to all and Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah (sorry I'm late) or Eid Mabrouk (again, sorry for my tardiness), whichever is applicable.
What a year it's been! This is not only a holiday howdy, but an update on recent Texas Camel Corps goings on.
Many of you may know that the camels and I travel quite a bit during the holidays, providing services to many Christmas productions. The Magi need camels and Mary needs a donkey. This year I must give thanks to my brother-in-law David Laubert who assisted with truck and trailer, as well as Manda Butler, Tonja Light, Rob Denkhaus, Paul Arellano and my beautiful bride, Trish. These folks not only made sure the camels and donkeys got where they needed to go, but did so in a most professional manner, always keeping public safety a priority. I can't say thanks enough to each of them. Also big thanks to Bernie Daugherty of Glen Rose, from whom I get sheep each year for the handful of productions that request mutton. Bernie provides all the animals for the production "The Promise" in Glen Rose, a mega-spectacle that everyone should see.
The stats:
Where: Hallettsville, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waxahachie, Texas
Austin, Texas
Duffau, Texas
Boerne, Texas
Little Elm, Texas
Ft. Worth, Texas
Alpine, Texas
How many productions/how many days:
This year, in 26 days, we participated in 24 productions. Having only 5 days off between Thanksgiving and today, Christmas Eve, means we had to be two places at once 4 times. We lost only two dates to the bitter cold that hit Texas, one in Alpine and the other in Sheffield.
How many miles: 3886
Whew...
Also, the camels and I had an interesting day, right in the middle of Nativity season. Exxon Tiger Marts needed camels to shoot a commercial showing to what ends of the earth they will travel to get the best coffee for their customers. On Dec. 14th, from 5:30 am until 4:00 pm, Cinco, Virgie and Richard trod the dunes of Monahans Sandhills State Park.
"Cut! Back to one! Great job camels! Can you move the third camel back a couple of steps?! Great job camels!"
The folks with Lankford Films, who shot the spot, and Tony Romeo, from the agency in New York were all great, super sensitive to the camels and could not have been easier to work with. Big thanks to Jim Hale and the American Camel Company who provided the other three camels, Dee Dee, Jasmine and Charo. "Great job camels!" Also, big thanks to Steven Evans, who made a potentially stressful day much less stressful. Steven has been on many camel treks with me and I think he'd agree, they're a heck of a lot easier than TV shoots. Look to the web site soon for images from this fun-filled day.
Well, as the year wraps up, I'm looking to February and another trip to Sinai. I've got two or three folks interested, and would like to get some solid commitments. If anyone's looking for a great adventure and an incredible exchange of cultures, please give this some thought.
In early 2005, look for some new announcements concerning our camels treks here in Texas. I hope this email finds you all happy and healthy and, as always, I appreciate your interest in my camels and their activities.
Doug
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