In the 1990's, I walked into a thrift shop and walked out with some old typewriter.  At the time, I was fascinated by writers like PJ O' Rourke and Hunter Thompson, and the organic nature of writing appealed to me.  I also understood that Thompson especially, used a typewriter right up until he typed the word "counselor" on a single page before making a self-inflicted exit.

About that time  I picked up Don Novello's "Lazlo letters" a compendium of letter written to all sections of life, Hollywood, Politics and Power.

I decided.  I'd do just that myself, and not live vicariously through the work of others.

I managed to garner responses from many areas; the Texas Rangers, who responded to my query about Nolan Ryan's hat being messed up in a bench-clearing brawl.  The San Diego Zoo denied my request to "rent a Bengal Tiger."

William F. Buckley Jr. actually write me back a hand-written note. So Did Charles Manson--sort of--he scribbled a bunch of lines on the back of a contraband slip, and had a friend write me in his stead.

Then one day, I decided to take my missive foolishness to Calcutta, and write Mother Teresa.  Foolish idiot that I was.  After I received the signed (and personalized) prayer, I felt bad for my satirical take.  I never really expected to receive any mail back.

The rest is history. This is perhaps the only autograph I own of any exceptional value. I have the distinct hope of possibly translating this into an altogether different acquisition.