The Allen List

When I wanted to be a copywriter, I didn’t know how to write. My girlfriend’s mom had to buy me Strunk and White’s Elements of Style because I didn’t even know if you capitalized the days of the week (you do). I also wasn’t a big fan of reading. But I remember a teacher of mine saying, “If you want to write, write, write, you have to read, read, read.”

I was a huge Woody Allen fan. So I read a biography on him by Eric Lax. I started writing down every author, playwright, poet, and philosopher Woody mentioned in the book and made myself a reading list. This was like twenty years ago and I think I’m almost done reading everything on it.

This is the original list from 1991, maybe someone will get a kick out of it. The quote on the top, “Aim High” is advice from Woody’s sister Netty Konigsberg when Woody was starting out on his career at age 15.

Known To Have Fun With Michael's Eyebrows.

Alright. This occurred in Dumbo over the weekend. Socialistic put up wild postings to advertise their General Electric hologram thing and someone thought they'd be a bit funny. Well, I'd like to tell you that I know who you are. I accuse, with 100% certainty...founder of Big Spaceship, Michael Lebowitz! I also accuse with 100% certainty the president of Barton F. Graf 9000, Barney Robinson! So I am 200% sure that one or maybe both of you thought it funny to deface me. Motive? First, they both live or work in Dumbo. Second, Barney and I had an argument over fee structure and procurement late Friday and I have been known to have fun with Michael's eyebrows now and then and he swore he would get me back.

You both have been officially entered into my "Revenge" notebook.