Mountain Musings with Uncle Mott: Maria

Oct 29, 2025 | Uncle Mott

I hate to brag – OK, so I’m a bragger. Back in 1964, before I attended Chapman College, I enrolled at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, where one of the classes I enrolled in was drama.

Why drama, you ask? Because I had already taken two years of drama classes at Tustin High School, where I acted in several school plays, including The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial and Tammy Tell Me True. And why did I do that? Cuz, it was easy, and I got to meet a lot of hot chicks.

OCC (also known as “Surf Tech”) was kind of like a high school with ash trays. While there I met a hot chick named Diane Keaton …Yes, THAT Diane Keaton, who sadly passed away recently. I always enjoyed watching Ms. Keaton in Woody Allen films, such as Play it Again Sam and especially Annie Hall.

Diane was also enrolled in drama at OCC, and I got to rehearse on the same stage as her, but not at the same time. I was rehearsing in a really dumb play called Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Momma’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feelin’ So Sad. (really lame). I did have occasion to bump into Diane a few times and we had coffee together when she was rehearsing for the role of Maria in West Side Story.

Maria, I’ve just met a girl named Maria, and suddenly that name will never be the same to me. I’ve just kissed a girl named Maria and suddenly I’ve found how wonderful a sound can be. Maria, say it loud and there’s music playing, say it soft and it’s just like praying. I’ll never stop saying Maria, the most beautiful sound I ever heard, Maria. (Maria – Johnny Mathis – 1959)

OK, I know what you’re thinkin.’ Did he or didn’t he? Sorry, I’m not sayin.’

 

Keep it flyin,’

Uncle Mott

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