In Honor Of Each & Every One Of You

I hope & pray that the families of servicemen and women the world over get to see their loved ones home soon.  Safely.  And to all the servicemen and women in the USA --- THANK YOU.

Second Time Is A Charm!

I recorded this interview in 1997.  I made it to turn in to a NYC agency that repped tv hosts.  Even after making the tape, I apparently didn't cut the mustard for the agents.  I'm of the mindset, like Hollywood, that everything old is new again.  So, I'm trotting this little baby out again to see who bites.  And, for some strange reason, I think this time it's gonna be the light unto my path toward a regular, tv hosting gig!  Or so I hope & pray!!!

I Have No Idea

My upstairs neighbor is an attractive woman.  I suspect she's in her mid to late twenties.  She's a latina.  She has two, handsome little boys.  One of 'em just celebrated his fifth birthday a few days ago.  She also has a boyfriend.  And therein lies the problem.  The two of them fight like cats & dogs.  Of late, they've been really quiet.  Eerily quiet, actually.  Until TONIGHT!  At one point I heard a crashing sound.  I thought someone had hit something while driving into the driveway.  The next thing I heard was the shattering sound of broken glass.  And then, screaming!  Turns out, in extreme furor, he smashed the windshield of her car, which prompted her to scream obscenities at him.  Another of my neighbors came outside to intervene.  I could hear them as clearly as I can hear the sound of each keyboard stroke.  But I did nothing.  And I said nothing.  And the reason for that is because I've called the police before.  I've spoken to the girl.  Yet, nothing has really changed.  So, I'm done.  If they want to destroy each other---body and soul---so be it.  I know there are tons of folks who think being single is almost a fate worse than death.  But I say to those folks:  why stay with someone who brings you such emotional, physical and material distress?  Why???  And I'd REALLLLY love for someone to explain to me...

'Til We Meet Again

Yesterday marked the ending of one of my most favorite, television shows: The Oprah Winfrey Show.  I've learned soooo much from that show.  And I've fallen completely and madly in "love" with its host.  I've only seen excerpts from her final broadcast.  I'll catch it in its entirety on Friday.  Oh, how I've enjoyed this woman.  I loved her when she was fat.  And when she was skinny.  Loved her when she was sort of fat.  And when she was sort of skinny.  I loved her when her hair was huge & curly.  And when it was straight.  When it was long.  And when it was short.  I loved her when she laughed.  And when she cried.  I haven't consistently loved every episode.  But I have consistently loved her.  Wherever she goes from here, and whatever she does, I wish her the best.  And I'll keep my eyes on her.  And, when I see her next, I'm gonna give her a big ol' hug, then, as I'm leaving her, I'm gonna tell her precisely what she told US:  "I won't say, good-bye.  I'll just say, 'til we meet again."  A job well done, Ms. Winfrey.  THANK YOU.

OPRAH Surprise Spectacular!

Yesterday was the second of the two-day, surprise party for OPRAH as she prepares to shudder her show for good.  I loved Monday's broadcast.  Patti LaBelle and Josh Groban sang, Over The Rainbow, and were sensational!  I mean, they moved me beyond description.  Patti sounds as terrific to me at damn near 70 as she did when she was much younger.  She most definitely LOOKS better to me! And during yesterday's show, I truly enjoyed Aretha's performance of, Amazing Grace.  And I liked seeing Gayle, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Rosie O'Donnell and Maya Angelou.  But my most favorite guests were the 400+ Morehouse College graduates and undergraduates who received scholarship money from Oprah's foundation.  Oh, what a spectacular moment it was to see them walk out---one-by-one---in darkness; illuminated solely by a single candle that each, young man carried close to his heart.  Oprah wept like a baby at the sight of their calvacade.  And I almost joined her.  --- I'll miss her show.  It has taught me about myself.  And about my body.  And about other people.  And their bodies!  Lol!  She's been an inspiration.  And a contradiction.  And I've loved her throughout all her metamorphoses.  And mine.  Today's show is the finale, so, I'm lookin' forward to it.  I might be still at my background, commerical gig during its broadcast, but I'll eventually see it.  That much, I know for sure!!!  See pix from the celebration HERE.

Decisions, Decisions!

Over the past five days I've had to make some pretty unwanted decisions.  I had to cancel my trip back to Indiana to attend my 25th, college reunion; which led me to text my sister that I wasn't comin' to visit the family, either.  I spoke with my landlord about money and apartment repairs.  And I held my tongue when I worked a gig at the home of a famous, Hollywood director and heard him yelling for his Filipina housekeeper every five minutes to do this and that.  Okay, I did ask her if he always yells like that.  She said he does and that she always ignores him.  Well, I couldn't ignore him.  I wanted to ask him why he yells for her like that.  No, I wanted to tell him to STOP yelling for her like that!  I have a sneaking suspicion that one day I will.  --- I'm not gonna beat myself up over the decisions I've made this past week, 'cause, in all honesty, I had...

Bears Repeating

Kirstie Alley

 Rod Stewart

 Clint Eastwood

 Pierce Brosnan

 Arnold Schwarzenegger

 Roger Moore

 Russell Crowe

 Mickey Rourke

 Val Kilmer

 Brendan Fraser

Whitney Houston

Linda Evans

Lee Majors

Paul Newman

Elizabeth Taylor

Richard Gere

Melanie Griffith

Alec Baldwin

Dolly Parton

Sylvester Stallone

You can take all the vitamins you want.

You can go under the knife of every, famous plastic surgeon in Hollywood.

You can color your hair whatever hue suits your fancy.

You can tell the world you're whatever age you wish you were.

But please know that NONE of it truly matters. 

'Cause the wise man (and woman) knows that...

If you live long enough...

Mother Nature and Father Time WILL change your physical appearance!

And your sexual prowess!

And your athletic capabilities!

And your personal value to many!

Yes, that includes ME, too!!!

But for some of us, we look MUCH, MUCH BETTER with age!

Haaaa!

Body & Soul Wellness

I'm headin' out back for an hour workout (love the sun beaming down on me), then I'm comin' back inside to grab a bite, then hit the job hunt again.  I'll be better-equipped to focus singularly on searchin' for a gig if I feel great.  Enough with the procrastination; off I go to keep well my body & soul!!!!

I Asketh And Beggeth And Desperately Needeth

Please, Lord.  Please!!!!

Every Advantage Has Its Disadvantage

I had a very illuminating lunch date today.  Met up with a young actor whose work I was first introduced to back in 2005 or so.  I saw him in a stage play in downtown L.A.  His role wasn't particularly integral to the storyline.  His sole purpose was to provide eye candy.  And he fulfilled that purpose admirably.  When he did deliver the few lines he had, I didn't really detect any real chops.  I went back to see the play another time, when a different actor filled the role.  It was then that I realized beyond a doubt that the original actor wasn't up to snuff.  'Cause the new actor was eye candy AND made the role a living, breathing human being.  Anyway, back to today's lunch.  The young actor is now in his early thirties and is married with a child.  In my humble opinion, he's still growing as an actor.  And I draw that conclusion based upon a web series he's now doing.  Growth is necessary for all of us, so as long as he's working, his craft will get better & better.  --- Over the course of lunch, we talked about everything under the sun.  Our main topic of discussion, though, wound up being a subject matter that truly bothers me:  people in influential, professional positions who expect sexual favors in exchange for professional assistance.  This young man consistently finds himself on the wrong end of that equation.  He's currently at odds with an influential fella who makes no bones about seeing him as fair prey.  And, although I understand being attracted to young, fit bodies, I don't understand HOW a person could live with himself AFTER taking advantage of someone like that.  "Each one, teach one" is truly the way I live my life.  I share what I know to those who could benefit from knowing it and THAT'S all the "payment" I need.  The influential person knows the young actor is married with a child.  But I clearly see that's of no consequence to him.  I asked the actor if the man's unethical requests leave him with a bad taste in his mouth (figuratively speaking, of course) toward gay men.  He quickly responded, "Yes." --- I was never a power player when I worked as a talent manager, but I was able to get folks into casting directors' offices.  I don't know if any of the desperate actors I worked for would ever have given in to sexual propositions if I had asked.  But what I know for sure is that I would NEVER have asked!!!  And I know that those who do will eventually get what's comin' to them.  'Cause that's the way the earth spins on its axis. 

You Don't Know Me

My younger sister and I oftentimes discuss how you can't truly know anybody except yourself.  And, unfortunately, many don't even know themselves.  I mention this because the recent revelation about my former governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, fathering a child ten yrs ago with one of his former household employees, is rocking the nation.  I've heard people say things like, "But they looked like such a nice couple."  And "They seemed to be in love," etc.  The gospel truth is this:  people present to you what they want you to believe about them.  If you pay close attention, then, yes, their true selves are eventually revealed.  My heart goes out to Maria Shriver because I feel confident that his indiscretion(s) probably crushed her.  I'm sure his children probably feel pretty humiliated, too.  In time, all will heal.  But none of them will ever forget.  I know I sometimes paint a pretty dismal picture when it comes to relationships.  Because I don't believe monogamy is natural.  Nor do I believe it is doable; particularly by a man of financial means.  I wish the entire family well.  And I wish people would start being 100% honest with each other about their needs.  And wants.  It is my humble belief that such conversations would save folks from a lot of pain and anguish. --- Life is really somethin' else.  I mean, one moment a couple lifts their hands in victorious celebration; then...eight years later, those same hands are lifted in complete and utter exasperation.  God bless 'em all.  God bless US all.

The Inevitable

I was talkin' to my friend, Larry, this morning and he sounded soooooooo happy!  And sooooooo optimistic!  He called me from his car as he was driving home from a job interview.  Just like me and sooooo many others in this world, Larry's life is in transition.  He needs money.  And, if he books this new gig, he'll have some money.  I want him to book the gig.  I know how he's hurting to earn a decent living.  I know!  As he told me about the interview, I heard him.  But I couldn't stop my inner voice from asking me, "But what about you?  When are you gonna book a gig that really pays?"  I don't know the definitive answer to that question.  All I know is that, "soon," is my gut response.  Soon.  Is soon two days from now?  Two weeks?  Two months?  I don't know.  I just know that my life---as I'm currently living it---MUST change if I'm to embrace a truer sense of happiness for myself.  Larry WILL book this gig.  Or the next one.  And he'll be fine.  My life WILL change for the BETTER.  SOON.  And I'll be fine.  Excuse me.  I'll be finER.  'Cause I'm already fine.  Change is inevitable.  As is my breaking away from the status quo of my life.  And when I do, LOOK OUT!!!!  'Cause this ol' dude is gonna blow through the rest of life like a TSUNAMI!!!!!  --- Something's gotta change.  And that "something" looks just...like...ME!!!!

Old Friends

My volunteer gig today was really interesting.  The first hour always finds me assisting a delightful woman named, Jennifer, as she leads the seniors in exercise.  This woman is so incredibly remarkable to me.  She just oozes kindness and patience.  Anyway, after the exercise hour, I head down to the dining room to enjoy lunch with the residents.  I usually enter the dining room, then walk over to several of the tables to greet the residents who didn't exercise with us.  After that, I find an empty spot at a table and proceed to enjoy a yummy lunch with whomever is seated at the table.  I ask questions and answer questions.  I get up and get water for them, or coffee.  After lunch, I head up to the floor with the dementia and Alzheimer's residents.  It is there that I feel the most challenged.  I intended to lead them in Bingo today, but that got sidetracked when I realized nobody was interested.  Instead, most of us watched the movie, Jersey Girl.  While watching the movie, I also chatted up one of the residents.  On that floor, I have to do a lot of talking because those residents really want to talk.  One of them, in particular, a lovely woman named, Lillian, often has outbursts where she'll scream--at the top of her lungs--"I wanna go home!"  I now know how to stop her from doing that.  I simply sit next to her and softly ask her questions about her parents.  I mean, those questions quiet her immediately.  And she tells me all about them.  During those exchanges, I feel sooooo close to her.  Honestly, I hope & pray that my mind doesn't deteriorate to dementia or Alzheimer's.  But, if it does, I wonder if I'd know.  'Cause I'm thinkin' Lillian must know SOMETHING!  Or why else would she keep screaming that she wants to go home?  From time to time, she MUST know where she ISN'T. 

East L. Heyyyyyyyy

Don't believe everything you hear about East L.A!!!  I suspect many of its residents are as loving and sensitive as any other community in Los Angeles.  All you gotta do is catch 'em in their private time!  :)