Hollywood Glimpse

"Do not think that beauty means much in life."
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"


It is the 81st Annual Academy Award presentation tonight. Hugh Jackman is the master of ceremonies.

I saw him in the 2008 film AUSTRALIA. I absolutely loved it. I would have chosen it as a 'Best Picture' nominee. He has great showmanship and I believe him to be a great choice.

It will be interesting to see who wins the coveted Oscar this year. My personal choices for Best Supporting Actor and Actress are Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) and Penelope Cruz (Vicky, Cristina Barcelona).


My personal ARMIJO AWARD goes to Kate Winslet for 'The Reader' and Sean Penn for 'Milk' as Best Actress and Best Actor.

They are both so OUTSTANDING.


I would not be disappointed if Frank Langella won for 'Best Actor'. I saw his performance in the 2007 film "Starting Out In The Evening" which was phenomenal. And his "Frost/Nixon" performance was truly brilliant.

The Best Picture will likely be "Slumdog Millionaire". It is the all around favorite.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIzbwV7on6Q
I liked the "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "The Reader" better.
There were more significant lines throughout these films that captured me.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L6K3fkwr-Y
"The Reader" was one of my favorite books this year, so I knew a lot of the intricate details while watching the film. It's quite emotional.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kifRQG_M-Do

I read in the Sunday New York Times this morning that an honorary Oscar will go to Jerry Lewis. It's so well-deserved after so much time. It will be fun to see the film clips of his magnificent career.

I will be watching the entire Oscar show at the CAMEO THEATER in St. Helena, California tonight. Exciting!

Twenty-five years ago today:

February 22, 1984

My work day was all right. I telephoned Chris Cordellos this morning. We are going to see the Nastassja Kinski film tomorrow night. His father has promised to pay for his therapy in Arcata, CA. I guess that means he will be moving further North in about eight weeks time. Who knows when he shall return? We have made plans to celebrate on March 3rd or 4th for his 21st birthday.

I watched a preview of the movie "Angel" today. I actually saw some of the actual filming in Hollywood, CA (when I was there in June 1983).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xLhYLToOuk
I have not heard from Paloma, Leslie or Nancy. I guess they are now part of my past.

I forgot to document my visit last Sunday to the Ice-Cream Dock. I had an orange sherbet freeze there. It is so cool and refreshing. I bought some Cookies n' Cream Ice-Cream for my brother, John. Then John had to go and rent a dumb movie again (Spring Fever). We watched 'Dynasty' together afterward.

Ann-Margret is on my agenda for tonight. She has a guest appearance on The Tonight Show. I am so looking forward to her world premiere TV movie "A Streetcar Named Desire". Everyone "desires".

I fell 'in love' with Ann-Margret after watching the exciting chemistry between her and Elvis in the classic film "Viva Las Vegas".

I applied for a CITICORP Visa with a $5000 credit limit. How exciting!

Do you love shocking surprises? I was informed by Chris today that he is 'definitely' leaving for Arcata.
"I have to leave at eight o'clock tomorrow morning," Chris said sadly.
This was discouraging news. He made a point of expressing his sadness. I, too, felt rather distraught.
"Oh well," I thought, "another one bites the dust."

I took my bike for a spin until 6:30pm to analyze my situations. A few new people crossed my path and gave me nods of the head or a brief "hello". I am curious to know the lives of some of these people that I randomly see as I pass them on my bicycle. Perhaps I shall.

"I told one my good friends, Clay, about my feelings about you, Michael," Chris continued, "and I told him how I have continuous thoughts of you."
"You did?"
"Clay couldn't believe it," Chris said.
Chris went on to say that Clay told his friend, Elliot, about it all. Elliot got angry and 'chewed out' Chris.
"I don't want a faggot as a friend," Elliot screamed at Chris.

I could understand Chris' hurt feelings. Even though I have never experienced anything like this I understood the discrimination. I tried to reassure Chris that 'Clay and Elliot' seemed NOT to be as great of friends as he thought they were. Chris felt better after we had discussed the incident. In time, our relationship might work.
"I am learning who my real friends are," Chris said.
It made me wonder who my real friends would be (if they knew about this other side of me?).

I was dozing off after the 'Dynasty' episode when the telephone rang. It was for me. I was kind of surprised by the phone call.
"Oh, hi, it's you," I said when I heard Paloma's voice.
It looks like there has been a turn of events as Paloma and I made a date for tomorrow night to see Nastassja Kinski in "Moon In The Gutter".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wgj__wUFzM
I was beginning to feel that Paloma and I were so "over" because whenever I tried to make a date on a Friday or Saturday night she would never commit. It was only weekdays with her because she would prefer to go out with her girlfriends. At least this is how she makes me feel. I won't even get into how she 'faced me' with three excuses regarding the potential lunch dates. I don't know what to make of it. She did make a point of saying she would definitely meet me for lunch sometime.

"I'm going to Paris for two months this summer," Paloma said.
Everyone is going somewhere (except for me). I am envious. I wish I were going. At least I can trust that my Huntington Beach, California trip will be a provocative escape.

Paloma and I had a most exciting chat this evening. I even made a suggestion that she become my roommate. (?) My brother John will be moving out. I don't know. Maybe Chris should be my roommate. All I know is that I am so happy that Paloma called. We are going to see "Nastassja" tomorrow.