Whatever Works

"Art is:
Working on something
til you like it--
then, leaving it THAT WAY."
-as written on an old
T-shirt I've owned for
several years.

You will be hearing the term "Whatever Works" a little more than usual in the coming months thanks to our world renown filmmaker, Woody Allen. I am sure the term is being used on a regular basis at economic team meetings in Washington DC these days. "Whatever Works!"

Woody has this new film in store for us that will premiere as the opening night film (April 22, 2009) at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. It looks like a doozy, too.

“Whatever Works" revolves around an eccentric man (Larry David) taken into a series of adventures and encounters with his friends from Greenwich, a young woman from the South (Evan Rachel Wood), and her parents. The movie was filmed entirely in New York City. It will be released in NY and LA on June 19, 2009.


I heard a song at the end of a 'not so great' film recently written and directed by John Maybury that explored a bit of painter Francis Bacon's life. The song was something I wanted to seek out. I finally did that today. I discovered a three-minute 1931 silent screen film clip by the Ray Noble Orchestra sung by Al Bowlly. It's a special mood setter. I love the lyrics. Listen. I believe Woody Allen would love this music for "Whatever Works".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoVXGHwx0hs

Time On My Hands Lyrics

Time on my hands, you in my arms
Nothing but love in view
Then if you fall, once and for all
I'll see my dreams come true.

Moments to spare
With someone you care for
One love affair for two
And so with time on my hands
And you in my arms
And love in my heart all for you

Moments to spare
With someone you care for
One love affair for two
And so with time on my hands
And you in my arms
And love in my heart all for you

Twenty-five years ago today:

March 13, 1984, Tuesday

It was raining so very hard this morning. The weather was making me wonder if I should attend my ART class or not.

I gave Steve Gaster a lift to his sisters' pad in Alameda after our work shift ended. Steve is a really nice guy. I like him despite his fascination for bowling and poker--of which I am not really "in" to.

I enjoyed a steak and salad with Dad. I ended up coming to my pad to nap for a while. I did attend my ART class after all. I am really glad I made it to the class tonight. I received my printing for my 'imaginary company'. I called it "Cordellos Clothiers". I wonder if my finished and polished product with impress Chris Cordellos.

After ART class (10pm) I decided to drive over to the White Horse Tavern Inn on Telegraph in North Oakland. I drove by my old intern pal, Howard Edelstein's house (who lives in the Claremont district). I saw his car parked outside. While inside the 'gay' tavern I ordered a 'vodka grape' and saw a tall, husky semi-Billy Idol lookalike. I stood around watching some of the pool hustlers (keeping in mind that they weren't actually hustling--just guys playing pool). There was one guy I noticed straightaway. I recognized him as the waiter, John, who works at the Santa Fe Bar & Grill on University Avenue in Berkeley. He is blond and a 'seemingly' nice guy. Then unbeknownst to me as I was making small talk with John when someone nudged me. It was none other than Howard Edelstein!

And to think one year ago at this time we were in Mexico together. It's as if life is a recurring cycle; whereby, things, events and people do tend to suddenly and unexpectedly re-enter our lives. Reliving events of the past are easy depending on the individual. The question is what will happen now? What does Howard really want? And what will Howard do?

Howard and I ended up catching up on a few things.
"Yeah, I was back to Mexico for the last four months," Howard claimed, "I was planning to call you tomorrow."
Why did I find this very hard to believe? It was clearly 'bullshit'.
"I'm so happy to see you," Howard said.
I tried hard to be believable and acted happy about our reunion.

I couldn't help having flashbacks of Guadalajara and how he met two young Mexican guys in the large mercado plaza. We became friendly and went to their place. I stayed in the living room with one of them, trying to understand as I used my lackluster Spanish skills. Howard was in the other room having sex with the other guy. Outrageous! How did he think that made me feel. I was so glad I left with that 'Alioto' guy on his jeep to Mazatlan the next day for a 'Spring Break' experience. I didn't even say good-bye to Howard. Did he even wonder what had happened to me? What a jerk!

"Why don't you come over to my house for some cheesecake?" Howard asked.
I obliged. How could I turn down a free slice of cheesecake?
While I was at his house I noticed a book called "Lust For Life" about Vincent Van Gogh. He could tell I had a fascination with it.
"Go ahead, I'll loan it to you," Howard said.
"Thanks!"
"If you want you can stay the night and sleep downstairs," Howard suggested.
There was nothin' doin'--I left!

I did also give, John, the guy by the pool tables that I recognized my card with my home telephone number.
"Call me and we can go out sometime," I said.
"Thanks!"
The reason I gave him my card was because he took the initiative to come over to me in the beginning.
John shook my hand and said, "Enchante", a word he surely learned waiting tables.
Was he really 'enchanted' to have met me? Time will tell. I wonder if he'll ever call me. It made me think of what Chris Cordellos said about that gal from Santa Rosa that I'd met at the I-Beam.
"If she doesn't call you, she's crazy!"
I'd say that line goes for John, too.