District 9 vs. District B13

“My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been.”
-Diane Arbus
Influential 20th Century
American Photographer
b. March 14, 1923, d. July 26, 1971

What is it about the word “district”? In the English Dictionary it is defined as (noun) a region marked off for administrative or other purposes or (verb)to regulate housing in certain areas of towns.

Earlier this month I went out to see a film called District 9 that was produced by the renowned director, Peter Jackson and actually directed by Neill Blomkamp (who was born in South Africa).

The movie, DISTRICT 9, was a very imaginative science-fiction type film that was quite amazing to see. It leaves the viewer open to a sequel in three years. I give it FOUR stars. It is a cross between other films like Blackhawk Down, E.T., Hurt Locker and I-Robot in a mock documentary-drama style. I simply do not think I can ever eat another prawn again (after watching the story).

The DISTRICT 9 movie was actually inspired by historical events that took place in District Six, an inner-city residential area in Cape Town in South Africa under apartheid. In 1966, District 6 was declared a "whites only" area by the apartheid government and for the next several decades, 60,000 people were forcibly removed and relocated to Cape Flats. It only cost 30 million dollars to produce the film. Ouch! Yet, it made 37 million dollars on the opening weekend. Lucky!

I happened to notice a French film on my Netflix list about a week later called DISTRICT B13. I thought it might be a French version of the same story, so I wanted to watch it as soon as possible. This film was nothing like District 9 but it sure had all the elements of action and thrill rides. If you want to be on ‘the edge of your seat’ for one evening then watch DISTRICT B13. District 13 is the English language release title of the 2004 French action film, Banlieue 13, directed by Pierre Morel, and written and produced by Luc Besson. It was also released in North America as District B13.

The DISTRICT B13 movie centers on Paris in 2010 where social problems like violence, drugs and organized crime have overrun the poor suburb areas. The two lead characters Cyril Raffaelli (Captain Damien Tomaso) and David Belle (Leito) are so fit and exciting to watch.

Cyril plays the tough undercover police officer who believes in law and government while David Belle plays an acrobatic ghetto-dweller who fights the gangs and feels cheated by the system.

The sequel, District B13 Ultimatum, will reprise the roles with Cyril and David once again. The sequel has promised to be just as action-packed a film as the first. It was released in France in February 2009 and the DVD/Bluray was released in France last week (on August 19, 2009). I look forward to watching the sequel.

Both District 9 & B13 films are highly recommended by me if you would like to test your adventure ride endurance. You will definitely 'go where you've never been'. If you were strapped to a heart monitor while watching you would surely see your frequency changes go wild ‘every now and then’. It is a good way to lose a couple of pounds (just don’t have two Snickers bars or Reese's Butter Cups while you’re watching them).


Twenty-five years ago today:

August 27, 1984
Monday

I had a fair day at work.

Lunch was enjoyable with Barbara Reynolds and Joe at the Galleria ‘Chinese’ place. It was as delicious as it could be.

We did more stupid role play cases at work. I have to repeat one tomorrow morning. It has me bummed out. I shall comply. I just cannot wait until the damn ‘practice cases’ and training days come to a final end. I will be on vacation at that time.

After work I came home and I received my $3300 bill from VISA. Shit! Thank God I don’t use those credit cards anymore. I will catch up to my ‘discretionary income’ soon.

I went bicycling and my rear tire now has a low leak. As if my day had not been SHOT already! I went over to visit mom and we walked slowly around the hallways of the Alameda Hospital. Mom will be released tomorrow or Wednesday. Hurrah!
“John and Sherri are having problems,” mom said.
“Really, why,” I asked, “What happened?”
“John told Sherri to move out and it’s a sad story because Ashley is in the middle of it.”
“Well, only time will tell with that. You never know, so don’t worry about it.”

I was going to invite Sherri over for a trip to Nations Burgers but she wasn’t home. Instead, I drove to Nations alone. I enjoyed a cheeseburger, fries and shake.

I did not feel I had enough cycling in today. I need to have my bike tune-up and that low leak fixed. I think I will just exercise these forthcoming nights to QUAKE radio tunes versus the cycling. It is always good to tone up and stretch. It will be my new way for a change of pace.

Karyn Kossoff never called me to find out why I did not show up at Barnaby’s last Friday night. I am beginning to wonder why.

I always wonder why Chris Cordellos did not call. That’s nothing new. I told him if he did not call I would only assume he went to Sonoma. And so, I guess he hit ‘the boonies’ (the small hick town of Sonoma). I love to visit there but ‘to live’ is another story.

Now I want to sleep. I want to have a good dream about the damn role play I have to repeat tomorrow morning.

Speaking of outright anger (as mentioned yesterday) it is really frustrating because I know I want to do well. I believe they know I am doing well but they only want me to polish it up. Anything and everything in life could use some ‘polishing’ (especially after aging usage and built-up dust).

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Persepolis

“Men all think their ‘thing’ is irresistible.”
-as heard while watching
the 2007 film,
Persepolis

Have you seen the movie “Persepolis”? Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid dynasty. The Achaemenid empire was forged by Cyrus the Great, and spanned three continents, including territories of Afghanistan , Pakistan, parts of Central Asia, Asia Minor, Thrace, much of the Black Sea coastal regions, Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and all significant population centers of ancient Egypt as far west as Libya.
Persepolis is noted in western history as the foe of the Greek city states in the Greco-Persian Wars, for freeing the Jews from their Babylonian captivity, and for instituting Aramaic as the empire's official language. It fell during the Wars of Alexander the Great in 330 BC.

Persepolis is a 2007 movie that is a poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic Revolution. It came highly recommended and it gave me a new look into the trials and tribulations of IRAN. It’s an animated film but it kept my interest all the way through. It’s a ‘must see’.

It’s a great film that explores the qualities of being honest and morally upright. The dilemma of Iran’s unusual culture is still an ongoing mess as you may have read after the recent elections. I watched it in French with English subtitles, but if you have time you can hit this link and watch the entire film in ENGLISH:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=perseopolis%2C+english&qs=n&docid=988816539910&mid=B3B4B5FFBBC0087C0BACB3B4B5FFBBC0087C0BAC&FORM=VIVR22#

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 23, 1984
Monday

I did not see Linda this morning at the Fruitvale BART station. I shall quit seeking her out. I have a feeling she’ll appear one day when I am not looking for her. Could that be risky?

My first day of training was a breeze. Some guy named Stan Burke is the lead instructor. He is very laid back. The training has been a real ‘cinch’ so far.

For lunch, Barbara Reynolds, Bobbie Renbarger, Joe and I went to eat at Vicky’s Restaurant. We followed lunch with dessert at Bud’s Ice-Cream.

I went to Mom’s and my $86.18 check from the Sacramento State of CA arrived. I rode my bicycle to the bank to deposit it. That song called “Free Nelson Mandela” got me going on a speedy ride. I love to RIDE LIKE THE WIND with this tune...
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=free+nelson+mandela&qs=n&docid=942965784910&mid=DDFC3CC50B2856E02D20DDFC3CC50B2856E02D20&FORM=VIVR24#

Tonight, I met Birda, the gal that I always see riding around on her bike quite often. She lives on Tonga Lane (just around the corner). She graduated from high-school in 1973 which makes her approximately twenty-nine years old. She mentioned a step-son that graduated in 1980, so I don’t know if she’s married or what. Oh well, we rode home together on our bicycles. She has beautiful teeth and a striking smile.

I went to eat at Mom’s and came home and left a quick message on Karyn Kossoff’s recorder.
“I give up. You’re never home,” I said after the beep.

I also gave Sue Miller a call and invited her over but she was ‘pooped out’ from her work day.

Now I am ‘jumping rope’ to QUAKE radio tunes “The 80’s”.

I decided to order a brass tricycle paper weight that caught my fancy from the TAPESTRY direct mail catalog I received in the mail the other day.

Karyn Kossoff responded to my message by calling back at around 9:30PM. It was a surprise phone call because we talked until about 15 minutes after midnight! I had a few call waiting interruptions from the geek (Bruce). Bruce wanted to invite me to see “Cheech and Chong”. I kind of shunned the idea.
“Listen, I’ll call you back,” I said.
“…but I’m calling from a public telephone,” Bruce said.
He’s weird!

I received a postcard from Bill Helbush who was in Reno, Nevada at some cowboy rodeo. I sent him a postcard, hinting about the idea of a dinner outing. We shall see if he replies to that one.

Karyn and I continued to talk.
“There was all of this hissing, oooing and ahhing about our hanging out together at the picnic,” Karyn said.
“…so let them wonder, “I said followed by a chuckle.
“Would you like to come with me to a party with my section this Friday in San Bruno?” she asked.
“Okay, why not,” I replied without thinking.
Now I am debating on whether I should go or not.

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The Third Man

"He never grew up.
The world grew up around him that's all."
-as hear in the 1949 film,
"The Third Man"

Every once in a while you see a movie that 'sticks' with you for a day and 'the day after that'. I happened to see a motion picture from 1949 the other day called "The Third Man". The B&W cinematography was brilliant. If I were a photography instructor it would be a required film to watch on the first day of class.

"The Third Man" is a suspenseful mystery directed by Carol Green. The drama captured me through many of the images. Orson Welles has a role in the film along with classic stars from the early 1950s like Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard and Wilfrid Hyde-White. It is also an advantageous way to escape to Vienna in 1949.
The story follows an unemployed writer, Holly Martins, who arrives in a post war Vienna that is divided into sectors by the victorious allies (France, Britain, America and Russia). A shortage of supplies leads to a flourishing black market.

Holly arrives at the invitation of an ex-school friend named Harry Lime who has offered him a job. Suddenly, Harry Lime dies in a peculiar traffic accident. From talking to Lime's friends and associates Holly Martins soon notices that some of the stories are inconsistent. He is determined to discover what really happened to Harry Lime.


The director, Peter Bogdonavich, said, "Orson Welles used to refer to Black and White as the actors' friend. It's the lack of distraction. It focuses on the dramatic."


Twenty-five years ago today:

June 25, 1984
Monday

I looked pretty slick at work (as usual). I was told that I looked slick. Funny.

Bob Fadda gave me a few “slick” and “questionable” looks. I am sure the looks were because he had seen me last Saturday night at the “Bench and Bar”. Oh well…I only have eight more business days left in that office. Hoorah!

I went to the Day Cleaners after work.

I also had a good few solid bike hours. I stopped at Suzy Miller’s and spoke to her apartment mate, a black fellow. He’s a nice guy.

Now here I am wondering if I should exercise, shower, go out or what? It’s almost 9PM already.

Chris Cordellos telephoned me sooner than I had expected (at 9:35PM). It was a good, nice chat.
“I miss it down there and hangin’ out with ya,” Chris said in a soft, quiet voice, “Barb is bummin’ me out, yellin’ at me, tellin’ me that I’m good-for-nothin’ and that I’m going nowhere in life. You know what else?”
“What?” I asked, feeling scared as to what was coming next.
“She said I have no balls and that I use one friend and then I just flake another friend off.”
I felt bad for him.
I tried to give him words of support.
“She’s a bad influence. Don’t worry because you and I both know your self-worth is high.” I thought I sounded reassuring. It seemed to make him feel better.
We said “Good night.”

Now I will shower.

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The Clive Connection

"All I knew is that I was full of emotion
and I had to find a way to express it."
-Javier Bardem
as heard in his role in
'Vicky, Cristina Barcelona'

What is my connection with Clive Owen? It is all too coincidental. I have seen him three times in the last several years. The first meeting was the best. If I see him a fourth time I must speak to him again. Better yet, if you are reading this Clive, do save me the trouble by making a comment and we can do lunch.

November 24, 1997, LOS ANGELES
The Premiere of BENT

Alan and I were somehow invited to the Premiere of this movie called BENT in Beverly Hills, CA in November 1997. I forget the circumstances behind the invitation and my 1997 journals are not handy.
There were no major known actors in this film unless you count Ian McKellan, Jude Law and Mick Jagger (of course, Mick was the most well known for his music and Ian for his stage work ‘at the time’). The star of the film was Clive Owen who plays the lead role of Max. This movie, by the way, is one of my classic favorites.

The story is about Max who is gay and as such is sent to Dachau concentration camp under the Nazi regime. He tries to deny he is gay and gets a yellow label (the one for the Jews) instead of pink (the one for the gays). In camp he falls in love with his fellow prisoner, Horst, who wears his pink label with pride. It is based on a play by Martin Sherman (who also wrote the screenplay).

After the screening of this film in 1997 there was an after-party at the Neiman-Marcus department store. Alan and I were two of the first ones there. We were given glasses of champagne and I took notice of Clive Owen. He looked me straight in the eye.
I couldn’t help myself by saying, “You’re going to win an Oscar for that! You were fantastic.”
“Ah, you’re too kind. I don’t know about that,” Clive said, shaking his head in disbelief.
I almost detected him blush. I guess actors are really shy ‘at heart’. I would be.
“Well, we loved the movie and you were GREAT,” I continued. I believe we toasted with our champagne glasses as more guests started to arrive.
I didn’t know what to say after that. This Clive Owen was relatively unknown in the USA, having done mostly television in the United Kingdom.

The next year (1998) he did CROUPIER which gave him more US notoriety. And then he followed with films like GOSFORD PARK, THE BOURNE IDENTITY and KING ARTHUR. I loved it when he won the Oscar for CLOSER (2004). I could have told him, “I told you so!”

November 2008, NEW YORK CITY
A Visit to SULLIVAN STREET BAKERY

In November 2008 I stopped into the Sullivan Street Bakery in New York City. There is a favorite zucchini pizza slice that I love there. Who walks into the tiny shop? Yes, it is Clive Owen, the tall striking fellow looking a tad disheveled. I suddenly had ‘stage fright’. I wanted to remind him of our meeting in 1997. Would he remember? I decided to let it pass. Darn it.
“The next time I see him I’ll remind him,” I thought.
I imagine he was in NYC after just wrapping up his film ‘THE INTERNATIONAL’ (a good film, too). I found a printed interview with Clive after this film. I like the way he answered this question:

How did you feel when you knew you were cast in the role of ‘The International’ and that you were able to go in front of the camera and do what you did?

“Every time you do a film you are starting from scratch. It’s a very weird thing acting no matter how much experience you have got, no matter how much you do, every time you start filming there is the potential to be bad in it and to fall flat on your face. I tend to get very nervous at the beginning of every film, just until I am a few weeks in. It was very difficult in this movie because the very first scene that we shot was that very last scene on the roofs in Istanbul. And we literally started the movie out there, so we did the very very end of the movie before we had shot anything. You always shoot movies out of sequence but it was particularly difficult in this movie, because it’s such a big journey that guy travels all over the world in pursuit of this guy and eventually they come together at the end. In terms of feeling comfortable I spend a lot of time on the script before shooting. I will read it over and over again…I don’t know if you ever feel comfortable. Every day there are new challenges and new things that you have got to do. I just do as best I can.

June 6, 2009, LONDON, England
THE ROYAL BALLET, Ondine Ballet in three ACTS

I was fortunate to be accompanied by some lovely friends for The Royal Ballet in London, England. There was an AUDI sponsored event going on and Clive was a participating guest. After the third act I was walking down the stairs and spotted Clive Owen once again with his wife, Sarah-Jane Fenton walking up the stairs. It was not conducive for a conversation. Where will I run into Clive Owen a fourth time? It’s just too coincidental. Time will tell as to whether there will be another chance meeting.


Twenty-five years ago today:

June 17, 1984
Sunday

Here I am at the start of a relaxing Sunday, lying out on the South Shore Alameda beach, listening to my KQAK-FM tunes, wearing my new Moroccan madras shorts. Please allow me to relax.

I did relax until 1:30PM or so. I seemed to get a number of “double-takes”, too. It was time to move on and get my bike. I ended up riding along the beach until almost 3PM. I had a nice nap after a scrumptious homemade sandwich.

I woke from my nap at 4:30PM and went over to 3330 Cook Lane to help Sherri’s Dad (Bob) carry Sherri’s dresser upstairs to the master bedroom. I hung out at the Cook Lane townhouse with my mom and dad, Sherri and Ashley until about 8pm.

I learned that Sherri’s friend, Gina, is only sixteen years old. So I will have to later that ‘idea’ for a couple of years anyway. I finally decided it was time to come home.

Just as I walked in the door the telephone was ringing. It was Christopher Cordellos.
“Hey, what’s up? I’ve been trying to reach you all weekend,” Chris said.
“Well, you finally got lucky because you got me this time,” I replied.
“Guess what?”
“What?” I asked without being able to guess.
“I told Barb that I was moving out on August First,” Chris announced proudly.
I was happy for him. It’s a good move on his part. We all need our own space and privacy.
“I’m not sure I can come down on Thursday,” Chris said.
“I’ll keep tabs on you until you know for sure,” I said with a tinge of hope that he would come.

All I know is that I get to move back into my ‘3348 Solomon Lane’ pad on Wednesday. Hoorah!

I watched a taped episode of ‘The Young and The Restless’ with my mom. It’s funny because I do feel ‘young and restless’ myself these days. I went to bed by 11PM.

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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.

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Where Do I Come From ?

"A molecule that interacts with another molecule has a much greater chance to luminesce."
-actor Alan Rickman's last line in the movie "Nobel Son"

I have been reading the book "The Seven Daughters of Eve" by Bryan Sykes (a professor of genetics at the Institute of Molecular Medicine at Oxford University). He wrote:

We may know our parents, even our grandparents, not far beyond that, for most of us the trail begins to disappear into the mist.

He reminded me of that movie GATTACA when he wrote:

DNA has just four key components. A for adenine, C for cytosine, G for Guanin and T for thymine.

In the 1997 movie, GATTACA, people are cloned. I feel like watching it again:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKTJioYKHcI

I plan on writing more about this fascinating book that will ultimately explain how we are all descendants (maternally) from one of seven daughters of Eve (Ursula, Xenia, Helena, Velda, Tara, Katrine, or Jasmine). I just wanted to touch up on an article I just read that was published yesterday (January 7, 2009). It is about ten extinct beasts that could possibly be brought back to life. The writer of the article, Henry Nicholls wrote:

THE recipe for making any creature is written in its DNA. So last November, when geneticists published the near-complete DNA sequence of the long-extinct woolly mammoth, there was much speculation about whether we could bring this behemoth back to life.

Creating a living, breathing creature from a genome sequence that exists only in a computer's memory is not possible right now. But someone someday is sure to try it, predicts Stephan Schuster, a molecular biologist at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, and a driving force behind the mammoth genome project.

Does this mean that one day we can resurrect Sigmund Freud, George Washington, Katherine Hepburn and Clark Gable? It may seem far-fetched but for the right price who knows what will be possible in another hundred years. I would like to have a mini-clone of myself. Seriously! I could teach myself new things. You may read the full article here by Henry Nicholls if you'd like:
www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126905.000-ten-extinct-beasts-that-could-walk-the-earth-again.html?full=true

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 8, 1984

GEICO Insurance Agency called today. I made arrangements with them to provide me with Auto Insurance over the telephone.

I watched the 49er versus Washington Redskins football game. Then I decided to go bicycle riding (after I shaved my moustache). I also had my haircut by Cheryl (who suggested a 'body wave' for me). What is a body wave?

The bike ride was exceptional and exhilarating. I once again bumped into Susan and Nancy. I casually invited them out for tonight. Susan was driving her car when they saw me on my bike. She didn't say anything when I suggested the outing. Her friend, Nancy, said that she had to go to work now. I asked Nancy where she worked.
"Oh, at El Taco in San Leandro," she said in a not very excited tone.
I told them I would ride my back all that way to chat. So I did and learned that Nancy is only a senior at San Leandro High School (jail bait?). I gave Nancy DeSilva my business card and suggested she call me sometime this week. We'll see if she calls or not.

I found a great Paris poster of an older gentleman on a bicycle with a child on the backseat with a french baguette. I was with mom at Longs Drug Store when it captured me. I had to have it. It was a crowded shopping day. We survived and I was most happy with my new poster.

Once I returned home to my pad I washed clothes. Mom came over to help straighten up a bit, too. She is so darn good to me.

Leslie Fonseca called just when I noticed a message that Sherri had left me:
"Leslie called!"
It is flattering for me as I do really like Leslie. It's just 'the child' that brings about a 'hang up' deep down inside me. I discussed it a bit with Rose Rodarte, a married co-worker.
"It's not so bad that she has a baby," Rose said.
And it is true. I guess it is not a bad thing. It's simply a question of how I truly feel deep down that counts. I guess I would prefer my 'own' kids with my 'own' chick. What can I say? Why waste precious time?

Wake up! Leslie is a nice girl. I may see her again. When she called we talked a while about our day.
"I will call you again tomorrow," I reassured her.
She kind of giggles at times and it sounds like she's a little girl herself. I am seriously infatuated at this point.

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Dancing Is All About Self-Discovery

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." --Sally Berger (a quote also found on a Fantesca Chardonnay wine cork).

It was a busy 'last day in New York Wednesday' with a meeting in Brooklyn followed by organizing and packing at home. I am now writing you from the INN AT THE ANASAZI, Suite #224 in Santa Fe, NM. I will be at the Pojoaque Pueblo tonight to see my two year old GodDaughter, Micaela, dance Native American-style for the very first time.

Alan and I had a pre-planned NYC dinner last night with our dear friend, Mimi, and her sister, Joanie, at the Lattanzi Ristorante Italiano. The fettucine al ragu was 'delicioso'. Mimi and Joanie were en route to see the Broadway play August: Osage County. Our intention was to eat and return home to finish packing and 'hit they hay' early.

After dinner we walked them to their theater when we took notice of the line of people walking into The Imperical Theater next door. Billy Elliot, The musical, was playing there and Jay Kuo told us it was a 'must see'. With our spontaneous nature we stood in line in hopes of a major 'what if' possibilty of getting seats. One woman actually offerred us free tickets but they were in the rear mezzanine. Lo and behold...with a bit of patience we were able to get third row center based on a recent cancellation. We really thought we would not see this one until the Springtime.

The 2000 feature film of Billy Elliot directed by Stephen Daldry (who also directed the stage production) was always a favorite film. If you have not seen it add it to your 'must see' list. I am now anxious to see Stephen Daldry's recently directed film called THE READER (I plan to read the book on the plane ride).

Kiril Kulish played the Billy Elliot part on-stage with style. I was so impressed to read that he is an accomplished pianist as well. What a talent! I posted the photo above by a Canadian photographer friend (Edith Kangas) because there was a scene on-stage when Billy pulled a rubiks cube out of his backpack. Ediths' son also seemed like a prospective Billy Elliot (though not sure he can do any ballet dance moves) in the photo. You may view more of Ediths' photography at:
www.redbubble.com/people/throughmyeyes

There was a bit of dialogue during the show that remained with me. Billy's teacher with her snappy British accent said to Billy, "Dance is all about discovering yourself, isn't it?" It struck me as so true. The show got me in the mood to dance. Stephen Hanna of the NYC Ballet was stunning to see as the grown-up Billy Elliot. Ballet dancers really do have the 'best bodies'. I think it is time for me to pull out my NYC BALLET Stretch and Exercise DVD once I return to Los Angeles. It will whip anyone into shape after 6 weeks of doing this DVD. Of course, I hardly look like the ballet dancers but you feel the progess (within 24 hours) after one episode. Many of you know that more Americans gain more weight during the months of October, November and December, so this would make a nice stocking stuffer:
www.amazon.com/New-York-City-Ballet-Complete/dp/B000HRMAR2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1229037430&sr=8-1

I loved it when Billy sang "Electricity" (take a peek).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVO8e3jFMus
The show won me over.

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It Starts With An Idea

"It's the good girls who keep the diaries...the bad girls never have the time."
--Tallulah Bankhead

Last night I laughed when I came across the above quote inscription on a Fantesca Cabernet Sauvignon wine cork. It made me think of the wild and zany ways of Tallulah Bankhead. She was quite the attention getter in here heyday with her 'off the wall' remarks that would make anyone raise an eyebrow.

Coincidentally, I recently read a delightful screenplay by two writer/friends (Christopher Bram and Draper Shreeve) called TALLULAH. Christopher Bram is one of my favorite authors. He wrote the book 'Father of Frankenstein' which was turned into the film starring Ian McKellan and Brandon Fraser called 'Gods and Monsters'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFhK0ia7oG0
His book 'The Nortorious Dr. August' is one of my all-time favorites. I will soon be reading 'Exiles In America: a novel' in which Chris inscribed "11-28-08, To Michael, From one artist to another. It's an honor and a pleasure knowing you. All good things, Christopher Bram".

The TALLULAH screenplay is an excerpt of her life that tells of the events that led to an actual trial brought upon by her maid. The screenplay depicted her true colors. I would love to see it made into a film. The screenplay was sold to producer, Jayne Baron Sherman. Jayne made her Broadway debut with A RAISIN IN THE SUN.

The feature film about Tallulah Bankhead was in development with Philip Kaufman as director (for a time) but seems to have fallen out of the loop. These economic downturn times do not make it easier to have a film made. I am crossing my fingers that it won't be one of those projects that will take ten years to make. I believe Jayne is in search of another producer to help get the project rolling, so if you have a suggestion for me--let me know. You could be on a red carpet, accepting an Oscar if all goes well.

If you take a few minutes to read the biography of Tallulah at wikipedia.org you'll be quite amazed at the substantial stories surrounding her:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallulah_Bankhead

I already have my sights set on specific actors giggling at the Algonquin Hotel with Tallulah. The landmark hotel in midtown New York City opened in 1902. It was destined to be at the center of New York 's literary and theatrical life. In addition to Tallulah there were illustrious clients who lunched daily at the The Algonquin's Rose Room.

I really think I need to arrange a Tallulah Bankhead "marathon film screening" of three or four of her films. I am eager to see her in action.

Then I think I want to find myself a 'Rose Room' to meet a group of several friends daily to exchange ideas (just like the Cafe de Flore in Paris, France where my dear friend, Marie-Paule, now hangs out whenever she can).

"Do you believe people can enter our lives...for a purpose?"
--Ian McKellan as James Whale
in the film GODS & MONSTERS

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